2 Samuel 19:30

“And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.”

Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, who was the son of Saul, who was king before David. His father and grandfather were killed in battle. As the family fled the palace, Mephibosheth was dropped by his nurse. So, he was lame on his feet. David had promised Jonathan that he would take care of Jonathan when he became king. But Jonathan died, so David kept his promise with Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was always at David’s table. David also gave to Mephibosheth the lands and servants of his grandfather, Saul, including a man named Ziba and his sons. Ziba and his family were told by David to take care of the lands of Mephibosheth. So, Mephibosheth was blessed by David.

Through a series of events, David was forced to leave Jerusalem. His son, Absalom, turned the hearts of the people away from David. As David left, Ziba arrived with mules to ride and food. 2 Samuel 16:3 relates, “…the king said, And where is thy master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.” He told David that Mephibosheth had stayed in Jerusalem in hopes of gaining the kingdom. Because of Ziba’s seeming loyalty to David, and Mephibosheth’s apparent lack of loyalty, David gave everything to Ziba. In 2 Samuel 16:4 we read, “Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.”

In time, David returned to Jerusalem. Upon his return he was met by Mephibosheth. In 2 Samuel 19:24-28 we read, “And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace. And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth? And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame. And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.” Mephibosheth made it clear where he saw himself before King David. He threw himself on David’s mercy. He had intended to go with David out of Jerusalem. But Ziba left him behind, and lied to David about Mephibosheth’s intentions. As noted before, because of the untruths that Ziba had told, David had given to him and his sons the things that he had given to Mephibosheth.

Upon hearing what Mephibosheth said, David said, in 2 Samuel 19:29, “…Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.” Realizing how things were, and seeing Mephibosheth’s real mind regarding the kingdom, David offered to divide Saul’s goods and servants between the two men.

Verse 30, above, is Mephibosheth’s response. His only desire was that David be restored to his kingdom. All the while that David was gone, Mephibosheth neglected his personal hygiene, awaiting David’s return. Even the offer of material gain didn’t affect him. He said let Ziba have it all. He only wanted David back on the throne.

One day, Jesus will return to reign on earth. In Daniel 7:14 Daniel was told, “…there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” In John 14:2, 3, Jesus told His disciples, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” In Revelation 22:20, John wrote, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” John’s desire, the desire of all believers, parallels that of Mephibosheth: that Jesus will return to His kingdom, and reign on earth.

Lift up your heads, pilgrims aweary,
See day’s approach now crimson the sky;
Night shadows flee, and your Belovèd,
Awaited with longing, at last draweth nigh.

Refrain

He is coming again, He is coming again,
The very same Jesus, rejected of men;
He is coming again, He is coming again,
With power and great glory, He is coming again!

Dark was the night, sin warred against us;
Heavy the load of sorrow we bore;
But now we see signs of His coming;
Our hearts glow within us, joy’s cup runneth o’er!

Refrain

O blessèd hope! O blissful promise!
Filling our hearts with rapture divine;
O day of days! Hail Thy appearing!
Thy transcendent glory forever shall shine.

Refrain

Even so, come, precious Lord Jesus;
Creation waits redemption to see;
Caught up in clouds, soon we shall meet Thee;
O blessèd assurance, forever with Thee!

Refrain (Mabel Johnston Camp)