“One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked. “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied. The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.” So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.” “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) Ziba replied, “Yes, my Lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons. Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants. And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table.”
2 Samuel 9:1-13 NLT
The scriptures are clear that David loved Jonathan in a sincere and godly way. He made a covenant bond, in the same vein that God does so, with Jonathan’s descendants. Yet he was also the king who would replace Jonathan. This set him at odds with Jonathan. It was not a problem for Jonathan because he believed, honored, and respected God’s plan for David, but it was for many others. For us, this is of huge value in understanding God’s heart in covenants. Whereas it made sense to men that David would break oaths to kill all of Saul’s offspring, the opposite is true here. It shouldn’t have been a surprise. David treated both Abner and Ishbosheth well earlier, despite literally claiming the throne. How much more would he treat Jonathan’s descendants? This should give us hope as enemies of God. God not only treats his enemies well but is capable of loving them and bringing them to places of honor in his own home. This should, likewise, be the nature of our own covenants with people. Fueled by love, they should seek to elevate relationships rather than be an emotional declaration with empty promises. Our love should be transcendent of all potentiality for harm. They should restore a sense of honor to the things that were broken.
David’s Relationship with Jonathan: David and Jonathan shared a deep, covenantal bond, despite David’s destiny to replace Jonathan as king.
God’s Nature Revealed in Covenants: David’s treatment of Jonathan’s descendants, despite political expediency, reflects God’s capacity to love and honor even those who were once enemies.
Application for Human Relationships: Human covenants, like God’s, should be fueled by love, seeking to elevate relationships and restore honor, even in the face of potential harm.
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