1. Mephibosheth
Who was Mephiboshet?
—Background: II Sam. 4:4
—He was a cripple. Our culture has changed certain words, such as “lame” or “dumb.” Mephibosheth was a cripple, that is, he was lame.
—He was Jonathan’s son. As you’ll recall, Jonathan was David’s best friend.
He deserved death, not kindness. There was nothing in Mephibosheth to make him deserving of such treatment. He was the grandson of David’s worst enemy.
II Sam. 21:1-7
Mephibosheth represents us, the hopeless, helpless sinner.
Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
We were spiritually lame, unable to come to God and undeserving of His kindness. In fact, we would be called God’s enemies.
2. King David
—David took the initiative to find Mephibosheth
—He basically adopted Mephibosheth, even granting him access to the king’s table.
—He did it for Jonathan’s sake
David represents God — God is remarkably kind and loving.
Isaiah 54:8-10, “In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed: but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.”
Why would God show us such kindness? It’s for Jesus’ sake.
Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
You see, God took the initiative to find you. He drew you in with His love and showed you great mercy and kindness. He has adopted you into His family, even granting you access to the king’s table. And he did it all for Jesus’ sake.
THE KING'S TABLE
The king’s table represents fellowship with the king. Not just anyone could sit at the king’s table and enjoy a meal with the king; the table was reserved for those who were important to the king, like his family. David says concerning Mephibosheth, “he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons” (v. 11). The Bible also says, “for he did eat continually at the king’s table” (v. 13). This was not a one-time thing, but a permanent change.
Psalm 23:5, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”
Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Jesus, as your King, has set out a feast for you at His table. He desires fellowship with His child. He wants to bless you and provide for your needs. You always have a seat at the table.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF KINDNESS
There’s another story of a man who showed great kindness to someone who was undeserving of it. The man, a Jew, was beaten, robbed, and left for dead. After two individuals looked him over and passed him by (making excuses), one man came and decided to help him. We call him the Good Samaritan. You have to understand, the Jews despised Samaritans (they were a half-breed, a mix of Jew and pagan). The Jews did not believe there was such a thing as a “good” Samaritan. But this man overlooked the animosity and helped the Jew.
There’s also a story of a Jewish man who made it His mission to go to Samaria to show kindness to one person. He even said, “I must needs go through Samaria.” Jews often refused to go through Samaria because they believed they would be defiled, and so, they would often find a route around the city. But Jesus was not filled with such loathing, but rather, with love for a woman who needed the gospel.
CONCLUSION
We don’t deserve to be at the king’s table, but we belong there.
Ephesians 1:5-6, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
The King has accepted you into His family, and as a consequence, at the table. You belong at the King’s table. There is food at the table. There is fellowship at the table. There is favor at the table.
Illustration: The Prince and the Pauper. The prince found out that he didn’t belong in the pauper’s position, and vice versa.
Upon salvation, God changed you from a pauper to a prince. Incredible mercy and love. He has shown you immense kindness. Now the challenge is to go out and show this Christlike kindness to others. Why show this kindness? Because God has shown us great kindness, and as He has done to us, we must do to others.
