The Life of David: 2 Samuel 8-9
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Transcript
Grace and kindness are key to Christian living. However, they are often absent in every day life. Little by little, people get consumed with self and stop focusing on those around them.
Do we live in a kind society?
How have we seen kindness and grace disappear?
As children of God, we have a Father in heaven who epitomizes kindness and grace. Daily He gives us what we do not deserve. He provides for us when we are in need. Therefore, He wants us to show His kindness and grace to those we meet.
Why does God want us to show grace and kindness?
In today’s story we will see how David showed extended grace to the final member of Saul’s family.
Background
Background
By this point in David’s life, the Ark of the Covenant rested safely in Jerusalem. He had his comfortable home. Nathan informed him he would not build God a temple, but his son would fulfill this dream.
With everything in place, David reflects on his life and the people who got him where he was. Noticeably absent was his best friend Jonathan. It made David wonder, is there anyone from his family I can help.
Who was Jonathan?
What did he for David?
Jonathan helped and protected David from King Saul. Therefore, they made a covenant that when David became king, he would spare Jonathan’s family.
16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “Let the Lord require it at the hand of David’s enemies.” 17 Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
Furthermore, he made a promise to King Saul. Though he could have killed Saul twice, David refused to touch God’s anointed. The last time they met, David made a promise to Saul.
20 And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 21 Therefore swear now to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name from my father’s house.” 22 So David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
David now wants to keep his end of the bargain. He asked his servants to find anyone from Saul/Jonathan’s family he can help. His answer will likely surprise him, but it will paint a picture of God’s grace.
Story
Story
4
2 And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” He said, “At your service!” 3 Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.”
In the original language, the word kindness also meant grace. He wanted to extend grace to any of Jonathan’s relatives. There was one servant named Ziba. Timidly she goes before David.
She confirms to David that there is one person alive. Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth. David was excited, but Ziba was timid. She explained that he is alive, but he is crippled. She does not explain the extent of his disability, but we read about it elsewhere.
4 Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel; and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened, as she made haste to flee, that he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
Why might Ziba be nervous to stand before King David?
In reading between the lines, she wanted David to know his condition. Because of his disability, he was not worthy to come before the king. David was not worried. Instead he wanted to know where he lived.
Lo-debar literally means without pasture. Lo-debar was a desolate and dreary place. The former heir to his grandfather’s title has spend years in isolation. David sent for him at once.
How did Mephibosheth feel when he heard David wanted to see him?
Mephibosheth knew it could all be over for him. David had the right to kill him to protect his position as king. Imagine the scene, he hobbled in with his crutches and dropped them, falling prostrate before the king.
Evidently, David sensed his fear and told him not to worry. He reminded him of his relationship with Jonathan. It is likely Mephibosheth never knew of their covenant.
He realizes the kindness David begins to extend. Perhaps he never experienced such kindness. He lived in a desolate place with a disability that prohibited him from working. Yet David extended grace and kindness to him.
Not knowing David’s plans, the king explained what he wanted to do for him.
In David’s mercy, he restored everything that rightfully belonged to Mephibosheth. Anything that belonged to King Saul and his family now belonged to him.
But he extended another courtesy. David would make sure that Mephibosheth’s nurse Ziba had everything she needed. But for Mephibosheth, he would sit at the kings table for the rest of his life.
David would treat him as he would his own son. His name would stand along all of David’s family. It is clear David extended grace.
What is grace?
What are some ways did David extend grace to Mephibosheth?
In a matter of one day, the years of neglect and despair turned around. Everything changed when David decided to show grace to someone who in didn’t seem to deserve such kindness.
Application
Application
David’s kindness to Mephibosheth depicts God’s grace toward us.
How were David’s actions similar to what Jesus did for us?
In what ways does Jesus extend grace to us?
Like Mephibosheth, before we knew Jesus, our lives were desolate. But one day, Jesus came to us and invited us to become His children. When we accepted His invitation, everything changed.
He provides for us. We have a seat at His table. Furthermore, we have the confidence that we can approach the King because of our relationship with Him.
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
When we have a flawed understanding of God’s grace we will either not fully accept it or we will abuse it through ignorance. Some people feel underserving, while others take advantage of God’s unmerited favor.
What are some ways people do not fully accept God’s grace?
How can we abuse God’s grace?
What are the consequences of abusing God’s grace?
When try and grasp God’s grace, we will never want to take it for granted. Instead, we will realize it is our access to a relationship with the Father. Therefore, we will thank Him for His unmerited favor.
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
How does God display His kindness and grace to us?
Application
Application
Look for ways God shows His grace.
Ask the Lord to reveal if there are ways we take advantage of God’s grace.
Extend God’s grace and mercy to others.
Read
1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. 3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David. 4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people. 5 Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the Lord your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.” 6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. 12 “For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the Lord for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”