"do what is good in your eyes"
2 Samuel 19:27
I was reminded today of a wonderful account in Scripture. It's in 2nd Samuel, and it's about a man named Mephibosheth. He's the one that spoke the words in today's verse.
Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, King David's dear friend, and he had been lame in both feet since he was five. David had become king after his nemesis, King Saul, had died. Jonathan had died in battle as well, and David could have had all the relatives of the previous king killed. I guess that was some kind of weird custom in those days. Let's hear it for democracy, shall we? And as you read the amazing, protracted, painful story of Saul and David, you might not be surprised that David would want to eliminate everyone that reminded him of the man who had tried repeatedly to kill him.
But so precious to David was his friendship with Jonathan, that he sought out Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, and showed him kindness, honoring the deep friendship that David and Jonathan had shared. David returned to Mephibosheth the land that had belong to Saul, and granted him a place at the king's table, for the rest of his life. Mephibosheth was humbled and honored by David's gracious kindness. He knew he had no reason to expect it, and no way to repay it.
We don't read about Mephibosheth again until after David's struggles with his own son, Absalom. Absalom had schemed to take over the kingdom from his father, and many men in the kingdom took sides, either with David or with Absalom. During this chaotic time, Mephibosheth's servant betrayed him. Hoping to impress the king with his own false loyalty, he told David that Mephibosheth was siding with Absalom. He told David that Mephibosheth was hoping David would lose his position as king. David believed him, and transferred ownership of all of Mephibosheth's land to this servant, instead.
This is not the first time in Scripture that a Bible hero does something stupid. And it's not the first ~ or last ~ time we see David doing something stupid, but this breaks my heart. Why oh why, didn't he find out Mephibosheth's side of the story? I mean, I suppose it's because half his kingdom had turned against him, and he had no reason to believe Mephibosheth was loyal. But still...
But after Absalom was dead, and David's kingdom was secure once more, Mephibosheth went to meet his king. Mephibosheth knew what his servant had done, and he knew that David might be angry enough at him to have him executed. But he bravely went anyway. And you might think his purpose was to try to get his land back. But he came to David in mourning, explaining that he was betrayed by his servant. And that's all he wanted ~ for David to know his loyalty. He asked for nothing from David, but told his king, "do whatever is good in your eyes."
Now, imagine this is you. See yourself in this position, not with King David, but with the King of Kings. You, just like Mephibosheth, are lame. You are crippled by your sin, and your weak flesh. You are at the mercy of your gentle, gracious King. You know you have already received more than you deserve, more than you could ever ask, for you have been given a place at the banquet table of the King, and a share in His inheritance. Do you say, humbly, and confident in His mercy, "Do to me what is good in your eyes."? Do you rely on the wisdom of your King? Do you know in your heart that whatever He has planned for you is what is best? Remember, you are not talking to an earthly king, with fleshly whims and occasional bad judgement. You are talking to your Creator; your Savior.
I do not know what my King plans for my life. But I do know that I have already received more than I ever deserved, and I can trustingly say to Him, "whatever is good in Your eyes."
This account of Mephibosheth ends with David compromising by giving half the land to Mephibosheth, and half to the servant. But Mephibosheth replies that the servant can have it all. "It is enough that my lord the king has come back in peace to his own house." What an admirable attitude. It is enough for Mephibosheth to be in the presence of his king. Is it enough for you?
~ "You are my King, O God." ~
Psalm 44:4
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