Command to Ziba

To fulfill the promise made to Mephibosheth, David summoned Ziba, who had been a servant of King Saul, and gave him the following command: (1) All the land that belonged to King Saul is to be returned to Mephibosheth. (2) Ziba, who had a large household, was to cultivate the land returned to the house of Saul and provide for its livelihood. Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants, so he was capable of farming a considerable area of land. (3) As for Mephibosheth, he would remain in Jerusalem so that he could dine at David’s table. Ziba accepted David’s command and carried it out. Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. This child grew up and had many descendants, and through him, the lineage of Saul continued for many generations (1 Chron. 9:41-44).

David’s table

Thus Mephibosheth came to dine at David’s table as though he were one of the king’s sons. He lived in Jerusalem, not in the land of his ancestors, in order to share meals with David. David serves as a foreshadowing of the Lord Jesus, and Mephibosheth represents us, Christians. (1) David treated Mephibosheth with grace. (2) He also continually allowed him to dine at his own table. This was not merely an “act of charity,” but a “bestowal of an honorable position.” The same thing will happen to us. The Lord Jesus, through His grace, gave life to us, who were spiritually dead. He also gave us the status and privilege of being children of God and promised to always be with us. We have already been made those who dine at the table of Christ. In time, that privilege will be fulfilled in an even clearer form. If Mephibosheth expressed gratitude to David, then we should express greater gratitude to God the Father and His Son Jesus. For we have already been given blessings beyond human understanding.