2 Samuel 19:24-30
24 Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. 25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?”
26 He said, “My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.’ But Ziba my servant betrayed me. 27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever pleases you. 28 All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?”
29 The king said to him, “Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the fields.” 30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has arrived home safely.”
Several chapters earlier King David was fleeing Jerusalem because his son, Absalom, was coming to the city to overthrow his father. In 2 Samuel 15 and 16 David and his people had crossed the valley and reached the summit of the Mount of Olives. There he was met by King Saul’s old servant, Ziba. Ziba also served as steward for Saul’s grandson, Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan. Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet and in honor of his friendship with Jonathan, David had treated him well even though he may have had some claim to the throne. When David met Ziba he asked about the whereabouts of Mephibosheth. Ziba reported that he chose to stay in Jerusalem in the hope that the men of Israel would give him back his grandfather’s throne. Upon hearing this, David gave all of Mephibosheth’s lands to Ziba.
When we come to chapter 19 David is at the Jordan River, preparing to cross back over to Jerusalem after Absalom had been defeated. It is there, on the east side of the Jordan, that Mephibosheth came to David. What a sight he must have been! The text says he had not done anything to care for his crippled feet since David fled Jerusalem. He had not shaved. He hadn’t even washed his clothes! Can you picture this scene? He looked and smelled like a mess! Yet he went out to meet his king.
David must have wondered at Mephibosheth’s approach. After all he had done for him, according to Ziba, Mephibosheth had betrayed him and made a bid for his throne! When David inquired as to why Mephibosheth had not gone with him he discovered that it was Ziba who had lied to David. Ziba had betrayed Mephibosheth and had enriched himself with his lies.
But what really strikes me is the attitude of Mephibosheth. Look at what he says in verses 27 and 28, “My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever pleases you. 28 All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?” After David returns his lands to him Mephibosheth shows his true character, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has arrived home safely.”
Mephibosheth had been devastated when his king left Jerusalem. He grieved and mourned throughout the king’s absence. He only longed for David to return to Jerusalem. He was not interested in his own condition or his own comfort. He only cared for his king and looked for his return. He recognized David's grace and mercy. He took the position of a servant and demanded no rights and made no appeals. He simply rejoiced that his king had returned.
I heard the whisper of the Spirit when I read these verses, “Do you long for the return of your King like Mephibosheth did? Or have you become comfortable with the way things are? Are you praying for his return or are you too busy taking care of yourself? Are you satisfied with the world as it is or are you passionate about praying ‘thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven?’ Shouldn’t Mephibosheth be your example in looking for your King’s return?”
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.
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