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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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2 Samuel 9:1
David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
David was a man with a heart like the heart of God (see Acts 13:22).
He did not succumb to revenge or bitterness in defeat; when misunderstood or betrayed, or even as a fugitive from Saul. When he eventually became king and was released into the ‘fullness of his anointing’, he nevertheless remained gracious. Virtually throughout the rest of Israel’s history, event after event highlights tribal rivalry and the settling of old scores, which were invariably greater than the last. Each new king, it seems, had to rid himself of all his predecessor’s relations before he could establish his kingdom.
David was different. He left it to God and once he came to power, he sought out the ‘last’ of Saul’s descendants in order to “show kindness for Jonathan’s sake.” A cynic could say that he did it to protect his kingdom and make sure that Israel ‘stayed on his side’ but that doesn’t hold water on two counts.
Firstly, it doesn’t flow with David’s character, which he had demonstrated over the last 10+ years and secondly, it turned out that Mephibosheth was crippled. He had nothing to add to David’s success. He was Jonathan’s son who had been dropped by his nurse when 5 years old, when she panicked on hearing of the death of Saul and Jonathan.
When Mephibosheth arrived, he bowed before David to pay him due honour. David replied, “I will show you kindness for the sake of your father, Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” He replied, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” (v 7 - 8)
David not only brought this man, crippled in both feet, into his presence to tell him he was ‘safe’, but he also restored what had been taken from him. He arranged for the lands to be cared for, he provided daily provision at his table and we read that he treated Mephibosheth “like one of the king’s sons” (v 11). In fact, Mephibosheth found David a better ‘father’ than his own “grandfather”.
Why did I pick this story? Because you and I are like Mephibosheth.
Before we met Jesus, we were also “dead dogs” without hope - but Jesus came and found us. And, because of Jesus, God the Father brings us to His banqueting table and treats us as one of the King’s sons. One of His children. We were nothing but now share in the inheritance of the King of all kings.
He restores more than what Satan took away. He gives us peace with God and a seat in His presence. He is our Protector, Provider, and Saviour. We no longer need to rely on our inadequate strength but rejoice in His eternal, almighty power and grace.
Look up, my friend, look up. You are not a crippled “dead dog” any longer. Hold your head up high, and walk like a prince or princess of the Great King. We are seated at the banquet of the King and He treats us “like one of the King’s sons.”
Isn’t that terrific?
Spend some time today rejoicing in His love and grace. (See also 1 Peter 2:9-10 because it’s a ‘Ring of Truth’!)
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