It startled me for moment as I read it this morning. I know I’ve read it before . . . I was pretty sure I knew “the rest of the story” . . . that it was just a lie. But when I read the first four verses of 2Samuel 16, it set me back a bit. Could it have been true? Could someone really respond to grace in such a way?

Context . . . David is king . . . sort of. Actually he is a king-on-the-run. His son Absalom has waged what is so far a “bloodless coup.” Through trickery and conspiracy, Absalom has gained a significant following and manages to send David fleeing with his household as Absalom claims the throne in Jerusalem without opposition (2Samuel 15).

As David is making a quick escape with his entourage he is met by Ziba. Now Ziba is the servant of Mephibosheth . . . crippled in both feet, Mephibosheth . . . son of Jonathan, grandson of Saul, Mephibosheth . . . recipient of unbelievable grace, Mephibosheth. David, rather than kill this enemy heir to his throne, instead, “for the sake of another”, extends favor beyond favor to him. . . giving him the inheritance of land that was legally his . . . and sets a place at the kings own table for him to dine . . . thus, making a natural enemy instead a member of the household . . . all for the “sake of another” (2Samuel 9). Talk about your amazing grace. Talk about riches at another’s expense. Talk about deserving nothing and getting everything. And, David commissions Ziba, once the servant of Saul, to work Mephibosheth’s inherited land and serve Mephibosheth as master. It’s this Ziba who meets David as David is high-tailing it out of town.

Ziba shows up with “with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine” (2Sam. 16:1) . . . some much needed provisions for escapees who didn’t even have time to put their sandals on as they fled (2Sam. 15:30). But David’s concern is for the lame man, the son of his dear departed “closer than a brother” friend, Jonathan. And Ziba’s response is shocking!

And the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.'” (2Samuel 16:3 ESV)

Now, 2Samuel 19:24-30 gives the rest of the story . . . looks like Ziba was a bit of an opportunist . . . a bit of treachery on his own part to take advantage of change in leadership and a master who couldn’t walk to defend himself. But here’s the question that haunts me a bit . . . could it have been as Ziba said? Could Mephibosheth, object of the king’s favor, have been biding his time looking for any opportunity to seize what he thought was rightfully his but was withheld by the king? Could a recipient of such amazing grace really be so self serving? Could someone rescued from certain destruction and shown unmerited favor without limit, be looking for an opportunity to secure more for himself . . . even if it meant turning on his benefactor? And if it is possible in the times of ancient kings, is it possible in this age of grace?

And what about Ziba . . . how had he “played the system?” How had he taken advantage of grace and a king’s kindness and power in order to leverage a windfall for himself?  Is it conceivable that there’s a warning here about playing fast and loose with the King’s grace? That sure seems to be what the Spirit’s saying to me this morning.

Oh, may the privilege of sitting at the King’s table always be considered blessing beyond blessing such that I seek no other favor than the favor He has freely chosen to extend to me. May I never “play with grace” and seek to leverage it to my advantage at the cost of another . . . arrogantly thinking that somehow I can “pull one over” on the Sovereign extender of such amazing grace. Oh, that I might never be a manipulator of grace . . . but a debtor to grace only.

For the glory of the King! Amen.