David’s Kindness and Mercy Echoes Through Christ to Us!

Analytical Bible Expositor: I & II Samuel B. The Coming of Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:5–8)

B. THE COMING OF MEPHIBOSHETH

2 Samuel 9:5–8

The coming of Mephibosheth to David portrays in some ways the coming of the sinner to Christ for the blessing of salvation.

1. The Pursuit in the Coming (2 Samuel 9:5)

“David sent, and fetched him” (2 Samuel 9:5). Mephibosheth, like the lost sinner, did not come running to David for blessing, but David sought him. Christ came to the world to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10)

2. The Prostration in the Coming (2 Samuel 9:6)

“When Mephibosheth … was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence” (2 Samuel 9:6). It would have been an affront to David for Mephibosheth to have not shown due respect for the king. When a person is truly saved, he will show great reverence and respect for Jesus Christ.

3. The Position in the Coming (2 Samuel 9:6)

“Behold thy servant” (2 Samuel 9:6). Not only did Mephibosheth prostrate himself before David, but he also took the position of a servant. That is exactly what the sinner should do who comes to Christ for salvation. When a person professes to be saved but shows disinterest in serving, he is revealing that his salvation claim is suspiciously bogus.

4. The Promises in the Coming (2 Samuel 9:7, 8)

David gave Mephibosheth some wonderful promises when Mephibosheth came to David.

• The safety in the promises. “Fear not” (2 Samuel 9:7). This statement was such a blessing to Mephibosheth. He could justly fear death, for as we noted earlier, it was the habit of kings of a new dynasty to kill everyone of the former dynasty in order to strengthen his hold on the throne. This same promise is true for the sinner coming to Christ for salvation. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). But Christ gives life and the saved sinner no longer has to fear eternal death.

• The support for the promises. “Surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake” (2 Samuel 9:7). Mephibosheth’s safety was supported by “Jonathan … sake.” So the believer’s safety is supported for Christ’s sake. “God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). There is no better support for the safety of the redeemed.

• The substance in the promises. “Will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father” (2 Samuel 9:7). Mephibosheth had come from poverty (as an example, he was living in another person’s house “the house of Machir” [2 Samuel 9:4]); now he would know riches as never before. This portrays the redeemed whose salvation gives them “an inheritance” (1 Peter 1:4), and they become “heirs of God” (Romans 8:17). The Gospel produces the greatest “rags to riches” story of all.

• The supping in the promises. “Thou shalt eat bread at my table continually” (2 Samuel 9:7). Supping meant Mephibosheth would have fellowship with David. This is like the Gospel promise which says, “I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

• The servility from the promises. “He bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?” (2 Samuel 9:8). The promises caused Mephibosheth to bow before David and to speak of his unworthiness for the blessing. The true believer will likewise marvel at the blessings received from salvation and realize how unworthy he is of them. As Jacob said, so the redeemed can say, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies … which thou hast showed unto thy servant” (Genesis 32:10).

Ultimately most of the situations and circumstances that we find in the Old Testament and New Testament point to a relationship with Jesus Christ.

As believers, as followers of Christ we are “yoked” to idea of “Kindness” for those around who are strangers, in hopes that they would see Christ’s love in us.

As believers, as followers of Christ we are “yoked” to idea of “Kindness” for those around who are strangers, in hopes that they would see Christ’s love in us.

We treat family with “kindness” hoping to break family bonds and replace them with the bonds of Christ’s love.

We treat co-workers, neighbors, bosses, those 3rd circle people with “hesed” with loving kindness for opportunity share.

1 Peter 3:15 NIV

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

With kindness if you will

What are we pointing towards, why should we make the efforts necessary to see this “kindness” through to the next person that happens to cross our path.

What are we pointing towards, why should we make the efforts necessary to see this “loving kindness” through to the next person that happens to cross our path.

The Apostle Paul commanded it.

Colossians 3:12 NIV

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Romans 5:8 NIV

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

We have now heard the echo. The other half of the echo is a call. This call to loving kindness and David is our example. We will finish today with the ultimate show of loving kindness.

We have now heard the echo. The other half of the echo is a call. This call to loving kindness

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Kindness is the key to changin.

Open your Bibles if you will to

David has been made King. God has allowed David to ascend to His throne over Jerusalem.

This has not been the most perfect, sinless choice that God could have made. But God knew that and chose him anyway.

God did not want, or need the perfect person to ascend the throne. He knew that Jesus was going to be necessary to fill those shoes.

I think he wanted someone like David failed and sinful like he was to demonstrate for us the ultimate need for a redeemer. One who was perfect, one who was sinless.

One who was perfect, one who was sinless. The message was that you, Jews demanded a King. I gave you MANY. None of them met my standard. Because of that I will send my one and only Son Jesus, to be your King. He will be the final King. He will be the Messiah that you have looked for so long.

The message was that you, Jews demanded a King. I gave you MANY.

None of them met my standard. Because of that I will send my one and only Son Jesus, to be your King.

He will be the final King. He will be the Messiah that you have looked for so long.

How is it that I became your Pastor?

I am failed,

I am sinful,

I argue with my wife,

I don’t always think WWJD,

I act in my flesh,

I get frustrated,

I don’t always “communicate” well…

Why is it that I am your Pastor:

I am follower of Jesus,

I accept his once for all sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of my sin,

I live a life that “trusts” in God,

I live a life, that is a testimony to the Grace and Mercy of Christ. And finally...

I am called…that’s why I am your Pastor.

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Like we talked about last week a bit, in the absence of Leadership there is chaos.

David moved quickly. He negotiated with Judah and they anointed him King. He quickly brought his house into order under his and God’s leadership.

2 Samuel 8:15 NIV

15 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.

2Sam

There were some loose ends to tie up from Saul. David had promised to care for Saul’s son’s but most of them died with their father.

David did find one, Saul’s grandson from his son Jonathan

His name here is Mephibosheth. He was living in exile in his own country. David gave him everything that was Saul’s.

There would have been property of all kinds.

I’m sure that he heard what was going on with David and Saul. You didn’t need Fox News or CNN to see what was going on between them.

2 Samuel 9:3 NIV

3 The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from 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 lame in both feet.”

He remained.

Mephibosheth experienced a dramatic changes in his life.

This are similar changes that we as followers of Christ go through, day-to-day.

These are the changes that make us more like Jesus each day. The process is called sanctification. We enter into this process immediately after we were “saved.”

Last week you may have made some commitments to God to change how you live your life.

Today we are going to talk about managing that change. Finding the “new” normal as a disciple of Christ.

Here is today’s BIG Question

What does the new “NORMAL” look like?

You may have commited your life to Christ or you may no longer be a slave to fear. Whatever your commitment change is coming.

Mephibosheth was poor by anyone’s standards. He had no property, no slaves. He lived in poverty.

Before I got saved at 25 years old I thought that I had the world by the tail. I was important, I had money, I had status, I had a future.

But I was dirt poor and lived in poverty. My life was “I,” “I,” “I.” If it feels good do it.

My life was chaos! I was in absolute poverty.

So then I got saved, Christ became my Savior and Lord. You may have made a decision like that recently. You have made a decision to live your life differently.

I needed help after I got saved...

Mephibosheth needed HELP changing his role, assuming his new place, first he needed to have his basic needs cared for.

2 Samuel 9:10 NIV

10 You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

After you made your commitment to change you needed people around you to help you.

You needed to be discipled

I didn’t know anything, I didn’t know the music, I couldn’t find anything in the Bible, I didn’t know anything about the service, I needed to be provided for

You need food…spiritual food. After any kind of commitment we need “spiritual food”

What is this “spiritual food...” affirmation that you have made the right changes, fellowship, encouragement, guiding principles, bible study.

I received all of that and more. After any change we all NEED these thing.

Mephibosheth gained Saul’s slaves to help him live. you receive God’s servants… US, when you make a change

If you have made a decision to change you need these things around you…you need people.

Those slaves of Mephibosheth brought to him the fruit he needed to live

2 Samuel 9:10 NIV

10 You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

This “fruit” filled his stomach, made him whole, gave him strength, allowed him to become strong.

There is a type of fruit that we receive when we accept Christ.

This fruit is also available to us when we make a significant decision in our lives.

I was going to say a change in our Christian lives. But there is no division...

There is no Christian part of our lives and Non-Christian part of lives. EVERYTHING we do reflects on life in Christ.

This fruit, in the life of the believer is found in Galatians and is very familiar.

Galatians 5:22 NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

You will note that these are not in decreasing order of importance.

All are equally important. Among the list…Kindness. We need to be treated with kindness and we need to be able to treat others with kindness.

This is the same KINDNESS that God treated us with.

Mephibosheth by his position as a grandson of Saul had a certain standing. His standing was NOTHING, HE WAS NOTHING, HE HAD NOTHING, HE WAS GOING TO BE NOTHING.

Mephibosheth experienced a great change in his life when David showed kindness to him. Likewise, the sinner who comes to Christ for salvation, will experience great changes in his life.

David made the difference for him...

1. The Servants in the Changes (, )

2 Samuel 9:11 NIV

11 Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.

“Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant … thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him … Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants … all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth” (, , ). Mephibosheth had lived in poverty, but coming to David resulted in Mephibosheth being given a host of servants.

Christ made the difference for us...

We you accept Christ or commit to making a change in your life. God is with you. He wants to encourage you, He wants to be a part of that change, He is there for all of all of our changes and our commitments.

1 John 3:1 NIV

1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

We can BOLDLY approach God’s throne, without fear and without judgement. We have the status of a “child of God” made in his image, forgiven and one whose sin is wipe clean at the feet of Jesus.

1 John

Your decision to live for God and live for Christ or change your path was not an easy one. It won’t be an easy one. There will be distractions, set-backs, and out right attacks. But the Father has us firmly in his hand

We can BOLDLY approach God’s throne, without fear and without judgement. We have the status of a “child of God” made in his image, forgiven and one whose sin in wipe clean at the feet of Jesus

2 Samuel 9:12 NIV

12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mika, and all the members of Ziba’s household were servants of Mephibosheth.

Your change in eternal destination or change in how you look at the world…affects your family. Your biological family, your church family, your community, your world, the world.

“Thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat” (). Ziba was responsible for producing fruit for Mephibosheth. Likewise the Holy Spirit will produce fruit for the believer (, ).

Butterfly Effect...

Changes that you make in your life DRAMATICALLY affect those around you.

If you are a new creature…the world will have to get to know a new you. Your family will need to see and acclimate to the “new” you.

If you have made a change in your path… You may look and act nearly the same but there will be a below the skin change in your outlook, in your planning, in your execution to your job, family.

If you are NO LONGER A SLAVE TO FEAR. You will no longer make your decisions with a factor of fear that guides and molds them

3. The Standing in the Changes ()

2 Samuel 9:13 NIV

13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet.

“Mephibosheth … shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons” (). Mephibosheth would have his standing changed! Instead of a forgotten and disgraced fugitive in Lodebar, he would now be treated royally as one of David’s sons. The Gospel does the same for the redeemed. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” ().

From then on…Mephibosheth had an address change. He was now a resident of the King’s Court, he ate at the Kings table, bumped elbows with the others at this table, made himself known to others at the King’s table.

If you have accepted Christ to be the Lord and Savior of your life…you have a new address, a new home, it’s called heaven.

Eternally, if you have salvation… you have heaven.

I don’t want to forget those significant changes, those significant needs, those significant changes in direction that were made.

When we make those changes it changes our pathway on earth, it allows God to open heaven for you. This commitment and this change lets you be apart of His plan to reach the world, it positions you to be His agent of change across the world. It changes your occupation...

“Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha” (). All of Mephibosheth’s family would experience the wonderful changes. When a man gets saved, it blesses his whole family.

You may be a doctor but your no longer “just” a medical doctor, you can and do heal, doing the very work of God

You may be an educator, but you are no longer a “just” a teacher. In or out of the public school system God has given you the responsibility to impart knowledge and to do it with fear and trembling.

You may be a farmer and a businessman. You are no longer farming for yourself but for the benefit of God’s kingdom. Your business is NO LONGER YOURS. It belongs to God, you are simply its steward.

You may work in government in some way. God has called and positioned you especially to to be His agent of change in our secular world.

STOP ACTING LIKE IT’S JUST A “JOB.” YOU WERE PLACED THERE TO WORK AND BE APART OF GOD’S PLAN.

Philippians 2:12 NIV

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

And finally

2 Samuel 9:13 NIV

13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet.

Mephibosheth ALWAYS ate at the Kings Table

Let’s return to the BIG Question…AND give a big ANSWER, in case you have forgotten

What does the new “NORMAL” look like?

This may feel like a non-answer, but it’s the best I’ve got…

Life looks like it does right now, but we are living in a different state of mind; our address has changed

Today we are going to eat at the Kings Table.

As we prepare for communion, seek the Lord, ask him to bring to mind your sin. As He does, confess it, let it go.

Isaiah 43:25 NIV

25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

Is

Will the communion servers please come forward?

“Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem” (). What a change from Lodebar. Mephibosheth dwelt in the royal city in honor instead of dwelling in a desolate place in dishonor. The Gospel changes the destiny of an individual. From a doomed place in eternity to a delightful place in eternity. From dishonor to honor. From hell to heaven. The change is tremendous.

“He did eat continually at the king’s table” (). We have already noted this blessing as a promise. Here it is noted as a fulfillment. David was faithful to his word.

Analytical Bible Expositor: I & II Samuel C. The Changes for Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:9–13)

C. THE CHANGES FOR MEPHIBOSHETH

2 Samuel 9:9–13

Mephibosheth experienced a great change in his life when David showed kindness to him. Likewise, the sinner who comes to Christ for salvation, will experience great changes in his life.

1. The Servants in the Changes (2 Samuel 9:10, 12)

“Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant … thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him … Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants … all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth” (2 Samuel 9:9, 10, 12). Mephibosheth had lived in poverty, but coming to David resulted in Mephibosheth being given a host of servants.

2. The Supplies in the Changes (2 Samuel 9:10)

“Thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat” (2 Samuel 9:10). Ziba was responsible for producing fruit for Mephibosheth. Likewise the Holy Spirit will produce fruit for the believer (Galatians 5:22, 23).

3. The Standing in the Changes (2 Samuel 9:11)

“Mephibosheth … shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons” (2 Samuel 9:11). Mephibosheth would have his standing changed! Instead of a forgotten and disgraced fugitive in Lodebar, he would now be treated royally as one of David’s sons. The Gospel does the same for the redeemed. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1).

4. The Son in the Changes (2 Samuel 9:12)

“Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha” (2 Samuel 9:12). All of Mephibosheth’s family would experience the wonderful changes. When a man gets saved, it blesses his whole family.

5. The Site in the Changes (2 Samuel 9:13)

“Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 9:13). What a change from Lodebar. Mephibosheth dwelt in the royal city in honor instead of dwelling in a desolate place in dishonor. The Gospel changes the destiny of an individual. From a doomed place in eternity to a delightful place in eternity. From dishonor to honor. From hell to heaven. The change is tremendous.

6. The Supping in the Changes (2 Samuel 9:13)

“He did eat continually at the king’s table” (2 Samuel 9:13). We have already noted this blessing as a promise. Here it is noted as a fulfillment. David was faithful to his word.