Meph
‘Mica has refused to eat his breakfast. It’s almost time for lunch. If he continues this way, he may get ill and we’d have to visit a doctor,’ Makir said to Meph as the latter sat gazing at the late morning sun.
Meph heaved a sigh, picked up his crutches and started into the house.
Meph’s father had died alongside his uncles — Abi and Malk — and his grandfather — Saul — in a fierce fight with the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. Because of his accident following the death of his father and his grandfather, he has been staying in Makir’s house with his son.
Meph’s father, Jonathan had a friend — David Jesse — who was closer to him than a brother.
David had been hired to play the harp for Saul, Jonathan’s father who was also the King, when the latter had a mental challenge that was characterized by violent outbursts.
David was a skillful player. He was much to be desired by old and young. His boldness was unequaled. As a youngster, he had many accolades to his name — shepherd boy, harp player, giant slayer, best friend. All the good he had going on for him only attracted the envy and hate of his boss, the King.
As a boy, David had met a prophet in his father’s house who poured oil on his head telling him that he was going to be the king of the land in the future. This was before he went to Saul’s house to play the harp for him.
As the clay sets by constant exposure to sunlight, David became stronger by the challenges he was exposed to.
The future the prophet talked to David about had come. He had become the king of the land in place of his boss, Saul.
His boss was both a king and a strong warrior. The battle that claimed his life did not spare any member of his household.
David leaned on a rail on his balcony with furrowed brows, looking into the horizon as one examining something. It was early in the morning and the workers in the palace were still going about their duties. David’s personal aide approached him from behind.
‘Go get me Ziba,’ David said to his aide. He bowed and went at once.
Ziba was one of Saul’s aides. As he arrived, he bowed to David.
‘Are you Ziba?’
‘Yes, Your Highness.’
‘Is there any survivor in the house of Saul?’
‘Yes, Your Highness! One of Jonathan’s sons still lives. But he is physically challenged. He walks with crutches.’
‘Where is he now?’
‘He’s staying with a man named Makir in a small village on the outskirts.’
‘Send and bring him to me!’
‘Yes, Your Highness.’ Ziba bowed and left.
‘Uncle! Uncle!’ one of Makir’s sons called out to Meph interrupting his thoughts.
‘What is it?’ Meph asked, half startled by the look in the boy’s eyes.
‘Some strange men are here. They are making their way into the house as we speak,’ the boy gasped trying to recover from the dash he took into the house from outside where he was playing in the sand.
As Meph stood up to see for himself what the boy was saying, a man in his fifties, with a lil patch of gray on one part of his hair and some other recognisable features, was standing in front of him.
‘Uncle Ziba?’ He could still recognise him. He was quite tender when his father and his grandfather passed. But he recalled seeing Uncle Ziba around his grandfather a couple of times.
‘The King will like to meet with you in the Palace. Do you mind coming with us right away?’
Confused though, Meph obliged.
Ziba bowed before David and presented Meph, his friend’s son, to him. Meph bowed deeply before David not knowing what to expect.
The next words that came from the King’s mouth left Meph awestruck.
‘I’ve called you here to show you kindness for the sake of your father, Jonathan. The lands that belonged to your grandfather will be restored to you, and henceforth, you’ll be a part of my family.’
Silence!
Meph found his voice and replied shakingly,’ What have you found in a worthless fellow like me that you show me such kindness?’
David continued, now to Ziba.
‘I’ve restored all that were your Master’s to his grandson. You and your household will manage the properties and give account to him.’
Ziba consented and left.
‘Daddy,’ Makir’s son called as he sat beside his father. ‘When will uncle Meph and Mica come back. It’s been long since those men came to pick Mica.’
Makir cleared his throat, ‘Uncle Meph and Mica aren’t coming back to stay with us anymore. They are now staying in the King’s Palace in Jerusalem. They have a whole new life now, son.’
Makir’s son gasped in surprise. ‘Wow!’
