So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people. Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder, and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were priests.
And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.”
Comment: Having over the last few days looked at David’s might as a warrior and how he dealt with nearby countries today we look at his administration including what he does in memory of his old, now dead, friend Jonathan. Jewish records were kept so diligently that if I hunted hard I could find out more about the men listed here. But what delights my heart is to read ‘David administered justice and equity to all his people.’ Then we read how David chased down Mephibosheth. David had always had cause to hate Saul but had always honoured him as God’s appointed. Jonathan, Saul’s son was David’s closest buddy, and he finds that a lame son of Jonathan is still alive. Mephibosheth’s words ‘Behold, I am you servant’ has a double meaning. Firstly it is the statement of any person in the kingdom but secondly it meant Mephibosheth was giving up any claim which he might have to his Grandfather’s throne, David was his king.
Prayer: Help me to give up the reins of my life to You, my God-King.
As I read it! 