Mephiboseheth

File No. 63

II SAMUEL 4:4; 9:1–13

MEPHIBOSHETH, THE LAME PRINCE

(SBS Bk 2 Story No.47)

Story Notes

David was now in a position to fulfil the obligation Jonathan had laid on him and quickly acted to ensure that Mephibosheth was provided for under his reign. Generally, ancient monarchs were ruthless with those they displaced and survivors of Saul would have done well to hide. However, Jonathan had relied on the covenant love of God for Israel, and believed that David was anointed to fulfil God's covenant promises. He had trusted that the house of Saul would be cared for under the reign of David, and so it was. This personal covenant was a local expression of the faithful love of God for his people.

Discovering that Mephibosheth was lame did not deter David, even though his comment about the Jebusites (5:6–8) had helped to shape a popular proverb about lame people. His covenant with Jonathan and the kindness or grace (hesed) it expressed, surmounted this defect. Mephibosheth was given full honour and his inheritance was fully reinstated. Under the covenant made with David, Israel came to see that all nations would be blessed.

When Jesus came as David's son, the lame and blind were not excluded. All that mattered was that they acknowledged the anointing of Jesus to be their Messiah.