Daily Devotional

If you’ve spent any amount of time in church, you know there are lots of Bible stories we love. Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath, Jesus walking on water: these decorate our classroom walls and illustrate our sermons. But the Bible is full of stories that receive less attention. Some of them are... unusual. Balaam and his talking donkey, Ehud the left-handed assassin, or the two she-bears that mauled the boys who made fun of Elisha. Others, however, could be considered hidden gems.

One of my favorite “hidden gem” Bible stories is from 2 Samuel 9, during the height of David’s reign over Israel. In the midst of a well-earned peace, David remembers his promise to treat Jonathan and his house with kindness (1 Samuel 20:15-16) and asks if Jonathan has any living descendants. He discovers there is one, a young man and contender for strangest name in the Bible: “Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth, however, is a cripple, apparently because he was dropped as a child (2 Samuel 4:4).

When Mephibosheth is summoned to David’s presence, he falls on his face (2 Samuel 9:6). Mephibosheth is probably afraid for his life—in the ancient Near East, the common practice of monarchs was to eliminate all members of the previous dynasty to secure their power. (The evil queen Athaliah attempts this in 2 Kings 11.) David responds to Mephibosheth by calling his name: I imagine it was spoken softly, with deep care and compassion. What happens next probably exceeded Mephibosheth’s wildest dreams: not only does David “show [him] kindness” (2 Samuel 9:7), but Mephibosheth receives all the lands of Saul’s family and a seat at the royal table for as long as he lives. Mephibosheth responds with gratitude and abject humility: “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” (2 Samuel 9:8).

It’s a short story, but a significant one. Within the narrative of 1-2 Samuel, this story demonstrates that David really is “a man after God’s own heart.” David is gracious, merciful, and compassionate, just as God is (Psalm 145:8-9). Other kings might have executed or exiled Mephibosheth, but David elevates him to a place of honor, at the same table with his own sons (2 Samuel 9:11). In this, David points forward to a future King of Israel, who also loved the lame and ate with those the world said were undeserving. One commentator called this passage “the greatest illustration of grace in all the Old Testament.”

In another sense, this interaction between David and Mephibosheth parallels God’s relationship to we who are undeserving sinners. Like Mephibosheth, we were fallen, broken, dwelling away from the king’s presence, and fearful of God’s wrath (which we deserve, Ephesians 2:3). But like David, God brought us near, showed us kindness, gave us an inheritance, brought us into his presence... and ultimately treats us as his children (Ephesians 2:5-7). Even now, as believers, we may sometimes hesitate to come into the presence of God, feeling overwhelmed by our own guilt, shame, or sense of unworthiness. But like that one word that fell from David’s lips... “Mephibosheth...” so God calls us into His presence by name. The author of Hebrews puts it this way: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” May the story of Mephibosheth encourage us to draw near to God, whose grace and compassion far exceed that of David.

"English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers."