David's Kindness To Mephibosheth Series

Scripture

Second Samuel 7 showed us the Davidic covenant and David’s marvelous prayer in response to God’s promise to him. Second Samuel 8 shows us how God’s kingdom was established under David when he defeated all the surrounding nations. After David had reigned in Jerusalem for some time, he asked if there were any descendants of King Saul to whom David might show kindness for Jonathan’s sake. He learned that Jonathan had a surviving son named Mephibosheth, though he was crippled in both his feet. Second Samuel 9 gives us a beautiful demonstration of kindness.

Let’s read about David’s kindness to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9:1-13:

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.” 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 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.” 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. (2 Samuel 9:1-13)

Introduction

When I was a student at the University of Cape Town, I lived in Driekoppen Residence for three years. During my third year, I bought a goldfish and put him in a large bowl on my desk. The poor little goldfish had a crooked tail. I did not want to name the goldfish “Goldie” or “Fishy” or something like that. I wanted something different, something unique, something that could be a conversation starter. Since the goldfish had a crooked tail, I called him “Mephibosheth,” after the young man who was crippled in his feet in Second Samuel 9. Well, Mephibosheth certainly was a conversation starter, beginning with the fact that most of my friends could not remember his name or how to say it.

I wish I knew then what I know now about Mephibosheth, and particularly about David’s kindness to him. It is a wonderful story of kindness from which we all learn a great deal.

Lesson

Second Samuel 9:1-13 shows us a beautiful demonstration of kindness.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. Kindness Is Initiated (9:1-4)

2. Kindness Is Provided (9:5-8)

3. Kindness Is Experienced (9:9-13)

I. Kindness Is Initiated (9:1-4)

First, kindness is initiated.

In verse 1, we read, “And David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’ ” Let me remind you of the characters in this chapter.

Saul was king over all Israel, and David eventually succeeded him as king over all Israel. Saul and three of his sons, Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua died in a battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa.

Jonathan and David were best friends. Many years earlier, Jonathan understood that God was giving the kingdom to David, and he was wonderfully supportive. He made a covenant with David in which he made David promise, “…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” (1 Samuel 20:15).