-April 27, 2023-
“Then the king said, ‘And where is your master’s son?’ And Ziba said to the king, ‘Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’ So the king said to Ziba, ‘Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.’”
(2 Samuel 16:3-4).
Slander is a terrible sin and a crime. The word is defined as, “The utterance of false charges or misrepresentation which defame and damage another’s reputation.” This is exactly what Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth did to him. David and Mephibosheth were unaware of his dastardly plot. Slander begins in the dark shadows of the soul and then is sprung on the innocent, unsuspecting person who is usually not present at the time.
David had left Jerusalem and the throne when Absalom led a coup and took over the throne. When he left, his loyal servants followed him into exile. Ziba came to David and brought food and drink for him and all his men. It seemed that he was so generous and supportive of David, but he had a bad motive; God knows our motives.
If this is all Ziba did, it would have been a blessing. Instead, he slandered Mephibosheth. When David asked where he was, he said, “Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’” He knew David detested disloyalty. David then bequeathed all that belonged to Mephibosheth to Ziba. His plot fell into place. Meanwhile poor Mephibosheth never knew what hit him.
Fortunately down the line after David was restored to his throne in Jerusalem, Mephibosheth was able to give his side of the story. He said of Ziba, “And he has slandered your servant to the king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes.” David then told him that he and Ziba would divide the land. Mephibosheth said, “Rather, let him take it all, inasmuch as my lord the king has come back in peace to his own house.” God defends us when we are slandered, and brings the truth to the light.
Many people in the Bible were slandered such as David, Daniel, Jeremiah, Paul, and of course Jesus Himself. In fact, Paul was slandered many, many times. It can happen to any of us at any time. The devil is behind all the slander of God’s people. The Lord will smite those who slander His children. We are not to seek vengeance against the slanderers, pray, tell the truth, and leave in God’s hands.
May the Lord protect our reputation and testimony for Him. Have a blessed day in the arms of Jesus. Stay safe and healthy.
Integrity is shown over time and it is sublime,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 