After several years of war, the nation of Israel was finally at peace for a time. It was during this time that David thought back on his friendship with Jonathan many years earlier. Those reflections brought to his mind the promise he had made to his dear friend long ago. This brings us to the story of David and Mephibosheth.

Transition

As we look at this story, I want us to note David’s kindness, his mercy, and his grace.

David’s Kindness

1. David’s promise to Jonathan
   1. David and Jonathan made a covenant years earlier. (read, 1Sa 20:14-17).
   2. The kindness David is about to show had nothing to do with Mephibosheth. David was not showing pity on this unfortunate cripple. At this point, he did not even know about him. It had everything to do with Jonathan. David was fulfilling a promise made to his dear friend.
   3. David wanted to show kindness to someone in Saul’s family for Jonathan’s sake.
2. David’s search for a recipient of his kindness
   1. David enquired among his staff and servants (v.1)
   2. A servant named Ziba gave David the information he desired (v.2-4). Ziba had been a servant of King Saul.
   3. Mephibosheth was chosen to receive David’s kindness. Notice his condition.
      1. He was a fugitive. He lived in hiding from David hoping that David would never find him and kill him.
      2. He was a cripple. He was just five years old when king Saul and Jonathan his father died. News of this brought fear into the heart of his nurse. (2 Samuel 4:4) And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
      3. He lived in a place called Lodebar. The name means “a place of no pasture”. It was a baron place. It was an unpleasant place to live, but a good place to hide.
         ☆ From this we can learn several things. First, we ought to keep our promises. Perhaps no one even knew that David had promised kindness to Jonathan’s family, yet David was a man of his word. In Psalm 15:4, David wrote that one who is close to the LORD is one that “sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.” Second, we should never forget those who have been kind to us. Third, this is a picture of the Lord’s kindness to us that was based on His love.

David’s Mercy

1. David called for Mephibosheth
   1. When he arrived, he fell on his face before David and did reverence (i.e., he bowed to the ground in fearful respect). Likely, he thought that David called him to kill him.
   2. David’s calmly called his name – “Mephibosheth”. Though they had never met before, yet David treated him as a friend. Perhaps David could see a semblance of Jonathan his father in his face, and memories flooded his heart.
   3. Mephibosheth responded in humility – “Behold thy servant!”
2. Mephibosheth had good reason to fear
   1. By custom, his life was a threat to David’s kingship.
      1. Saul’s family had been David’s enemies.
      2. Often the custom was that when a new king took the throne he would kill all the former king’s family.
   2. David calmed Mephibosheth’s fears by saying “Fear not”.
      1. Those words offered him life instead of death.
      2. They offered him peace to replace his terror.
         ☆ In this we see First, a good example of the mercy God has shown toward us. Before coming to Christ, we were sinners. All sin offends God and angers His holiness. We rightly deserved His wrath, yet He gave us His mercy. He withheld the judgment that we deserved. Second, this is an example to us. We need to be quick to offer mercy to those who offend us. When your spouse disappoints you, be merciful. When you brother or sister is unkind to you, be merciful. Jesus taught us to be merciful when He said, (Matthew 7:12) Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

David’s Grace

Remember, mercy is withholding punishment we deserve and grace is giving us a gift we do not deserve.

1. David’s grace was abundant to Mephibosheth
   1. He promised to show him kindness (v.7). Kindness refers to goodness of any sort. One Hebrew dictionary defines the word as “The bowing of the neck as a sign of respect and kindness to an equal.”
   2. He gave him an inheritance. As king, David now owned all that had previously belonged to Saul. He promised to restore all Saul’s land to Mephibosheth. This young man who had been living in hiding in a deserted place now owned much valuable farmland.
   3. He gave him a continual supply of food. David promised to provide him with all the food he needed as long as David remained king.
   4. He gave him a position at the king’s table. Along with the food, he gave him a seat at the king’s dinner table. He would dine with royalty for the rest of his days.
   5. He gave him servants to farm his land (v.9-13). David ordered Ziba and all his sons and all his servants to till the land for Mephibosheth and to give him the increase. I do not think Ziba was very happy about this arrangement. He may have been managing the land and enjoying the profit for himself and now the king commanded him to give it all to Mephibosheth. We will see in a moment why I think this is the case.
      ☆ Here are some lessons we can learn from this. First, in addition to showing mercy to those who irritate us, we ought to also give them grace. Note what Jesus said. (Matthew 5:44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Second, it is a reminder to us of all the grace God has given us. He saved us from hell and gave us a home in heaven. He has an inheritance waiting for us in heaven (1Pe 1:3-5). He made us His children. He daily provides for us in countless ways.
2. David’s grace endeared him to Mephibosheth
   1. He bowed himself to David in humility calling himself a dead dog (v.8). To call a person a dog was a terrible insult. To be a dead dog was worse yet. This was a physical way for him to say “Thank You” to the king.
   2. A few years later when Absalom rebelled against David, Ziba left Mephibosheth behind and lied about him to David (2Sa 16:1-4). I think Ziba was bitter about being Mephibosheth’s servant. Mephibosheth mourned for the king the whole time he was gone (2Sa 19:24). He was truly grateful for all David had done for him. When David eventually met Mephibosheth, he learned the truth that he loved the king and restored him part of the land (2Sa 19:25-30).
      ☆ Again, we find a couple of lessons here. First, we ought to express thanks to those who help us. Saying “Thank you” costs so little but it means so much. Second, we too ought to be grateful to the Lord for all that he has done for us. Thank Him in our prayers. Thank Him in our songs. Thank Him by living for His glory.

Conclusion

This story has reminded us of several qualities we need to develop. We ought to keep our promises, even when it hurts. We ought to give kindness, mercy, and grace, even when others do not seem to deserve it. We need to express thanks to those who help us. Most of all, we ought to thank God for His kindness, mercy, and grace. Live for His glory after all He’s done for you!

Song: Thank You Lord – 221
—
David and Mephibosheth
18 October 2015 PM – 2 Samuel 9:1-13 – Life of David – Scott Childs