The Crippled Prince
2 Samuel 4:4, 2 Samuel 9:1-13
I. The Grief Suffered.
Mephibosheth had royal blood flowing through his veins. He was the Grandson of Saul the King of Israel, and the son of the heir apparent Jonathan. He was born and being brought up in regal splendor at the palace. He had everything that a little boy could need. The best in clothing, the best in play things, the best of food. There was never any lack for anything in the palace where Mephibosheth lived. And oh...what a future he had. I would imagine that the family talked about Mephibo when he was born, and what a beautiful child he was, and how that one day he would make a great king.
His future all laid out.....a fine life......the best ! However all of that changes when Mephibosheth is only five years old.
Let’s look at the tragic circumstances that would change the future for Mephibosheth.
First of all we see.....
I. The Crown..... He Would Not Wear.
At five years of age....Mephibosheth is growing fast.....into everything. He has his own Nanny to look after him, and to make sure he doesn’t get into too much. One day as Mephibo is running and playing in the palace.....perhaps aggravating the palace guards. A chariot approaching from the distance flying through the palace gates......the news spreads quickly......Mephibo is startled by people screaming and running through the palace. "You must leave at once" he hears. Mephibo is frightened. The plans for his life have been shattered.
The palace will only be a memory. The crown will never be placed upon his head ! The throne he want occupy ! The awful news is that his grandfather, and father....Saul and Jonathan have both been killed. The kingdom was to be ruled by another......the palace occupied by another......the crown worn by another. His nanny scoops him quickly up into her arms, and begins to run.....they must get away quickly.....they must hide. He want be safe here.....because the custom of those times was that if someone took over the kingdom...he would destroy all of those found which are of royalty.
Next we see Mephibo becomes..
II. The Cripple.....He Could Not Walk.
As the Nanny runs with Mephibosheth clutched in her arms......screams all around her.....she trips, and Mephibosheth falls from her arms. Both of his legs are crushed in a tragic accident. There is no time for proper medical treatment. If their lives are to be spared, they must leave at once. Mephibosheth would never walk again.......it may have been that the injuries were too serious or perhaps because of the inability to seek proper medical treatment.....but for whatever reason Mephibosheth will never be able to walk again.
What a tragic set of circumstances for a five year old to have to endure........his father, and grandfather both dead.....having to flee from his home the palace.....and now crippled for life !
And now Mephibosheth becomes....
III. The Castaway......He Had No Worth.
They had managed to escape.
But where do they escape to.....where will they go ? They are now practically homeless. In one moment living up in the palace, and the next a exile. Mephibosheth has to be hidden....but where ? They finally find safe haven in a place called Lo-debar which is translated "no pasture" and also "no thing". It is a barren, bleak wilderness area ! From the beauty of the palace and all the extravagant surroundings to a place where there is not even pasture to feed animals. But at least he is safe, and is provided for.....I wonder though how many times.....Mephibo lay upon his bed, and looked down at his crippled legs, and thought about running through the floors of the palace......so beautiful and clean that he could see his face in them.....I wonder how many times he looked out the window at the barreness surrounding him and thought about what might have been. He is now crippled, and confined. He cannot even return to Jerusalem out of fear !
Many years pass by, and it is possible that during these days that Mephibo married and had a son. How many times he must have told his son the story !
II. The Grace Supplied.
1. He’s Invited To The Palace.
Mephibosheth can see in the distance the dust raised from approaching horses, and chariots. Fear seizes him.....is it possible that after all these years....they have finally come to get me ! He calls for all of his family to come in the house !
A knock at the door......a voice calling out......Mephibosheth......hey.....I recognize that voice......It’s Ziba ! He once served my family in the palace. I wonder what he wants after all this time. Mephibo...I have great news.....King David wishes to see you at the palace.
Good news......you call that good news. My grandfather hated him, and tried to kill him many times.......Ah...but you’re forgetting something Mephibo....Your father, and the King were the best of friends....and King David wants to keep a promise that he made to your father many years ago.
He wants to be kind, and gracious to you ! He wants us to bring you to the palace now.
And so Mephibo is carried to the palace........preparations have been made........festivities planned for the arrival of Mephibo.....a meal fit for a king...
Guards quickly opened the gates.....trumpets blared.....David arises to see Mephibo for the first time.......ah....he looks so much like his father. Mephibo insists upon being lowered to the floor and he drags his legs across the palace floor, and lies prostrate before the King. I am your servant he says.....My legs don’t work, but I will serve you in any way that I can. David tells him there is no reason to be afraid because he wants to show kindness to him like his father Jonathan had showed to him.
II. He Inherits The Property.
This was a day that Mephibo probably dreamed of....but never thought possible. He is back at home. The property of his grandfather, and father are restored to him.
III. He’s Inserted In A Place.
The exile is now inserted by the King into a position of great honor. ....."thou shalt eat bread at my table continually."
David puts him back into a position of royalty treating him as one of his sons. V11
Mephibo had found grace at the feet of the King. Mephibo dwelt in Jerusalem from that time on.
You & I are like Mephibo.....we are crippled spiritually. As he was separated from the King, and the throne....so sin has separated us from God. This morning you may be like Mephibo.....dwelling in Lo-debar.......your life feeling barren, and your outlook bleak.......Mephibo felt worthless.....you may feel that same way.......
But like Mephibo.....you’ve rec’d an invitation. The King of kings is inviting you to come to the throne.
You & I are like Mephibo....we are crippled spiritually. As he was separated from the King, and the throne.....so we have been separated from the King of kings because of our sin.....but just as Mephibo rec’d an invitation. You and I have been invited ! Jesus....the King of kings invites us to come to him. He longs to restore us, and to adopt us into his family. He desires to provide us with our needs, and one day have us sit and eat bread at his table. As Mephibo found grace at the throne of David......you can find grace at the throne of God.......will you come to the altar this morning.....will you accept the invitation from the King ?
