This is the fifth installment of Mike’s series on Bible Characters.
Perhaps a bit more obscure as a Bible character, Mephibosheth is nevertheless a great illustration of grace.
His father was Jonathon, and his grandfather was King Saul. But, as a 5-year old child, he was disabled — on the same day that he learned both his father and grandfather had been killed in the same battle (2 Samuel 4:4).
Years later, Mephibosheth was shown great kindness by King David.
Although Mephibosheth had done nothing to deserve it, David showered blessings upon him. Which, of course, sounds very much like what Paul said in Romans: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8).”
How do you respond when you are asked to sit at the king’s table?
One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked.
“Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied.
The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.”
Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.”
“Where is he?” the king asked.
“In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.”
So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.”
Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.”
“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!”
Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”
2 Samuel 9:1-3 (NIV)