Mephibosheth - Poor Yet Rich

by Guy Jarvie, Glasgow, Scotland | Category: General | Oct 1989

David was a great leader and his mighty men were a unique group (2 Sam. 23). They were fearless. They fought with giants and overcame them. When David longed for a drink of the water from the well at Bethlehem, three of them broke through the host of the Philistines and brought the water to David. He poured it out to the Lord, because they had gone in jeopardy of their lives to obtain it.

In contrast to the mighty men, Mephibosheth was a cripple. What could he do? Yet he also was one of those who loved David. He shone brightly when David was under the cloud of the aftermath of his sin. The mighty men could not deliver him from that. It was the deep repentance of the broken and contrite heart that raised him up again to the service of God ~s. 51:17). Repentance is the way of restoration and revival.

Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, David's dearest friend. When Jonathan was killed in battle, Mephibosheth was a child, and his nurse snatched him away to save him, but he fell and became a cripple for life. He grew to manhood and lived in Lodebar, which means in Hebrew, a place of no pasture. David sought him out and brought him to Jerusalem and there he ate at the king's table as one of the king's sons.

The hearts of the men of Israel had turned from David to his son Absalom, who sought his life and his throne. David fled from Jerusalem and went out weeping as he went. Mephibosheth longed to go with David, but no one would help him to do so. His servant Ziba saw an opportunity to get gain by deceit. David listened to the lie, and promised the property of Mephibosheth to Ziba. One-sided judgement is often wrong, and so it was on this occasion.

Absalom was killed, and David returned to Jerusalem. Mephibosheth went down to meet the king. "He had neither dressed his feet nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace". "Why did you not come with me, Mephibosheth?" the king asked.

And he answered, My lord, 0 king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go with the king, because thy servant is lame. And he hath slandered thy servant ... but... do what is good in thine eyes (2 Sam. 19:26,27).

And the king said, ... Thou and Ziba divide the land. And Mephibosheth said ... Let him take all, forasmuch as my lord is come in peace unto his own house (2 Sam. 19: 29,30).

David's unwise judgement brought out the undying beauty of Mephibosheth's character. His name is surely written in the eternal records with the names of all who have served and lost much for the love of God.

We may not be accounted among those who could do exploits for our God, but~ if we are willing to lose our lives for Christ's sake and the gospel's sake, then we will save our lives in that Day (Mark 8:35; 2 Cor. 5:10).

There will be no errors at the Judgement seat of Christ. It will be a wonderful experience; there will be rewards for so many who were willing to lose so much for the love of Christ because he gave His life for them.

Paul wrote, "I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things" (Phil. 3:8). Paul was assured that he would receive the crown of righteousness, which was not for him only, but for all those who have loved the Lord's appearing (2 Tim. 4:8).

Let us then rejoice in losing now for Christ's sake, so that we can rejoice at His coming.

Guy Jarvie, Glasgow, Scotland | Oct 1989
General