David's Compassion-2 Samuel 9:1-13

Intro

Have you ever had the opportunity to show kindness to someone who didn’t expect it? Maybe it was someone who wronged you, someone who had nothing to offer in return, or even a stranger.

Compassion has the power to transform lives.

That’s what we see in the story of David and Mephibosheth:

Mephibosheth was a forgotten cripple, living in obscurity.

He was a descendant of Saul, the man who hunted David down to kill him.

By all accounts, David had no obligation to help him.

Yet, David chose to show unexpected kindness, demonstrating a love that goes beyond what is deserved.

This challenges us: If we have recieved compassion from God, how can we not extend it to others.

The Problem

Showing compassion isn’t always easy. Society says people should get what they deserve. Our pride says, why should I show kindness to someone who hasn’t earned it. Our culture often promotes cutting people off instead of restoring them.

But God calls us to something higher. Luke 6:36 “36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Matthew 5:44 “44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 10:8 “8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.”

David’s Compassion

David’s compassion for Mephibosheth teaches us how to reflect God’s love to others.

Compassion seeks the forgotten

2 Samuel 9:1–5 ESV

1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 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.” 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.” 4 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.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.

David actively seeks someone from Saul’s house to show kindness.

Mephibosheth was not looking for David, David was looking for him.

True compassion is intentional; it doesn’t wait for others to ask for help.

Luke 19:10 ESV

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Just as David sought Mephibosheth, Jesus sought us out when we were broken and forgotten.

The truth is that compassion is not passive. It doesn’t wait for an invitation and it doesn’t wait for knowledge of need to arrive. It takes initiative.

Compassion Welcomes the Undeserving

2 Samuel 9:6–8 ESV

6 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.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”

Mephibosheth expected punishment but recieved kindness.

David tells him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness.”

He was given a seat at the king’s table, like a son.

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Just like Mephibosheth, we don’t deserve God’s kindness, but He welcomes us anyway.

Compassion isn’t based on what someone deserves, it’s based on love. Matthew 5:43-48

Matthew 5:43–48 ESV

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Do we have people in our lives that don’t deserve kindness, but need it anyway?

Compassion Restores What Is Lost

2 Samuel 9:9–13 ESV

9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson. 10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons. 12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba’s house became Mephibosheth’s servants. 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.

David restored Mephibosheth’s inheritance and gave him a permanent place at the royal table.

Compassion doesn’t just stop at kind words, it takes action to bring restoration.

God’s compassion for us restores our identity

Joel 2:25 ESV

25 I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Mephibosheth’s story is a picture of salvation, God doesn’t just forgive us; He restores us!

True compassion is active, it works to restore relationships and help those in need,

Compassion goes beyond words and making a real difference.

Compassion restores what sin and brokenness have taken away.

Application

David’s compassion for Mephibosheth is a model for how we should treat others.

Who needs compassion today? The Forgotten, seek them out. The Undeserving, show compassion even when it’s not deserved. The Broken, restore relationships where possible.

Jesus the Greater King David

David’s compassion points us to Jesus, the ultimate King, who seeks us, welcomes us, and restores us.

Jesus ate with sinners, forgave His enemies, and died for us while we were still undeserving.

If we are followers of Jesus, we must live as He lived, showing compassion to all. Ephesians 4:32

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.