Before David became king, he was forced to live life on the run because of the demented King Saul. But there is another story that is often overlooked that deserves some attention– it’s the covenant made between David and Jonathan (Saul’s son). The tragic death of Jonathan should have marked the end of the relationship between the two, but in fact it didn’t. Their agreement was supposed to be honored even after death. When David became king, he did honor the covenant that went above and beyond the agreement that was made. But why was the inheritance that was meant for the descendants of his friend Jonathan given to another man? As we prepare for the second exodus, we don’t want to find ourselves throwing away the favor given to us because of ignorance.
Scripture tells us that Jonathan loved David as he loved his own soul. In one instance, when Jonathan defended David to Saul, Saul threw a spear at him. He threw a spear at his own son; can you imagine that? But Jonathan knew that David would be the next king and he did what he could to encourage him and help him. In reading 1 Samuel 20:11-16, we see that Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David saying, “let the Most High require it at the hand of David’s enemies.” At the time, David is in hiding. He doesn’t know if he should return to his house or to continue to eat at Saul’s table because Saul had already tried to kill him several times. So, in this passage, Jonathan is meeting with David privately and according to this newly established covenant, Jonathan was to find out if Saul still wanted David dead and then he was supposed to get word to David so that David would know whether or not he needed to escape. The agreement was that David was not to cut off the descendants of Jonathan’s house when all of David’s enemies were defeated. That was customary back then. When a new king came to power, he would wipe out the family of the previous king in order to get rid of anyone who might be a threat to his rule.
In 1 Samuel 31:1-3, we read about Saul’s tragic end as they warred with the Philistines, and this is when Jonathan was also killed. Jonathan had a son who was about five years old when his father and grandfather were killed. His name was Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4:4). We learn from scripture that he was lame in his feet. A nurse, in his care, is running thinking that they’re all in danger and she drops him causing him to be lame in both of his feet. He was then taken to the land of Gilead where he was raised until the day David remembered his covenant with Jonathan.
In 2 Samuel 9: 1-6, we see that David is now king. After discovering the exitance of Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, David exalted him to a position of honor because of the oath he had made with Jonathan. Remember, the covenant David made with Jonathan was that he was going to show kindness and not cut off Jonathan’s seed. David went far and above that. He bestowed favor upon him, and he restored all that was lost. In addition, all who lived in the house of Ziba (where Mephibosheth resided at the time) were to now be the servants of Mephibosheth. David still considered Ziba Saul’s servant, but Ziba no longer saw himself that way. He now had 15 sons and 20 servants of his own. He was no longer in Saul’s service, but he had managed to do quite well for himself. But how did he manage that?
Beginning in 2 Samuel 15, we start to read about the rebellion of Absalom (David’s son) that ended with him being killed. He committed treason and used deceit to usurp David’s authority and to win the hearts of the people. But the Most High, in His mercy, allowed David to remain in power. Now as David is preparing to go back into the city, something happens. Remember Ziba, the one who was supposed to be the servant of Mephibosheth? Well, we read about his treachery in 2nd Samuel 16:1-4. But in 2 Samuel 19:24-30, we read what truly happened. In the end, Mephibosheth gave away the inheritance that had been returned to him; all of the land that belonged to Saul. Here is wisdom, he gave away an inheritance that should have passed on to his children (a good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children). David placed Ziba, the servant, under Mephibosheth’s authority but we see now that Ziba had little regard for Mephibosheth. Was it because Mephibosheth had little regard for his inheritance? Was he behaving like Esau in the situation– he just gave away what rightfully belonged to him as though it was no big deal. Yes, he was eating at the king’s table but what about the children and the grandchildren coming after him? What would happen to them after David passed away? He lacked foresight because he still saw himself as the dead dog, but Ziba saw himself as the owner. Mephibosheth allowed Ziba to usurp his authority. Some might say, “well this was such a pious act.” Was it? He has just given away everything that should have passed on to his children and his children’s children like it was no big deal. Let’s tie this into our situation, family, so that we can be prepared as we get ready to leave the land of our oppressors.
In reading Deuteronomy 30:1-7, we learn what has been promised to us when we repent as a people and the Most High restores our inheritance. When we receive what is owed to us, will you know how to manage it well or will you be like Jonathan’s son and have it all taken away? The way you manage your resources now is a good indication of how you will manage it then. So, if you know that you lack wisdom when it comes to money management or handling your resources, what should you be doing right now? The Scriptures say, if a man lacks wisdom, what should he do? Now is the time to pray and ask the Most High for wisdom so that you know how to manage wealth or it will end up back in the hands of some slick Gentile or some slick Israelite. Notice that David did not intervene on Mephibosheth’s behalf because it was his place to get his house in order. He should have brought his servant under subjection. He knew that Ziba was out of order, but he said and did nothing. Was he using his inability to walk as a crutch hoping that someone would feel sorry for him or is it that he didn’t see the value in what he had been given? This story really made me think about our situation here in the land of our captivity because the majority of our people live far below the poverty line even though we are the chosen people of the Most High. How are we like Mephibosheth? Have we been serving so long that we still see ourselves that way (as a man thinketh so is he).
Now that we’re waking up to the truth, this should be a time of preparation for us. A time to renew our mind and to learn how to do things differently and it begins by submitting to the will of the Most High and seeking His ways. He says, “If a man lacks wisdom, he should ask for it, and He will give it to us liberally.” Think about Jonathan’s son. He lacked wisdom. He was content just to sit and eat at the king’s table, but is that all that the king wanted for him? No! We still have a covenant, Israel. Our inheritance is going to be restored to us, but will we manage it well? Do we know how to recognize things of value or how to invest in things that will be valuable to our children’s children? We can’t continue to follow the ways of the heathen. We need the Spirit of truth to reveal these things to us because if we don’t start preparing ourselves to reign and rule now, what was meant for us will end up in the hands of those who are waiting in the shadows to take it. The Most High expects us to know how to take care of the things He gives to us and to manage it well (see Matthew 25:14-29).
Start praying now for wisdom so that we’re able to manage the things given to us in excellence. Again, we have to be prepared to reign and rule. I know many of us are looking forward to the second exodus because we know that Scripture tells us that we will be compensated for the unpaid wages. But when the Most High restores the wealth, what will you do with it? Will you continue to invest in things that have no value? Will you be like Jonathan’s son and allow your inheritance to be given to another because you lack wisdom? Will you love the riches more than the One who gave it to you? These are questions you need to consider now so that you can start preparing to manage the resources well. Again, pray for wisdom. It will also require us to renew our mind because we may be tempted to do things the way we saw the heathens do it. Let’s leave the ways of Babylon in Babylon and do it YAH’s way so that we’re good stewards and we can start with things He’s already blessed us with. Let’s take advantage of the time we have left to equip ourselves with wisdom knowledge and understanding.
Learn more when you view the accompanying video, Throwing Away Favor | Inheritance Given to Another.
