Remembered by God
A look at 2 Samuel 9:1-12 tells a story of kindness that extends beyond the boundaries of time, dysfunction and cultural expectations.
The story involves Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and the grandson of King Saul. Saul proved to be a man who followed his own desires instead of heeding what God had to say. (We often fall into the same position.)
To put it bluntly, King Saul put David on his hit list. King Saul hated David. David was young, gifted and anointed. The prophecy went forth to decree that David would one day take Saul’s place as king. Saul lied to David. Saul tried to kill David, but David and Prince Jonathan were friends. Every time King Saul got in a rage to kill David, Jonathan would warn David.
When Mephibosheth was 5 years old, both his father, Jonathan, and his grandfather, King Saul, died at the Battle of Mount Gilboa. Once the news reached the royal household about the death of the king and his son, Mephibosheth’s nurse took the child and left the city. In her panic the child fell, and he was left unable to walk.
The story takes up years later. Mephibosheth is introduced to readers as a man living in Lo Debar. The name Lo Debar translated means “land of nothing.” The once privileged child, with servants at his command, is now a crippled man. He is a man with no means of support. He is a man with no inheritance.
Saul, in his humanity, had tried to prevent David from becoming king, but Psalm 33:4 (ASV) says, “For the word of Jehovah is right; And all his work is done in faithfulness.” David does become king, and he looks for any relative of Saul. He was told of Jonathan’s son. David sent for Mephibosheth.
The man who has nothing is now being sought by the king. Mephibosheth has no way of answering the royal summons. Therefore, King David provided the way to get to the palace. David sends his servants to get Mephibosheth.
Once Mephibosheth got to the palace, he was still unsure why he had been summoned. He had heard the stories of how his grandfather hated David and tried to kill him. He had heard the stories about the death of his father and grandfather. He had heard stories of how his grandfather would go into fits of rage. He knew this family history. He knew the generational brokenness of his family.
Yet, here he was in the palace about to face the king who assumed the position that his grandfather had once filled. He did not know if King David would exact revenge upon his person because of his grandfather's treachery or if King David would kill him because he was the last descendant of King Saul.
Mephibosheth knew a lot of things, but he did not know or count on the kindness of King David. David, the mighty king, the warrior, restored Mephibosheth. He gave him the profits from his grandfather’s wealth and made a place for him to eat at the king’s table.
Asaph, a worship leader, a singer and musician appointed by David, elegantly talks about those in leadership defending the weak and needy. David’s actions parallel the words found in Psalm 82:3-4 (AMP): “Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice and maintain the rights of the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; Rescue them from the hand of the wicked.”
Crippled (physically or mentally), blind or workers of iniquity, those who come humbly before the king of grace shall be offered the opportunity to eat at the king’s table forever. It does not matter if you have nothing, have been rejected, have been hurt, have been abused, have been ashamed, there is a valid invitation to come into the fellowship of Jesus Christ. We are never forgotten by God.
I leave these words of encouragement with you. Isaiah 49:15-16 (NIV) says, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
St. James AME Church is located at 360 Dorothy St., Charleston, and worship service is held on the first and third Sundays of each month at 11 a.m. You may also join us on Zoom - pastorv.com.
