David asked, “Is there anyone remaining from the family of Saul I can show kindness to for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1)
Chapter 9 is a beautiful example of fulfilling a promise. Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth is honored and his family wealth is restored (he’s even given the help he needs to manage the estate in verse 10). We see humility on Mephibosheth’s part (verses 6 and 8) and the passage ends with a note that he was given the extra honor of always eating at King David’s table….and that could be the end of it. However, the story ends with the footnote about Mephibosheth’s feet being injured.
He was dropped as a small child (Infant? Toddler? 2 Sam 4:4) as Saul’s reign ended and people fled, assuming Saul’s family would be endangered. Bad choices and bad assumptions usually end with bad results. Yet, by the grace of God, David remembers and shows kindness to Saul’s grandson after promises in 1 Samuel 20:15 and 24:22. Following David’s example, we can honor God by taking care of our promises and obligations.
Our ultimate example is how God always fulfills His promises (Heb. 11:1-12:2, Jos. 21:45) and will complete the work He started with us (Phil. 1:6). Based on Mephibosheth already having a son (verse 12), David fulfills his promise about 15 years after Saul’s death. Even after 400 years of silence God sent His Son to save us! He is always faithful, and we can always trust in Him.