Gospel Reflections #1147: When Waiting is the Only Way

2 Samuel 19:24 ‘Mephibosheth, the son of Saul, came down to meet the king. From the day the king left until the day he returned in peace, he had not trimmed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes.’

This passage depicts the scene in which King David, on his way back to Jerusalem following the suppression of the coup (civil war) led by his son Absalom, is reunited with Mephibosheth, the grandson of King Saul and son of Jonathan.

When King David fled Jerusalem due to Absalom’s rebellion, Ziba, who had been Mephibosheth’s servant, came to David.

Ziba made a false report (slander), saying, ‘Mephibosheth has remained in Jerusalem, saying, “Today the house of Israel will restore my father’s kingdom to me.”’

Believing this, David had given all of Mephibosheth’s property to Ziba.

Verse 24 depicts the moment when, upon David’s victorious return, it becomes visually clear that Ziba’s report was a lie and that Mephibosheth had in fact remained loyal to David.

The description of Mephibosheth as having ‘neither tended his feet, nor shaved his beard, nor washed his clothes’ reflects the attitude of deep sorrow and mourning prevalent in the ancient Near East. Whilst King David was in exile, he refused to live in luxury or even in ordinary comfort, choosing instead to empathise with the king’s suffering through his own personal sacrifice.

If Mephibosheth had been rejoicing at the prospect of becoming king, as Ziba claimed, he would never have allowed himself to appear in such a state.

It was precisely this shabby appearance that served as the greatest proof of his loyalty: that he had been concerned for the king’s welfare ever since the day of David’s flight.

Mephibosheth was lame in both legs as a result of an accident in his childhood.

Consequently, even when he was deceived by Ziba, he was unable to move of his own accord and could not even go to clear his name.

However, upon hearing the news of the king’s return, he immediately came down of his own accord to welcome the king.

His concern was not ‘what would become of his own possessions’, but the very fact that ‘the king had returned safely’.

This passage challenges us to consider ‘what kind of attitude we have towards the Lord’.

Mephibosheth endured the king’s time of suffering alongside him in sorrow, not for his own benefit, but solely out of love and loyalty to King David.

Similarly, this passage is interpreted as teaching us the importance of believers remaining loyal to Christ, not being led astray by immediate circumstances (such as misunderstandings or slander), and maintaining an attitude of eager anticipation for the day of the Lord’s return.

Even if we were to lose everything, would we still be able to trust in God and continue to wait for Him?

Furthermore, even if we were to lose everything, could we truly feel from the bottom of our hearts that ‘as long as God is with me, that is enough’?

Rather than complaining about the absurdities of this world, are we eagerly awaiting the day when God comes to welcome us?

I am acutely aware of my own weakness, yet God gave His life for people like us.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.