WEBVTT - Tony Evans - Oct 22 - 7:00 am 0:00:00.250 --> 0:00:03.210 Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Evans, and I'm excited for you 0:00:03.230 --> 0:00:05.960 to join me on Heroes in the Bible. Please be 0:00:06.010 --> 0:00:09.300 sure to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so 0:00:09.340 --> 0:00:11.920 you get the newest episodes right as they come out. 0:00:12.860 --> 0:00:20.460 Welcome to The Epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal, 0:00:20.739 --> 0:00:23.369 and murder. While most people know of David the Myth, 0:00:23.829 --> 0:00:27.060 few know about David the Man. In this episode, David 0:00:27.120 --> 0:00:31.080 expands the power of Israel with alarming speed. He establishes 0:00:31.140 --> 0:00:34.650 the small nation of former slaves into the most powerful 0:00:34.700 --> 0:00:38.290 nation in the region. David serves up justice to the 0:00:38.330 --> 0:00:43.190 corrupt nations, liberates the oppressed nations, and elevates the poor nations. 0:00:43.729 --> 0:00:47.090 The giant slayer is world famous, and it is impossible 0:00:47.130 --> 0:00:50.089 for him to be forgotten. This episode has a few 0:00:50.159 --> 0:00:53.740 battles that give us some epic fights. David even faces 0:00:53.820 --> 0:00:57.380 another giant. But there are also some tender and emotional 0:00:57.440 --> 0:01:00.720 moments in this episode. David the warrior and David the 0:01:00.780 --> 0:01:04.819 poet interchange seamlessly, and we get to witness compelling acts 0:01:04.910 --> 0:01:08.209 of love and kindness. We will also get to meet 0:01:08.270 --> 0:01:11.530 another character in this episode, a boy who has remained 0:01:11.630 --> 0:01:14.630 hidden from David for fear of his life. However, the 0:01:14.690 --> 0:01:17.979 two of them will share a bond unlike anything since Jonathan's. 0:01:18.470 --> 0:01:20.930 This boy will bring out some of David's best qualities 0:01:21.450 --> 0:01:24.620 and remind us that for all of the king's bloody conquests, 0:01:24.980 --> 0:01:27.919 he is still a tender poet at heart. This episode 0:01:27.959 --> 0:01:31.280 will be longer than any we've had before, but for 0:01:31.319 --> 0:01:34.940 good reason. Allow yourself to be immersed in the story. 0:01:35.480 --> 0:01:39.000 See what David sees and feel what David feels in 0:01:39.100 --> 0:01:40.270 episode 23, Strength and Love. 0:01:49.310 --> 0:01:55.270 Prelude to Chapter 23 Wake up! The nursemaid cried out. 0:01:55.530 --> 0:01:56.310 Wake up, my prince! 0:01:56.590 --> 0:01:57.010 Wake up! 0:01:57.470 --> 0:02:01.200 Prince Mephibosheth woke up to his panicked nursemaid shaking him awake. 0:02:01.420 --> 0:02:02.740 We don't have much time. 0:02:03.140 --> 0:02:04.800 We need to get you to safety. 0:02:05.120 --> 0:02:08.240 Mephibosheth, only five years old, did not know what to 0:02:08.320 --> 0:02:11.760 make of the pandemonium. The nursemaid put on his clothes, 0:02:12.150 --> 0:02:14.530 grabbed his hand, and escorted him out of his home. 0:02:15.430 --> 0:02:18.109 They ran out into the second floor overlooking the city. 0:02:18.970 --> 0:02:23.560 Mephibosheth saw flames in the distance. Red hues engulfed the horizon, 0:02:23.960 --> 0:02:26.120 and the skies were painted black from the smoke. 0:02:26.660 --> 0:02:27.839 What is happening? 0:02:28.300 --> 0:02:29.240 The young child said. 0:02:29.600 --> 0:02:30.780 Where are we going? 0:02:31.180 --> 0:02:34.520 The Philistines have overtaken the borders of Israel. Your father 0:02:34.600 --> 0:02:37.040 and grandfather have fallen, and there is no one to 0:02:37.080 --> 0:02:37.660 protect us. 0:02:38.139 --> 0:02:42.180 She yelled. Mephibosheth tugged away at his nursemaid's hand and 0:02:42.220 --> 0:02:42.980 began to cry. 0:02:43.580 --> 0:02:44.919 My father is dead. 0:02:45.180 --> 0:02:45.740 He yelled. 0:02:46.220 --> 0:02:47.260 Where is my mother? 0:02:47.280 --> 0:02:48.680 There is no time. 0:02:49.260 --> 0:02:52.320 We must get you away from here before the Philistines come. 0:02:52.470 --> 0:02:52.940 No. 0:02:53.280 --> 0:02:54.430 The young prince cried. 0:02:54.570 --> 0:02:55.590 No, no. 0:02:55.910 --> 0:02:57.110 I want my father. 0:02:57.130 --> 0:02:58.270 Jonathan is dead. 0:02:58.450 --> 0:02:59.630 The nursemaid shouted. 0:02:59.790 --> 0:03:01.950 Now come with me if you don't want to die either. 0:03:02.190 --> 0:03:04.490 She picked up the crying boy and began to run 0:03:04.530 --> 0:03:08.410 down the stairs leading into the courtyard. Mephibosheth tugged and 0:03:08.490 --> 0:03:12.040 cried to be released. Out of panic, he threw himself 0:03:12.120 --> 0:03:14.880 out of her arms and tumbled down the stairs. He 0:03:15.040 --> 0:03:18.620 cried out in intense pain. The nursemaid ran down to him. 0:03:19.100 --> 0:03:23.000 She looked down at his legs. Both feet were completely broken. 0:03:23.919 --> 0:03:27.950 She held him helplessly as the five-year-old boy wailed in pain. 0:03:28.370 --> 0:03:29.590 I want my father. 0:03:30.030 --> 0:03:33.290 He cried out. I know. She whispered in his ear, 0:03:33.810 --> 0:03:35.030 stroking the back of his hair. 0:03:35.890 --> 0:03:36.270 I know. 0:03:37.350 --> 0:03:40.330 The son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul whimpered in 0:03:40.390 --> 0:03:44.200 her arms. Plumes of smoke blocked out the sun, and 0:03:44.320 --> 0:03:50.930 all hope seemed lost for the little prince. Chapter 23 0:03:50.930 --> 0:03:56.380 Strength and Love All feared and respected his name. There 0:03:56.410 --> 0:03:58.510 was not a king or commander in the east that 0:03:58.560 --> 0:04:00.660 did not tremble when they heard he was marching up 0:04:00.720 --> 0:04:04.060 against them. David's name had stretched past the hill country 0:04:04.100 --> 0:04:06.960 of the Philistines all the way into Moab and Syria. 0:04:07.660 --> 0:04:10.720 No evil nation was safe as long as David resided 0:04:10.800 --> 0:04:14.460 on the throne of Jerusalem. Yet even so, they tried 0:04:14.480 --> 0:04:16.940 to take hold of Israel and make them captive again. 0:04:17.740 --> 0:04:20.039 Kings tried and failed to take hold of cities on 0:04:20.060 --> 0:04:23.260 the borders of Israel. They wanted to posture themselves against 0:04:23.320 --> 0:04:27.039 David and prove their strength. They shouted and clamored. They 0:04:27.140 --> 0:04:30.410 roared and raved. But the king of Israel would not flinch. 0:04:31.089 --> 0:04:33.990 In just a few years as king, David had lived 0:04:34.070 --> 0:04:38.330 up to the name giant slayer. First, it was the Philistines. 0:04:38.910 --> 0:04:42.370 The age-long foe of God's people seized the borderlands of Israel. 0:04:43.250 --> 0:04:46.080 The families of farmers and herdsmen were either cast out 0:04:46.400 --> 0:04:49.990 or taken as slaves. The Philistines spited David and his 0:04:50.029 --> 0:04:53.570 god by oppressing the people. David leaned over the table 0:04:53.630 --> 0:04:56.970 of meeting. Across from him was Joab. The two of 0:04:57.010 --> 0:05:00.130 them discussed marching up to defend the borders. But David 0:05:00.480 --> 0:05:01.330 had another idea. 0:05:01.830 --> 0:05:05.740 No matter how many times we've defended ourselves, they continue 0:05:05.800 --> 0:05:08.960 to attack us, David said. They take hold of our cities, 0:05:09.339 --> 0:05:12.480 we drive them out, and then they repeat the process. 0:05:12.880 --> 0:05:16.159 The king shook his head and sighed. Defense is not working. 0:05:17.320 --> 0:05:20.180 It is time We show them our true strength. 0:05:21.220 --> 0:05:25.110 Joab perked up and gave David a curious look. David 0:05:25.120 --> 0:05:27.989 did not smile. He maintained his intense gaze at the 0:05:28.020 --> 0:05:30.289 map and pointed to a spot in the heart of 0:05:30.330 --> 0:05:34.970 Philistine land. Methag Amah, he said in the Philistines' native language, 0:05:35.430 --> 0:05:40.190 otherwise known as Gath. David rolled back his shoulders and 0:05:40.270 --> 0:05:41.790 drove a blade through the map. 0:05:42.730 --> 0:05:46.469 We will march towards Gath and hit them in the heart. 0:05:47.330 --> 0:05:50.430 Days later, They marched past the borders of Israel to 0:05:50.470 --> 0:05:53.550 the Philistine city of Gath. David looked up at the 0:05:53.610 --> 0:05:56.880 jagged hills leading down to the city. He remembered fleeing 0:05:56.920 --> 0:05:59.919 to Gath when he was running from Saul. Achish the 0:05:59.960 --> 0:06:01.960 king had given him a safe haven when he and 0:06:02.000 --> 0:06:05.320 his men were in need. However, that bond was severed 0:06:05.339 --> 0:06:08.760 when the Philistines continued to attack them. Up until now, 0:06:09.260 --> 0:06:12.190 David had shown mercy by not marching against their territory, 0:06:12.690 --> 0:06:15.010 but too much Hebrew blood had been spilled at the 0:06:15.050 --> 0:06:18.670 hand of the Philistines. They advanced to the borders of Gath. 0:06:19.529 --> 0:06:21.510 David stood in front of his men with the sword 0:06:21.529 --> 0:06:24.310 of Goliath strapped to his back. He took it out 0:06:24.380 --> 0:06:26.780 and looked at it. He had carried it for so 0:06:26.839 --> 0:06:30.039 long that it seemed more like his sword now. David 0:06:30.100 --> 0:06:33.320 remembered it being heavier when he first used it. Yet 0:06:33.360 --> 0:06:36.320 now the weight seemed comfortable, like an extension of his 0:06:36.400 --> 0:06:39.820 own arms. He looked down at the city and waved 0:06:39.860 --> 0:06:43.400 for his men to begin their attack. What followed was 0:06:43.460 --> 0:06:47.120 an all-out conquest of the city, David did not only 0:06:47.150 --> 0:06:50.600 defeat the Philistine guards, but he also subdued the capital. 0:06:51.240 --> 0:06:53.800 The wicked people of Gath would no longer be able 0:06:53.839 --> 0:06:56.320 to raise up armies to harm the people of Israel. 0:06:57.180 --> 0:07:00.780 David would have no more slaughter, no more humiliation at 0:07:00.800 --> 0:07:04.320 the hand of these uncircumcised dogs. They would learn to 0:07:04.400 --> 0:07:07.780 fear the Lord and think twice before marching against his children. 0:07:08.960 --> 0:07:12.030 The second nation to feel the scorn of David was Moab. 0:07:12.770 --> 0:07:15.790 The bond he shared with Moab through his great-grandmother Ruth 0:07:16.140 --> 0:07:19.540 was severed by years of betrayal. The Moabites were at 0:07:19.640 --> 0:07:22.720 odds with Israel, seeking to conquer land close to them. 0:07:23.600 --> 0:07:26.660 David would not allow the Moabites to press up against Israel, 0:07:27.180 --> 0:07:29.840 especially when their king was not a man of his word. 0:07:30.640 --> 0:07:33.050 They were a rising nation that was growing in both 0:07:33.150 --> 0:07:36.390 number and wickedness. David knew he had to make a 0:07:36.430 --> 0:07:40.050 decision regarding the Moabites. Would he shrink back and wait 0:07:40.070 --> 0:07:42.950 for them to attack? Or would he establish the nation 0:07:42.990 --> 0:07:45.450 of Israel as a people not to be trifled with, 0:07:46.210 --> 0:07:51.500 After careful planning, David chose to march. Moab was inundated 0:07:51.540 --> 0:07:54.400 with the armies of David. They broke down their gates 0:07:54.460 --> 0:07:57.060 with battering rams and set fire to the temples of 0:07:57.080 --> 0:08:00.870 their false gods. David entered in with strength and all 0:08:00.950 --> 0:08:03.750 trembled at the sight of him. Although David was not 0:08:03.790 --> 0:08:06.810 a brutal man, he understood the culture of the Moabites. 0:08:07.490 --> 0:08:11.120 For years, they had brutally slaughtered surrounding nations, putting their 0:08:11.150 --> 0:08:14.840 heads on pikes and sacrificing children to their gods. A 0:08:14.900 --> 0:08:18.780 simple defeat would not resonate with them. David needed to 0:08:18.820 --> 0:08:21.940 send a clear message of strength. After they conquered the 0:08:22.020 --> 0:08:25.380 army of Moab, David rode in on horseback and had 0:08:25.420 --> 0:08:28.100 the Moabites set in three lines lying on the ground. 0:08:28.800 --> 0:08:29.810 He scanned the crowd. 0:08:30.580 --> 0:08:33.450 You are now under the rule of Israel, he said. 0:08:33.990 --> 0:08:37.670 We have shown ourselves more than capable of utterly destroying 0:08:37.730 --> 0:08:41.829 your city. If we chose, we could burn it to 0:08:41.850 --> 0:08:47.170 the ground. However, we will not. for we believe in 0:08:47.210 --> 0:08:52.370 a God of mercy. I also know your works and 0:08:52.410 --> 0:08:58.050 your predisposition to violence. Perhaps this will send a clear 0:08:58.150 --> 0:08:58.890 message to you. 0:08:59.510 --> 0:09:02.170 David nodded to his men, and two of the three 0:09:02.230 --> 0:09:06.190 lines of Moabite soldiers were put to death. Screams and 0:09:06.290 --> 0:09:10.010 wails echoed throughout the valley, and blood soaked the ground below. 0:09:10.870 --> 0:09:12.290 Only one line was spared. 0:09:13.130 --> 0:09:16.380 You may return to your homes now, and recover what 0:09:16.390 --> 0:09:16.770 you have. 0:09:16.700 --> 0:09:19.420 Lost, David said to the remaining survivors. 0:09:19.640 --> 0:09:24.160 However, we will expect tributes from you. If you do 0:09:24.220 --> 0:09:27.579 your diligence to pay, we will spare you and take 0:09:27.679 --> 0:09:33.580 care of your borders. Perhaps, many years from now, we 0:09:33.620 --> 0:09:34.260 can live in. 0:09:34.280 --> 0:09:37.600 Peace with each other. The next people to challenge David 0:09:37.780 --> 0:09:41.460 were the Syrians. The Syrians were divided into two kingdoms, 0:09:42.040 --> 0:09:45.460 Zobah and Damascus. Both had their boots on the throats 0:09:45.520 --> 0:09:48.730 of surrounding villages, preventing trade from coming in through the 0:09:48.830 --> 0:09:52.230 Euphrates River. David knew that if he could gain power 0:09:52.330 --> 0:09:55.150 over the Euphrates River, he could open up trade for 0:09:55.250 --> 0:09:58.309 Israel and other small nations. It would be a great 0:09:58.410 --> 0:10:01.229 economic success for them and the poor nations of the East. 0:10:01.890 --> 0:10:04.870 David was reminded of God's promise to Abraham so many 0:10:04.910 --> 0:10:06.190 years ago when he. 0:10:06.130 --> 0:10:11.290 Said, Unto thy seed I have given this word, from 0:10:11.330 --> 0:10:16.240 the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates. 0:10:17.290 --> 0:10:20.429 The Euphrates is promised to our people, He said to 0:10:20.470 --> 0:10:23.850 the elders, If we can take power over it, we 0:10:23.890 --> 0:10:27.790 can bless the world. God knows we would be good 0:10:27.870 --> 0:10:31.050 stewards of the river, so I am confident he will 0:10:31.090 --> 0:10:35.439 give us favor against the Syrians. The elders agreed, so 0:10:35.500 --> 0:10:38.240 David marched to go take hold of the river. The 0:10:38.280 --> 0:10:41.280 first kingdom to come against him was Zobah, led by 0:10:41.340 --> 0:10:47.380 King Hadadezer. Hadadezer was a power-hungry and bloodthirsty king. bent 0:10:47.460 --> 0:10:51.120 on maintaining his oppressive grip over the surrounding land. He 0:10:51.300 --> 0:10:55.059 arrogantly marched up against David, posturing with tens of thousands 0:10:55.080 --> 0:10:58.500 of men. However, David knew just where to hurt them most. 0:10:58.920 --> 0:11:01.990 Direct all of your focus on horsemen and chariots, he 0:11:02.050 --> 0:11:04.570 said to his foot soldiers. Be swift on your feet 0:11:04.870 --> 0:11:06.510 and aim low at the legs. 0:11:07.070 --> 0:11:10.390 So off they went. The two armies converged in the middle, 0:11:10.610 --> 0:11:14.100 determined to gain the upper hand. David led from the front, 0:11:14.400 --> 0:11:18.100 gliding past the soldiers and taking out the horsemen. The 0:11:18.200 --> 0:11:22.200 armies of Israel rampaged against the Syrians, successfully taking out 0:11:22.200 --> 0:11:29.640 1,700 horsemen, 20,000 foot soldiers, and 100 chariots. David's ferocity 0:11:29.720 --> 0:11:33.500 in battle was a thing to behold. Many soldiers stood 0:11:33.540 --> 0:11:36.329 back and watched as the king maneuvered through the battlefield. 0:11:37.090 --> 0:11:40.030 He was like a poet. His sword, the ink, and 0:11:40.070 --> 0:11:40.770 the battlefield. 0:11:40.910 --> 0:11:41.530 His parchment. 0:11:41.770 --> 0:11:46.130 King Hadadezer was outmatched and called for reinforcements from Damascus. 0:11:46.950 --> 0:11:51.730 Thousands of soldiers came to the battlefield seeking to overwhelm David. However, 0:11:51.770 --> 0:11:55.960 they barely came close to winning. 22,000 more Syrians died 0:11:55.980 --> 0:12:00.140 on the battlefield that day. An overwhelming torrent of might 0:12:00.340 --> 0:12:04.960 was displayed. Similarly to the Moabites, the Syrians were made 0:12:05.040 --> 0:12:08.340 subjects of Israel, paying tribute to them for safety and 0:12:08.400 --> 0:12:13.600 economic stability. The Euphrates was now controlled by Israel, and 0:12:13.679 --> 0:12:16.750 David opened up trade for the other nations. freeing the 0:12:16.790 --> 0:12:21.270 chokehold the Syrians had on the region. Toy, the king 0:12:21.309 --> 0:12:24.090 of Hamath, was grateful for the victory David had over 0:12:24.130 --> 0:12:27.910 the Syrians. For many years, the Syrians had oppressed and 0:12:27.970 --> 0:12:31.850 slaughtered the people of Hamath. King Toy sent his son 0:12:31.910 --> 0:12:35.010 Joram to bring gifts of silver, gold, and bronze to 0:12:35.080 --> 0:12:38.800 David as a thanks. David received it with humility and 0:12:38.880 --> 0:12:40.240 offered the entire gift up. 0:12:40.179 --> 0:12:40.660 To the Lord. 0:12:41.660 --> 0:12:44.100 All the spoils of war were given as an offering 0:12:44.140 --> 0:12:47.280 to the Lord. either dedicated for the priests or as 0:12:47.320 --> 0:12:50.320 a gift to the poor. David kept very little wealth 0:12:50.360 --> 0:12:53.650 for himself. He did not build more palaces or plant 0:12:53.670 --> 0:12:56.470 more gardens. He knew that the victory he gained was 0:12:56.510 --> 0:12:59.309 from the Lord, and to the victor go the spoils. 0:13:00.270 --> 0:13:03.350 The entire continent knew once and for all that David 0:13:03.429 --> 0:13:06.600 was the king elevated by God, and no one would 0:13:06.630 --> 0:13:13.440 defeat him. No one from the outside, that is. David 0:13:13.500 --> 0:13:16.089 sat on the rooftop of his palace. looking down at 0:13:16.130 --> 0:13:20.510 the city below. Jerusalem, the city of David, a symbol 0:13:20.550 --> 0:13:23.870 of God's favor on his reign as king. The radiance 0:13:23.929 --> 0:13:26.900 of the setting sun warmed the evening, painting it in 0:13:26.940 --> 0:13:30.460 a candescent orange. It was a beautiful sight to behold. 0:13:31.460 --> 0:13:36.199 Israel was now a strong and noble fortress for God's people. However, 0:13:36.280 --> 0:13:39.970 peace came at a great price, particularly to David's body. 0:13:40.790 --> 0:13:43.890 The king leaned back and drew a deep breath. His 0:13:43.950 --> 0:13:47.910 body ached from months of battle. His recent victories were sweet, 0:13:48.500 --> 0:13:50.560 but there was a tinge of bitterness in every one 0:13:50.580 --> 0:13:54.120 of them. Before he was king, he dreamed of fighting 0:13:54.179 --> 0:13:57.720 and ruling alongside Jonathan, his friend and brother in arms. 0:13:58.660 --> 0:14:01.140 He was a constant source of encouragement and love in 0:14:01.179 --> 0:14:05.140 his life, and he missed him dearly. His heart ached 0:14:05.200 --> 0:14:08.170 at the thought of him. David leaned back and recollected 0:14:08.210 --> 0:14:11.310 the times they shared. He remembered the covenant they both 0:14:11.370 --> 0:14:15.380 made long ago. He remembered Jonathan's words after he saved 0:14:15.410 --> 0:14:16.030 him from Saul. 0:14:17.120 --> 0:14:20.100 All those who seek to destroy you will now be eliminated, 0:14:20.320 --> 0:14:23.340 and God will pave the way for your kingdom. Please, 0:14:24.120 --> 0:14:26.970 I beg you, show love to my house when God 0:14:27.000 --> 0:14:29.810 removes your enemies. Be kind to my wife and children. 0:14:30.630 --> 0:14:34.070 David watched the sunset, considering all that he wished he 0:14:34.110 --> 0:14:36.869 could have done with Jonathan. He shook his head in 0:14:36.910 --> 0:14:41.100 disappointment and said to himself, I will keep my promise 0:14:41.200 --> 0:14:45.110 to my friend. I will not break my covenant. The 0:14:45.170 --> 0:14:48.390 next morning, David was sitting at his desk, mulling over 0:14:48.490 --> 0:14:51.290 new trade agreements made since the conquest of the Euphrates. 0:14:52.350 --> 0:14:56.160 All was silent as David sifted through the parchment. The 0:14:56.200 --> 0:14:59.700 door knocked, and an old man entered the room. It 0:14:59.740 --> 0:15:02.840 was Ziba, a servant from the house of Saul. He 0:15:02.880 --> 0:15:05.320 had served the previous king and his family for years 0:15:05.400 --> 0:15:07.620 before the death of Jonathan and the other sons. 0:15:08.540 --> 0:15:10.770 You asked for me, my lord? 0:15:11.110 --> 0:15:14.170 The old man said pensively. Ziba was the head of 0:15:14.230 --> 0:15:17.270 Saul's home and oversaw all the care of the family. 0:15:17.730 --> 0:15:20.830 Since Isposheth's death, he had been out of work along 0:15:20.850 --> 0:15:21.950 with his fifteen children. 0:15:23.110 --> 0:15:27.350 David smiled. Yes, Ziba, thank you for coming. I have 0:15:28.130 --> 0:15:32.950 a request. Would you please inquire if there is anyone 0:15:33.050 --> 0:15:35.410 else from the house of Saul that I can show 0:15:35.510 --> 0:15:40.760 kindness to? I wish to bless his family for Jonathan's sake. 0:15:41.260 --> 0:15:44.500 The servant looked confused. It was uncommon for kings to 0:15:44.560 --> 0:15:47.930 bless the living relatives of a previous king. More often, 0:15:48.250 --> 0:15:51.230 they would be searched out and killed. However, David was 0:15:51.310 --> 0:15:53.910 a king of a different breed. He desired to show 0:15:53.970 --> 0:15:55.350 mercy to the family of Saul. 0:15:55.790 --> 0:15:58.630 Is there still anyone in the house of Saul that 0:15:58.670 --> 0:15:59.100 is living? 0:15:59.500 --> 0:16:02.140 David asked again. Yes, Ziba said. 0:16:02.500 --> 0:16:06.340 There is a living son of Jonathan. He is a 0:16:06.400 --> 0:16:08.720 cripple and still in his youth. 0:16:09.520 --> 0:16:13.350 David's heart sank. He had not known any of Jonathan's 0:16:13.390 --> 0:16:16.450 sons were still alive. He thought they all died in 0:16:16.490 --> 0:16:19.930 the battle with the Philistines. The king held back tears, 0:16:20.380 --> 0:16:23.700 trying to hold himself together. He felt the pangs of 0:16:23.800 --> 0:16:26.940 guilt that he had not known or asked sooner. Where 0:16:27.020 --> 0:16:28.780 is he now? David asked gently. 0:16:29.320 --> 0:16:32.710 He is in the house of Makir, the son of Amiel. 0:16:33.290 --> 0:16:38.130 His wife was the boy's nursemaid. Their home is in Lodabar, 0:16:38.490 --> 0:16:41.530 Ziba said. The old man paused for a moment and 0:16:41.670 --> 0:16:46.950 gathered his thoughts. My king, although the boy has royal blood, 0:16:47.010 --> 0:16:51.930 he does not carry himself as royalty. He is more 0:16:51.980 --> 0:16:55.600 of a servant in that house than a prince. He 0:16:55.760 --> 0:16:59.980 hobbles along and tends to the animals. It is a 0:17:00.060 --> 0:17:03.740 sad sight to see. He is not a threat to 0:17:03.780 --> 0:17:04.400 your throne. 0:17:05.020 --> 0:17:07.660 David could not take any more shame. I do not 0:17:07.820 --> 0:17:13.050 ask with violent intentions. Please bring him to me, he commanded. 0:17:13.619 --> 0:17:17.060 I need to speak with him and bless him. Ziba 0:17:17.100 --> 0:17:20.619 bowed his head and departed. The king breathed in deeply 0:17:20.820 --> 0:17:23.740 and let out more tears of lament. He was grieved 0:17:23.760 --> 0:17:25.980 that he had not held up his promise to Jonathan. 0:17:27.920 --> 0:17:30.000 The sun was light and drifting in the middle of 0:17:30.040 --> 0:17:33.200 the sky. Not a cloud was in sight for miles, 0:17:33.720 --> 0:17:36.810 and Mephibosheth was feeling the unforgiving heat on his neck. 0:17:37.750 --> 0:17:40.970 The animals in the barn needed more water. and Mephibosheth 0:17:41.220 --> 0:17:44.400 was determined to get it to them. Lame in both 0:17:44.460 --> 0:17:46.900 his feet, he was forced to walk with his knees 0:17:46.960 --> 0:17:50.439 and hands. He had created an efficient way to get around, 0:17:50.740 --> 0:17:53.000 using his hands and arms to act as crutches as 0:17:53.040 --> 0:17:56.180 he walked with his knees. Even the most trivial of 0:17:56.240 --> 0:17:59.199 tasks were a challenge to him, but he refused to 0:17:59.270 --> 0:18:02.010 let it define him. He would crawl to and from 0:18:02.050 --> 0:18:05.470 the well, pushing the cart holding pails of water. It 0:18:05.510 --> 0:18:07.550 was a task that would have taken anyone else less 0:18:07.590 --> 0:18:10.280 than ten minutes, but it was a laborious chore for him. 0:18:11.060 --> 0:18:14.040 He wanted to be useful to Mekir. Since the death 0:18:14.080 --> 0:18:16.719 of his father, Mekir and his family had embraced him 0:18:16.780 --> 0:18:19.459 as their own. However, he would never quite be one 0:18:19.480 --> 0:18:23.160 of them. Not only was Mephibosheth the son of a prince, 0:18:23.720 --> 0:18:26.899 but he was also lame. They were always wanting to 0:18:26.960 --> 0:18:29.140 coddle him and let him rest in the shade while 0:18:29.160 --> 0:18:33.640 they worked, but Mephibosheth refused. He conceded that he would 0:18:33.680 --> 0:18:36.400 never be a warrior like his father, but he would 0:18:36.440 --> 0:18:39.940 at least be useful. After his eighth trip to the well, 0:18:40.400 --> 0:18:44.369 Mephibosheth was interrupted. Mekir came out of the house and 0:18:44.410 --> 0:18:49.230 waved him down, saying, Mephibosheth, my boy, come in. You 0:18:49.270 --> 0:18:51.510 have an old friend here to see you. No one 0:18:51.550 --> 0:18:55.390 ever came to visit Mephibosheth. In fact, most people didn't 0:18:55.430 --> 0:18:58.770 know he existed. He preferred it that way, since he 0:18:58.790 --> 0:19:01.830 was the last remaining heir to Saul's throne. He did 0:19:01.869 --> 0:19:04.449 not want King David or his subjects learning about him. 0:19:05.320 --> 0:19:07.780 Perhaps David would want to kill the remaining descendants of 0:19:07.820 --> 0:19:11.880 Saul to secure his place on the throne. Mephibosheth came 0:19:11.920 --> 0:19:13.530 in to see Ziba standing inside. 0:19:14.050 --> 0:19:14.570 Ziba? 0:19:14.890 --> 0:19:15.490 He exclaimed. 0:19:15.930 --> 0:19:16.770 Is that you? 0:19:17.410 --> 0:19:18.550 Ziba smiled and nodded. 0:19:19.150 --> 0:19:20.250 It is, my prince. 0:19:21.830 --> 0:19:23.530 It has been far too long. 0:19:23.930 --> 0:19:26.530 Mephibosheth rushed to Ziba's side and embraced him. 0:19:27.369 --> 0:19:30.790 I have come to take you to Jerusalem. The king 0:19:30.890 --> 0:19:31.650 desires to. 0:19:31.650 --> 0:19:35.810 Speak with you. Mephibosheth's countenance dampened. He looked up at 0:19:35.830 --> 0:19:36.770 Makir in questioning. 0:19:37.270 --> 0:19:40.169 Have I been given up so he can slay me? 0:19:40.210 --> 0:19:42.609 He asked. Ziba and Makir shrugged. 0:19:43.070 --> 0:19:47.230 He says his intentions are good, but there is no 0:19:47.290 --> 0:19:48.270 way to be sure. 0:19:48.590 --> 0:19:49.130 Ziba said. 0:19:49.800 --> 0:19:55.100 Your grandfather seemed to be very wary of David. He 0:19:55.140 --> 0:19:57.280 did not trust him and drove him out of the 0:19:57.340 --> 0:19:58.550 country because of it. 0:19:59.140 --> 0:20:01.540 However, your father and he were very close. 0:20:02.080 --> 0:20:05.840 Mekir said. Perhaps kindness awaits you in the city of David. 0:20:06.460 --> 0:20:09.909 Mephibosheth was not so sure. He had heard stories of 0:20:09.950 --> 0:20:13.310 David as a child. However, his grandfather Saul seemed to 0:20:13.330 --> 0:20:16.300 be vehemently opposed to him and spent a great deal 0:20:16.340 --> 0:20:20.419 of resources to kill him. Mephibosheth was conflicted and scared. 0:20:21.060 --> 0:20:23.800 Yet there was no more hiding now. He would venture 0:20:23.840 --> 0:20:26.960 to the king's house in Jerusalem with Ziba and face David. 0:20:28.840 --> 0:20:32.169 Ziba and Mephibosheth rode into Jerusalem on a small carriage 0:20:32.290 --> 0:20:35.169 pulled by two colts. The two of them traveled the 0:20:35.210 --> 0:20:38.709 road leading into Jerusalem in silence. not quite sure how 0:20:38.730 --> 0:20:43.030 to feel about what would happen next. Mephibosheth sat uncomfortably 0:20:43.090 --> 0:20:47.109 in place, feeling more vulnerable than usual. His hands began 0:20:47.150 --> 0:20:50.070 to shake in nervousness. Ziba looked over and placed a 0:20:50.109 --> 0:20:53.670 hand on his shoulder. He had no encouraging words, just 0:20:53.710 --> 0:20:57.109 a friendly and fatherly grin of reassurance. The walls of 0:20:57.130 --> 0:21:01.429 Jerusalem were larger than anything Mephibosheth had seen before. He 0:21:01.490 --> 0:21:04.209 recalled how big the palace walls in Gibeah were when 0:21:04.260 --> 0:21:06.949 he lived with his father and grandfather. but they were 0:21:06.990 --> 0:21:10.450 not nearly as massive as these. The carriage entered through 0:21:10.470 --> 0:21:12.530 the gates into the heart of the city where David's 0:21:12.550 --> 0:21:16.710 home resided. Mephibosheth drew a deep breath and exited the cart. 0:21:17.510 --> 0:21:20.450 He followed Ziba a few paces behind, using his hands 0:21:20.520 --> 0:21:23.640 and knees to hobble forward. He could feel the confused 0:21:23.660 --> 0:21:26.980 stares of palace servants on him. He hated being in public. 0:21:27.380 --> 0:21:30.879 He felt like a freak. Even more embarrassing, he was 0:21:30.920 --> 0:21:33.000 the only one among them who knew he was a prince. 0:21:34.210 --> 0:21:36.830 The large wooden doors opened to reveal a large hall 0:21:36.890 --> 0:21:40.449 leading to the king's courtroom. Torches were mounted on the walls, 0:21:40.950 --> 0:21:46.199 illuminating the intricately woven tapestries. Mephibosheth stared at them in awe. 0:21:46.940 --> 0:21:50.400 They told stories of David's mighty battles and military exploits. 0:21:51.359 --> 0:21:54.359 The young man was enthralled with the details recounting the battle. 0:21:55.260 --> 0:21:57.480 He saw one of King David as a boy slaying 0:21:57.500 --> 0:22:00.980 Goliath with his sling. He saw another with David surrounded 0:22:01.020 --> 0:22:03.879 by a hundred Philistines. Then his eyes were lent to 0:22:03.920 --> 0:22:07.609 another tapestry, one with David back to back with another man, 0:22:08.150 --> 0:22:12.150 fighting an army of Amalekites. Mephibosheth hobbled closer to see 0:22:12.190 --> 0:22:16.670 the figure's face in the firelight. It was unmistakably his father, Jonathan. 0:22:18.109 --> 0:22:21.709 Mephibosheth could not help but smile. He felt a single 0:22:21.770 --> 0:22:24.650 tear stream down his cheek. He did not always think 0:22:24.690 --> 0:22:27.449