“He shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.” 2 Sam 9:11
Last month the world witnessed the passing away of the longest reigning monarch in British history. But Queen Elizabeth II not only ruled for more than seventy years; she ruled well. She was honorable, courageous, witty, and the embodiment of elegance and grace. Her funeral may well have been the most watched event in the history of the world, with some claiming the number to be more than five billion people, nearly 2/3 of the world’s population!
2 Samuel 9 gives us a window into the heart and mind of another Sovereign, in fact, arguably the most revered to have ever reigned: King David. According to this chapter, David was inexplicably moved to show someone “the kindness of God” (v.3). So whom did he choose? One of his most esteemed generals? The wisest of his advisors? His most faithful servant? No, of all people, he goes out of his way to shower blessings upon “someone from the house of Saul”. That’s right, King Saul, the man who was obsessed with one thought above all else; for years, he pursued David in order to kill him.
It’s tempting to make this story about David being a type of Jesus, who, for doing nothing to deserve it, showered His love upon us, and has elevated us to have a seat at His table. This is all true, and I certainly would never make light of the riches of His mercy towards me!
Rather than making this about Jesus and me, I am challenged to make this about me and the Mephibosheths in my life. When is the last time I was quickened by an overwhelming desire to want to absolutely and astonishingly bless the socks off someone else? And not just my buddies, or the more deserving people in my world either? Someone unexpected. Someone that would be gobsmacked and most certainly brought closer to his or her Redeemer.
Favor is a powerful, powerful force. If you have ever been blown away because someone chose you, or for some unknown reason liked you especially and sought ways to bless, endow, or promote you, then you know what I am talking about.
David experienced much favor in his life. He refers to it eleven times in Psalms. He must have spoken to his son Solomon much about it as well, since it is mentioned fifteen times in Proverbs. The word “kindness” here (Heb. hesed) is also translated as mercy, grace, and favor. David considered well “all His benefits” (Ps 103:2) towards him. He recounted the time Samuel chose him above his seven older brothers. He surely was amazed that he, above all those better qualified, was invited to be the court minstrel for King Saul, or marry his daughter the princess, or that the King’s son was his best friend. It humbled him, knowing the favor he received could never have been earned. I mean, a rival king, Hiram of Tyre, sent world famous cedar–along with carpenters, stonemasons and craftsmen–to build David his royal residence—for free. If that’s not a picture of favor, what is?! (see 2 Sam 5)
When I recount all the ways God has favored me, our kids, our family, our ministry, it also moves me to tears. Why are people led to give sacrificially to us? Every place we have ever lived has been a testimony of favor resting on us. One man, an unbeliever, was moved to give us a fortune in silver, sets of cutlery, expensive plates, etc for a few hundred dollars, after turning down generous offers from dealers. He may not have understood why, but we knew it was the Lord that caused him to show us the kindness of God.
Favor brought redemption to Mephibosheth in so many areas. When David sought for him in barren and distant Lo Debar, there are at least six ways favor elevated him. Perhaps you can relate to some of these as well:
1. Redeemed from Victimhood. Mephibosheth had been dropped and made crippled by his maid when she fled upon the news of the death of his grandpa, King Saul, and his father, Jonathan. He, like many today, always had his victim card at the ready: “it’s someone else’s fault I’m like this, and there is nothing I can do about it.” Not anymore.
2. Redeemed from Banishment. Exiled since he was five, Mephibosheth had likely stopped dreaming he would ever return to Jerusalem, the cultural and spiritual center of the Kingdom, again.
3. Redeemed from Fear. He fled in fear. He lived in constant fear that one day troops would discover his hideout in obscurity. When summoned, he fell on his face in trepidation, until he heard the shocking words of David say to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness” (v.7)
4. Redeemed from Poverty. Next, David said words that had seemed impossible: “I will restore to you all” the inheritance left to him by Saul. David even assigned the household of Ziba (fifteen sons and twenty servants) to manage his newly acquired land.
5. Redeemed from Indignity. Mephibosheth reveals the depths of his self-pity when he called himself a “dead dog”. We’re not talking your household poodle, certainly not a Welsh corgi! Dogs were considered dirty, and scavengers. It was bad enough to think of oneself as a dog, but I can’t imagine identifying as something worse than a dead one!
6. Redeemed from Shame. Crippled people in ancient times were hidden by their families from the public eye. They were a stigma, or worse, a sign of being cursed. The crippled man whom Peter and John healed in Acts 3 did not even appear to have a name, for in the whole story he is only referred to as “a certain man”! But all that sense of shame melted away as Mephibosheth sat side by side at the King’s table with the princes and princesses of David’s household for the rest of his life.
As we reflect on all the ways God’s favor has redeemed us, may we also find ourselves moved by the same Spirit that stirred David’s heart that day. May we realize that all the kindness God has showered upon us was never meant to be just for our own gratification. Help me, Lord, to be inspired to action by the example of King David. Let me too be a channel of the kindness of God to people around me–that they might experience Your favor through me, and taste the sweetness of redemption in so many incredible ways, just like Mephibosheth.