Getting What's Due You

David gets some disturbing news as he flees Jerusalem, news that causes him to make an error in judgment. That error could have cost an honest man his life.

In 2 Samuel 16, as David runs from a coup brought about by his son Absalom, he is met by Ziba, servant of the former king's son Miphibosheth. "And where is you master's son?" David asks. "Ziba answered the king, 'Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father..."

That was a lie. David believed it, and gave all of Miphibosheth's lands to Ziba. As it turns out, Miphibosheth was lame and when he tried to leave with David, Ziba left without him-no doubt an opportunist. Later, in chapter 19, Miphibosheth comes to meet David as returns, triumphant, to Jerusalem.

What I want to focus on is Miphibosheth's response. When David tells him to split the land with Ziba, Miphibosheth says "Oh, let him take it all, since my lord the king has come safely home."

In essence, this was David's way of telling which man was a liar. But because Miphibosheth is willing to give it all up, presumably David gave it all back to him. It sort of reminds me of what David's son, Solomon did with the baby claimed by two moms.

So how do you react when someone deceives you, lies about you, then steals from you? You get mad, don't you? You want to exact judgment against them, don't you? And if it comes time to get back what was taken you jump at the chance, right?

Well, it was worth more to Miphibosheth to show his loyalty to the king and tell the truth than get what was rightly his. It's a lesson in humility, loyalty, and priority. His relationship with David was more important that getting justice.

Kind of reminds me of when Jesus said that if someone forces you to walk one mile you should walk with them an extra mile. It might put you out, but it might also show that person that the love of God is more important than getting what's yours.

Pastor Tom