Helpless But Not Hopeless

3. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, ¹Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

4. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, ²he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.†

5. Then king David sent, and ³fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

6. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!

7. And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. (2 Samuel 9:3, 4, 5, 6&7ref.)

An Incapacitation

(2 Samuel 9:3)

- Without Strength

(Rom. 5:8)

¹But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

An Investigation

(2 Sam. 9:4)

- Like Sinners

(Rom. 5:12)

²Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

An Invitation

(2 Sam. 9:5)

- Afar off but made nigh

(Eph. 2:13)

³But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

There is a great lesson to be learned from Mephibosheth for the body of Christ. When David went looking for Mephibosheth he found him in Lo Debar which translates = ’wilderness’ or “place of no pasture”. Mephibosheth had no knowledge of the covenant David had made with his father Jonathan. But He was curious about God. He even named his son Micha which translates = ’Who is like Jah?’ Mephibosheth was found in the house of Machir = salesman, a wealthy businessman, the son of Ammiel = people of God. So Mephibosheth was comfortable among the wealthy people of God, but lacked fellowship with his God. His physical needs were met but his spirit dwelt in the wilderness.

Additional Notes from the Text

From vs. 4

When Mephibosheth was found he was in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel from Lodebar.

Machirs’ ancestry can be traced back to Joseph who was the brother of Dan and of his tribe came Ammiel.

The Tribe of Dan was characterized in the O.T. for its Idolatry after overtaking a city and setting up camp.

Now the man who’s name means dispeller of shame (of Idolatry) is living “incognito” among a people historically known for their Idol worship.

From vs. 5

David did two things that were significant:

He took him away from the family that he was living with; who although may have been supporting him; was also deprecating his very character and nature.

He also took him out of LODEBAR; in which he could have well left him there because as a cripple he really served King David no use but despite that restored him to a position of true royalty of which had been sworn to his father Jonathan that he would do.