Love and loyalty are the hallmarks of David’s covenant with Jonathan, and of God’s with us.
Recall the three things David wanted to do once crowned king over all Israel. 1. To exalt the name of God by taking Jerusalem. 2. To exalt the glory of God by bringing back the ark. 3. To exalt the character of God by showing grace to the remnant of Saul’s house. Today’s episode gives us Part 3. “David said, ‘Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” (2 Sam 9:1). Jonathan was insistent that the covenant he made with David should transcend death: “May the Lord be between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants, forever” (1 Sam 20:42). Now it was time to prove it. Who was left? To David’s inquiry, Zeba, a steward of Saul’s, replied, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet…in Lo Debar” (2 Sam 9:3-4). What a picture! Mephibosheth was part of the family that sought to overthrow David, considered by David’s friends to be enemies. He was unable to improve his situation, being lame on both feet. And living in Lo Debar! If it is the same as Debir, with the added Lo, or “No,” it means “no pasture.” The word lo-debar means “no word.” Think of it as The Town Not Worth Mentioning. Whatever the case, it speaks of an impoverished place. The word used by David—kindness—is a delightful one, used about 250 times in the Old Testament. The Hebrew hesed does not merely mean a feeling, nor even a solitary act of kindness. It could be rendered “unfailing,” “steadfast,” or “loyal” love. This is God’s love (see Ex 34:6-7)! Can you identify with Mephibosheth? Here we are, once enemies, unable to help ourselves, now feasting at His table “like one of the king’s sons” (2 Sam 9:11). Better still, we’re no longer lame!