2 Samuel 19:24 - Meaning and Application

The day of David’s return was also a day for looking back and settling accounts. What had happened during his flight was reviewed again, and among other matters, the case of Shimei led to an inquiry into Mephibosheth’s situation, and Mephibosheth himself brought it forward.

He went down with the crowd to meet the king (2 Samuel 19:24). This showed how sincerely he welcomed the king’s return, and it also showed how deeply he had grieved during David’s exile. During that sorrowful time, when one of Israel’s greatest honors had been driven away, Mephibosheth lived in grief and neglect. He did not trim his beard or wash his clothes, but let himself go as one overwhelmed by sorrow over the king’s trouble and the nation’s misery. In times of public disaster, we should curb our pleasures and fit ourselves to the season. There are times when God calls for weeping and mourning, and we must answer that call.

When the king came to Jerusalem, since Mephibosheth had no sooner chance to meet him, he appeared before him there (2 Samuel 19:25). When David asked why he had stayed behind instead of going with him into exile, Mephibosheth explained his case fully. He first complained about Ziba, his servant, who should have been loyal but had acted like an enemy in two ways. First, he kept Mephibosheth from going with the king by taking the donkey he had been told to prepare for his master (2 Samuel 19:26). He took cruel advantage of Mephibosheth’s lameness and inability to help himself. Second, he had lied to David and accused Mephibosheth of trying to seize the kingdom (2 Samuel 19:27). How much harm a wicked servant can do to even the best master.

Mephibosheth also thanked the king for his great kindness when he and all his father’s house were entirely in David’s power (2 Samuel 19:28). Though he could have been treated as a rebel, David had received him like a friend, even like a child. “You set your servant among those who eat at your table.” That makes Ziba’s story seem unlikely, because could Mephibosheth really have been foolish enough to want more when he already lived so comfortably and happily? Could he have been so dishonest as to plan harm against David, whose kindness he knew so well?

Then he placed his whole case in the king’s hands: “Do what seems right to you with me and my estate.” He trusted David’s wisdom and his ability to tell truth from lies. He also gave up all claims to special merit. In effect, he said, “I have received far more kindness than I deserved. Why should I keep troubling the king with my complaints? Why should I think anything is too hard when I have been treated so graciously already?” We were all as dead men before God, yet he has not only spared us, but also brought us to his table. So how little reason we have to complain about any trouble we face, and how much reason we have to accept all that God does.

David then called back the transfer of Mephibosheth’s property. Since he had been misled in making the grant, he changed it and restored the earlier arrangement. “I have said, You and Ziba divide the land” (2 Samuel 19:29), meaning, “Let things stand as I first ordered them” (2 Samuel 9:10). The ownership would still belong to Mephibosheth, but Ziba would keep the use of the land and work it, paying rent for it. So Mephibosheth ended up where he had been before. No real harm was done, though Ziba went unpunished for his false and malicious report against his master. David either feared Ziba too much or loved peace too much to punish him according to the law (Deuteronomy 19:18, 19). At that moment, he wanted to forgive and to leave everyone at ease.

Mephibosheth cared so little about his estate that he let all of it fade beside his joy over the king’s return (2 Samuel 19:30). “Let him take it all,” he said, “the king’s presence and favor are enough for me.” A good man can bear private losses and disappointments calmly when he sees Israel at peace and the throne of David’s Son exalted and secure. Let Ziba take all, so long as David is in peace.