Mephibosheth

David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.”  2 Samuel 9:7

You probably don’t know any Mephibosheths, but there are two in the Bible.  One was the son of Saul, the other was his grandson, Jonathan’s son.  He is the one who was honored by David, despite who he was.

The name, Mephibosheth, in Hebrew, means dispeller of shame.   It was focused on getting rid of the shame of idol worship, particularly, that of Baal.  So, it would appear that Mephibosheth was given a purpose by the name given him.  He was to rid the land of idol worship!

Mephibosheth had a difficult upbringing, having lost his father, Jonathan, at the age of 5, and having been dropped by his nurse, as she fled.   That crippled him, so he was lame.   2 Samuel 4:4

David reached out to him because of an oath he had made to Mephibosheth’s father, Jonathan:  Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life. 1 Samuel 20:14–17

David reached out, in 2 Samuel 9, to see if there was someone in Jonathan’s family to whom he could show kindness.  He was introduced to Mephibosheth, who he invited to meet with him.

Mephibosheth was living in Lo-debar, which, in the Hebrew, means not a pasture, which would indicate that it wasn’t worth much.

Mephibosheth wasn’t worth much, either, because, with his disability, he was unable to provide for himself.  Since his family was no longer in power, he had nothing.

So, this man who was worthless, both in skills and possessions, coming from a place that was worthless, is invited to visit the king, who was an enemy to his grandfather.  He couldn’t have expected much more than an execution!

David, instead, graciously restored his property, brought him into the palace, as if he were his son, and invited him to eat as his table on a daily basis!

We see Mephibosheth as a type of the sinner that we were before God redeemed us, despite our stature, adopted us as his sons, gave us an inheritance, and invited us to the wedding feast of the Lamb!  He chose us before the foundation of the earth, Ephesians 1:4, saved us by His grace, Ephesians 2:8, and gave us significant tasks to perform, Ephesians 2:10.

We, like, Mephibosheth, received God’s grace and lovingkindness because of the covenant that He has with His Son, Jesus.