Dignified

Promise and war.

Prophesy and political upheaval.

Security and trauma.

Belonging and isolation.

Abundance and abandonment.

Palace intrigue and mundane monotony.

Brokenness and healing.

Truth and lies.

God and sin.

There is so much in the story I'd like to travel through with you today. Over recent years I've come to learn the importance of healing in community. The moments alone with the Lord are essential. There are places in each of us only God can restore, redeem, change, and make new. However, God indwells His image bearers. God uses people. God sends people. God speaks through people. God loves through people. God expresses Himself through people. If the Trinity maintains a relational community, so must we.

David and Jonathan have long been the poster boys of friendship in scripture. When Jonathan realized that the Lord had forsaken his father, Saul, and that David was to be the next King, he entered an oath with David. Jonathan would send word to David of his father's plans and David promised to show kindness to Jonathan and his family. It wasn't uncommon for a new successor to entirely eliminate the lineage of his former rival to ensure there would not be a revolt or competition for the throne. Jonathan caused David to vow to deal kindly with them after his coronation (1 Samuel 20:12-17).

This kindness vowed by David is the Hebrew word Hesed (or checed Strongs 2617). It appears over 250 times in the Old Testament, primarily as an attribute of God's character towards His people. It is most closely translated and understood to mean an 'unfailing and loyal love and faithfulness'. Hesed runs deeper than our mortal fluctuations of expectations, responsibility, or emotion. It is indicative of covenant love. God's Hesed was most clearly manifested through the gift of Jesus Christ, making forgiveness and relationship possible and eternal! This is the sort of steadfast mercy, love, grace, and kindness that Jonathan requests of David. In essence, "I know my father has been ruthless towards you, and you and any other future king would be justified in killing us all, but please show mercy on me and my children out of the friendship and love we have for one another." David agrees.

2 Samuel opens with the death of King Saul and Jonathan on the battlefield. 2 Samuel chapters 2-4 detail some struggles between the House of David and the House of Saul, while chapters 5-8 tells of David's other conquests to secure his new dynasty. It is in 2 Samuel chapter 9 that our story about Mephibosheth (muh-fi-buh-sheth) begins...

And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” 2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. 6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” 9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's grandson. 10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master's grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master's grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's sons. 12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servants. 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table. Now he was lame in both his feet.

- 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Once peace has settled over the land, David remembers his vow to Jonathan and inquires if there is anyone left of the house of Saul to whom he can fulfill his promise of Hesed. Ziba, a servant of the former king, steps forward to assert his loyalty to the new king and answers the question by stating that the descendent who remains is crippled. It strikes me that his condition is mentioned long before his name ever is. Perhaps, Ziba points out his crippled condition first in an effort to say that he is not a threat to David. David demands to know this sons whereabouts.

Lo-debar, you say?

This name in Hebrew means: no pasture or no thing.

In other words, Mephibosheth is living in the middle of nowhere, no man's land. He resides in a wilderness, barren, insignificant, and empty.

Meanwhile, do you remember where David came from?

Bethlehem: The House of Bread.

A King from the House of Bread beckons a cripple dwelling in the land of no bread.

Mephibosheth is living with Machir, depending upon his charity as he is unable to live, work, or provide for himself.

Let's go back in time to understand why Mephibosheth is crippled.

Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. - 2 Samuel 4:4

In 1 Chronicles 8:34 and 9:40, when it recites the genealogy of Saul, the son of Jonathan is actually named Merib-Baal, which means, 'A contender of Baal', or 'He that resists Baal', or 'An opponent of Baal'. Jonathan named his son with the hope that he would someday as King, battle the tendencies for idolatry that the Nation of Israel had. At some point, his name is changed to Mephibosheth, which means, 'He scatters shame', or 'Dispeller of shame', or 'The one who destroys shame'.

At the age of only five years old, his whole little world turned upside down. His father and grandfather are killed on the same day. There is no mention of his mother, perhaps he became an orphan that day. Out of her love and loyalty to him, his nurse flees with him for their lives. Everything is gone. And in all the madness of an empire overthrown, she drops him!

Sometimes the people entrusted with our care, drop us. Those who are meant to be responsible for us, they slip, they harm, they hurt, or they damage us. The damage was not Mephibosheth's fault. Before he could even make a decision for himself, he was dropped. Now, he is a crippled fugitive, living with strangers in hiding. He was a prince in a palace! He was once sung lullabies of being King someday. For his name to mean Destroyer of Shame... his life seems rather shameful right now.

Imagine being the grandson of Saul the day King David's men find you in Lo-debar. You thought the middle of nowhere would be safe. The day you have avoided, the day you feared, has finally come. You are being escorted back to the palace, and why would you have any reason to think grace waited for you there? This is David, the man who was anointed by Samuel, who took out the giant Goliath, and who slew many mighty men in battle, and you are a crippled son of the former kingdom.

When he arrives in 2 Samuel 9:6, Mephibosheth throws himself upon his face. David assures him of his desire to show Hesed for his father, Jonathan's sake. Not only this, but he restores to him the lands of his grandfather and extends a place for him at his table!

Mephibosheth's biggest challenge was that the blood of Saul ran through his veins. Saul, who no less than seven times tried to murder David, has marked Mephibosheth as an enemy of David. But in David's eyes, the blood of Jonathan was greater, it spoke a better word and was more powerful than the blood of Saul. The holy and perfect wrath of God should be poured out against each one of us. We have the fallen blood of Adam in our veins, making us enemies of God. But through Jesus, through covenant, through his shed blood applied, when the Father looks at us and sees the blood of His Son, the blood of Christ is greater! The blood of covenant, the blood of Hesed, is greater!

After this overwhelming display of grace, Mephibosheth responds by referring to himself as a dead dog. He was brought out of Lo-debar, but Lo-debar still needed to get out of him. By continually eating at the King's table, Mephibosheth goes from a dead dog to a King's son. In verses 2, 3, 4, and 5, all the references to David include his title as King. His title is mentioned intentionally. However, when the son of Jonathan, a boy who could have been like David's very own nephew, a young man who resembled his father - in verses 6 and 7, it is not King David, it's just David. No formalities, no titles, no crowns. Just a man with the heart of a Father.

Dining at David's table must have been interesting, to say the least. The greatest men of Israel would have sat there as the nobles they were, but Mephibosheth got to sit there as a son. He sat with Solomon, Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom. Mephibosheth was there when David had his affair with Bathsheba, when Amnon raped Tamar, and when Absalom revolted against his father. He would have been a close witness to it all.

The text places an emphasis on Mephibosheth's condition, mentioning it before his name each time. But David NEVER once mentioned his condition. He never referenced his brokenness, he only ever called him by name.

God does the same.

We are not the damage done to us.

He calls us by name.

"I have called you by name, you are mine." - Isaiah 43:1

Think of how beautiful, elaborate, and decadent the King's table must have been.

In ancient times, dining was done reclining on pillows. The table still would have had some elevation, but not the tall tables and chairs we have today.

While reclining at the King's table, Mephibosheth would have been as dignified as any other guest.

The King's table covered his lameness.

The King's table hid his 'shame'.

While sitting at the King's table, Mephibosheth looked like everyone else, like nothing had ever happened to him.

When Mephibosheth was dropped, something in his feet, ankles, or legs must have broken. Being a fugitive, on the run, and living in hiding, he must not have seen a physician or had help resetting the bones. Broken bones heal if they are set properly.

Therefore, it wasn't the fall that crippled him, it was the lack of healing!

It's not the abuse that cripples you.

It's the lack of healing.

It's not the addiction that cripples you.

It's the lack of healing.

It's not the divorce that cripples you.

It's the lack of healing.

It's not the bankruptcy that cripples you.

It's the lack of healing.

We were created to be resilient.

And we were made by an omnipotent God.

All things can be healed if reset properly.

Healed doesn't mean the same.

There may be bruising, scars, calcification, scar tissue, sore muscles, etc.

But if we think we can run away from or outrun our pain, we'll just be crippled.

The King called for and pursued Mephibosheth to show him Hesed.

And God does the same with us.

"Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever." - Psalm 23:6

It is by always sitting at His table that we come to believe we are His sons and daughters.

By regularly spending time with King, our identity changes from dead dog to family.

This new identity does in fact destroy shame!

When we receive His grace and live in His presence, there will no longer be visible evidence of a damaged, crippled condition.

Healing begins at the King's table.

The saga continues in 2 Samuel 16:1-4

When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine. 2 And the king said to Ziba, "Why have you brought these?" Ziba answered, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who faint in the wilderness to drink." 3 And the king said, "And where is your master's son?" Ziba said to the king, "Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.'" 4 Then the king said to Ziba, "Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours." And Ziba said, "I pay homage; let me ever find favor in your sight, my lord the king."

When Absalom revolts against his father, David flees Jerusalem for a time. Ziba ventures out bearing gifts for David and his men. When David asks why Mephibosheth did not come with him, Ziba's response is that he, too, is also hoping to elevate himself to the throne and restore his father's kingdom. Undoubtedly, David is feeling betrayed by yet another young man he loved like a son. Everything that David had previously gifted to Mephibosheth, is now granted to Ziba.

The story ends in 2 Samuel 19:24-30,

And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back in safety. 25 And when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, "Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?" 26 He answered, "My lord, O king, my servant deceived me, for your servant said to him, 'I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go with the king.' For your servant is lame. 27 He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God; do therefore what seems good to you. 28 For all my father's house were but men doomed to death before my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right have I, then, to cry to the king?" 29 And the king said to him, "Why speak any more of your affairs? I have decided: you and Ziba shall divide the land." 30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, "Oh, let him take it all, since my lord the king has come safely home."

After Absalom's death, David returns to Jerusalem and the sight he beholds is that of Mephibosheth looking rather gruff! He intended his appearance to be a sign of mourning for David's absence, and a physical evidence of his loyalty. He was not living it up in the palace, plotting his takeover, as Ziba suggested. When David asked why Mephibosheth did not arrive with Ziba, he explained that Ziba lied, and saddled a donkey for himself but left Mephiboseth behind.

To go any further, we need to take a deeper look at this Ziba character.

When Ziba first enters the scene back in chapter 9, he identifies Mephibosheth as a crippled boy and I hypothesized that perhaps this was in an effort to protect him, showing him to be of no threat to David. However, David had already said that he inquired of a member of Saul's house in order to show them kindness.

Ziba was well off. Ziba had 15 sons and 20 other servants beneath him. When Mephibosheth shows up, David makes Ziba his servant. Maybe Ziba mentioned Mephibosheth's lameness in order to sway David into thinking that such a man isn't worth showing kindness to?

How often do we do that, when we think someone doesn't really deserve the grace, mercy, attention, and affection of the King?

None of us do!

The person who thinks this way has forgotten the grace, mercy, attention, and affection they have received from the King!

Ziba served the household of Saul.

Ziba was a servant of Saul.

If David wasn't merciful, he would have killed Ziba, too.

David also showed Ziba Hesed.

Ziba forgot that.

So when Ziba arrived with the gifts for David, he was rewarded with everything that belonged to the annoying cripple. Ziba has gone from a steward of the house of Saul to owner! Ziba makes one last honorable mention in 2 Samuel 19:17-18 where he and his sons and servants assist in escorting David back across the Jordan.

David is helped by Ziba.

But then he sees Mephibosheth's disheveled state and must have known someone is lying.

But who?

Why?

And there's no way to prove either way. It's just their two words against each other.

David tries to do the best he can to maintain justice - both men will divide the land.

Mephibosheth has the most heartfelt response. Let Ziba take it all!

To me, this response runs parallel to the story where Solomon tries to identify the true mother of a baby. He offers to cut the child in half so that each woman might have a piece of it. Only the true mother cries out that she would rather let a stranger raise her child than to have it killed. By this, Solomon knew she was the infant's mother (1 Kings 3).

In the same way, I'm inclined to believe Mephibosheth.

In the NLT verse 30 reads, "Give him all of it," Mephibosheth said, "I am content just to have you safely back again, my lord the king!"

It's not about the land, riches, wealth, status, or the prestige of being close to the king.

Likewise, it's not about blessings, good health, a full bank account, a happy family, or any other 'thing' we may receive by being close to God.

Mephibosheth was happy just to have David. He went from a dead dog to a true son and a son just wants his dad!

Is that true for us?

Can we say that we are content just to have Him?

I remember my early days of first learning how to hear the voice of God. So often I expected Him to say what others have said, or what I have said about myself.

I filtered His tone through the known inflections I grew accustomed to.

At times, I would be apprehensive, very much feeling like a crippled dead dog, crawling into His presence so unworthily with my tail between my legs.

It took a few years before realizing and fully believing that the King is delighted in me.

• That He, more often than not, will say the last thing I'm expecting.
• That His tone will be compassionate, firm, tender, authoritative, a quiet whisper, and a thunderous command at times.
• And understanding that it is He who has determined my worth and so the invitation to come boldly, not timidly, remains open on my best and worst days.

C.S. Lewis, in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe writes: "Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”

He is the King I tell you!

And He is good!

While He cannot be tamed, and while the sort of things he requires of us (laying down our lives, dying to self, picking up our crosses, etc.) may not be 'safe', we are safe in Him (John 10:28).

...

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