Key Themes: Adoption
[Core Gospel Concepts: Identity in Christ, Intimacy with the Father]
During the time of King Saul, the Israelites went to battle with the Philistines with whom they had been at war for many years. During the fierce battle, King Saul and his son Jonathan were both killed, and the soldiers of Israel all fled in defeat. When the news of King Saul and Jonathan came to their family, Jonathan’s five-year-old son was taken up by his nurse, and they ran away in fear. As she fled, the boy fell and became lame, crippled in both feet. His name was Mephibosheth.
Years later, when David was king over Israel and the Lord had established his covenant with him, David said, “Is there anyone left in Saul’s house that I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” [He asked this because David and Jonathan had been best friends, and they had promised to show kindness to one another’s family as long as either lived.] Ziba, a servant from Saul’s house, was called to David and was asked the same question.
Ziba answered, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.”
David asked, “Where is he?” When Ziba told David where he was, David sent for him. When Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, came and fell on his face before David to honor him, David said, “Mephibosheth!”
And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.”
Then David said, “Don’t be afraid, I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you shall always eat at my table.”
Mephibosheth was amazed and said, “Who am I, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”
Then David said to Ziba, “Everything that belonged to Saul I have given to Mephibosheth. And you, your sons, and servants shall till the land for him and give him the produce, that your master's grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master's grandson, shall always eat at my table.” Ziba agreed to everything David had said. So he, his fifteen sons, and twenty servants became Mephibosheth’s servants.
So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem because he always ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons. And he was crippled in both of his feet.
Optional Memory Verse: 2 Samuel 9:7 - “Then David said, ‘Don’t be afraid, I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul, and you shall always eat at my table.’”