Mephibosheth was born into the royal family of King Saul in ancient Israel. To be precise, he was Saul’s grandson. His father was Jonathan. He was only five years old when his grandfather gravely sinned and fell from power. During the transition of power from King Saul to King David, nearly every one in Saul’s family was killed, including Mephibosheth’s father. The boy had been hidden away by his nanny, but he was injured when they fled – the nanny fell with him – and Mephibosheth spent the rest of his life unable to walk.
Jonathan and King David had been close friends, and, while it was out of David’s control, the death of his friend greatly disturbed him.
Years later, in God’s perfect timing, David approached a man who had been one of King Saul’s aids. He asked the man if Saul had any descendents remaining.
The man told King David about Mephibosheth, who was now grown, and still unable to walk.
David asked the man to bring Mephibosheth to see him.
When he came before David, Mephibosheth fell on his face.
David called him by name.
“Here am I,” said Mephibosheth, “your servant.”
David adopted him into his own family. He welcomed him to his table, the king’s table.
Like Mephibosheth, you and I were hurt by a fall. In our case, it was not the fall of our nanny, rather the fall of all mankind through Adam. Mephibosheth could never walk again, while you and I are unable by our own strength to walk in righteousness.
Like he, we were exiled, unworthy to sit at the King’s table.
Because of the covenant that David had made with Jonathan, David went looking for even just one descendent who remain alive and found Mephibosheth. Because of the Covenant of Christ, God went looking for and found you and I.
When Mephibosheth entered the presence of King David, he bowed before Him, knowing that he was worthy of Death because he was in the line of Saul. He felt that he did not to deserve to be in David’s house because he could not walk. He knew that he had no standing in the court. You and I, of our own merits, are unworthy to be in God’s presence and humbly bowed before Him.
God called Mephibosheth by name. He calls us by name. He calls us to repentance.
Because of David’s love for Jonathan, Mephibosheth was adopted into the family of David. He was given a place at the King’s table for a long as he should live. We, too, have been adopted into the Family of the King. We have a place at His table.
So David said to [Mephibosheth], “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake…” 2 Samuel 9:7
Fear Not, for God will surely show us kindness for Christ’s sake.
