Reflection:  Mephibosheth and the promise of a King        Further reading 2 Samuel 9:9-12

The story of Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, is easy to miss. But it is worth pausing on as it sings with the values of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The central character is a young man living with a disability. His father and grandfather were killed when he was just five years old. And while fleeing the violence of a lost war, his nurse dropped Mephibosheth and he became ‘lame in both feet’ (2 Samuel 4:4).

In these verses we find Mephibosheth, the only (male) survivor of a family who lost everything, living as a fugitive in a land the biblical equivalent of ‘the middle of nowhere.’ Forgotten and alone, he refers to himself as ‘a dead dog’ (2 Samuel 9:8).

It’s a tragic scene and he is a tragic figure. From a young age, life looked set to crush Mephibosheth. But God had a plan of restoration and hope.

Mephibosheth’s father Jonathan was David’s dearest friend (1 Samuel 18:1). To honour this deep friendship, David asks in 2 Samuel 9:3, ‘is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?’

You see, God’s plan for Mephibosheth was that his infinite kindness would be his shelter. His eye was always on Mephibosheth, even as a wounded child and a forgotten fugitive.

And this is true for all of God’s children. No matter how tragic the circumstances, there is always hope because God is always kind.

Mephibosheth is brought into the king’s family and given an inheritance from his grandfather’s kingdom. He is invited to sit at the king’s table despite a disability that would have deemed him cursed and unclean, and despite being the grandson of the king’s enemy. Not only was his life brought out of hiding, but he was also honoured with a permanent seat at the royal table.

Question:  Who could you bring in? Using your power or privilege, are there people in your world to whom you could show God’s kindness?

Prayer:  Kind God, we look to you to provide for children in dire circumstances around the world. We trust in your goodness and your infinite kindness. And we trust in your plans to bring restoration and hope to all your children through Christ’s sacrifice. Amen.