Mephibosheth’s Only Treasure

Mephibosheth had nothing he could offer King David. He was lame in both of his feet. He had no accolades to his name. He was a man, by his own admission, worth the equivalent of a “dead dog” (2 Sam. 9:8). To top it all off, he was the grandson and only living descendent of the former King Saul, making him, if anything, a threat to David’s throne. A man seemingly doomed to die (2 Samuel 19:28). 

But David, being merciful, sought him. He sent for Mephibosheth, brought him home, and told him, “I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always” (2 Samuel 9:7). And so, Mephibosheth did. He ate at David’s table like one of the king’s own sons (2 Samuel 9:11). Like a lowly, lame, and suddenly rich young ruler who could not give but only receive from his king. 

Mephibosheth Within the Gates

When David fled the city following Absalom’s overthrow, Mephibosheth stayed. Not because he wanted to, but because his servant had stolen his horse, and his condition kept him from joining on foot (2 Samuel 19:26). With David now gone and Absalom occupied, Mephibosheth remained within the gates, and his royal life likely stayed much the same. Sure, he no longer had the king around, but he still had all the king’s things. If we were Mephibosheth in that moment, we might conclude, “Perhaps David’s absence won’t be so bad after all.”

The next time we meet Mephibosheth however, he’s a total wreck. His hair is unkept, his clothes are unwashed, and his feet show signs of neglect (2 Samuel 19:24). Why hadn’t he been living it up while the king was away? Why hadn’t he been scheming to increase his fortune? Why did he appear so down-and-out when all his privilege and possessions yet remained? He still had his treasure, didn’t he?

No, he didn’t.

Mephibosheth Without His King

When David returned to the city, Mephibosheth went down to meet him. He didn’t know it at the time, but David had since given away his inheritance on account of a lie concerning him (2 Samuel 16:3-4). Once David discovers the lie however, and realizes Mephibosheth’s faithfulness, he tells him he can split the inheritance between himself and the one who had slandered him. Mephibosheth doesn’t waste a moment.

He doesn’t shout for joy over recovered possessions. 

He doesn’t rise in anger concerning the one who had cheated him. 

He simply praises his king:

“Oh, let him take it all, since my lord the king has come safely home” (2 Samuel 19:30).

For Mephibosheth, his inheritance had never been his treasure. His possessions had never been his prize. Though they had formed the backdrop of his new life with the king, they had never once stolen an ounce of his love for the king. All that mattered to him in that one moment was that his king had returned. That is all, in fact, that had ever mattered to him. Without the king, the palace meant nothing. With the king, nothing else mattered. 

Mephibosheth was more than happy to sell all for his king. He was Mephibosheth’s only treasure. 

Love Like Mephibosheth

King Jesus is the even greater David — our perfectly spotless, sovereign Savior. He reigns upon an exalted throne, one that will never come to an end. He welcomes us into his home — one firmly fixed in the heavens. He has poured out his love upon us even while we were yet his enemies. He has given his very self for us though we could offer him nothing in return. He is the Treasure in the field (Matthew 13:44). He is the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:46). He is the Bread of Life, and the Light of the World, and the Servant-Shepherd of the sheep (John 6:35, 8:12, 10:14). Jesus is our everything. 

Were we to be offered all the world’s treasures, or awarded all the world’s things, or be given the chance to have every dollar on the globe streaming into our bank account, but not have Jesus — what should we say?

Oh, let another take it all, we only want our king to come home.