Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-07-28
brotherhood

70 this subject, should be studied. The prac-
teal lesson is on the surface. and can be
illustrated in many ways by modern ex-
amples. This section includes chapter and
chapter Is: Ia. Also II: 27-29. which gives
incidents concerning the relation of David
to Mephibosheth. Historical Setting.-Time.
Unknown but probably after David's earlier
wars. and in the quieter times before the
second half of his reign. Perhaps b. c. 1910.
Piace.-Jerusalem and Lo-debar, near Ma
hanaim in Giead east of the Jordan.
David about 10 years old Mephibosheth,
about 30 years old.
3. ''Is there not yet any OF the house OF
Saul that | may show the kindness of God
unto him." David could not have done this
in the early part Of his reign because his
kingdom not then firmly established
that Il would be safe. But as soon as there
was no danger OF bringing division and dis
cord David's heart led him to make this
inquiry. The kindness of God is kindness
like Gods, large and free, and forgiving;
very great kindness; kindness for
Gods sake, according to Gods example.
That this noble example of doing good
TO enemies. according to the precept OF
Proverbs rs u. %, and Romans u: 1921.
Saul had several times tried to kill David;
he had driven him into exile. and haunted
him from place to place. There was long
black chapter of wrongs in the past. The
Unfortunate Prince-Vs. 3-S. And Ziba
Saul. who had cared for Mephbosheth in his
need. He was now a prosperous man with
fifteen sons and twenty servants. and sup
posed that he could inform the king.''-Kitto-
jonathan hath yet son." unknown to
David, because his friends would fear that he
might be regarded as a rival. Which is
lame on his feet" When the news came OF
the death of Jonathan and Saul on Mt. Gil
boa the nurse took Jonathan's little boy
then five years old, and lied from Jezreel
In her haste she let him fall, and he became
lame in both feet. That fifteen years
before this search of David, that Mephi-
bosheth about twenty years old when he
came to David's court. Thus both by his
physical condition, and by his circumstances
as the last of a conquered dynasty, and by
his poverty. this young man would find it
difficult to look forward to very successful
life.
1. Behold, he is in the house of Machir."
He was rich man, judging from Samuel
Il: -, who, after the death of Saul and
Jonathan. had received the lame son Of the
latter into his house.-keil. In Lo-debar,"
town not far from Mahanaim, east of the
Jordan on the Jabbok where Ish-bosheth. his
uncle. held his court for years, while
David in Hebron. Mephibosheth was
thus dependent on friends for his support.
). David sent and fetched him." not
merely by summons. but Joseph sent
wagons from Egypt to Palestine for his
father.
I, And David said unto him. Fear not"
1t is quite probable that Mephibosheth was
afraid of becoming known to David. One day
messenger arivers at Lo-debar. IL is u
messenger from the king Mephibosheth is
alarmed when he finds the king has sent for
him. The messenger probably charged
not TO disclose the kings object, for when
the lame youth appeared before the king
and Frustrated himself in humble reverence.
some trepidation seems TO have been visible
in his manner, as we may gather from the
kind and assuring words of David addressed
to une in whose countenance he probably
found some traces of the friend he had loved
so well.-Kitto.
9. II have given unto thy masters son
all that pertained TO SAUL Sauls family
estate, which had fallen to David in right
OF his wife tNum. y: s. or been forfeited
to the crown by Ish-bosheth's rebellion
tchap, II: 81, provided ". IL. also chap.
10: 2O for enabling him to maintain an
tablishment suitable to his rank. and Ziba
appointed steward to manage il. on the con-
dition OF receiving one-half of the produce
| in remuneration of his labor and expense.
while the other moiety was to be paid rent
| to the owner of the land chap. 10: 29.)-
| J. f. u. The estate must have been consd-
| cradle much larger than the patrimoniai in
| heritapce of Saul perhaps increased by con-
! fscation during his possession of royal au-
tnOflty.--Mllman.
10. shalt till the land he had prob
| ably done either for David. or for those who
had possession. Possibly Ziba was using it
| for himself Henceforth he was TO till the
land for Mephibosheth, and bring in the
| fruits that they masters son may have food
to eat" Though Mephibosheth himself was
TO be guest at the royal table. he would
require the revenue of this estate for the
Mephif shall eat bread al
way at my table," This was to do honor, the
greatest honor. to his friends son. Ii was
also polite to keep him under his eye and
TO bring him into loving relationship. For.
however innocent he might be, or however
incapacitated from becoming king. he might
easily become nucleus around which the
enemies OF David might gather. There
two incidents in after years which bear upon
the present story. They occurred during Alb
saiom's rebellion. y. G. 1922 or 1923: seven
teen or eighteen years after the events OF
today's lesson. During this rebellion. Ziba
betrayed his master and falsely accused him
OF treashery to David. The king believing
him, as was quite natural under the eircum-
stances. took away Mephibosheth's property
and gave IL TO Ziba. Later on, when Mephi-
bosheth seemed tell him the truth. ex-
planning his position and action. David re-
stored half of IL. The story Is very touch
ing tSee Sam. iG: II; -: 2i-30.)