“And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet.”
2 Samuel 9:13
In pirate lore, you don’t want to receive “the black spot,” the piece of paper with a literal black spot on it meaning you are condemned to die. You might say that Mephibosheth lived with a double “black spot.” First, as the sole surviving member of Saul’s household, it was customary for the new king to kill all those in the former king’s family. Secondly, he was lame in both feet, (and having any disability in ancient Israel was considered a curse from God). So Mephibosheth knew himself to be doubly cursed, a “dead dog” (v. 8).
When he was told that rather than being put to death, he would instead always dine at the king’s table, you can almost hear him say, “Whoa! I did not see that coming!” David, God’s anointed king, was showing Mephibosheth extraordinary grace. He removed both “black spots,” in effect adopting him as a son.
David gives us a glimpse of God’s compassion for those impacted by disability. We all need our sin removed. Through faith in Jesus, every one of us—able-bodied or not—is a son or daughter of the King.
When he was told that rather than being put to death, he would instead always dine at the king’s table, you can almost hear him say, “Whoa! I did not see that coming!” David, God’s anointed king, was showing Mephibosheth extraordinary grace. He removed both “black spots,” in effect adopting him as a son.
David gives us a glimpse of God’s compassion for those impacted by disability. We all need our sin removed. Through faith in Jesus, every one of us—able-bodied or not—is a son or daughter of the King.
Scripture Focus
2 Samuel 9:1-13
Insight
“No condemnation now I dread;/ … Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,/ And claim the crown, throughChrist my own.” (Charles Wesley, 1738)
Bible In A Year
- Job 11-12
- Psalm 48
- Luke 11
