“But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the Lord’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.”
Context:The book of 2 Samuel is primarily focused on the life and reign of King David, highlighting both his victories and his failures. In this particular chapter, we see a famine in the land of Israel lasting for three years. David inquired of the Lord and received an answer that the famine was a result of Saul’s bloodguilt against the Gibeonites. To make amends, David sought to inquire of the Gibeonites how they could be appeased.
The Gibeonites:The Gibeonites were a remnant of the Amorites who had deceived the Israelites during Joshua’s time. They had made a covenant with Joshua, posing as travelers from a distant land, and as a result, Joshua had promised to spare their lives. When the deception was revealed, Joshua made them servants but protected them from harm. However, Saul had violated this covenant and persecuted the Gibeonites, leading to the famine.
Mephibosheth’s Protection:In the midst of seeking reparation with the Gibeonites, King David remembered his covenant with Jonathan, the son of Saul, who had been his dear friend. David had made a covenant with Jonathan, promising to show kindness to Jonathan’s descendants forever (1 Samuel 20:14-17). Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, was crippled in both feet but had been shown great kindness by David, being brought into the king’s house and eating at his table (2 Samuel 9:7).
The Lord’s Oath:The verse highlights that David spared Mephibosheth because of the Lord’s oath that was between David and Jonathan. This oath likely referred to the covenant of kindness and protection that David had made with Jonathan. David recognized the importance of keeping his covenant with Jonathan, even in the face of famine and the need to make amends with the Gibeonites.
Lessons and Applications:
- Covenant Keeping:David’s commitment to his covenant with Jonathan serves as an example of the importance of honouring our commitments and promises. It reminds us to be people of integrity and faithfulness in our relationships.
- Kindness and Generosity:David’s act of kindness toward Mephibosheth reflects the heart of God. It teaches us to show kindness and generosity to others, especially to those in need or those who may not be able to repay us.
- God’s Faithfulness:The story of David and Mephibosheth also reminds us of God’s faithfulness to His promises. Just as David honoured his covenant with Jonathan, God remains faithful to His covenant with us through Jesus Christ.
