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2 Samuel 9:9–13

You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always (v. 10a).

David’s kindness to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth also means good things for Ziba, the servant of the house of Saul. He is already a greatly blessed and relatively wealthy man, as is evidenced by his 15 sons and 20 servants. But he stands to gain in many ways because of the blessings that are falling on Mephibosheth.

Calling Ziba, David informs him of his decision to restore all of Saul’s family lands to Mephibosheth. Then David commands Ziba to regard Mephibosheth as his master and to take on the management of these lands with the help of his sons and servants. This is a major responsibility. As Matthew Henry points out: “Saul had a very good estate, for his father was a mighty man of substance (1 Sam. 9:1), and he had fields and vineyards to bestow, 1 Sam. 22:7. Be it ever so much, Mephibosheth is now master of it all.” But David wants Ziba to understand that he is being given a stewardship. He is to oversee the production of Mephibosheth’s lands so that Mephibosheth’s household may be fed. We are not told exactly who is included among the members of this household, except that Mephibosheth has a young son named Micha. David is simply taking great care to extend his kindness to all of those who are dear to Mephibosheth by providing for their material needs.

But David also feels the need to give Ziba what may well be a veiled warning. He tells the servant, “As for Mephibosheth, he shall eat bread at my table like one of the king’s sons.” Perhaps David fears that Ziba might somehow take advantage of Mephibosheth in his lameness, for he will likely not be able to be out and about on his lands to oversee how Ziba is managing them. With these words, David lets Ziba know that Mephibosheth has the king’s favor. Indeed, the king has decided to treat Mephibosheth like one of his own sons. Having set his covenant love upon Mephibosheth, David will not tolerate any attempt to do him wrong. Any hurt to Mephibosheth will be treated as an injury to the king himself.

Ziba agrees to do all David has commanded. Unfortunately, he will not prove to be a faithful steward. As we will see later in 2 Samuel, Ziba will show himself to be devious and manipulative, thinking first and foremost of how to advance his own fortunes.

Coram Deo Living before the face of God

As Christians, we understand that we are stewards of all things God has given us. We typically feel the weight of this responsibility, but perhaps we miss the joy of it. We are stewards of the King, managers of His assets, and His service is not a burden. Take joy in serving God through your thoughtful, prayerful use of all His good gifts.


For Further Study
  • Matt. 25:21
  • Rom. 12:6–8
  • 1 Cor. 4:1–2
  • 1 Peter 4:10

    Covenant Loyalty

    His True Children

    Keep Reading The Way of Glory: Persecution and Martyrdom in the Christian Life

    From the September 2003 Issue
    Sep 2003 Issue