Dear Friends of Longview Chapel,
In 2 Samuel 9, King David chooses to be kind and gracious to anyone who is still alive from King Saul’s family. Remember, Saul had persecuted David and tried to kill him multiple times. Saul had taken advantage of David’s strengths and then turned on him. David had every right to persecute all of Saul’s family, since in those days, sons and daughters inherited their parents’ sin and mistakes. They also often were punished based on the parents’ actions.
However, David was very good friends with Saul’s son, Jonathan. In fact, Jonathan protected David. But in the end, when Saul and Jonathan both died, David — as the new king — had control of all that Saul had owned.
The primary descendant David could find was the son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth. The man had been crippled in both feet and was very dependent. Mephibosheth must have been anxious when he was called to David’s court. He fell to the ground and bowed to King David as he said, “I am at your service.”
David could have easily had him thrown in jail or just ignored him. He certainly could have made Mephibosheth sweat for a while. But instead, David responded, “Don’t be afraid, because I will certainly show you faithful love for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the fields of your grandfather Saul, and you will eat at my table always.”
Mephibosheth, most likely in shock responded, “Who am I, your servant, that you should care about a dead dog like me?”
Knowing the bad history between his family and David, knowing that because of his crippled body he was considered less than others, even unclean, it must have been hard for Mephibosheth to understand how David could honor and care for him. He may have found it hard to care for himself. David’s choice to care and protect this man who was vulnerable changed Mephibosheth’s whole life, and the life of his children.
We may never know how us moving beyond our fear, anger, hurt or lack of awareness, to care and protect others may change their lives and ours. We can be — and are — a part of God’s good news when we do.
King David stepped up beyond what anyone could have asked or imagined. How will we step up this week to care for those who are vulnerable and in need of our care?
Celebrating the Good News with You,
Pastor Donna