Mercy for Mephibosheth

At this point in our reading we see that David has succeeded Saul as king of Israel. Normally kings of that time would hunt down and wipe out the preceding king’s family to prevent civil war. If there is no competing royal family the throne is more secure. David was different; he found his security elsewhere.

    David asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” 
    Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”
    “Where is he?” the king asked. 
    Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”
    So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.
    When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. 
    David said, “Mephibosheth!” 
    “At your service,” he replied.
    “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
    Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9:3–8)

At least two things are noteworthy here: David is merciful to Mephibosheth, and Mephibosheth has no pretensions to the throne. The reason for Mephibosheth’s humility is obvious. He’s got no power in this situation; David has the power, but uses it to bless, not destroy. David is able to govern mercifully only because he realizes he is as dependent on the LORD as Mephibosheth is on him.

What or whom do you depend on?