David asked, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’
Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and he was summoned to David. The king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’ And he said, ‘At your service!’
The king said, ‘Is there anyone remaining of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?’ Ziba said to the king, ‘There remains a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.’
The king said to him, ‘Where is he?’ Ziba said to the king, ‘He is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.’ Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.
Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, and fell on his face and did obeisance. David said, ‘Mephibosheth! He answered, ‘I am your servant.’
David said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan; I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you yourself shall eat at my table always.’ He did obeisance and said, ‘What is your servant, that you should look upon a dead dog such as I am?’” (2 Samuel 9:1-8)
Jonathan and David’s relationship like being brothers. Jonathan was the son of Saul, with whom David had a friend/enemy relationship because Saul had been the king before David. Dave and Jon were more like brothers in a covenant of loyalty and hospitality. Now David is king, and since Jon has died he wants to take care of Jon’s son. David’s act of kindness toward Mephiboseth is surprisingly gracious.
There are two words that stand out is today’s lectionary reading: covenant and hospitality. Both of these words imply a consideration of the care for another person graciously and unselfishly. It is this that ought to govern our lives together in the church. It is not what I want, but what God wants that should be our highest desire.
