“Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.”
This verse is part of a larger narrative in 2 Samuel 9 that recounts an act of kindness and mercy demonstrated by King David towards Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul.
Here are some key points and insights we can gather from this verse and its surrounding context:
Context:King David, after establishing his reign and achieving military victories, desires to show kindness to anyone left of the house of Saul for the sake of his covenant with Jonathan (2 Samuel 9:1).
David’s initiative:We see David taking the initiative by sending messengers to find Mephibosheth, who was living in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar. This action demonstrates David’s intention to fulfill his promise to Jonathan and show kindness to Saul’s descendants.
Mephibosheth’s background:Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of Saul. He was crippled in both feet at a young age (2 Samuel 4:4) and had been living in Lodebar, a place outside of the royal court and away from the king’s favour.
Significance of the location:Lodebar was a barren and desolate region. The fact that Mephibosheth was living in Lodebar suggests his marginalised and forgotten state. It emphasises the contrast between his humble circumstances and the glory and prosperity of the royal court.
David’s motive:David’s motive in seeking Mephibosheth was to fulfill his covenant with Jonathan, which he had made years earlier (1 Samuel 20:14-17). David desired to show kindness to the house of Saul and honour the memory of his dear friend, Jonathan.
Symbol of God’s grace:The kindness shown by David to Mephibosheth serves as a powerful illustration of God’s grace extended to us. Just as Mephibosheth did not deserve David’s favour, we, too, are undeserving of God’s mercy and love. Yet, God reaches out to us in our brokenness and blesses us with His grace and salvation.
Restored inheritance:In the subsequent verses, we learn that David restored all the lands that belonged to Saul and granted Mephibosheth a permanent place at his table, treating him as one of his own sons (2 Samuel 9:6-13). This act restored Mephibosheth’s dignity, honour, and inheritance, which he had lost due to the fall of his family.
Overall, 2 Samuel 9:5 reminds us of the power of kindness and the importance of extending grace to those who may be overlooked or marginalised. It reflects David’s compassionate heart and his commitment to fulfilling his promise to Jonathan. Moreover, it foreshadows the boundless grace and mercy of God towards humanity, as exemplified through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
