David and Mephibosheth David: A Man after God’s Own Heart Series [22] 2 Samuel 9:1-13 © September 3, 2017 Pastor Paul K. Kim 2

BACKGROUND OF THE STORY OF DAVID AND MEPHIBOSHETH It was one of the high points of David’s life—after God’s covenant with David (2 Sam. 7) and David’s victories against his enemies (2 Sam. 8). It was an unprecedented incident—contrary to the customary practice of a new king in annihilating the whole household of prior dynasty. It was a result of the covenant that David and Jonathan made as David escaped from King Saul’s malicious attempts to kill him (1 Sam. 20 & 23).

14 “If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die; 15 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.” 16 And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May  the LORD take vengeance on David's enemies” . . . 42 Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” 1 Samuel 20:14-16, 42

BACKGROUND OF THE STORY OF DAVID AND MEPHIBOSHETH It was one of the high points of David’s life—after God’s covenant with David (2 Sam. 7) and David’s victories against his enemies (2 Sam. 8). It was an unprecedented incident--contrary to the customary practice of a new king for annihilating the whole household of prior dynasty. It was a result of the covenant that David and Jonathan made as David escaped from King Saul’s malicious attempts to kill him (1 Sam. 20 & 23). It portrays a picture of God’s covenantal love (Heb. “hesed”) for the people of God—even for us Christ-followers in the 21st century.

DAVID’S HESED LOVE TO MEPHIBOSHETH FOR JONATHAN’S SAKE David’s Search: Is there anyone left for me to show him kindness? (9:1-8)  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. 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.” 

DAVID’S HESED LOVE TO MEPHIBOSHETH FOR JONATHAN’S SAKE David’s Search: Is there anyone left for me to show him kindness? (9:1-8) 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?” (9:1-8)

* How Mephibosheth Became Crippled: 4 Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled 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 as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. 2 Samuel 4:4

DAVID’S HESED LOVE TO MEPHIBOSHETH FOR JONATHAN’S SAKE David’s Search: Is there anyone left for me to show him kindness? (9:1-8) 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?” (9:1-8) Mephibosheth was too afraid to stay close to King David; imagine what he might have felt when David’s soldiers were knocking on his door. But in reality, what David showed was an incredible grace and mercy. Notice two things: (1) David’s first word was to call Mephibosheth’s name [= personal love]; (2) David’s kindness was not on Mephibosheth’s merit but for Jonathan’s sake [= by grace alone in Christ alone].

DAVID’S HESED LOVE TO MEPHIBOSHETH FOR JONATHAN’S SAKE Kindness to Mephibosheth: To eat at the king’s table always. (9:9-13) 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.”

DAVID’S HESED LOVE TO MEPHIBOSHETH FOR JONATHAN’S SAKE Kindness to Mephibosheth: To eat at the king’s table always. (9:9-13) 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. (9:9-13) David’s hesed love [kindness] was boundless–to give him life, a seat at the king’s table, riches of inheritance, and personal fellowship. He was adopted by David as one of his sons [= adoption by God]. Notice two things: (1) Mephibosheth’s humbling himself was proper response to hesed love; (2) David’s kindness was boundless—to have him eat at the King’s table like one of his sons!

LESSONS FROM THE STORY OF DAVID AND MEPHIBOSHETH Lesson #1: First, we need to see OURSELVES in Mephibosheth who was estranged from the King in misery, fear & antagonism against the King. 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ,  alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:12-13 We need to realize our waywardness in sin apart from Christ. Like Mephibosheth, we were not only afraid of Holy God but also antagonistic against God in our victimization of sin. Remember that it was God who called us first while we were still helpless.  

LESSONS FROM THE STORY OF DAVID AND MEPHIBOSHETH Lesson #2: Second, we need to see JESUS in Jonathan on whose merit Mephibosheth was accepted and shown kindness by the King. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 1 Corinthians 1:30 Like Jonathan, Jesus became our sole reason for God’s acceptance and kindness. We have NOTHING we can use to merit or deserve God’s hesed love. It is AMAZING GRACE that for Jesus’ sake, we have been invited to eat at the King’s table for the rest of eternity!

Not on Our Merit But for Jesus’ Sake I am sure that very often as Mephibosheth sat down to eat at the king’s table he said to himself, “I am not worthy of being so close to the king. When I think of how far away and resentful I have been, why should I be treated like this”. Then the thought would come to him, “But I am not here for my own sake. I am here for my father Jonathan’s sake. The man who has been brought back from waywardness and antagonism, who has been accepted by God on the merit of Jesus Christ, and who has become aware of the abundance of his salvation and the glorious supply of God’s grace toward him, is often brought to say, “But Lord, I am not worthy of this, If I got my just recompense I would be in hell, judged by God and sent to a lost eternity. I don’t deserve these privileges, the joys of an open Bible and of an indwelling Christ!” But as we sense our unworthiness almost to the point of despair, we are reminded that we are not receiving any of these blessings on our merit, but for Jesus’ sake. We enjoy the abundance of our salvation and continued fellowship at the table of the King of kings because God has sealed by the precious blood of His Son a covenant that has taken you within its scope to protect and keep you throughout life and for all eternity. ― Alan Redpath

LESSONS FROM THE STORY OF DAVID AND MEPHIBOSHETH Lesson #3: Third, we need to see GOD’S COMPELLING LOVE in us so that we too can show God’s kindness to the undeserving for Jesus’ sake. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves  but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 [NIV]

LESSONS FROM THE STORY OF DAVID AND MEPHIBOSHETH Lesson #3: Third, we need to see GOD’S COMPELLING LOVE in us so that we too can show God’s kindness to the undeserving for Jesus’ sake. 8 He has told you, O man, what is good;     and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,     and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 God’s hesed love in us compels to live radically differently—sdo that we can live for Christ who died for us. How do we live for Christ? To do justice and love HESED/KINDNESS/MERCY in our everyday life Is there someone in your life to whom you can show God’s hesed love for Jesus’ sake?

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE In what ways will you see yourself who were estranged from the Lord in misery, fear, and antagonism against God without Christ? What would it mean for you to see Jesus on whose merit you are now accepted and shown the covenantal love and kindness by God? What is your first step toward seeing God’s compelling love in you so that you can show God’s kindness to the undeserving for Jesus’ sake?