Sermon #1563 Miscellaneous Sermons
Title: “The King Spared Mephibosheth” Text: 2
Samuel 21:7
Subject: The Kindness Of God To Sinners
Date: Sunday Morning —
Tape # Y-14a
Introduction:
I never get tired of thinking about, singing about, talking about, hearing about and preaching about God’s great grace. Like Noah of old, I have found grace in the eyes of the Lord. “The grace of God that bringeth salvation” has brought salvation to me, and saved me. For almost 37 years now, I have found by day and by night, in unceasing experience that God’s grace is indeed sufficient.
(Eph
3:8) "Unto me, who am less than the
least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the
Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;"
Turn with me to 2nd
Samuel 21, and let me show you a beautiful picture of God’s free and amazing
grace in Christ. My text is found in verse 7.
David killed all the sons of Saul’s house at the
command of God. The slaughter of Saul’s seven remaining sons was an act of
strict justice. — “But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of
Saul, because of the Lord’s oath that was between them, between David and
Jonathan, the son of Saul.” All the sons of Saul were slain; “but
the King spared Mephibosheth.”
Who was
this prince Mephibosheth? He was Jonathan’s son, the last living survivor of
the royal house of Saul. When the news of Saul’s death and of the death of his
sons on the battlefield of Gilboa reached the royal palace, Mephibosheth was
only five years old. His nurse took Jonathan’s little boy up in her arms and
fled down to Lodebar. In her panic, Mephibosheth fell from her arms and was
crippled. From that day on, he was lame on both of his feet.
Let’s go back to 2 Samuel 9:1-13.
Sixteen
years had passed since David made a covenant with Jonathan. Now, the time had
come for David to fulfill his covenant promise to Jonathan (1
Sam.
(1
Sam 20:14-17) "And thou shalt not
only while yet I live show me the kindness of the LORD, that
I die not: (15) But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from
my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David
every one from the face of the earth. (16) So Jonathan made a
covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it
at the hand of David's enemies. (17) And Jonathan caused David to
swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own
soul."
Now David
is determined to fulfill his covenant promise to Jonathan. So he sought out last
survivor of his dear friend and companion. David sent for Mephibosheth, and
brought him to the palace. When Mephibosheth first learned that the king had
found him, he must have been terrified. He knew what had become of Saul’s sons.
Fearful and trembling, he came into David’s presence, expecting to be slain.
What a blessed surprise he found! David showed him nothing but kindness and
mercy. He was made to be as one of the king’s sons.
Follow along, as I show you how this story
sets forth the gospel of Christ. Behind the noble kindness of David toward
Mephibosheth, the marvelous grace of God towards us shines forth brilliantly.
When the poor, crippled son of Jonathan was brought from Lodebar to
Proposition: David’s kindness to Mephibosheth for
Jonathan’s sake is a beautiful picture of God’s lovingkindness and tender mercy
to sinners for Christ’s sake.
Divisions: As we go through this
chapter, I want to show you five things about this man Mephibosheth, and show
you how they speak of the grace of God to us in Christ.
1. Mephibosheth was in a very
miserable condition, when the king sought him out.
2. Mephibosheth was called by
the king.
3. Mephibosheth was reconciled
to the king by an act of the king’s mercy.
4. Mephibosheth was granted
perpetual fellowship and communion with the king.
5. All of this was done for
Mephibosheth, because of a covenant made long before he was born.
I.
MEPHIBOSHETH WAS IN A VERY MISERABLE CONDITION WHEN
THE KING SOUGHT HIM OUT.
He was altogether unworthy
of David’s attention, regard, and favor. But David freely showed kindness and
mercy to him. And we are unworthy to receive anything from God; nevertheless,
he is gracious to us.
A.
The name “Mephibosheth” means
shameful, and a shameful man he was.
He was poor, destitute, and
helpless. Well may all the sons of Adam be called “Mephibosheth.”
We are “a shameful thing.” “We are all as
an unclean thing” (Isa. 64:6). “From
the soul of the foot even unto the crown of the head, there is no soundness in
us, but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores” (Isa. 1:6). “Man, at his best estate, is altogether
vanity.” Like the leper, we have an incurable disease. Like the harlot, we
are defiled. Your name and mine is Mephibosheth, “a shameful thing,” in heart,
in will, and in deed.
B.
Mephibosheth was the king’s
enemy.
He was the son of Saul, a
natural enemy to David. He was hiding from David. But David was not his enemy.
1. By nature, all the sons of
Adam are enemies of God (
2. We were hiding from God when
he saved us.
3. But God is not the enemy of
his people.
·
Through Jesus Christ God has reconciled us to himself (
(Rom
5:5-10) "And hope maketh not
ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost
which is given unto us. (6) For when we were yet without strength, in
due time Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For scarcely for a righteous
man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. (8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then,
being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (10) For if, when we were enemies,
we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled,
we shall be saved by his life."
(2
Cor
·
And God is ever beseeching lost, lame, languishing sinners to be
reconciled to him.
C.
Mephibosheth became lame
through a fall (v. 3).
2 Samuel 9:3 “And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of
Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the
king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame
on his feet.”
2 Samuel 4:4 “And Jonathan, Saul's son,
had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the
tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up,
and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and
became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.”
Even so, “God created man upright,” but we became
helpless, lame cripples through the fall of our father Adam (John
(John
6:44) "No man can come to me,
except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the
last day."
D.
And Mephibosheth was in a
far country (v. 4).
2 Samuel 9:4 “And the king said unto him,
Where is he? And Ziba said unto the
king, Behold, he is in the house of
Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.”
1. He was far away from the
king.
2. He was far away from
·
The place of blessing.
·
The place of peace.
·
The place of worship.
3. He was in the house of Machir, which means
“sold.”
4. He was down in Lodebar, the
place of no bread.
5. This is our condition by
nature.
You who are yet without
faith in Christ are far away from God. You are far away from Christ. You are
sold under sin. You are in a desert place, where there is no bread.
NOTE: “Lodebar” is written across
the fields of this world. When will you wandering prodigals realize this? Come
to your senses, man; and come to Christ (Psa. 68:6; Lk.
Psalms 68:6 “God setteth the solitary in
families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious
dwell in a dry land.”
Luke
Like Mephibosheth, you who
are without Christ are in a miserable condition. Oh, may the Lord show you your
condition!
II.
Mephibosheth was called by
the king (vv. 4-5).
2 Samuel 9:4-5 “And the king said unto him,
Where is he? And Ziba said unto the
king, Behold, he is in the house of
Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.
(5) Then king David sent, and fetched him out of
the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.”
David sought Mephibosheth
and fetched him to the palace. I love that word “fetched.” Don’t you?
Here again, we see God’s marvelous grace toward sinners. He seeks his own
sheep. And when he finds his sheep, he fetches it home.
A.
David sought Mephibosheth — Mephibosheth did not seek David.
·
A Sovereign Choice
·
A Personal Call
·
An Irresistible Fetch (Ps. 65:4; 110:3)
Salvation begins with God.
He takes the initiative. Man goes astray. Man hides from God. But God seeks and
finds his own. It is written, “I am found of them that sought me not.”
God almighty sends his
Spirit to seek and find his people, who have strayed far away from him. He
always finds them; and he always brings them home. He says, “Follow me,” and they follow. He says, “Come unto me,” and they come.
·
Abraham was in
·
Moses was in Midian.
·
Zachaeus was up in a tree.
·
Saul was in the desert.
·
The Ethiopian Eunuch
B.
Mephibosheth came before the
king in reverent submission (v. 6).
2 Samuel 9:6 “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!”
1. When he first came before
David, he reverenced him with fear and trembling. He did not know what David
would do with him. He could kill him, or he could let him live. So Mephibosheth
threw himself at the king’s feet.
2. David broke the poor man’s
fear.
He called him by name and spoke peaceably to him. “Mephibosheth, fear not, for I will surely show thee kindness.”
3. Have you thrown yourself
down at the feet of Christ the great King? That’s the way to obtain mercy.
Blessed be his name, he calls his own by name; and he speaks peace to
our souls!
C.
Now
get this — Mephibosheth was received
in all his deformity.
Just as he was, without any
improvement, David received the poor cripple. And the Lord our God receives
sinners in all their deformity.
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed
for me,
And that Thou bidst me come
to Thee -
O Lamb of God, I come.
Come ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall.
If you tarry till you’re
better,
You will never come at all.
D.
Mephibosheth was received
for the sake of another (v. 7).
2 Samuel 9:7 “And
David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely show 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.”
David received Mephibosheth
altogether for Jonathan’s sake, because he loved Jonathan. And God receives us
altogether for Christ’s sake, because he loves his Son (Tit. 3:3-7).
Titus 3:3-7 “For we ourselves also were
sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures,
living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating
one another. (4) But after that the
kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, (5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and
renewing of the Holy Ghost; (6) Which
he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (7) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs
according to the hope of eternal life.”
On the basis of Christ’s
righteous obedience as our Representative and voluntary death as our
Substitute, God receives believing sinners. It pleases God to look on Christ
and pardon all who believe on him. Just as David received Mephibosheth because
of his relationship to Jonathan, God receives us because of our relationship to
Christ.
E.
When Mephibosheth came to David, he learned to have
a proper estimate of himself (v. 8).
2 Samuel 9:8 “And he bowed himself, and
said, What is thy servant, that thou
shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?”
Listen to me now. It is only
after we come to Christ that we truly have a proper view of ourselves. Do not
expect to find repentance until you come to Christ by faith.
III.
MEPHIBOSHETH WAS RECONCILED
TO THE KING BY AN ACT OF THE KING’S OWN MERCY (vv.
9-10).
2 Samuel 9:9-10 “Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's
servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that
pertained to Saul and to all his house.
(10) Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land
for him, and thou shalt bring in the
fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy
master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had
fifteen sons and twenty servants.”
David restored Mephibosheth
and made him as one of the king’s sons. Once again, he was made to be a prince
in
A.
Mephibosheth got more in
David than he had lost in Saul. — And we got more in Christ
than we lost in Adam.
1. He has given us life
eternal.
2. He has given us peace (
3. Christ has given us an
incorruptible inheritance.
4. Christ has provided for us
all that we need.
5. And in Christ we are given
the highest possible honor and dignity (1 John 3:1).
B.
And under the king’s table
Mephibosheth’s crippled feet were covered.
He was still lame on both
his feet, but his deformity was covered under David’s table. Now, blessed be God, in Christ all the
deformities of his people are covered!
IV.
ONCE MORE, MEPHIBOSHETH WAS
GRANTED PERPETUAL FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNION WITH THE KING.
The king’s house was his
house. He dwelt with David. He was always accepted in David’s presence.
A. Children of God, it is our privilege and joy to
dwell with the King.
1. We walk in his company.
2. We are allowed to speak
freely to him.
3. We live upon his riches.
4. We rest under his
protection.
B. Because of the grace he had received, Mephibosheth
loved the king above everything (
2 Samuel 19:24-31 “And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down
to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor
washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace. (25) And it came to pass, when he was come to
1. He waited patiently for the
king’s return.
2. He wanted nothing but the
king.
3. Because of his great love
for the king, Ziba despised him.
4. Children of God, we ought to
imitate this man Mephibosheth.
·
Ought we not love King Jesus supremely?
·
Give up everything to him and for him.
·
Wait patiently for the King’s return.
·
Desire nothing but Christ himself.
V. Now, I want you to see one
more thing — ALL OF THIS WAS DONE FOR
MEPHIBOSHETH, BECAUSE OF A COVENANT MADE LONG BEFORE HE WAS BORN (1 Sam. 21:7).
When the King returned and finally destroyed all the sons of Saul
(seven of them), Mephibosheth was spared because of David’s love for Johnathan.
David loved Mephibosheth because of his relation to Johnathan and because of
the covenant he made with Johnathan.
2 Samuel 21:7 “But the king spared
Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath
that was between them, between David
and Jonathan the son of Saul.”
And, my dear brothers and
sisters in Christ, all that we have in Christ and all that we have experienced
of divine grace, has been given to us because of a covenant made between God
the Father and God the Son long before we were born. Mephibosheth did not
know anything about the covenant, but David did! God our Father loves
us and deals graciously with us because of Christ and our relation to him.
Indeed, he loves us as he loves his dear Son!
Application:
1. Is there in this house of
worship any Mephibosheth? Any poor, shameful, helpless sinner who needs mercy?
Come, throw yourself down at the feet of King Jesus and sue for mercy.
2. Children of God, let our
hearts be filled with love, adoration, praise, and thanksgiving for the
kindness of God which he has shown unto us for Christ’s sake. As David
fulfilled his covenant with Jonathan in Mephibosheth, so the Lord Jesus Christ,
our God and Savior, will fulfill all his covenant in
us (Rom.
(Rom
8:28-39) "And we know that all
things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose. (29) For whom he did foreknow, he also
did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might
be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom he did
predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified:
and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (31) What shall we then
say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
(32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how
shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (33) Who shall lay
any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
(34) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea
rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right
hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (35) Who shall
separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation,
or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
(36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed
all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37) Nay,
in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
(38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able
to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
AMEN.