Can You Say Mephibosheth?

This is the true story of Mephibosheth. What a name! And what a great story! It's one of the greatest stories of friendship in the entire Bible, and it involves David and Jonathan. The book of 1 Samuel describes the relationship between David, King Saul, and King Saul's son, Jonathan. After David killed the giant Goliath, King Saul became jealous of all the praises David received. Not only that, he was threatened by the possibility of the people demanding that David be the king. Thus, Saul eventually wanted to kill David!

Saul’s son, Jonathan, became David’s best friend, and even protected him from being attacked and killed by Saul. Over time, David and Jonathan developed a sort of covenant type of friendship – one that would never be broken. Unfortunately, in a battle against the Philistines, both Saul and Jonathan were killed. This was tragic news for David. Years after the death of Saul and Jonathan, when David had become king, he began searching to see if there was anyone left in Saul's family line so he could express kindness for Jonathan's sake.

David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They summoned him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” At your service,” he replied. The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.” (2 Samuel 9:1-3)

The name of Jonathan's son was Mephibosheth. He was just five years old when his father and grandfather Saul were killed. At that time, his caretaker nurse, hearing about the Philistine's victory, was so worried that the Philistines would track down and kill the next of kin, she fled to safety with young Mephibosheth in her arms. Unfortunately, in her haste, she dropped the young child, permanently crippling both his feet. 

So now, many years later, after learning that a son of Johathan was still alive, David summoned for him. He was anxious to meet his best friend's son.

When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “At your service,” he replied. “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely 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.” Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9:6-8)

Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s steward, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons. (2 Samuel 9:9-11)

There are several crucial points in this story. 
1. Mephibosheth was shown grace by the king.
2. Mephibosheth was considered a son of the king. He was provided for from that point on.
3. Mephibosheth inherited everything that was his father’s. . 
4. Mephibosheth didn’t feel worthy of all he was to receive, and even referred to himself as a dead dog!
5. Mephibosheth was shown kindness because of a third party – Jonathan. 

This gives us such a great parallel between Mephibosheth and ourselves as Christians. I love it when you see an Old Testament person, place or thing pointing to Jesus and symbolizing the Church of the New Testament. The relationship between King David and Mephibosheth is a picture of the relationship between God the Father and us. Compare the 5 points above with the 5 below. 

1. We as Christians have been shown grace through Christ - we are saved by grace.
2. We as Christians are adopted as sons of God, we get to eat at his table, and He provides everything we need.
3. We as Christians inherit everything that is our Father’s – His promised rewards, Eternal life, Heaven.
4. We as Christians are not worthy of the God's grace, once dead in our sins.
5. We as Christians are shown kindness because of a third party - Jesus. 

What a great comparison to remind us of who we are and what God has done for us because of his great love for us. From now on, when you hear the name Mephibosheth, remember you are not much different than him.