2 Samuel 9

2 Samuel 9:1

H. Compassion Shown to Mephibosheth (Chap. 9)9:1-13 David remembered his covenant with Jonathan (1Sa_20:14-17) to show him kindness and wanted some opportunity to fulfill it. Ziba, a servant of the late King Saul, reported that a crippled son of Jonathan was living in Lo Debar, on the east side of the Jordan River. David had him brought to Jerusalem, ordered that the family property be returned to him, and arranged for him to eat at the royal table. Ziba and his sons were appointed to serve Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth is a picture of an unconverted soul living in a barren land (Lo Debar may mean no pasture) and sold under sin (Machir means soldv. 4). He was an outcast from the fallen house of Saul. He was unable to come to the king to beg for mercy, being lame in both his feet. But the gracious sovereign sought him out in order to bless him. Once found, Mephibosheth was given great riches and a place of fellowship at the king’s table. The parallels to salvation are obvious. Like Mephibosheth, we were helpless (unable to come to God); our condition was hopeless (being part of a fallen race). But by grace we became objects of divine favor. We have been elevated to a place in the family of God and made joint-heirs with Christ. Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my heart, my life, my all! Isaac Watts