One of my favorite
relationships in the Old Testament belong to David and Jonathan. Jonathan was
the son of King Saul. Next in line for the throne.
David was anointed king.
would have been a pitiful choice. He wasn’t like his father, Saul–arrogant,
prideful, selfish.
armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be
that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by
many or by few.” 1Samuel 14:6
knew His power and knew He was in charge. He respected God’s choice.
Jonathan loved David.
loved him as his own soul.” 1Samuel 18:3 I don’t know what it is about
this verse, about these men who loved each other as brothers but when I read
this, I cry. Every time. Every. Single. Time. It moves me. So much so, I wrote
a novel using this parallel.
how it ends.
the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines
killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.” 1Samuel
31:2
And a servant came…
David said to him, “How did the matter go? Please tell me.” And he answered,
“The people have fled from the battle, many of the people are fallen and dead,
and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.” 2Samuel 1:4
cloaked David. Maybe…maybe it was a rumor. Not Jonathan. Not his beloved friend.
do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?” 2Samuel
1:5
The servant told him what happened.
“And
they mourned and wept and fasted…” 2Samuel 1:12
wrote a song and lamented about Saul and Jonathan, with fierce sorrow. In
public. Jonathan, a friend who loved him enough to save him to be king. When he
could have killed him.
never forgot Jonathan and his friendship or their covenant with each other.
David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may
show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2Sameul 9:1
Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame
in his feet.” 2Samuel 9:3
right!
“Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son… He was
five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel; and his
nurse took him up and fled. And it happened, as she made haste to flee, that he
fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.” 2Samuel 4:4
when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to
David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said,
“Mephibosheth?” And he answered, “Here is your servant!” 2Samuel 9:6
a boy, who beyond his own control, was
hurt. Ruined. His father ripped from him.
His legacy…destroyed. Unable to walk. Unable to be king.
Not a slave. Not forced into servitude.
Saved.
Remembered.
Taken care of.
“So Mephibosheth dwelt
in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in
both his feet. ” 2Samuel 9:13
king’s table. A place he had no business being. Not with lame feet. Not someone
who should be the king’s enemy.
us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us.” Romans 5:8
God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the
world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17
heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
Mephibosheth, maybe you’ve been hurt, broken. Things spiraled out of control
and you found yourself forgotten, alone, your future gone.
to bring you to His table.
you.
*photo credit freedigitalphotos.net
*photcredit freedigitalphotos.net
Time is
valuable, but one of my very favorite bands of all time, Leeland, says it so much better
than I ever could. Please take a minute and listen.
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