DAVID’S company journeyed on from the Mount of Olives, where they had rested. They headed towards the Jordan River which divided both sides of Israel’s land.
The Jordan was no home nor dwelling tent. But the king was finding the vast waterside a hiding place in that time of conflict.
Who will house David after all? Or provide us with both shelter and food? Haven’t the God of my fathers increased me? So much that no house or shelter can hold me!
And why will I put the lives of my people at stake by lodging in a town? When I know my son has bought everyone over!
With these silent words, the monarch led his people towards Jordan. Towards the plains encircling the river.
Then on their way, the old king witnessed both sides of a binary coin. He encountered the best as well as the worst of his people Israel.
And both the pleasant and painful treats did come from the family of his worst adversary. The former king of Israel, Saul.
It was a little after David’s party left the Mount of Olives, that the famished people were encountered with the best help any man could render.
Now King Saul, David’s foe of yesterday, had to die for his sin by the hands of the enemies of Israel. But the fallen king had got a good soul for a son before his fatal end.
That gentle boy with gold for a heart happened to be David’s best friend when he was younger.
His name was Jonathan the son of Saul.
Yet life itself is vanity. For as the bad dies, so do the good ones; and as the foe goes, so do friends leave themselves behind.
Thus Jonathan the son of Saul fell alongside his father on the battlefront. It was on the same day. A fated day.
Still the good son of David’s enemy did leave behind a precious soul, a beautiful boy for a gift.
Mephi was the name of that boy. He was Jonathan’s only child.
Mephibosheth, as his full name was, happened to know the taste of cruel life, as early as from his cradle. Still the boy’s good never knew a compromise.
As a baby, Mephi lost his legs, when his nurse threw him down in panic and fled for her life. It was after the news came that King Saul and his son had died on the battlefield.
But then again, Saul’s grandson never grew up to be as bitter as him. Or as the people of his age expected him to be.
He grew up crippled and lame in the feet. But the man who survived that fall stood up a complete soul.
A perfect human being without a taint or blemish.
So now, this grandson of King Saul had grown up to be a man; and he happened to be close to David.
Now he decided to go meet David, the anointed king of Israel. He chose to ride in the company of his young servant, Ziba.
So Mephi prepared many donkeys saddled with loaves of bread, fruits and wine. It was for the king and the people to be refreshed. Then also for them to keep the donkeys to ease their walk.
But Ziba chose to be a betrayer to his good master. For life holds just two kinds of people – the good and the bad. And there are no go-betweens in her classes.
Thus, Ziba rode up the plains alone to catch up with David. He mounted a donkey which he rode ahead of others carrying provisions and following his lead.
So when the young man finally caught up with the travelling party, a little after the Mount of Olives, he alighted before the king.
Then he made himself the sender of those gifts.
Yes, King David believed the servant. So he was indebted to him alone. He accepted Ziba as the man on his side, but took Mephi to be an enemy.
Truly, the servant boy had painted his master so. Just so he could take his place in the king’s book of records.
But it was not for so long that this lie survived. For the king soon knew the traitor and knew his helper.
He knew the likes of Absalom, Ahithophel, and Ziba. Traitors in an unfolding history.
For his book of records named them all.
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