In 2 Samuel 21:7, we read: "But the king spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the Lord’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.”
"I thought we finished the story and everyone lived happily ever after."
Grandfather smiled. "There's more. Like Mephibosheth, I make bad choices.” Grandfather put down his Bible.
“When Ziba brought David provisions, he told him Mephibosheth was staying in Jerusalem, and had said, “Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.”
“Wait, Grandfather. Isn’t Ziba the one who told the king Mephibosheth’s location so he could be restored and sit at the king’s table--like one of his own sons?”
Grandfather held up his hand. “David’s son, Absalom, rebelled and was killed. Mephibosheth came to meet the king when he returned. He didn’t prepare himself, but was dirty, unshaven. When the king saw Mephibosheth, he asked, “ Why didn’t you go with me?”
“But he knew the answer, right?” Grandfather nodded.
Mephibosheth said, “My servant, Ziba, deceived me. He knew I couldn’t saddle my donkey as I was lame.You set your servant among those at your own table so I have no right to ask for anything.” The king answered, “Then you and Ziba divide the land.”
“Grandfather, I don’t understand. Didn’t Mephibosheth have enough? David treated him like a son.”
Grandfather smiled. “Later, David discovered that Saul’s family had dealt deceitfully with some people. The penalty--death. But David spared Mephibosheth because of the covenant he made with Jonathan, his father.”
“But he didn’t deserve to be spared. He was a rebel.”
“No matter. David was bound by his covenant with Jonathan. Mephibosheth was in that covenant.”
Kingdom Thinking. Like Mephibosheth, I don’t deserve to be in the family of the Lord Jesus. Nothing I can do qualifies me. But my Jonathan, the Lord Jesus Christ, made a covenant with the Father. That covenant will never be broken. He has promised never to leave nor forsake me. He loves me with an everlasting love. He offers the same to you. Won’t you come to Him?
"I thought we finished the story and everyone lived happily ever after."
Grandfather smiled. "There's more. Like Mephibosheth, I make bad choices.” Grandfather put down his Bible.“When Ziba brought David provisions, he told him Mephibosheth was staying in Jerusalem, and had said, “Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.”
“Wait, Grandfather. Isn’t Ziba the one who told the king Mephibosheth’s location so he could be restored and sit at the king’s table--like one of his own sons?”
Grandfather held up his hand. “David’s son, Absalom, rebelled and was killed. Mephibosheth came to meet the king when he returned. He didn’t prepare himself, but was dirty, unshaven. When the king saw Mephibosheth, he asked, “ Why didn’t you go with me?”
“But he knew the answer, right?” Grandfather nodded.
Mephibosheth said, “My servant, Ziba, deceived me. He knew I couldn’t saddle my donkey as I was lame.You set your servant among those at your own table so I have no right to ask for anything.” The king answered, “Then you and Ziba divide the land.”
“Grandfather, I don’t understand. Didn’t Mephibosheth have enough? David treated him like a son.”Grandfather smiled. “Later, David discovered that Saul’s family had dealt deceitfully with some people. The penalty--death. But David spared Mephibosheth because of the covenant he made with Jonathan, his father.”
“But he didn’t deserve to be spared. He was a rebel.”
“No matter. David was bound by his covenant with Jonathan. Mephibosheth was in that covenant.”
Kingdom Thinking. Like Mephibosheth, I don’t deserve to be in the family of the Lord Jesus. Nothing I can do qualifies me. But my Jonathan, the Lord Jesus Christ, made a covenant with the Father. That covenant will never be broken. He has promised never to leave nor forsake me. He loves me with an everlasting love. He offers the same to you. Won’t you come to Him?