Sermon Tone Analysis

One of the themes of this story is the kindness that David shows to the last descendant of the house of Saul.

It is a bit misleading to read, particularly because when he was not yet king- and a fugitive, David would have no problem with killing those who were “left” of his enemies: When he approached one “Nabal” who had food that he needed, and was turned away, David responded accordingly: See 1 Samuel 25.34

Even after assuming the role of king- with no adversaries to the throne- David considered all the members of the “house of Saul” his mortal enemies.

But here, at this stage of his life, there are no real or imagined enemies to his throne.

And David honors the memory of both Saul and David by seeking out the remainder of the house of Saul to bestoy royal goods upon them.

He finds one such person, Mephibosheth.

Generally, at teh death of Saul, nearly all of his house would have died as well.

This remnant is a servant of that house- there were likely many more- they were not the blood line as family would have been.

Mephibosheth was a small boy when both his father and his grandfather died.

His father was Jonathan, who david Loved, and his grandfather the king himself- Saul.

On the day that they died, his caretaker picked him up in haste to run and dropped him- and Mephibosheth was injured for life.

The Bible says it succinctly in this way: Mephibosheth was lame in both his feet.

David’s intention, outlined throughout this story- is to show kindness to the house of Saul.

The reality is that David was in a covenant relationship with Jonathon, Saul’s son, and that covenant moved him to seek kindness for any remnant of Jonathan’s house that might remain.

Notice, the servant knows the exact town and house that Mephibosheth is living in.

It is noteworthy that in this verse, Mephibosheth actually bows down on his face and pays homage, or respect to David.

Even the servant earlier, Ziba, did not do this.

Well, context.

Context is everything.

Know that David had never ordered King Saul killed.

When a soldier came back with the head of Saul, thinking he would be honored by David- David had that soldier put to death for killing the Lord’s anointed king.

There should have been other descendants of Saul to honor- specifically Mephibosheth’s uncle Ish-Bosheth.

Ish-Bosheth was another son of King Saul who had survived.

But shortly afterDavid had assumed the throne a band of men went to Ishbosheth’s house and found him taking an afternoon nap *(all in 2 Samuel 4), they stabbed him, killed him, beheaded him, and took his head back to David assuming David would be elated.

He was not.

All of those men lost their lives as well.

David’s character never forgot the covenant he had made with Jonathan- but that didn’t stop others from failing to honor the new king by stopping the killing of Saul’s descendants.

As Mephibosheth meets David for the first time, probably shaking at what was about to happen to him- he bows all the way with his face to the ground and honors King David in respect.

David encourages Mephibosheth not to be afraid.

He tells him he wants to show him kindness, not violence.

Kindness, for his father’s sake.

David’s kindness was two-fold.

All the land that had previously belonged to Saul- would now belong to Mephibosheth.

And secondly, Mephibosheth would for the rest of his days be a guest at the king’s table.

A second time, Mephibosheth honors the king- and even refers to himself by an epithet, “dead dog”.

David’s kindness is now implemented.

Let’s make a few points.

Mephibosheth

Rejected

Helpless

Dying slowly

Mephibosheth was a part of a rejected family- Saul’s.

Born royal, but living in dependence completely.

Mephibosheth fell and could not walk.

Mephibosheth could do nothing for himself.

Mephibosheth would have died without David’s help.

If David had not stepped in, you would probably have not heard of Mephibosheth.

he could not help himself.

David

Moved First

Faithful to Covenant

Kind

Personal

Accepting

Peaceful

Protective of Mephibosheth

Made the first move.

He sent for Mephibosheth.

Acted on behalf of a covenant promise.

provided kindness

called Mephibosheth personally

Received him into his own family.

Spoke peace - Fear not

Provided for him.

Protected him.

Mephibosheth was hopeless.

David was graceful.

When Life Is Empty-God’s Table Is Full

Tax collectors- who everyone disliked.

Misunderstood.

(Betrayer)

Unbelieving disciples.

Religious hypocrites.

Person with a past.

Believers.

Discouraged.

The loved.

There’s room at the table of God for all.

Do you remember what David wrote in the Psalms?

One very specific Psalm?

Thou Preparest a Table Before Me In the presence of my enemies.

Before David could prepare a table for Mephibosheth, he had to sit at the table of God.

And He did.

When Life Is Empty-God’s Table Is Full

This Thanksgiving, You may find yourself among the

difficult to love

Misunderstood

Someone that has betrayed you

unbelievers

religious hypocrites

Person with a past

believers

discouraged

loved.

And it may be that like David, you are called to reveal the benevolence of God in that interaction.

When Jesus died on the cross, he died for you and me, and for those who are difficult to love, who are misunderstood, who had betrayed him, who didn’t believe in him, for the religious hypocrites, for the person with a past, for the discouraged, for the loved, and for the believers.

And for you and me.