The Prince @ Lo Debar (2 Sam.9:4)

And Ziba said to the king, "Indeed he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar." (2 Sam.9:4).

Does the scripture not say "I have seen servants on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants." ? (Ecc.10:7). Undoubtedly, this text succinctly sums up the life of Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, a prince who became lame in his feet by circumstances beyond his control. Consequently, he was not ONLY displaced but became a squatter in the most unimaginable place that does not befit someone of his status.

A brief synopsis of his life shows that he was five years old when the news of his father's death came from Jezreel. In an attempt to save his life, she fell from the hand of the nurse as she fled to save his life, and he became lame, (2 Sam4:4) . From that moment onwards, his destiny nosedived and he became naturally stripped of , and estranged from his royal status.

What then is Lo Debar? It simply means a land or place of no pasture. No vegetation. Nothing thrives or flourishes there.

Meaning that Mephibosheth was barely surviving . Living a life of abject poverty at the mercy of an unknown and inconsequential man, Machir . His, at this time in history, was a complete life of despondency. However, it was an irony of fate that while Mephibosheth was languishing in 'exile', a fellow man, a servant at that, was enjoying and living large on the wealth and fortunes bequeathed to him, (Mephibosheth), by royalty ! The man was Ziba.

Ziba was a servant. He knew Mephibosheth's condition. He was an insider to the family. He knew where he was living. Ziba himself a servant, had fifteen sons and twenty servants ! (2 Sam. 9: 10). Yet, he never bothered to see to see to improving Mephiboshtesh's condition. (Friend, who's sitting on your wealth?)

Suddenly, by a sheer twist of fate, a voice spoke. A voice that would redeem the prince from his state of despondency . A voice that went into the archives of his lineage to remember the good deeds of his late father: Jonathan. (Friend, if I may ask, what type of father are you and what are your deeds?). A voice that was familiar with his roots. A voice that would speak in his favor, bring him to limelight, and restore his lost glory. (Such a voice will speak on our behalf from this month going forward). Amen . This is the crux of our discourse today.

David was the voice. He said in 2 Sam.9:1 " Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake? " ( Friend, is there a voice that could speak well of us while we are yet here or when we are no more? ). David reflected over his sincere and undiluted relationship and friendship with Jonathan and felt it was a payback period. And the beneficiary was to be the prince at Lo Debar.

Needless to say the only person who could give a clue to whatever was happening to the 'prince' was no other person but Ziba. His reference to Mephiboshtesh as being lame in the feet was suggestive of a tone that had relegated the prince to a complete state of hopelessness . (Friend, where have you been relegated to a hopeless situation? ). Nevertheless, with royal fiat, David commanded he be brought and right immediately, things took a new turn for the son of Jonathan. He was restored. Positions and status were swapped between him and Ziba. All that rightly and legitimately belonged to him were restored. He became alien to Lo Debar immediately. He began to live the royal life he was created and destined to live.

Friend, I pray for you today, you shall live your destiny. Amen !

PRAYERS:

LORD, I pray that the circumstances of this world will NOT relocate me to Lo Debar.

LORD, at the most challenging period of my life, cause a voice to speak well and favorably for me and my household.

LORD, whoever is representing Ziba in my life, sitting on my glory, my rights, my promotion my entitlements and those of my children, unseat them. Amen.

Olusegun A Emosu

The RCCG Rehoboth Parish,

1879, S Stone Mountain Lithonia Rd.

Lithonia GA 30058

June 2, 2021

www.wordontheglobe.com

rehobothparish2020@yahoo.com

www.rehobothparishatl.org

404 644 4127