And David said, Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake? 2 Samuel 9:1
David had finally established his Kingdom and was ruling and reigning out of Jerusalem. But here we see him asking about any relative of Jonathan. For those of you who don't know who Jonathan was, he was King Saul's son who had befriended David. The two of them had been more than best friends. They were very tight and deeply cared for each other. At some point, Jonathan betrayed David, though Scripture doesn't mention exactly what it was.
However, here we see David wanting to bless anyone connected with Jonathan. David is a type and shadow of Jesus. His kingship over Israel is an everlasting kingdom and God told David there would always be one of his descendants on the throne... with the final one being Jesus, Himself.
I was reading this chapter of Samuel and the story leapt out at me. Not that I hadn't read it before.. many times.. but this time, it took on a new meaning.
The king said, Is there not still someone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the unfailing, unsought, unlimited mercy and kindness of God? Ziba replied, Jonathan has yet a son who is lame in his feet. v3
David finally finds someone who knows a relative of Jonathan. Jonathan had a son who was crippled, disabled we might say in our present time. The Scripture tell us he was "lame in his feet". In ancient Israel, people who had disabilities were often looked down on. It was believed that the person must have committed a horrible sin for God to allow or even cause their disability. We often see in the Bible how the lame and blind wandered about, begging for money so they could eat. A crippled man was not allowed to be a priest. He could enter the courtyard of the temple, but not any further. To be crippled brought shame and often ostracization from society.
So, I got to thinking about this in spiritual terms. The Bible says "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." We ALL, are, in a sense, spiritually disabled. None of us are worthy to worship before a Holy God. We should all be considered outcasts, shameful and outsiders to the Kingdom of God.
That's why Jesus came to Earth, to seek and save the lost, to offer Himself as a sacrifice so we could become a part of His Kingdom. And since David is a type and shadow of Jesus, it warmed my heart to see him do the same thing. No, he didn't sacrifice himself but he went out of his way to inquire after and bring to his kingdom a cripple, the son of a man who had betrayed him and the grandsom of a man who had hated him and sought to kill him (King Saul).
And Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and did obeisance. David said, Mephibosheth! And he answered, Behold your servant! v 6 Then in verse 8, And the cripple bowed himself and said, What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I am?
He calls himself a dead dog. This is how we should approach our Lord.. with humility and reverential fear. Because without Jesus, that's just what we are: Dead Dogs.
What's really awesome is that David restores this "dead dog" to the land Jonathan and Saul owned. Not only that, David provided a host of servants to do all the work. But best of all, he orders Mephibosheth to eat at his table every day.
So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table, [even though] he was lame in both feet. v 13
What a great shadow of what our Lord does for us! He takes us when we were still sinners, outcasts, dogs, and then dies for us, brings us into His Kingdom and insists we join Him at His royal table.
Yet, another thing struck me as I read this story. David only restored this young cripple because of Jonathan. The lad was Jonathan's son. David and Jonathan had a close relationship. That's why David showed mercy on Mephibosheth.
God will do the same for all the descendants of those who truly love Him and have a close relationship with Him! So, this story is not only about us and God's mercy toward us, but of God's mercy toward our descendants.
I know many of you, like me, have lost children and grandkids... so be of good cheer, the Lord wants to restore them to their rightful inheritance and host them at His table in His Kingdom! That's what leapt out at me about this story as I read it. So have faith. Pray. And believe!
Hello Sister in Christ,
ReplyDeleteVery touching story. I know David had endured so many struggles and troubles and had done things that were displeasing to God, but despite all that, he still had a repentant heart that blessed and praises not only God but all those whom He was close with. I am actually reading through Psalms now and I enjoy how he praises the Lord and trusts that He will vanquish those who persecute him.
I can relate to David in this case for I also had “friends” who I thought actually cared about me, though definitely not like how David cared for Mephibosheth, and now that they have gone separate ways to the point where I sense it was more of a betrayal/disownment since they never even thought to reach out and reconnect after so many years, I made peace with this knowing that God has promised so much better in Heaven. Therefore, I should take in stride the hatred and resentment and betrayals in this life. I do not know whether they have small kids now or not, but like it is with David, maybe I should also pray for their descendants despite the bitter betrayals?
I have seen this multiple times already in just a day or so, but there is a picture circulating around showing Trump portrayed as a Jesus-like figure “healing” a bed-ridden man that symbolizes a fallen America. It makes us want to throw up at first sight, doesn’t it? Also if you look at the image, there is a figure above with three “horns” - symbolic of Satan perhaps
I know this may make people wonder if he has high AC potential, but I don’t believe that is important or matters, because those who are truly in Christ will not be here to know. I guess maybe we converse with someone who got saved during the Tribulation, we may ask them who the AC really was?
One last thing unrelated to this I would like to bring up is that today (tonight to be specific) marked 114 years since the sinking of the Titanic. Can you believe it has been that long, though it may not feel so considering how the world was so much more tranquil 100+ years ago and suddenly turned into this current evil in what feels like the next day, right?
Have a great day and keep holding onto to the faith. Peace and Blessings from a Brother in Christ.
Greetings dear Brother! I think it would please God greatly for you to pray for the children of those people who harmed you! What a lovely thought. God is working in your heart!
DeleteYes.. I intend to post about Trump ... probably tomorrow. And yes, we won't know who the AC is.. but once we get to heaven, I'm sure the Lord will tell us. I believe we will be able to see things occurring on Earth from up there.... which will be nice, so we can make appeals for our loved ones left behind.
I did not know that about the Titanic. Wow. Yes, people from 100 years ago would not recognize the world today!
Blessings and Peace, Brother!
Please refresh my memory…..I don't remember reading Jonathan ever betrayed David. The last mention of them together (as far as I know) was when they meet in the open field in 1 Samuel 20 when Jonathan was alerting David to King Saul still wanting to kill him. As far as I remember this was the last time, they would see each other before Jonathan was killed in battle and it says in v. 41 "Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most. (v. 42) Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town." Thus, the reason, why David showed kindness to Mephibosheth because they promised to care for one another's family.
ReplyDeleteJust curious if you can tell me where it was that Jonathan betrayed David? I do appreciate the fact that David does represent a foreshadowing of Jesus in his kindness even to the grandson of the man who wanted to murder him who could’ve legitimately claimed to be heir to the throne. So thankful for David’s example of mercy as well as our Lord’s. Don’t worry you’re not alone in praying for Josh. I’m still banging on heaven’s door with you.
You know, Amy, I can't find it. Strange, but I believe I heard it from a sermon long ago... and most likely it came from one of David's psalms where he talks about the betrayal of a close friend. But you are absolutely right. There is no mention directly of any betrayal. Jonathan was a dear friend and the two loved each other and had a special bond.
DeleteRegardless, I guess my point here was that David showed kindness on Jonathan's son merely because of Jonathan. Not because of anything Mephibosheth did. Which makes me think of our lost children... Anyway, Wow, you remember my son's name! Thank you so much Amy. You are a blessing!
Greetings Holy Messenger of God,
ReplyDeleteI agree that, like David showed love for Mephibosheth, we should try to emulate this example by praying for the descendants of those who wronged us, no matter how infuriating it may be. As God would say, “love and pray for those who persecute you,” I think it also applies to those who come after them. After all, God has promised divine justice provided we do our part of forgiving and praying, so it is not worth being upset or hesitant about praying for adversaries or betrayers, isn’t it?
The way David invites Mephibosheth to eat at his table every day, isn’t that symbolic of when Jesus brings us home via the Rapture to attend the Wedding Feast? I am longing for that time when I can see the Lord and personally thank him for bringing me home to be with Him and all true saints.
By the way, when King Saul is mentioned, I almost thought, isn’t Saul whom Paul used to be before he was transformed by Christ into the Apostle? I do not think I have read through Samuel all the way so that may be why I almost thought they have the same identity.
I just realized that for yesterday the 13th, isn’t that when the asteroid Apophis is predicted to fly near Earth in 2029 and may have to do with the Wormwood star from the Third Trumpet? I do not know if that is still applicable since that means we would have been gone back in October last year and 3.5 years later would lead to that, but I guess we will see as events unfold. I know we will not be here to experience that, but perhaps we might have a view of it from Heaven as the star is cast down to Earth?
Blessings and Peace in Christ. Stay strong in the Lord and Maranatha!
Absolutely! Jesus told us Himself to pray for our enemies and do good to those who are mean to us. This kind of prayer and kindness greatly pleases Him. And I know it's often very hard to do!
DeleteYes! David having Mephibosheth at his table every night is the perfect foreshadow of how Jesus invites us to the Wedding Feast at His table! I, too, am longing for that day!
I don't know about this Apophis prophecy... I think they are guessing that it would have to hit mid-trib, but there's nothing that gives that exact timeline. So, I still think it is heading our way... and will hit sometime during the Tribulation... But we wont be here! Thank the Good Lord
Peace and blessings to you!