Elevated to Royalty

2 Samuel 9

2 Samuel 9 “And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and …”

Point 1: A Promise Kept and Fulfilled

2 Samuel 9:3 “And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.””

-Lets look back at where this promise was made to Jonathan, Sauls son.

Context

-Before we get to this point in 1 Samuel, it is written of some of the accolades that David has endured/experienced:

-His anointing by Samuel

-David defeats Goliath

-David becoming very successful in battle

-Saul’s jealousy begins to grow, leading to Saul’s plot to kill David.

-David marries Michal, Saul’s daughter.

-Ch. 19, Saul orders the death of David, but Jonathan spills the beans and tells David of the plot.

1 Samuel 20:14–17 ESV

If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the Lord, that I may not die; and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord take vengeance on David’s enemies.” And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

This is a big deal for David (as the king) to keep and fulfill this promise, as it was normal procedure for a new king to order the deaths of the former kings family. This way there would be no one to contend for the throne.

-This covenant that David made with Jonathan did not just include David and Jonathan, but it would extend to all their descendants as well.