The Kindness of the King
The king asked, “Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.” “Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.” So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “Your servant,” he replied. “Don't be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”
(2 Samuel 9:3-8)
After David killed Goliath, King Saul became very jealous of David and tried to kill him several times. Saul was so angry and mean to David, he chased him all over the countryside trying to kill him. Finally, one day Saul died in a battle so David became king. After he came to the throne everything seemed to be running smoothly. He had conquered many other armies and had a beautiful palace in Jerusalem and he was in control of that part of the world. He began to say “I wonder about Saul’s family.” He asked the question to some of the men in the court around him. He said, “Are there any relatives of Saul who are still alive?” I’m sure people thought, “Well it’s about time, now David has an opportunity to get even with Saul’s family.” It was common for a king to wipe out anyone who might be a threat to the throne. So, if there were any relatives of Saul’s still alive most people thought David would kill them. But David surprised them. He said, “Are there any relatives of Saul still alive that I can show kindness and grace to?” As you look at this story you see a beautiful picture of grace and kindness. But don’t stop there. Take a closer look and you’ll see a picture of Jesus and us.
In the story Mephibosheth Represents Each of Us:
* We Were Born Into The Wrong Family. Mephibosheth was born into the family of Saul. Saul was his grandfather and Jonathan was his father, so he wasn’t in the royal family of David. Most people would have thought because he was in the wrong family he would be an enemy of the king. We’ve all been born into the family of sin and unless we get in the right family, we are in trouble.
* We Have All Been Crippled By A Fall. The text tells us that Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet. 2 Samuel 4: 4 tells us when Mephibosheth was only five, word came to his nursemaid that his grandfather, Saul, and his father, Jonathan had died in battle. She immediately thought that those who killed Saul would come after the rest of family next. So the nursemaid picked Mephibosheth up in her arms and ran out of the house. Apparently, she tripped and dropped him. That fall crippled him for the rest of his life. It’s terrible that one fall could cripple a child for the rest of his life, but the same is true for me and you. In Genesis 3, the Bible talks about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They were perfect in a perfect environment. But they sinned and fell from God’s favor. We’ve all be crippled spiritually because of their rebellious choice.
* We Are All Living In A Barren Land. Mephibosheth lived in a place called Lo Debar. Translated it means “no green pasture.” In other words he was living in a place where it was not even possible to grow grass and here was David living in a mansion with all the food you wanted to eat. Mephibosheth lived in a barren place because he didn’t know the true nature of the king and lived in fear of him.
David Represents to Kindness and Grace of Jesus: The good news in this story is Mephibosheth didn’t have to go to David and say, “Hey, David. Remember me? I’m the son of Jonathan. Can I have a handout?” No. The picture is this: The King is the one who thought about him and sent for him. The King is the one who initiated the relationship with him. That’s the good news! God has already sought you out! What does Mephibosheth receive?
* The King’s Forgiveness. Like Mephibosheth we all need the King’s forgiveness. David said, “Mephibosheth, your grandfather hated my guts! He spent his whole life trying to kill me but I’m not going to hold that sin against you.” David says in verse 7, “Don’t be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan.” He is saying, “I’m not doing it for your sake, Mephibosheth, I’m doing it for the sake of your father, because he and I loved each other.” That’s what God says to us. “I’m going to show you forgiveness not for your sake but for the sake of my son, Jesus Christ.”
* The King’s Fortune. Mephibosheth also received the King’s fortune. David says, “I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” The Bible says when we come to God we become part of his kingdom. He restores to us everything that Adam and Eve lost in the fall. He says, “Everything that you need in life I give to you.”
* The King’s Family. David said to Mephibosheth, “Mephibosheth, I want you to come and I want you to sit down at my table.” For the rest of his life Mephibosheth had a place at the king’s table - becoming a member of his household. Picture a beautiful banquet table set for dinner in the royal dining room. It is loaded down with all kinds of fruit, bread, juicy meats, all kinds of vegetables. In walks the royal family, each looking regal in their royal garments. After they take their seat, you hear someone else entering the room. Clop, shuffle, clop, shuffle, clop, shuffle, clop…and Mephibosheth comes in obviously crippled–but then he sits down and the beautiful thing is when Mephibosheth slides his crippled legs up under the table he looks just like everybody else! His affliction is covered up and he looks just like the other sons of the King.
When you are part of the family of God, the blood of Jesus Christ covers up whatever you have done in the past, all those stupid things that have crippled you! God looks at you as if you are totally whole and restored. The story of David and Mephibosheth is the story of Jesus, the King of Kings and each of us who has been spiritually crippled. The invitation for spiritual cripples to come the King’s table is still extended today. Have you answered your invitation? “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20)
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
(2 Samuel 9:3-8)
After David killed Goliath, King Saul became very jealous of David and tried to kill him several times. Saul was so angry and mean to David, he chased him all over the countryside trying to kill him. Finally, one day Saul died in a battle so David became king. After he came to the throne everything seemed to be running smoothly. He had conquered many other armies and had a beautiful palace in Jerusalem and he was in control of that part of the world. He began to say “I wonder about Saul’s family.” He asked the question to some of the men in the court around him. He said, “Are there any relatives of Saul who are still alive?” I’m sure people thought, “Well it’s about time, now David has an opportunity to get even with Saul’s family.” It was common for a king to wipe out anyone who might be a threat to the throne. So, if there were any relatives of Saul’s still alive most people thought David would kill them. But David surprised them. He said, “Are there any relatives of Saul still alive that I can show kindness and grace to?” As you look at this story you see a beautiful picture of grace and kindness. But don’t stop there. Take a closer look and you’ll see a picture of Jesus and us.
In the story Mephibosheth Represents Each of Us:
* We Were Born Into The Wrong Family. Mephibosheth was born into the family of Saul. Saul was his grandfather and Jonathan was his father, so he wasn’t in the royal family of David. Most people would have thought because he was in the wrong family he would be an enemy of the king. We’ve all been born into the family of sin and unless we get in the right family, we are in trouble.
* We Have All Been Crippled By A Fall. The text tells us that Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet. 2 Samuel 4: 4 tells us when Mephibosheth was only five, word came to his nursemaid that his grandfather, Saul, and his father, Jonathan had died in battle. She immediately thought that those who killed Saul would come after the rest of family next. So the nursemaid picked Mephibosheth up in her arms and ran out of the house. Apparently, she tripped and dropped him. That fall crippled him for the rest of his life. It’s terrible that one fall could cripple a child for the rest of his life, but the same is true for me and you. In Genesis 3, the Bible talks about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They were perfect in a perfect environment. But they sinned and fell from God’s favor. We’ve all be crippled spiritually because of their rebellious choice.
* We Are All Living In A Barren Land. Mephibosheth lived in a place called Lo Debar. Translated it means “no green pasture.” In other words he was living in a place where it was not even possible to grow grass and here was David living in a mansion with all the food you wanted to eat. Mephibosheth lived in a barren place because he didn’t know the true nature of the king and lived in fear of him.
David Represents to Kindness and Grace of Jesus: The good news in this story is Mephibosheth didn’t have to go to David and say, “Hey, David. Remember me? I’m the son of Jonathan. Can I have a handout?” No. The picture is this: The King is the one who thought about him and sent for him. The King is the one who initiated the relationship with him. That’s the good news! God has already sought you out! What does Mephibosheth receive?
* The King’s Forgiveness. Like Mephibosheth we all need the King’s forgiveness. David said, “Mephibosheth, your grandfather hated my guts! He spent his whole life trying to kill me but I’m not going to hold that sin against you.” David says in verse 7, “Don’t be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan.” He is saying, “I’m not doing it for your sake, Mephibosheth, I’m doing it for the sake of your father, because he and I loved each other.” That’s what God says to us. “I’m going to show you forgiveness not for your sake but for the sake of my son, Jesus Christ.”
* The King’s Fortune. Mephibosheth also received the King’s fortune. David says, “I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” The Bible says when we come to God we become part of his kingdom. He restores to us everything that Adam and Eve lost in the fall. He says, “Everything that you need in life I give to you.”
* The King’s Family. David said to Mephibosheth, “Mephibosheth, I want you to come and I want you to sit down at my table.” For the rest of his life Mephibosheth had a place at the king’s table - becoming a member of his household. Picture a beautiful banquet table set for dinner in the royal dining room. It is loaded down with all kinds of fruit, bread, juicy meats, all kinds of vegetables. In walks the royal family, each looking regal in their royal garments. After they take their seat, you hear someone else entering the room. Clop, shuffle, clop, shuffle, clop, shuffle, clop…and Mephibosheth comes in obviously crippled–but then he sits down and the beautiful thing is when Mephibosheth slides his crippled legs up under the table he looks just like everybody else! His affliction is covered up and he looks just like the other sons of the King.
When you are part of the family of God, the blood of Jesus Christ covers up whatever you have done in the past, all those stupid things that have crippled you! God looks at you as if you are totally whole and restored. The story of David and Mephibosheth is the story of Jesus, the King of Kings and each of us who has been spiritually crippled. The invitation for spiritual cripples to come the King’s table is still extended today. Have you answered your invitation? “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20)
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
posted by Larry | 11:10 AM
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