A Faithful King

By Danny Saavedra

“Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, ‘Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?’ He said, ‘My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, “I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.” But Ziba my servant betrayed me, and he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever you wish. All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?’ The king said to him, ‘Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the land.’ Mephibosheth said to the king, ‘Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.’”—2 Samuel 19:24-30 (NIV)

Loyalty’s easy when life’s easy. But what about when everything falls apart? What about when your motives are questioned and others are whispering lies about you? That’s where we find Mephibosheth.

David returns to Jerusalem after Absalom’s rebellion, and Mephibosheth comes out to meet him. He’s a wreck. He hasn’t washed, shaved, or taken care of himself since David fled the city. His appearance is a statement of grief and loyalty. Yet earlier, Ziba, his servant, had painted him as opportunistic and treacherous. To David, it was unclear who was telling the truth.

This wasn’t the first time Mephibosheth’s loyalty had been tested. Back in 2 Samuel 16, as David fled for his life, Ziba showed up with donkeys and provisions and claimed Mephibosheth had stayed behind to seize the throne. David, weary and vulnerable, believed Ziba’s slander and handed Mephibosheth’s inheritance over to him. It was a heartbreaking moment of betrayal, not only by Ziba but also by David, who failed to seek God’s wisdom and discernment.

Now, standing before the king, Mephibosheth has every reason to demand justice and fight for what was taken from him. Yet when David asks him why he didn’t go with him, he doesn’t argue, lash out in bitterness, or insist on reclaiming the land that was rightfully his. Instead, he explains how Ziba betrayed him and then humbly says, “Let [Ziba] take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.” His heart isn’t focused on his rights or reputation. He simply rejoices that his king, whom he describes as “like an angel of God,” has come back.

Do you see the humility and wisdom of Mephibosheth here? His focus isn’t on himself, what he lost, or what he’s owed. He doesn’t cling to his rights. He doesn’t let Ziba’s betrayal drive him to bitterness. Instead, he rejoices in the king’s return, trusting that David’s presence is enough.

And here’s the beauty of it: David wasn’t perfect. He believed lies and acted rashly; yet, he returned to Jerusalem and restored some measure of honor to Mephibosheth. How much more does our God remain faithful? Even when David faltered, God’s covenant with Israel held firm. Even when the Israelites turned away from Him over and over again, He never abandoned them. He disciplined them, yes, but when they turned back, He was there. Always.

This also reflects the faithfulness of Christ to us. In 2 Timothy 2:13 (NIV), Paul says, “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” God’s love isn’t dependent on our performance. He sealed us with His Holy Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what’s to come (Ephesians 1:13-14). He promised never to leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus said, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NIV). One day, we’ll see Him face to face, and He’ll wipe every tear from our eyes.

What a beautiful picture of the gospel we have here, friends. Like Mephibosheth, we were broken and unable to save ourselves. We’ve also been slandered by the enemy. Revelation 12:10 (NIV) calls Satan “the accuser of our brothers and sisters.” He whispers lies about us, trying to convince us and others that we’re unworthy of God’s love. But we can rejoice and breathe easy because “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set [us] free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2 NIV).

And what’s more... “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:31-39 NIV).

And just as Mephibosheth rejoiced at David’s return, so we rejoice in the return of our King. One day, Christ will come back to set everything right. But even now, we live in the joy of His presence. Philippians 3:8 (NIV) says, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” When we see the surpassing worth of our King, we realize that nothing else matters.

Pause: Have you ever been misjudged or wounded by someone you trusted? Or have you believed a lie about someone else? What would it look like to entrust both situations to Jesus, the King who restores?

Practice: Ask God to give you discernment and a heart like Mephibosheth—more concerned with His presence than your position. If there’s someone you’ve misjudged, reach out in humility and seek peace.

Pray: Jesus, thank You for being the King who restores and makes all things new. Forgive me for the times I’ve let pride, slander, or assumptions rule my heart. Help me to rejoice in Your presence above all else. Give me the grace to forgive, the humility to seek peace, and the wisdom to see others as You see them. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.