Mephibosheth, who in the world might that person be? Doing a Google search got 52,000 entries. Wow!! That’s great for such a little known person. Mephibosheth was Jonathan‘s son. Who was Jonathan? Jonathan was son of King Saul and was a beloved friend of now King David. But Saul hated David and attempted to kill him many times. Here, though, is the story of Mephibosheth. 2 Samuel 9, The Message
An Open Table for Mephibosheth
1 One day David asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family? If so, I’d like to show him some kindness in honor of Jonathan.” 2 It happened that a servant from Saul’s household named Ziba was there. They called him into David’s presence. The king asked him, “Are you Ziba?” “Yes sir,” he replied. 3 The king asked, “Is there anyone left from the family of Saul to whom I can show some godly kindness?” Ziba told the king, “Yes, there is Jonathan’s son, lame in both feet.” 4 “Where is he?” “He’s living at the home of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.” 5 King David didn’t lose a minute. He sent and got him from the home of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar. 6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan (who was the son of Saul), came before David, he bowed deeply, abasing himself, honoring David. David spoke his name: “Mephibosheth.” “Yes sir?” 7 “Don’t be frightened,” said David. “I’d like to do something special for you in memory of your father Jonathan. To begin with, I’m returning to you all the properties of your grandfather Saul. Furthermore, from now on you’ll take all your meals at my table.” 8 Shuffling and stammering, not looking him in the eye, Mephibosheth said, “Who am I that you pay attention to a stray dog like me?” 9-10 David then called in Ziba, Saul’s right-hand man, and told him, “Everything that belonged to Saul and his family, I’ve handed over to your master’s grandson. You and your sons and your servants will work his land and bring in the produce, provisions for your master’s grandson. Mephibosheth himself, your master’s grandson, from now on will take all his meals at my table.” Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11-12 “All that my master the king has ordered his servant,” answered Ziba, “your servant will surely do.” And Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, just like one of the royal family. Mephibosheth also had a small son named Mica. All who were part of Ziba’s household were now the servants of Mephibosheth. 13 Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, taking all his meals at the king’s table. He was lame in both feet.
My mind went back to Mephibosheth recently when I was reading about evolution and Natural Selection. Events happen between humans that defy Natural Selection similar to the story of Mephibosheth. Many stories of compassion defying selfish advancement could be told here. The law of natural selection does not always reign. Happenstance, compassion, animal instinct, etc, sometimes leads to the weaker one’s triumph in an event. We should not assume that the law of natural selection is absolute. There is more than natural selection involved in changes on this earth.
A person who has not know Jesus Christ, the only, unique Son of God, can’t understand the care motivation that true followers of Jesus has–to simply love fellow human beings because He has loved us. Jesus places in the heart of a believer the desire to reach out to others but for no other purpose than because He loved me. That goes against the grain of what human instinct tells me. Here is another example of how that plays out:
With This Ring, I thee…give?
POSTED: 21 JANUARY, 2011
You’ve probably heard of “radical giving” or “sacrificial giving.” But what does that look like? For Ali Eastburn, it was letting go of her wedding ring. Struck by the water crisis in Africa, Eastburn felt God’s call on her heart to sell her wedding ring and donate the proceeds to help build a well with Living Water International. A friend joined in the cause, and out of their efforts was born a ministry: With This Ring.
Read the rest of the story here. Natural Selection explains some things about life. Other parts of the theory of evolution solve some riddles. But, never assume that they explain fully the question about the origin of life or your purpose for being here. For the grander question that we all have, you must look some place other than science. For me that place has been Israel. I followed the story from Eden and Iraq to Jerusalem. There I found the meaning of life and truths that purposed my life. May you find meaning there to. Ask me if you do not know how to start. I repond to comments. Related Articles