Have you
ever been so happy that someone had returned to you—come back into your life—that
you were willing to forgive him his rash decision to believe, and even bless,
your enemy; and then give up your inheritance—your and your family’s wealth—to
the enemy-deceiver? That’s exactly what someone who loved King David did, and we’ll
look at his gracious, merciful—and peaceful—actions today in our study of
peace.
In our last
post, we left King David fleeing the city of Jerusalem with some of his
supporters. And, as always, there are those who choose sides based on who they
think will win the battle, or who they think they stand to gain the most from
during the war.
In Chapter
16, we again hear about Mephibosheth, (the grandson of the former King Saul and
the son of David’s dearest friend, Jonathan), when his deceiving servant, Ziba
tells David that Mephibosheth has remained in Jerusalem and told Ziba
triumphantly that “Today the house of
Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.”
It’s a lie,
of course. Mephibosheth said no such thing. He adores David. He’s grateful to
David for his gracious attention, salvation, and care.
But in his
haste, David, makes a severe and rash decision to hand over all of the
inheritance he’d given to Mephibosheth to the deceiving Ziba.
Before I go
on in the story, I want to ask: Have you ever done that? Retracted a promise
you made, for all of the wrong reasons? Because you were anxious, tired,
scared, or threatened? Because you hadn’t done your homework, to find out if
the information were true?
It’s
horrifying and embarrassing, isn’t it? It cleaves a gaping rift in the
relationship. And it causes the other person’s heart to bleed because you
didn’t trust her like she thought you did. Like peace, trust is a valuable
commodity. When broken it is so very difficult—and sometimes impossible—to
restore.
But when we
get to Mephibosheth’s response, you’ll have a greater understanding of how love
and an attitude of gratefulness can overcome the wrong action and allow peace
to reign.
I recommend
that you read all that David went through to regain his kingdom, including
losing his backstabbing son, whom he dearly loved. But for today, we’ll skip to
Chapter 19, verses 24-29, and read about David’s meeting with Mephibosheth.
Now
Mephibosheth the son (grandson) of Saul came down to meet the king (David). And
he had not cared for his feet (he was crippled), nor trimmed his mustache, nor
washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he returned in
peace (shalom). So it was, when he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that
the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?”
And he
answered, “My lord, O king; my servant deceived me. For your servant said, ‘I
will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go to the king,’
because your servant is lame. And he has slandered your servant to my lord the
king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good
in your eyes. For all my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the
king. Yet you set your servant among those who eat at your own table. Therefore
what right have I still to cry out anymore to the king?”
So the king
said to him, “Why do you speak anymore of your matters? I have said, ‘You and
Ziba divide the land.’”
The
Mephibosheth said to the king, “Rather, let him take it all, inasmuch as my
lord the king has come back in peace to his own house.”
David had
previously given Saul’s family estate to Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, to be
farmed under him by Ziba, who had been a servant of Saul. When Ziba deceived
David about Mephibosheth, David hastily gave all of the land to Ziba after Ziba.
Now, as David returns triumphantly to Jerusalem, Mephibosheth goes out to meet
the king. It is clear from his physical state that he has been in a state of
mourning for David since David fled the city. And he defends himself by telling
David of Ziba’s lie and deception.
Because
David is distracted or unsure what to believe, he tells Mephibosheth that he
and Ziba can divide the land between them. And how does the noble-hearted,
loyal and grateful Mephibosheth respond? He essentially says, as The Message reads, “Oh, let him have it
all! All I care about is that my master the king is home safe and sound!”
While David
made a poor decision to give half of the land to the lying, disloyal Ziba, the
thing we need to focus on today is Mephibosheth and his response.
Mephibosheth
has been in mourning, and probably fasting and praying for David’s safe return—a
happy ending to the kingdom mess and upheaval. He is happy his prayers have
been answered.
Mephibosheth
considers David as more important than himself; and he seems willing to forgive
Ziba his deception. To not let that ruin the peace he now feels in his heart
and mind. Mephibosheth knew how to enjoy peace, and he was content to possess
just that. He knows that he will continue to sit and dine at the king’s table
and be given good things by King David. He is satisfied that all is once again
right with the world, and he is content!
1. When you do some self-reflection, can you say you are
like Mephibosheth? His actions reflect a tremendous amount of humility and
true, unconditional love. He demonstrates a pure heart. He doesn’t argue with
David about getting back his fair share, which would have been all of the land. Instead, he’s willing
to let go of all of it. (He knew that David had given it to him out of the
kindness of his heart after David ascended to the thrown, for the memory of his
beloved friend Jonathan—Mephibosheth’s father. It had been a generous,
benevolent gift to him in the first place.)
2. How much like the lame, dependent Mephibosheth are you in
your attitude toward the Lord? I know that my flesh is quick to fight for what
I consider rightfully mine, especially when I think someone has “deceived” me
out of it. Essentially, stolen it from me by lying.
I forget that I am really broken and lame like Mephibosheth;
that I am at the mercy of my Father, who gives all good things. A Father who
opens up the heavens and pours good things down upon me, whether I deserve them
or not. I forget that all that belongs to Him is mine; and that I will always
sit and feast at the King’s table. I do not need to fight for and seek out
those things that will not add to my peace. It should be enough for me to know
that God is on the throne and still in control.
As we leave today’s study, let us try to go forth with
Mephibosheth hearts—humble, grateful, uncluttered, unconditionally loving,
content. At peace.
____________________________________
Until next Monday, may your week be
full of blessings that you receive and give, your heart be full of joy and
thankfulness, and your days be filled with laughter. Build a little heaven in
your life right now, and watch your heavenly garden grow!
Blessings,
Andrea
When
the eyes of the soul looking out meet the eyes of God looking in, heaven has
begun right here on earth. ~ A. W. Tozer
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