Unsung Hero

II Samuel 9

When David's men found him, Mephibosheth was staying in the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, in Lodebar (meaning "no pasture"). To complete the picture of Mephib. as the sinner, he is hiding out from David/God in a desolate place.

Machir is just mentioned in passing here, but later we find him helping David when he flees from Absalom. He, along with two other men, brings food, beds, and clay vessels for David and the royal household. Machir was a man with discernment and compassion, who just didn't care about popular opinion. It certainly was not popular to care for a grandson of Saul's, or a fleeing king with few followers. He didn't care about the inconvenience to himself, either. We don't know how long Mephibosheth stayed with him, but it may have been a long time, and a cripple would be a drain on his time and finances. Likewise in the case of David, Machir must have been put out quite a bit to provide for an entire royal household. Machir cared when no one else dared. He's a rather simple man, really--when he sees a need, he shows compassion.

Machir is a picture of those in the world who care for lost souls. He could not "save" Mephibosheth, but he could care for him and keep him safe until such time as David would call him. He probably didn't have much himself, living in a barren area, but such as he had he shared with Mephibosheth. Likewise we may not think we have much to offer, but God wants to use us.

Unmerited Favor: Mephibosheth

II Samuel 9

I'm seeing pictures of Christ everywhere in the OT. It's especially evident in the story of Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth is the grandson of Saul, and therefore an enemy. If David were to follow the practice of most kings of the time, he would have killed Mephibosheth as a potential threat to the throne. But because of the merits of his father (Jonathan), he is instead treated like one of the royal household.

God is kind to us, children of the enemy, because of the merits of Christ. Out of honor and love for Jonathan David accepts Mephibosheth. Out of honor and love for His Son God accepts us, cripples and enemies that we are. We are both enemies, subject to wrath and judgement, and cripples, evoking pity. Both wretched and dangerous, we are accepted on the merits of another--because of a covenant that has been made.

Mephibosheth had no pretensions to greatness. (His very name means "a shameful thing.") He knew he was defenseless and at David's mercy. When David's servants appeared to fetch him, he no doubt trembled in fear. Would David kill him, grandson of the enemy, as was the practice? Maybe he did not know of the promise David had made to his father.

Mephibosheth, with his crutches, or on his litter, must have made a pitiable figure as he entered the grand throne room and faced David, seated majestically on his throne. He fell on his face before David. He couldn't stand--now he demeans himself further by falling on his face. The moment of truth has come. What will David say? He utters one word..."Mephibosheth." He calls him by name, and no doubt there is kindness in his voice. In his fear, Mephibosheth doesn't hear it. He hastens to say "Behold, thy servant."

Notice Mephibosheth's humble, open attitude, that enables David to show him mercy. This is how we must come to Christ...humbly, making no attempt to hide our wretchedness, realizing we are dependent on Him for all and deserving of nothing. "Behold, thy servant." Those words are so hard for us to say, but maybe that is because we don't realize our true station, as Mephibosheth did.

David reassures him--"Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake." He also promises to restore Saul's lands, the original family plot, to Mephibosheth. He is undoing all the trouble caused by Mephibosheth's sinful grandfather and restoring things as they would have been--Mephibosheth becomes a landowner, not as rich as a king, but not one who relies on the mercy of another, either. He doesn't just allow Mephib. to be a hanger-on at the palace, a "welfare recipient," a "pity friend" who is tolerated. He gives him back his responsibility and manhood.

Isn't that what God in his goodness does for us? He doesn't just save us from hell and say "ok, you can hang out in a corner of heaven when you die, but don't expect anything else." No, He gives us a job and an inheritance and a position. He makes us His own children. He restores what sin has corrupted.

Mephibosheth's response is one of wonder: "Why should you look upon such a dead dog as me?" He is astounded at this powerful king's mercy, not understanding the love that prompts David to show it. David had been looking for someone to whom he could show mercy for Jonathan's sake. Now that he had found him his heart yearned to show him kindness, in honor of his dear friend.

The story doesn't end with Mephibosheth's life. We see him eating at the king's table, treated like one of the king's own sons. But we find out later that the blessing continues...God sent him a line of descendants known for their power and prowess in battle. They were experts with the bow, as their ancestor Jonathan had been.

David overturned Mephibosheth's life of shame and taught him his value as one that was loved. Now that he was in the palace, befriended of the king and treated as a son, it would do him no good to act as before--shamefaced, craven, apologetic, hiding. To have done so would have been an insult to David's kindness.

To be honest, Mephibosheth was not a man of great spirit or courage. We see him later taken advantage of by his servant, and not coming with David when David is exiled by Absalom. He offers the excuse that he could not saddle a donkey for himself, and Ziba tricked him. But he must have had other servants besides Ziba. His motives were not malicious as Ziba said ("he hoped to gain the throne for himself") but neither did he do all that was possible to show his allegiance to David.

This, too, is too often a realistic portrayal of the Christian. Years pass and we forget to be grateful and loyal to the One who has done so much for us. We offer excuses and claim weakness as our reasons for not doing all we can to be loyal. May we never forget that we are "Mephibosheth" and may we never stop wondering at the mercy that brought us into the royal family.

Preservation

II Samuel 8

David fought first the Philistines, then Moab. The Moabites became his servants. The whole chapter resounds with David's astounding military victories. The Bible says twice that "God preserved David whithersoever he went." His success was due to God's protection.
What room is there for fear if we know our safety depends on God? We should trust Him to do what is best. By the same token, if we are successful, we need to remember it's all of God.

Indestructible Mercy

II Sam. 7:14-15

How can God be just and fair, and still promise everlasting mercy, no matter what? Christ is the answer. He takes our punishment so that He may bless us instead of punishing us. It seems so obvious that Messiah is the answer to the sin problem. Man cannot righteously be blessed by God, because man is evil. To bless evil would be unfair and unrighteous. I wonder how many OT figures saw this, saw that a Messiah to bridge the gap would be needed. This Messiah would be the ultimate scapegoat for all of man's sin, and allow us to approach God as righteous. It had to be.

God tells David He will bless his son Solomon. If Solomon sins, God will chasten him, but will not turn away His mercy from him, like He did with Saul. These are the "sure mercies" of David, non-dependent on the actions of the blessed. This is our same state as NT saved. We are forever assured of the mercies of God. He has made a covenant with us that is not dependent on our faithfulness. He chastens us for our own good, but ultimately, we are blessed, safe, holy, and beloved, thanks to the merits of Christ.

How amazing!

But I Would Have Done It....

II Sam. 7
This chapter makes me think of my mom and her unfulfilled desire to be a missionary. It was the only thing she wanted to do, but God in His providence didn't allow it. Instead she got married and became a "missionary to five little savages," me and my four brothers.

David really, really wanted to build God a temple. It was his passion and desire. But God did not allow it. His will was that the building be left to David's son. Was He being cruel? Did He scold David for asking to do something that was not His will? No, He heard David's prayer with gladness in His heart. He blessed David with a revelation and a promise that David's throne would endure forever. (Even David could not have imagined how this would be fulfilled--that his offspring would be God Incarnate, and that Christ would reign forever as the perfect King.)

I think it shows God's heart toward David that He grants Him a fuller knowledge of His plan when David asks for the privilege of doing something for Him. God responds graciously and with abundant promises and blessings.

Maybe it's not that God is "hiding things from us." Maybe He's just waiting for us to show some interest in His plan, even if we bumble the timing and job assignment. I think it rejoices His heart when we're interested in bringing Him glory, and He may even honor us with a deeper understanding of Himself and His plan as a result.

Charismatic or Conservative?

II Samuel 6

The Charismatic movement (among other things) celebrates the free expression of the emotions to worship God. Conservative fundamentalist movements stress the importance of worshipping by the rules. I can't think of a more perfect chapter than this one to show us how to deal with these two issues!

There are two lessons here, and they are not in conflict. 1) Worship must be done God's way, according to His rules. 2) Never despise a man who is sold out to Christ to the point of self-forgetfulness.

David went to fetch the ark and bring it back to Jerusalem. (The ark had been in exile for many years...it's a long story that you can read about in I Samuel.) He had it brought in a cart, though, not carried on poles by the priests. Who knows why they neglected this clear command for moving the ark. Maybe the priests were afraid to get near it. Maybe it was because all of the high priestly family was dead (Saul killed them*), and no one else volunteered for the job. In any case, they ignored God's way of moving the ark and brought it in a cart. The "breach of Uzzah"-- where he reached out to steady it and was struck dead--would not have happened had protocol been followed.

David was afraid after this happened, and delayed the bringing of the ark. Later, though, seeing that the man who kept the ark had been greatly blessed, he returned for it. This second time they brought the ark to Jerusalem, David was so overcome with joy that he danced with abandon before it. (Here is where the conservatives reading this story begin to squirm.) God does not look askance on David for this. On the contrary, Michal, David's wife, who reproved him, is the "bad guy." She despised him for what she saw as an undignified display. But there is no room for false dignity when completely overcome by a love for God. So many instances in Scripture--the woman who washed Christ's feet with her tears, the woman with the alabaster box--show "senseless" abandon because of love for Christ.

Yep, I'm a lot like Michal. Squinchy, picky, careful of my dignity and the dignity of others. Not focused on adoring Christ. But what room is there for dignity and self-preservation when we have been so lavishly loved by Christ?

If I throw all rules to the wind and worship God however I like, I sin. If I focus on the externals of worship but have no heart of worship, I sin.

How much of our Sunday morning "worship" is actually an exercise in self-righteous pride? How many of us would dare close our eyes in worship as we sing a hymn or let our love for Christ show in our expression? God never condemns lavish, loving displays of gratitude to Him. He does condemn carelessness in worship. These are two very different things that I think we sometimes confuse.

God, help me to forget my pride and false dignity and have a pure heart of worship toward You!

*This incidentally was a fulfillment of the prophecy to Samuel that Eli's family would be wiped out.

Attack!

David has been joyfully accepted as king over all Israel. The trials of being an outlaw, being scorned and disowned by his supposed friends, living in fear of death daily...all of that was over.

But the reason God made David king is not that David could enjoy a well-deserved rest from all his sufferings. The very purpose of a king is to protect and fight for the people. And immediately after his coronation, David faces an enemy. The Philistines, who had won a major defeat over Saul's army, come back to "finish the kill." They probably wanted to attack while David was weak and had not yet established a large army.

David's great public victory...acceptance by Israel...was followed by a great public threat, the Philistines.

On the heels of great victory often come great obstacles. There is no way we can face them without the grace of God. David had learned much about God while hiding from Saul. He had firm, tried-and-tested promises to lean on.

We must grow in grace at all times, so we can withstand the wiles of the devil.

Two Essential Qualifications for Leadership

II Sam. 5
After Abner's assassination and Ishbosheth's death, all of Israel acknowledges David's right to the throne. He is worthy of the throne both by merit ("thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel") and by appointment ("and the Lord said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel.") In this sense David is a picture of the Messiah.
Christ is worthy to be King over all the earth through appointment. God has "put all things under his feet." He is also worthy by merit. He proved His love for mankind by His sacrifice on the cross.
The perfect leader is both appointed by God and acts in a way worthy to the appointment. We all have God-given areas of leadership, even if it's just influencing a friend. We need grace to act in a way worthy of the leadership. Christ (and David as a shadow of Christ) is our perfect example of leadership...ordained of God (not taking something upon Himself without God's blessing), and sacrificially concerned about the welfare of His flock.
The "appointment" area is where it may be tempting for wives to overstep bounds. If we take it upon ourselves to be the spiritual leaders, decision makers, or head of the home, we cannot be good leaders (even if we honestly have better leadership qualities). We can only lead in the areas God has appointed us.
The "merit" area is where it may be tempting for husbands to be lacking. Knowing they are chosen of God to lead, they may be tempted to use that appointment to be high-handed or selfish.
We must be sure, in an area of leadership, that we are appointed to it by God, and that we strive, by God's grace, to merit the appointment.

Righteous Judge

II Samuel 4
Ishbosheth's two captains assassinated him while he lay resting on his bed, then took his head to David, thinking to receive a reward. Instead, David has them slain for their evil deed.

Incidentally, their act does finally secure Israel's allegiance to David. If David were not bent on judging righteously, he may have overlooked their crime. After all, he had had no end of trouble and loss of lives over Ishbosheth. With the last claim to the throne on Saul's end done away with, David could breathe easy and go about God's business of shepherding Israel. But David is no pragmatist. He has a higher moral code...we saw it in his refusal to kill Saul, in his punishment of the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul, and now in the case of the assassination of Saul's heir.

David had a clear idea of right and wrong when it came to war. You might say he followed a chivalric code that believed (naively, we might say) that right would triumph, and had no need of underhanded machinations or foul play.

Let's remember that he was right! God will avenge any wrong done to us. It is not our job to avenge ourselves, and we should never cover up a crime just because it is to our benefit.

Another thought...by acting this way, David discouraged other assassinations or mistreatment of Saul's followers. If he had rewarded the captains, many other killings may have followed. By his righteous judgement, he encouraged right behavior.

Obeying out of Pride

II Sam. 3
Abner was the real source of the trouble between Saul's house and David's. Ishbosheth, "man of shame," was just a pawn, and a weak one at that. He knew he had no chance of being king without Abner's help. However, the two had a falling-out over Abner's relationship to Rizpah, Saul's concubine. Ishbosheth was outraged that (true or not) Abner was having a fling with Saul's former wife. This probably implied an attempt to gain more power. Maybe Ishbosheth was already annoyed with Abner's high-handedness and this was the final straw.

When Abner is accused, he indignantly turns to David's side. He's had enough of Ishbosheth's weak, mealy ways. The only problem was, Joab did not trust his "conversion." Perhaps he was justified in this, as he knew Abner quite well. Joab, ever a pragmatic man of action, assassinated Abner. The general who once had been so "chummy" with Abner had a personal reason for the assasination as well: Abner had killed Joab's brother Asahel.

Abner ought never to have attempted to raise up a king of one of Saul's sons, since he knew God had anointed David, and he had personally seen the ruin of Saul. His pride and hope of power leads him to attempt it. And his pride leads him to change sides and sympathize with David. He thinks he has the power to act out a prophecy (and take the credit): "As the Lord hath sworn to David, even so shall I do to him." As God showed, He could give the kingdom to David without Abner's help. It is dangerous to act against what you know is the will of God, and presumptuous to think you can "help" God.

Abner's downfall was his pride (as it is for all of us!). He disobeys God in pride, and then turns to Him in pride. If he was going to go along with God's plans, he was going to do it on his own terms. This type of "obedience" is just sinful pride.

To be honest, many times I do right things because I want to do them. It is my plan and I either want to feel very important...like a key player, one God really needs to get the job done...or I want to appear like a "super nice person" to others. I've got to remember that motives are key! Just because I'm doing the right things doesn't mean my heart is right.

Roots of Trouble

II Samuel 3
David had six sons during the 7 years he ruled Judah, and each by a different wife. The more I read about David, the more I realize he had a lot of faults. Absalom was one of the sons born to him (the third), and he was the son of a pagan princess, Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur. David and his men had made inroads against the Geshurites while he was with Achish of Gath, and had utterly destroyed their cities and every living person. Apparently they did not destroy the entire people group of the Geshurites, because Absalom later runs to his Geshurite grandfather (a king) as an exile. How David came to marry a Geshurite princess, daughter of a pagan and enemy nation, the Bible doesn't record. The Bible forbade marriages with pagan wives, though not when they are captive virgins of a conquered nation. However, this must not have been the case, because her father was still alive and ruling a kingdom during Absalom's youth. It must have been an arranged political match.

Later, when David sins with Bathsheba, God says "from now on there will be trouble in your house." I don't think it is as if God stirs up trouble. The trouble is already there waiting to happen! David has disobeyed God's injunction to kings not to "multiply to themselves wives..." and has also disobeyed the injunction to avoid marrying heathen wives. David is a busy king (and as we will see, a permissive parent) and must leave the rearing of his sons to their mothers. David did well enough in taking his first wife Ahinoam, who was with him during all the time of his hiding from Saul, and perhaps we might say he did well in taking his second wife, godly Abigail (whose son, Nathan, by the way, we hear nothing of...perhaps he was simply a well-behaved and dutiful son?). But when he begins to multiply more wives to himself...simply because God has finally placed him in a situation where he is powerful and secure...he does wrong.

It is no wonder Absalom behaves as he does. He had been raised by a pagan princess, probably spoiled herself, and very beautiful (judging from Absalom's remarkable physical beauty). She apparently maintains close ties with her pagan father-king, since Absalom is on familiar enough terms to flee to him when he is banished.

It seems that God witholds the fruits of my bad decisions and disobedience many times. To quote Jim Berg in Quieting a Noisy Soul, the human heart is so toxic that God has only to give it up to itself in order to bring its destruction. We will probably never know all of God's mercy to us until we reach heaven!