From Story To Glory

Title: FROM STORY TO GLORY

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Supporting Texts: 2 Samuel 4:4, 2 Samuel 16:1-4, 2 Samuel 19:24-30

INTRODUCTION:

The story of Mephibosheth is a powerful testimony of how God’s grace can transform a life marked by pain, rejection, and obscurity into one of restoration, favour, and glory. Born into royalty but crippled by circumstances, Mephibosheth found himself living in Lo-Debar, a desolate place. Yet, through divine orchestration and David’s covenant with Jonathan, Mephibosheth's life changed dramatically. His journey mirrors the transformative power of God’s grace that moves us from a state of brokenness to glory.

1. THE FALL INTO OBSCURITY

a) Mephibosheth’s Heritage:

Mephibosheth was the grandson of King Saul and son of Jonathan, heirs to the throne of Israel. However, his destiny seemed to shatter following the death of his father and grandfather (2 Samuel 4:4).

b) His Crippling Fall:

At the age of five, his nurse dropped him while fleeing, leaving him crippled for life. This physical disability became a symbol of his fall from grace.

c) Life in Lo-Debar:

Mephibosheth grew up in Lo-Debar, a place of obscurity, poverty, and barrenness, representing his forgotten and abandoned state.

d) Living Without Identity:

Despite being royalty, Mephibosheth lived without a sense of identity or inheritance, unaware of the covenant David made with Jonathan.

e) Biblical Example: Naomi and Ruth moved from a season of loss in Moab to restoration in Bethlehem (Ruth 1:19-22).

2. THE KING’S SEARCH FOR HIM

a) David’s Covenant with Jonathan:

David sought to honour his covenant with Jonathan by showing kindness to any remaining member of Saul’s household (1 Samuel 20:15-16).

b) The Search for Mephibosheth:

David actively inquired about Saul’s descendants and learned of Mephibosheth through Ziba, Saul’s former servant (2 Samuel 9:1-3).

c) Grace Found Him:

Mephibosheth did not seek David, but David sought him, symbolising how grace finds us in our brokenness (Ephesians 2:8).

d) An Invitation to the King’s Table:

Despite Mephibosheth’s fears, David reassured him and extended an invitation to eat at his table as one of the king’s sons (2 Samuel 9:7).

e) Biblical Example: The father in the parable of the Prodigal Son actively sought to restore his lost son (Luke 15:20-24).

3. THE RESTORATION OF GLORY

a) Restored Inheritance:

David restored all the land that belonged to Saul to Mephibosheth, giving him material and generational wealth (2 Samuel 9:7).

b) Royal Privilege:

Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table continually, signifying restored dignity and identity (2 Samuel 9:11).

c) Unmerited Favour:

Mephibosheth received grace not because of his merit but because of David’s covenant with Jonathan.

d) A New Identity:

Once forgotten and broken, Mephibosheth was now treated as one of David’s own sons, illustrating how God restores our position in Him.

e) Biblical Example: Joseph’s restoration from prison to palace demonstrates God’s power to restore glory (Genesis 41:41-43).

4. LOYALTY IN THE MIDST OF CHALLENGES

a) Ziba’s Betrayal:

During Absalom’s rebellion, Ziba falsely accused Mephibosheth of disloyalty, yet Mephibosheth remained faithful to David (2 Samuel 16:1-4).

b) Mephibosheth’s Defence:

Mephibosheth clarified his loyalty when David returned, showing humility by accepting whatever David deemed fit (2 Samuel 19:24-30).

c) The Test of Grace:

Mephibosheth’s reaction reveals how restored individuals must handle challenges with grace and loyalty.

d) Faithfulness Rewarded:

David recognised Mephibosheth’s loyalty, ensuring his continual place at the king’s table.

e) Biblical Example: Job remained loyal to God despite accusations and trials, and his end was better than his beginning (Job 42:10-12).

5. LESSONS FROM MEPHIBOSHETH’S STORY

a) God Seeks Us First:

Just as David sought Mephibosheth, God seeks us before we seek Him (John 15:16).

b) Grace is Unmerited

Mephibosheth’s restoration was not earned but was a gift of covenantal grace, reminding us of salvation through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:4-9).

c) Brokenness is Not the End:

Despite his physical and emotional scars, Mephibosheth’s story proves that God can restore and elevate us.

d) Faithfulness in Restoration:

Restored individuals must remain loyal and honour the grace they have received.

e) Biblical Example: The Apostle Paul, transformed from a persecutor to a preacher of the Gospel, exemplifies restoration and divine purpose (Acts 9:15-16).

CONCLUSION:

The story of Mephibosheth is a testimony of God’s grace that takes us from a place of obscurity and brokenness to glory and restoration. Like Mephibosheth, we are all recipients of God’s unmerited favour through Jesus Christ. No matter how far we have fallen, God’s love has the power to transform our story into glory.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Father, thank You for Your covenant of grace and restoration.

2. Lord, search me and bring me from obscurity into glory.

3. I reject every spirit of limitation in my life.

4. Father, restore all that I have lost, spiritually and physically.

5. Lord, let me experience unmerited favour in every area of my life.