The Hard Work of Kings: Using Power for Compassion
[1] And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” [2] Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” [3] And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” [4] The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 2 Samuel 9:1–4 ESV
This event has David missing his old friend Jonathan years after he has passed away. They were close friends, and committed to care for each other’s families for years to come if the other one couldn’t. This entire sequence is pretty amazing when you consider that the common practice was to kill off everyone in the former king’s family.
When David wants to do good to Jonathan’s house, it takes work. Not only does he not know if anyone is left to help, but he doesn’t even know where to find them. He’s also assuming a risk because what if they are bitter and want to take vengeance out on the man who replaced their patriarch as king?
This is just like one of God’s kids to come up with some obscure person to serve and bless. This is just like one of God’s kids to track down a forgotten, hurt person and to make peace with them. Indirectly, it is David’s fault that Mephibosheth is crippled in his feet. His nursemaid was fleeing as the house of Saul lost it’s kingly power and David was taking over, and she dropped him and he was hurt.
David could easily say “It’s not my fault, they didn’t have to flee like that,” or “It wasn’t me that dropped him, it was that clumsy maid.” But instead, he says, “Is there anyone left that I can be kind to?”
King David then goes to great time and expense to get Ziba back into service (if he had left) under Mephibosheth and some order and kingly honor back in to Mephibosheth’s family.
This whole chapter is a good read and good to ponder in many angles.
God having mercy on us to sit at His table.
Jesus going out of His way, leaving the throne in heaven, and coming to bring us into His kingdom
Example of how we can serve others, looking for them, working hard to bless them, and not accusing them for things for which we have indirect responsibility