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Mephibosheth’s name means one who scatters shame. Mephibosheth lives in Lo Debar which means Nothing. So it is no wonder that the poor guy describes himself as a dead dog.He scatters shame and lives in nothing. But the king sees him and David’s heart is to save him and raise him from his shame and life of nothing.
David gives 2 gifts of hesed to Mephibosheth. He restores to him all the property in Saul’s estate. And he gives Mephibosheth the status of a son. He restores to him the honor that was lost to him when his father was killed, the right to eat at the king’s table, forever. A good leader is kind and a good leader is generous.
David’s hesed is a mirror of Christ’s. Christ has secured our inheritance in the eternal promised land and Christ has secured our invitation to the King’s table always…forever. Christ can and will raise us from nothing just as David did for Mephibosheth. David was the example of what a king should be like. Up until this point, he has been a good example in contrast to Saul’s bad example. However, this act of hesed to Jonathan’s family will starkly contrast David’s treatment of another honorable family in our next episode.
Scene 1: David Delivers Defeat
Scene 2: David Dedicates the Plunder
In Scene 3: But What Else is There for David to Do?
Scene 4: The Ammonite Humiliation + Retaliation
Verses Mentioned:
The author of this article is Hayley Mowatt, producer of Bible Book Club.
