“And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And, when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. And the king said unto him, Where is be? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Nadir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the eon of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. Then therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s eon may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons. And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.”―2 Samuel 9.
IN this chapter we find a lovely expression that might well touch any heart, ― “the kindness of God,”―the very last thing our hearts would have discovered. We might think of the wrath of God, of His sternness to execute righteous judgment, or His severity to punish sin; but “the kindness of God,” who would have thought of this? Have you tasted it, beloved reader, or do you wonder that the Spirit of God should have used such a term, considering who are the objects of His kindness? This is how God gratifies His own heart, ―viz., by bestowing His love on those who deserve none. He saves the guilty lost sinner.
Here we have a lovely picture of the grace of God, which comes out to the perishing. David is a figure of God, seated on His righteous throne, and he turns to ask, “Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” and God says, “Is there one of the lost children of Adam who has not tasted My love, is not blessed, saved, that I may lavish My love upon him?” From Saul David had received the very worst treatment. Saul hated him because he believed David to be God’s man. But the day of persecution is over; Saul is dead, and David is firmly established on his throne. No bitter memories fill his heart, but, as one ready to bless, he inquires, “Is there one of the house of my bitterest foe, that I may show him the kindness of God?” Seated on His throne of righteousness, God seeks objects for His favor.
In Eden the enmity of man’s heart first appeared. Man believed the devil’s lie rather than God’s word; his rebellion, then declared, ran on century after century, till on Calvary’s cross man consummated his guilt by slaying the Son of God. Such is the history of man as reviewed by the Spirit of God. You may seek, my friend, to patch up your character, but God is holy, and you must stand the test of His holiness. God’s character had to be vindicated before He could righteously bless one of the fallen race of Adam. The day comes when every foe will be trodden under foot, but now the foes are sought that they may be blessed. But you will not allow you are a foe! Are you the friend of God? “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly.” You say you love the Lord in your heart, secretly; but Scripture says, such an one “must show himself friendly.” Was Mephibosheth really one of David’s foes? He kept out of David’s way. He had to be sent for, which shows the old feeling of the house of Saul lurked in his bosom. When Adam sinned, he hid himself amongst the trees of the garden. God came and called, “Adam, where art thou?” It is the same story still; man seeks to hide himself from the presence of God.
To Mephibosheth David said, “I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan’s sake.” Jonathan here is a type of Christ; and it is the fact of Christ having died and risen that gives God a righteous platform, from which He can proclaim pardon to the sinner. God and sin cannot meet save for judgment. Sin could not be in His holy presence; but, beloved reader, when you die, you must stand in His presence, and exactly as you are. If you have lived all your days without God, you will be eternally without Him, and will see God only to hear that fearful word “DEPART,” which will righteously consign you to the lake of fire. Oh, seek now to lay hold of the true character of God! He can only bless according to His nature. The claims of His throne must be maintained. “The throne is established by righteousness” (Prov. 16:1212It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. (Proverbs 16:12)), and “Righteousness is the habitation of his throne” (Psa. 97:22Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. (Psalm 97:2)). So it must be for Christ’s sake, if you get blessing.
Christ died, “the just for the unjust,” and this is why God can now come to you, a guilty sinner, and offer you salvation full and free. The cross of Christ has put away the great barrier that stood between God and man. Sin hindered God coming out to man, and man going in to God. That question, however, was fully gone into and settled on Calvary between God and His Son. Before He died as the victim for sin, Jesus uttered those precious words, never to be forgotten, “It is finished!” And now you, a poor vile sinner, are invited into His presence, who is “of purer eyes than to behold iniquity.” The question of sin is settled on the cross in away that satisfies the throne of God, and meets the conscience of the sinner. He is satisfied. It is not enough you should be; God, the creditor, must be satisfied, and then you ought to be. He has raised Him, Jesus, from the dead, who gave Himself as the sacrifice for sin; and thus God proves every claim on His part has been fully met. Christ, my substitute, He who died for my sins, is raised, and by faith I now see Him seated on the very throne of God, and thus God can righteously say, “Is there one enemy of Mine unsaved, that I may show him My kindness?” Is my reader unsaved? Then I have good news for you, salvation for you, ruined sinner though you be, yea, because you are a ruined, good-for-nothing sinner. God grant that your eyes may be opened to behold it, and your heart to taste its joys.
Ziba (vs. 2) is a useful witness, and can tell King David of such an one as he seeks, and he describes truly his condition: “Jonathan has yet a son, lame on his feet.” “Lame!” How did he become so? This it is important for us to inquire.
From chapter 4:4, we learn that “Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings [of their death] came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.” They fled because they now feared David, who they judged would surely requite Saul’s guilt on his posterity. Thus man reasons toward God, and Adam, having believed the devil’s lie, found he was naked, and sought to flee from God. At five years of age Mephibosheth became lame, but you were born so. “Lame!” What does it mean? It pictures man in his weakness. Have you not tried to mend your ways, and to please God? Made all sorts of good resolutions, and broken them as soon almost as they were made? You are lame! Helpless! Impotent! There is nothing in you but sin! Romans 3:1212They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Romans 3:12) gives the verdict, “There is none that doeth good, no, not one;” and Romans 7:1818For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Romans 7:18) confirms it and gives the reason, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing.” If there is no good in you, it cannot come out of you. So you had better cease trying to extract what is not in you, and instead thereof come to Jesus simply.
But Mephibosheth was not only lame in his person, he was at a distance. “Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.” But David said, “Where is he?” Look at the grace that seeks a careless heart! All this time there was not a throb in the heart of Mephibosheth; he was utterly careless about David. How often do souls plead, “Oh, I must do something, feel something, before I can come to Christ?” Had Mephibosheth one desire, one feeling with regard to David? Did he do anything? All was on David’s part. Mephibosheth was in Lo-debar, and you are in the world, away from God, a sinner, a beggar, living on the devil’s charity, fain to fill your belly with husks (worldly pleasures) in the “far country,” as the Lord Jesus puts it; engaged with every little bit of passing vanity the devil can cast before your eyes, as a bait to engage your mind, lest one thought of God should enter there. With some it is music, others painting, some dancing, and some science―everything or anything that will detain the heart in the “far country.”
Like fugitive Cain, men seek to be happy without God. He built a city, and in it originated all that which now so engrosses man in the world. Jabal went in for COMMERCE, “and was the father of such as dwell in tents, and have cattle;” Jubal for PLEASURE, “he was the father of such as handle the harp and organ;” and Tubal-Cain for SCIENCE, or the more intelligent appliances of the mind of man, being “an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron” (Gen. 4). This threefold cord was made not to be quickly broken, and all to keep man in peace without God. But you say, “I have to earn my bread.” So have I; but how is your heart engaged? Is it engaged with the things of this life, or are your affections set on things above, whilst you are careful to “provide things honest in the sight of all men”? “Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12).
Dear unsaved reader, your heart is at a distance from God, but, though your heart has not one throb for God, His yearns over you; He knows your heart and life, your proud will that would blame Him rather than humble yourself before Him; but His eye is on you, that He may show you His kindness. But what is the kindness of God? Let us look for a little at Titus 3:33For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. (Titus 3:3), and learn what it means. First, we get a picture of the condition of man without God: “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.” Here is the language of a heart that has humbled itself in the presence of God; to such an one God will unfold His kindness. “Foolish,” who can escape this characteristic? “Disobedient,” this feature first showed itself in Eden, when man would do his way, rather than God’s. Since then disobedience has largely developed itself. We see it in the servant to his master, the child to the parent, and how constantly in the creature to God. “Deceived,” by whom? The god of this world. “Serving divers lusts and pleasures.” “Oh, I have only enjoyed that which was suited to my station in life,” you may say; but what does God say of these things? “Serving divers lusts and pleasures.” I do not deny there is pleasure in the dance, the racecourse, the theater, and the wine cup; but sin is mingled with all: they are “the pleasures of sin.” In them all the creature is following the bent of his own will―that is, sin. “Living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.” What grace in God to seek one who has been hating, not his neighbor only, but God Himself!
Such is the picture the Spirit draws of unsaved man; but, when this was his state, “the kindness and love of God appeared,” more truly the “philanthropy of God,” not that which seeks to raise the masses of men, by educating and improving the old fallen nature, which, alas! helps to blind man to the fact that his nature is a condemned thing before God, and cannot please God. “The philanthropy of God” showed itself in another way altogether, namely, in giving Christ to die for man: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” The first thing God does is to save us, and that not by any act on our part, but by what He has done. Do not say you know “the kindness of God,” if you are not saved; first He saves you, then you get to know your Saviour-God: “By grace we are saved... not of works lest any man should boast.” It is: “To him that worketh not, but believeth. “Believeth what?” That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3, 43For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:3‑4)).
But to pursue our chapter. “King David sent and fetched Mephibosheth.” He did not say, “Let him come to me,” but sent and fetched him. In the same way God acts towards the sinner. His Word deals with the conscience, the soul feels as if personally addressed in the midst of the congregation. The preacher knew nothing of the workings of the heart, but God, the searcher of hearts, did, and was thus, by His Word, singling out the soul, and sending home the arrows of conviction. “David sent,” and God, by His Word, speaks home to the soul, and Christ died to bring us to God. He took my place in the day of His death, and now He gives me His place in the glory of God. The moment the sinner believes in Jesus, Scripture says of him, “Accepted in the Beloved.”
“When Mephibosheth was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence.” Does he excuse himself? Nay. How real a thing it is when the soul is brought into the presence of God; it sees itself as God sees it: conscious of guilt, the soul is quiet. David broke the silence, and said, “Mephibosheth.” He named him by his own name. How his heart would throb. “He knows all about me,” he would say; “he has called me by my name.” He did not say rebel, fugitive, though both were true; his character he does not give him, but his own name “Mephibosheth” meets his ear. And what were the first words which Saul of Tarsus heard when, blinded by the sight of the glory of God, Jesus spake to him? “Saul! Saul!” His own name! Thus God makes the sinner feel He speaks to him.
Mephibosheth said, “Behold thy servant!” and Saul said, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Their hearts were captivated by the one in whose presence they were.
“Behold thy servant!” David replies, “Fear not.” Is there a trembling soul reading this paper, faint-hearted, yet believing? “Fear not,” for God says, “I will surely show thee kindness;” not for anything in you, but for Christ’s sake. “If I only had deeper feelings of love to Christ, a softer heart, then I might think He would bless me.” Is this the language of your heart? No, He would not; your feelings would not help, but hinder; it is because of Christ, because of that which He did, that God can bless you. No experience, however good, would help in your salvation; what Christ is, and has done, is the ground of it all. “But how am I to know I am saved?” Because the Word tells you, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” It does not say, “feels it hath,” but “hath.” God says so. Not for your worthiness’ sake, but for Christ’s sake. He is worthy.
Mephibosheth utters but one word, but it is a word of tremendous self-judgment, — “What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look on such a dead dog as I am?” “A dead dog!” What so loathsome? Is there any question of worthiness here? Assuredly not! He has done with himself, and accepts thankfully undeserved favor. “Do thou likewise,” beloved reader. And David said to Ziba, “I have given to thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul; thou, therefore, and thy sons, shall till the land for him. And Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.” Why are we told all this? Because God delights to recount what resources He puts at the service of one whom His grace has saved: “Life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours, for ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s” (1 Cor. 3:22, 2322Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. (1 Corinthians 3:22‑23)). When you have received Christ you have everything.
And further, “Mephibosheth shall eat bread alway at my table.” How? As an alien, a stranger? No, “As one of the king’s sons;” and “Thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat.” All the rich provisions of the king’s table are his now. For a little time? No! “ALWAY” (vs. 10), and “as one of the king’s sons,” for a new relationship is formed; no longer is he a rebel, a fugitive, but a child of the king: “Know ye not that ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” You are a child of God the moment you truly believe in Jesus, and there is no fear of your ever being turned out.
“So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem.” Jerusalem is a symbol or type of the presence of God, the place of blessing. He never left it, nor can you leave the place His grace has given you, ―viz., “Seated in Christ in heavenly places;” but God wants you to enjoy your privileges, and to know, as to the communion of your soul, the delights of His presence. “I have lost my sight of Jesus,” I hear someone say. What has caused this? Your walk tells on the communion of your soul; see what has caused this; judge the sin that has made you lose the consciousness of your Father’s smile. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive.” He desires you should ever enjoy the riches of His grace.
You feel your weakness, and so you should. “Mephibosheth... was lame on both his feet,” and continued so all his days. His nature was not changed; and are you discouraged, young believer, because you find in you that same bad heart, lusting after what you have declared yourself dead to? Your heart is bad, and ever will be; the flesh is in you; but the sense of this, and sorrow on account of it, is a, sign of life, not of death, and Scripture prepares us for all that which so troubles you, and makes you almost doubt if you have believed to the saving of your soul. The old nature is in you, though you have believed, and have the life of God in your soul, but your privilege is to live out Christ, and reckon the old nature dead. Do not obey its dictates. Christ is your life, and He the only One you have to obey. Let Him guide you: “He calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them.” Be careful and prayerful. Own your utter weakness. You have in you the Holy Ghost, and He will be power for you to live like Christ and testify for Him.
“Mephibosheth did eat continually.” He enjoyed his privileges, and thus bad power to meet responsibility when it came. In chapter 9 we see him feeding; in chapter 16 the kingdom of David is upset, the king has fled, and Mephibosheth is left behind in Jerusalem, and David, deceived by Ziba, repents of what he had given to Mephibosheth; but our David will never do so, “for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Does this change Mephibosheth? No! In chapter 19 we find David returned; and what had been the moral state of Mephibosheth during his absence? He had “neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed till the day he came again in peace.”
He was a true mourner, his heart abode true to David. A lovely picture of an unworldly saint! He held no fellowship with those who were pleasuring in the day of the king’s absence. How rebuking such a word, such faithfulness! His trust in David was unfeigned. He had been slandered. “He hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king, but my lord the king is as an angel of God; do therefore what is good in thine eyes” (ch. 19:27). Have you been slandered? Learn from Mephibosheth, he trusted his case in the king’s hands; he had learned his grace, and would trust his righteousness. David now would have divided the land between Mephibosheth and Ziba, but the former said, “Let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again.” He cared not for the riches now that he had David. How important the principle here! Many a saint has lost his peace, by asserting his rights and contending for earthly property. May we follow the footsteps of Mephibosheth, and be true mourners in the day of our Lord’s rejection, accepting no place but that which is given Him, while in spirit we are with Him where He is―for “as he is, so are we in this world.”
“Oh largely give, ‘tis all Thine own,
The Spirit’s goodly fruit:
Praise issuing forth in life, alone
Our living Lord can suit.”
W. T. P. W.