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David & Mephibosheth 2 Samuel 9.1-13 Introduction:
David had a proper estimation of God and respect for God’s authority.
The reason he did not kill King Saul was because of his respect for God.
David also showed a proper estimation of himself.
David understood he was a servant of God, a sheep in God’s fold.
I)
The Humility of the First Three Kings A)
King Saul showed great humility in hiding when selected to be the first King of B)
David was a shepherd boy. C)
Solomon realized he was not up to the task of being King over God’s Holy
Nation. D)
However, David was the only one of the 3 kings to keep his sense of humility.
II)
Background A)
King Saul and Jonathan were dead and David was now in control. 1.
There were a number of years of division as some of the tribes wanted to follow
David and others did not. 2.
Finally there was unity. B)
Mephibosheth was son of Jonathan, 2 Samuel 4.4 1.
Tragic event in which he ended up being lame the rest of his life. 2.
He would have eventually been in the position of being King of Israel if his
grandfather had not rebelled against God in 1
Samuel 13, 15. III)
2 Samuel 9 A)
David did not forget the household of Saul 1.
We wanted know if anyone of this household was still alive. 2.
David did not want to make sure they were all dead but to show kindness.
a. In many places the first thing a new regime me does it wipe out
the previous regime.
b. Baasha killed Nadab the son of Jeroboam and all his household, 1
Kings 15.29
c. Zimri killed all of the household of Baasha, 1
Kings 16.12
c. Jehu had all the household of Ahab killed, 2
Kings 10 3.
David was bucking the trend in actually wanting to help the household of Saul. B)
David did not forget his promise 1.
He promised Jonathan that he would remember his household, 1 Samuel 20.14-17 2.
He wanted to show kindness to who ever were left of Jonathan’s household.
3.
David lamented the death of Saul and Jonathan, 2
Samuel 1. C)
David wanted to honor those of Jonathan’s household, 2 Samuel 9.6-7 1.
Mephibosheth must have been terrified; he was helpless, powerless, and
defenseless. 2.
Mephilbosheth was once a prince but was now in poverty, lame, and living in
obscurity. 3.
Now he was being elevated to sit at the king’s table. D)
Point to remember 1.
David gives us an example of mercy, kindness, and grace. 2.
Mercy in that he did not kill Mephibosheth.
Most would have thought this to be enough. 3.
Kindness in that he not only does not harm but he actually allows Mephibosheth
to be a part of the King’s household. 4.
Grace in that not only is he part of the household but he is treated as one of
the king’s sons.
a. Mephibosheth did not earn or deserve any gifts from David
b. Yet, what had David done to earn or deserve God’s gifts?
c. What have we done to earn or deserve God’s gifts?
d. Mephibosheth was dining at the King’s table, David looked
forward to being a part of the Lord’s house and eating from His table.
e. Mephibosheth was cribbled; spiritually David had sinned and was
crippled in that he was unable to be perfect before God. There are
a lot of Mephibosheth’s and David’s out there. III)
2 Samuel 16 & 19 A)
Absalom rebels and David must flee 1.
Ziba tells David that Mephibosheth stayed in 2.
Image how this would appear to David. As
if his kindness meant nothing and he was now being betrayed by Mephibosheth. B)
Later on David returns to 1.
He notices the appearance of the man. 2.
Mephibosheth tells David of Ziba leaving with his animals, which is consistent
with what happened earlier. 3.
Mephibosheth again relies on the mercy, kindness, and grace of David. 4.
Interestingly, Ziba seems to have gotten by with his treachery since he received
part of the land promised to him. V. 30
a. There may be
circumstances where we have to let things go and
let God handle it later on.
b. Mephibosheth was wronged but he did not let it hinder his relationship
with David. IV)
2 Samuel 21 A)
A famine attributed to King Saul’s house, v. 1 1.
They had killed the Gibeonites. We
are not told of the even but we know the famine was real and was in response to
the sin. So event did happen. 2
The Gibeonites had tricked Joshua and 3.
At some time King Saul had killed some of the Gibeonites in his zeal for B)
The penalty 4.
The Gibeonites wanted to hang seven of Saul’s descendants, v. 6 5.
David makes a point of sparing
Mephibosheth, v. 7. Conclusion:
Never once did David forget his covenant with Jonathan.
He continually showed kindness to Mephibosheth, even when it appeared as
if he had been betrayed. He could
not stop the penalty for sin but he could protect the one in his household.
In many ways we are in the position of Mephibosheth today.
We rely on God’s mercy, kindness, and grace.
We know He will keep His covenant with us.
He will not stop the penalty for sin but He will forgive those that
submit to His will.
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