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David had promised to be kind to
Jonathan's children; did he forget his promise? No; he still
remembered and loved Jonathan, and wished to be kind to his family; so he
called Ziba, an old servant of Saul, and said, "Tell me, are there
any of Saul's children living now, that I may show the kindness of God to
them?" Ziba said, "Yes; there is a son of Jonathan, named
Mephibosheth, still alive; and he is lame in his feet." Then
David told Ziba to go and bring Mephibosheth. How
had Mephibosheth become lame? That sad day when his poor father was
killed in battle, his nurse took him up in haste to carry him away, and he
fell out of her arms. The fall hurt the little boy, and he was
always lame afterwards. Mephibosheth was then only five years old;
but now he was a young man. Mephibosheth
felt alarmed when the king sent for him, and he fell on his face before
David. But David spoke to him very gently and affectionately; he
remembered Jonathan, and he loved Mephibosheth, because he was Jonathan's
son. David said to him, "Fear not; I will show thee kindness
for Jonathan's sake. I will give thee again all the land which
belonged to Saul, and thou shalt eat every day at my table."
Then Mephibosheth bowed again before David, and thanked him for his
kindness. David called
Ziba, and said, "I have given all Saul's possessions to Mephibosheth;
thou and thy sons must take care of the land for him; and bring the fruits
to him; but he shall eat always at my table." Ziba promised to
obey the king. He was a rich man, and had many servants who helped
him to take care of Mephibosheth's land. Mephibosheth had a house in
Jerusalem where he lived; but every day he dined with the king, and David
honored and loved him very much. God
always pities those who have no power to help themselves; and promises to
be their friend if they trust in Him. Jesus Christ used to love the
blind, and lame, and deaf and dumb people who came to Him. He did
good to them all. And Christ's people try to do as He did; they pity
and help those who are in trouble. David was kind, and generous, and
pitiful; we must pray God to make us so too. Mephibosheth was an
affectionate, grateful friend to David. David did much for him, and
he was thankful for it. Ingratitude is a sad sin. When people
are kind to us, and help us, and pity us, we ought to love and thank them
very much. How can we show our gratitude? Perhaps we cannot
give anything to our kind friends to repay them, but we can show our
thankfulness by loving them; and trying to please them in all things; and
by asking God to bless them.
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