Mephibosheth, Blessed Through His Father’s Faith

Jonathan, who had protected David in every crisis, asked him to spare his descendants once he became king, and David promised that he would without fail. Even after Jonathan fell on the battlefield, David kept his word and sought out Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was lame, and as Saul’s grandson he was afraid of David, but David restored to him the land of his grandfather and had him eat at the king’s table continually.

David kept this promise alone, with no one there to witness it. Character shows itself not when others are watching, but when there is no one to reproach. The grace Mephibosheth received came not from any merit of his own but from the sacrifice of his father Jonathan, and he humbled himself, calling himself no better than a dead dog.

If grace is treated as something owed and turns to pride, it can be taken away again. Those who have received grace must therefore remain humble to the last, and keep to the end the promise they have made with Christ.