2 Samuel 9:1-10: One day David began wondering if any of Saul’s family was still living, for he wanted to be kind to them, as he had promised Prince Jonathan. He heard about a man named Ziba who had been one of Saul’s servants and summoned him.
“Are you Ziba?” the king asked.
“Yes, sir, I am,” he replied.
The king then asked him, “Is anyone left from Saul’s family? If so, I want to fulfill a sacred vow by being kind to him.” “Yes,” Ziba replied, “Jonathan’s lame son is still alive.” …So King David sent for Mephibosheth---Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. Mephibosheth arrived in great fear and greeted the king in deep humility, bowing low before him. But David said, “Don’t be afraid! I’ve asked you to come so that I can be kind to you because of my vow to your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you shall live here at the palace! Mephibosheth fell to the ground before the king. “Should the king show kindness to a dead dog like me? He exclaimed…And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly with King David, as though he were one of his own sons. [Living Bible]
Summary:
David was the youngest son of Jesse. David grew up a shepherd, keeping the sheep. He was essential “a nobody,” living on a sheep farm. Jonathan, on the other hand, was “royalty,” a prince, the son of King Saul. Although they lived in “different worlds” the two men became loyal friends, despite the fact that Jonathan’s father, Saul, hated David with an insane passion and repeatedly tried to kill him. Nevertheless, Jonathan stood by David, protected him, and acted as a peacemaker. When David lived in the wilderness caves to escape Saul’s wrath, Jonathan went to David and reassured him (telling him not to be afraid) Jonathan encouraged David and told him that GOD had a plan for his (David’s) life. Jonathan literally told David that it would be David who would become King of all Israel. The two men made a covenant before the LORD, renewing their pact of friendship so that David would not be discouraged. See, 1Samuel 23:13-18.
When Jonathan died in battle with the Philistines, David deeply mourned the loss of his friend. But, soon afterward a lot of things suddenly started happening to David. David was anointed king over Judah. David was involved in a number of military campaigns. There were numerous victories. And then, one day, David remembered.
David suddenly thought about his old friend Jonathan and asks if there was anyone from Saul’s family still living. One of Saul’s servant’s Ziba appeared before David and told David about Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth who had a disability. He was described as “lame in both feet.” See, 2 Sam. 9:3. By this time, all of Saul’s land was lost. There was this grandson Mephibosheth, but he had a disability. He couldn’t walk, so he couldn’t work the land.
The sick, the disabled, and, in general, anyone having a disease in ancient Jerusalem was a social outcast. The sick often lived outside the city gates, where they begged for food. Even Mephibosheth, the son of a prince, referred to himself as a “dead dog.”
But David remembered his friend Jonathan. He remembered his covenant and his promise to show kindness to his friend’s family. So, David “found” Mephibosheth. He “restored” his land to him. He “took him in,” like family and sat him at his own table, so he could be with David forever. David remembered.
REMEMBER OTHERS
Food Insecurity – In the United Stated
In “Food Insecurity By The Numbers,” September 27, 2020, Christiana Silva, reported on some of the data regarding food insecurity in the United States.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, even before the pandemic, some 13.7 million U.S. households, experienced food insecurity at some point during 2019. This means that in 2019 approximately 35 million Americans (or about 10.5% of all U.S. households) were not able to acquire enough food to meet their food needs or were uncertain where they would get their next meal. Since the pandemic, based on one estimate by researchers at Northwestern University, food insecurity more than doubled as a result of the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic, resulting in as many as 23% of all U. S. households experiencing food insecurity. See, “Food Insecurity By The Numbers,” September 27, 2020, by Christiana Silva,
https://www.npr.org/2020/09/27/912486921/food-insecurity-in-the-u-s-by-the-numbers.
Children have been especially affected. According to USDA data, in 2019 13.6% of households with children experienced food insecurity. Analysis from the Brookings Institution found that in late June 2020, 27.5% of households with children were food insecure. Researchers at Northwestern University found that there were about 29.5% of households with children are experiencing food insecurity in 2020, about triple the number in 2019. Id.
Part of the problem is that the school lunch programs were the main source of food for many households. So, with many children not being able to return to school, they are now food insecure. Id.
Silva also noted that the data showed that Black and Hispanic Americans were disproportionately affected in terms of food insecurity. In 2019, 19.1% of Black households, 15.6% of Hispanic households, and 7.9% of White households (below the national average) experienced food insecurity. Education was another factor. For example, college graduates experienced food insecurity at 5% in 2019, while food insecurity for those without a high school diploma was about 27%! People with disabilities, especially if they are not in the workforce, also experience a higher rate of food insecurity. Id.
Food Insecurity- Globally
Silva also reports that according to the United Nations World Food Program, the global pandemic may double the number of people experiencing acute food insecurity from 135 million in 2019 to 265 million in 2020. Id.
Remembering Others
Many of us “grew up poor.” Like David, our parents just worked. Many of them “just made a living.” They were not princes or princesses. However, now that many are “doing a little better,” some may have “forgotten” those who are still living in deep poverty or need food.
We may all need to take a moment and remember and then pray about what we might do to help.
REMEMBERING GOD’s GRACE
Some have likened David's “kindness” to Mephibosheth to GOD’s GRACE to us. Like Mephibosheth, we too were weak, hobbled by sin and lost. GOD’s kindness and GRACE to all humanity put us in the “right relationship” with GOD, allowing us to become HIS sons and daughters so that we could have access to GOD and be with GOD forever.
David’s kindness to Mephibosheth provides an example for us to show kindness to others. But first, we have to remember.
So, today remember. Remember GOD’s GRACE to you. Pray about what you or your worship community can do or what you can do to help your worship community and organizations that help families and children. Then, do something.
Like David, remember others, be kind, and BE BLESSED.
