Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Samuel+009
CHAPTER 9 (ESV)
1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. 6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
REFLECTION:
- David had reached the pinnacle of his military and political career. Yet he didn’t forget the covenant with Jonathan. He fulfilled his promise made many years ago to Jonathan. Mephibosheth had every reason to be afraid of David since he was the last member of Saul’s family – a potential rival to David’s claim to the throne. David’s words of reassurance: “Don’t be afraid” (v7) disarmed his fears.
- When we come to God, we often feel fearful. Shepherds in the field, Peter catching a boatload of fish, Jesus walking on the water, young virgin Mary. That’s why “Don’t be afraid!” is such a reassurance from God.
- Just like Mephibosheth, God has saved us from darkness to light and gave us “the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7). We all have the same unanswered question: How can I repay God’s goodness to me?
PRAYER:
Softly sing or read this song. My Tribute by Andrae Crouch as my prayer.
How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me
Things so undeserved yet you give to prove your love for me
The voices of a million angels cannot express my gratitude
All that I am or ever hope to be I owe it all to Thee
To God be the glory (3X) for the things He has done
With His blood, He has saved me; by His power, He has raised me.
To God be the glory for the things he has done
Just let me live my life And let it be pleasing, Lord to Thee
And should I gain any praise, Let it go to Calvary.
With His blood, He has saved me by His power, He has raised me.
To God be the glory for the things he has done.
HYMN:
“My Tribute” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng2ZcJCIvWc
