Our Blog

Teachings from Unsung Figures: Mephibosheth: Overcoming Adversity with Grace

     Within the shadows of more prominent figures, Mephibosheth's story unfolds as a testament to resilience, unforeseen grace, and the influence of benevolence. While he may dwell in the periphery of biblical acclaim, Mephibosheth emerges as an emblem of inspiration, affirming that within life's trials, the light of grace can pierce through, offering hope and renewal. Join us as we explore the lessons within Mephibosheth’s often-overlooked history. 

First, Some Backstory

     A descendant of Saul, the inaugural king of Israel, Mephibosheth's life unfolded against a backdrop of political turmoil and familial upheaval. His father, Jonathan, was not only Saul's valiant son but also an intimate companion of David, the shepherd destined to become Israel's celebrated monarch. Tragedy struck Mephibosheth at an early age when news of his father and grandfather's demise reached him. Fleeing from the chaos that ensued, his nurse stumbled, leaving the young heir physically impaired. As such, Mephibosheth, though of royal lineage, found himself thrust into obscurity—a mere footnote in a tumultuous period of Israelite history. Yet, within this seemingly unremarkable context, lies the crucible that forged the resilience and character that define Mephibosheth's extraordinary journey.

Insights Within the Text

Kindness:

     Entrenched in the pages of 2 Samuel 9:1-13, this narrative diverges from the anticipated trajectory of power dynamics. David, now firmly seated on the throne, embarks on an unprecedented quest, seeking any remaining kin of his dear friend, Jonathan. What distinguishes this endeavor is not merely the fulfillment of a familial duty, but the sincerity of David's intent grounded in mercy and love rather than political expediency. Due to his physical limitations, Mephibosheth found himself marginalized within society, a circumstance that typically excluded him from royal considerations. However, devoid of any hidden motives, the king extended an invitation that transcended societal norms—a seat at the royal table, an esteemed position typically reserved for those with an unblemished standing. David's simple act of kindness toward Mephibosheth illuminates the power embedded within genuine acts of goodwill. 
     David's decision to extend grace to a perceived outsider challenges the prevailing hierarchical norms. It underscores the idea that kindness, unbound by societal expectations, possesses the potential to rewrite the narratives of marginalized individuals that society overlooks. 

Resilience:

     Marked by ostracization, Mephibosheth found himself thrust into an unfamiliar spotlight at the king's table. Rather than succumb to the weight of his circumstances, he embraced this newfound position with a spirit resilient in the face of adversity.
     The resilience displayed by Mephibosheth’s resilience surpasses the external domain; it extends into the internal jurisdiction of identity and self-worth. Accustomed to residing on the fringes of society due to his perceived inadequacy, Mephibosheth now navigates the intricate dynamics of the royal court. His ability to adapt and find strength in vulnerability becomes a profound lesson for us all; a certification to the reconstructive power of embracing one's identity, regardless of social opinion.
     Mephibosheth's journey invites reflection on the resilience that lies within each of us, urging us to navigate life's challenges with grace and fortitude. In this unexpected twist of fate, Mephibosheth not only rises above the limitations imposed upon him but becomes an enduring symbol of mankind's capacity to bloom even in the unlikeliest of gardens.

Grace:

     Labeled as “different” by society, Mephibosheth's life bears witness to the unmatched power of God’s grace, softly reminding us that His grace seeks out and embraces all; transforming narratives into stories of redemption and restoration. Consider the expansive nature of God's grace in your life and focus on moments of perceived blemish, brokenness, or marginalization. Mephibosheth's story encourages us to open our hearts to God’s limitless grace, forever changing how we perceive ourselves and others.

Conclusion

     As we conclude, we challenge you to allow Mephibosheth's story to resonate as a poignant reminder of the enduring themes that shape our narratives. Take the opportunity to reassess your perspective on adversity, diversity, and the all-encompassing power of grace, and let it redefine your story, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. 

- Torrance Church of Christ

David’s Faith and Overcoming Giants

The Record of David and Goliath

Historical Context and Background

Before jumping straight into the story of the battle against Goliath, let’s look over a little background leading up to the battle. 

Saul had been the King of Israel. At this time, the Philistines and the Israelites had been at war with each other for quite a while. During a battle, Saul had been instructed by God to destroy everyone and everything. Saul did not, instead choosing to spare king Agag of the Amalekites and some of the best livestock for sacrifice. This angered the Lord. Saul’s consequence for disobeying God was being replaced as king. 

But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!”

1 Samuel 15:26

God instructed Samuel to travel to Bethlehem and speak to Jesse. Per the Lord’s instructions, Samuel was to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the new king of Israel. When Samuel arrived, he met Jesse’s son Eliab. Because of his height and stature, Samuel thought Eliab would be a good fit to be king. 

But God warned Samuel:

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7

Jesse continued to introduce Samuel to his seven sons that were present. Samuel informed Jesse that the Lord has rejected all seven, and asked if he had another son. Jesse told Samuel that his youngest son, David, was out tending to the sheep. 

So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

1 Samuel 16:12

Samuel anointed David to become King of Israel. 

By this time, Saul had become tortured, so one of his servants suggested to Saul that he should find someone to play him the lyre in order to feel better. Saul told his servants to find someone to play the lyre and bring that person to him.

One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”

1 Samuel 16:18

This is how David began working under Saul. 

David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

1 Samuel 16:21-22

The Battle

Chapter 17 of 1 Samuel begins by providing readers with a simple layout of the land.

Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

1 Samuel 17:1-3

The Philistines had a champion from Gath, named Goliath. Goliath was about 9 feet 9 inches tall and was decked out head to toe in heavy bronze armor. 

For forty days, Goliath continued to taunt the Israelite camp, saying:

Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.”

1 Samuel 17:8-10

This left all of the Israelites feeling discouraged. 

David’s three oldest brothers had followed Saul to battle. David would run back and forth between the Israelite camp and his family home to check on his brothers and tend the sheep. 

One day while David was back at home with his father, his dad asked him to bring food to his brothers and their commander at the Israelite camp. David set out early in the morning to make the journey to the camp. While talking to his brothers, Goliath entered the camp to dish out his daily slew of insults and taunts. Per the usual, the Israelites ran off and hid. 

David heard Goliath and noticed how the Israelites cowered in fear. 

David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

1 Samuel 17:26

David’s oldest brother, Eliab, was angered when he overheard David speaking to the group of men. He accused David of being conceited and insinuated that the only reason David came was to watch the battle. 

Word of this episode spread; making its way back to Saul. Saul called on David. 

David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”

But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”

1 Samuel 17:32-37

Saul offered David his tunic, coat of armor, bronze helmet, and sword. David tried on the protective gear and quickly discarded it. It was heavy and he did not know how to carry himself while wearing it. Instead, he equipped himself with his shepherds' staff, a few smooth rocks, and a slingshot. 

Remember, Goliath was an excessively large man adorned in heavy-duty armor. Physically, the odds were in Goliath’s favor. 

Upon seeing David, Goliath mocked him. To which David faithfully replied:

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

1 Samuel 17:45-47

Squaring up, David faced Goliath, placed a stone in his slingshot, and planted it smack-dab into Goliath’s forehead, causing Goliath to fall face-first to the ground. After Goliath was dead, the Philistines ran, and the Israelites were victors in the war. 

The Armor of God

David was the underdog who stood tall and conquered the untouchable giant, with seemingly nothing more than a slingshot and a stone. But that is not all David had. 

David wore the Armor of God which gave him the confidence and faith required to defeat Goliath. 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:10-17

How Does The Account Of David Overthrowing Goliath Apply Today?

The Lord has your back. If you are facing a difficult situation, no matter what it may be, you will be able to face it effectively and seek a solution with more clarity if you put your trust in Him. When we put on The Armor of God, clinging to Him in obedience and faith, we are backed with the love, support, and assurance that we will be able to get through the darkest of times and conquer any giants that stand in our way.

- Torrance Church of Christ