In I Samuel 24:3, David promises to honor Saul's lineage by promising to save Jonathan's offspring, namely Mephibosheth, named seven times for his lame feet. David learns of his identity through a servant in the family of Saul, Ziba, who informs David that Jonathan's offspring has been keeping a low profile and was as poor as a church mouse. David generously brought him out of obscurity, giving him a permanent place at his table, just as Jesus Christ (the offspring of David) has similarly done for us, His called-out ones, granting chesed, just as Hosea had granted Gomer, who nevertheless remained unfaithful. Sadly, we are metaphorically lame and often as unfaithful as Gomer. When confronted with the treachery of Absalom, Ziba and Mephibosheth seemed to express divided loyalties just as we do when we yield to our carnal minds. When the battle turned toward David's favor, some people rapidly contrived repentances rapidly occurred, including Shimei, Mephibosheth, and Ziba, on the same spot that the Gibeonites had deceived Joshua. We do not know for sure whether any of them sincerely repented, but we do know that Christ is able to penetrate the depths of the heart. As we examine ourselves for Passover, we are to remember that Jesus Christ does know what goes on in our hearts and knows whether we have sincerely repented.