Carried to The Table Part 1
2 Samuel 9:1-13
I want to thank that great storyteller Chuck Swindoll for the concept and inspiration for this message. In 2 Samuel, Chapter 9 is one of the greatest stories in the Old Testament about God’s mercy and his grace and how we receive it, and what it means when we do.
My prayer for us today is that we would see how we go from the desolate place we deserve to be to where God places us – by his grace. God’s grace comes to us while we are living in a dry, barren, and desolate land. God’s grace finds us right there, and then from that dry and desolate place, God carries us to the table of the Lord. And it is there that we can begin to live in the constant flow of God’s mercy and his grace.
In our illustration today in 2 Samuel 9:
KING DAVID - is actually a picture of God, the Father.
JONATHAN - is a picture of Jesus Christ,
and YOU AND I - are graphically pictured by the Bible character that best represents us
We are pictured by Mephibosheth - (fun name to say)
The name Mephibosheth means:
“to be ashamed”.
“to be put to shame” - even
“to breath out shame”
And the meaning of the name Mephibosheth should be our first clue as to why he is a picture of us. Mephibosheth is a picture of us receiving God’s unmerited and undeserved grace… that carries us to the Table of the Lord.
2 Samuel 9 takes place at the pinnacle of King David’s life. David had been crowned King over all of Israel in Chapter 5 – in Hebron – and then he immediately captured Jerusalem and made it the capital of Israel (which it still is today). And then David brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem, and in Chapter 7, God makes an unconditional covenant with David that his dynasty (his lineage) would rule forever, referring to the Messiah (the forever Ruler) that would come from the lineage of David.
Then in Chapter 8, David gains victory over all his enemies, and in Chapter 9, all is well in the City of God and in the Kingdom of Israel.
And that is where this picture of God’s incredible grace begins.
2 Samuel 9:1 (ESV)
1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
Look first at the word “kindness” – it is the key to the whole story.
The Hebrew word for kindness is HESED (also fun to say). It is translated as – Loyal Love – Gracious Love – Kindness – or Mercy.
But the word means more than our language can convey. HESED is the Hebrew word for God’s unconditional, steadfast, faithful love. A love that can never be earned and never be deserved and never be repaid. It’s the word for the love God pours out in his grace and mercy toward us.
But (unfortunately) grace and mercy are words that we hear often – maybe too often. So often that maybe we’ve become a little numb to the absolute immensity of their meaning. This story of Mephibosheth is a picture of God’s indescribable love shown in his grace and mercy toward us.
Remember – in this illustration
DAVID is a Picture of God the Father
and JONATHON is a picture of Jesus Christ
and SAUL (Israel’s 1st King) is a picture of the Kingdom of Man (Saul was Man’s choice to rule Man’s Kingdom)
So, read with me again, 2 Samuel 9, verse 1.
2 Samuel 9:1 (ESV)
1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
Is there anyone in the lowly, needy, miserable Kingdom of Saul that I can extend my mercy and grace to? And notice (very clearly) at the end of verse 1, King David says, “For Jonathan’s sake.”
NOT - "Is there anyone worthy?”
NOT – “Is there anyone we should rightfully acknowledge”
BUT - "Is there anyone that I can show MERCY and GRACE to - for Jonathan's sake?”
This is a picture of God the Father saying, “Is there anyone in the lowly, miserable Kingdom of Man that I can show my mercy and grace to – for Jesus’ sake?”
And what gives this the power is, at that time, there was an accepted and expected procedure for every new king. The first thing a new king would do when he came into power was to execute all of the heirs of the previous king. David rightly replaced the rule of Saul, and so the expected judgment on the heirs of Saul was death. It was assumed – expected – and anticipated.
It was expected. If there were heirs of the previous kings, there could be revolutions. Any of the heirs of the House of Man, represented by Saul, should be assuming, expecting, even anticipating judgment from the new King… that judgment is death.
And so, Saul had a son named Jonathan, and Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth. And when Saul and Jonathan and Saul’s other two sons were killed in battle, everyone knew a new king would be coming, and Mephibosheth would rightly deserve the judgment of the new king because of the “house of man” he belonged to (meaning Saul). That is one reason Mephibosheth is a picture of you and me.
But there is another reason. Years earlier, Mephibosheth had a nanny, and when that nanny heard the news about Saul being killed in battle, she tried to flee with Mephibosheth.
On the wall behind me is 2 Samuel 4, verse 4 that describes it.
2 Samuel 4:4 (ESV)
4 Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
Can you insert your name there?
The person who was to care for him . . . fled in haste, and he fell and became lame. And his name was _______." (Can we see ourselves?)
I wonder if you could say, the person who was supposed to care for me fled in haste, and I fell, and I became lame. And my name is “Dave.” (You insert your name there).
Not only is Mephibosheth destined for judgment, like we were, but now he’s even more like us. Because now – he’s been dropped, he’s been crippled, he’s been broken by the world he was born into.
And maybe this world we were born into, this “Kingdom of Man,” has somehow broken us – somehow crippled us. Maybe from decisions we have made. Maybe from the decisions of others that have left us crippled by no fault of our own.
If that is you today – GOD IS SEEKING YOU.
Broken, lame, and crippled – God has already prepared a way to carry you to his table.
There was already a way prepared for Mephibosheth, but Mephibosheth didn’t know it. Many years before, David had made a covenant with Jonathan. A covenant to show his unconditional and steadfast love to ANY member of the house of Jonathan. Just as God has made a covenant to show his unconditional and steadfast love to any member of the house of Jesus Christ.
I need you to know no matter where you’re at today, what God has for you, has nothing to do with you. It has nothing to do with you. You have not earned it, you cannot earn it. You do not deserve it, you cannot deserve it. And you’ll never repay it. What God has for you and all that he has for you is because of his covenant with his Son, Jesus Christ. You simply receive it. He simply carries you into it. But it’s not about you.
This covenant of mercy and grace is all between God the Father and Jesus Christ. We are only recipients of God’s mercy and grace because we belong to Jesus Christ. We are broken, crippled, and lame because of the kingdom of the world we live in. But God has made a covenant with Jesus Christ – for OUR sake.
And we will see it as we continue.
2 Samuel 9:2-3(A) (ESV)
2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.”
3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” . . .
There it is – “The Kindness of God” – HESED. That is the steadfast love of God’s mercy and grace.
Is there anyone in the Kingdom of Man that I may show the mercy and grace of the unfailing, unconditional, steadfast love of God to?
And the King says – is there someone in the house of Saul that I can show God’s mercy and grace to?
And Ziba is going to respond – but you can almost hear the hesitation in his voice along with some “subtle” counsel.
2 Samuel 9:3(B) (ESV)
3 . . . Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.”
Can’t you feel Ziba kind of stumbling over his words? “Well… Yeah… There is one guy… but you know, he’s not too kingly – I’m not sure he would fit in the Royal court. What I’m trying to say is… he’s … crippled. Something has happened to him – in the world he lives in. Someone – dropped him – and he’s broken… he’s kind of a mess.”
But notice the King’s response very clearly.
2 Samuel 9:4(A) (ESV)
4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” . . .
King David doesn’t stop for one second – doesn’t hesitate one moment.
"The king said to him, 'Where is he?’”
“I didn’t ask you how he was. I didn’t ask you what condition he was in. I didn’t ask you if he was worthy. I asked you if he exists – because I am seeking him… where is he?”
2 Samuel 9:4(B) (ESV)
4 . . . And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.”
Mephibosheth is alone, crippled, broken and he’s living in a place called Lo-debar. Just the name sounds depressing. Lo-debar. It is depressing – In Hebrew the word means “no pasture” – “no life.” It refers to a barren – lonely – isolated place.
And Mephibosheth is living there, broken, crippled and separated from everything that is good. And WE may be as well – living in that place of “no pasture.” Living broken and isolated… and alone.
Why is Mephibosheth there? Maybe for the same reason we are.
Though the King has made a way to carry us to his table, maybe we instead have chosen to live lame – isolated – desolate in a place of no pasture. Maybe because we really think that if we were to come to the King just as we are that we would get just what we deserve.
So, instead of trusting the mercy and grace of the King, we stay crippled and isolated in our desolate place. We hold on to the baggage. We hold on to the pain. We hold on to the damage, and we just learn to cope. We just learn to get by. We have mechanisms to keep us living in Lo-debar. “Yeah, I’m pretty messed up, but I get by.”
But that is not good enough for King David, and it is not good enough for King JESUS. And so, King David seeks out Mephibosheth, and King JESUS – seeks out you so that he can pour out on your life the steadfast love of his mercy and his grace.
Maybe you think you’ve learned to live with your broken and crippled heart. But God is seeking you to FREELY give you his steadfast and unconditional love. God doesn’t want to leave you in Lo-debar – he wants to carry you to his table.
We read in 2 Samuel 9, verse 5:
2 Samuel 9:5 (ESV)
5 Then King David sent and brought him (insert your name here) from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.
King David sent to Lo-debar and said, “bring me that broken one. Bring me that one that life has crippled, that life has made lame. You bring him here.”
At this point, Mephibosheth is most likely saying to himself: "Well, it's my time - - It's time to receive what I'm due. I've hid out long enough - - I've covered up long enough. I've been isolated and desolate long enough. The king has called me - - It's time to face the judgment."
He knew this is what he deserved, and there was no avoiding it.
And so, we read in 2 Samuel 9, verse 6:
2 Samuel 9:6 (ESV)
6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage (deep respect). And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.”
Finally, Mephibosheth is brought before the king, and this crippled, broken man, falls on his face before the king expecting what he deserves.
But then something happens. The greatest King of Israel, who had every right to bring judgment against Mephibosheth, instead – says the same words to Mephibosheth that God the Father wants to say to YOU!!
You’re broken. You’ve been living in isolation in a desolate place, covering up your own pain. And the King has called you to the throne room, and you think it’s for judgment, but God says to you what David says to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9, verse 7.
2 Samuel 9:7(A) (ESV)
7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness . . .
HESED – Mercy, Grace – Faithful, Unconditional Love
“I brought you here for a reason, just as you are, from just where you were, I brought you here not to judge you. But to pour out mercy and grace upon you. That’s why you’re here. Do not fear. I'm not going to give you what you deserve. I'm going to give you what you don't deserve. I'm going to give you Mercy and Grace. I'm going to give you my steadfast and faithful love.”
And Mephibosheth would say, “Why, King David, why would you do that to me?” and we ourselves would cry out, “Why, God, why? Why would you do this for me?”
David says to Mephibosheth,
2 Samuel 9:7(B) (ESV)
7 . . . for the sake of your father Jonathan . . .
Yeah, Mephibosheth, you’re a wreck. You are crippled. Lame. You’ve been hiding out in a desolate place. But for the sake of Jonathan, I’m going to pour out great mercy and grace upon you.
And God says to you – this is not because you’ve earned, or deserved, or could ever repay it. I am going to pour out my mercy and grace and love on you for the SAKE of my Son, Jesus Christ.
This is the story of the entire Bible. That we are Mephibosheth, and God is seeking us in a desolate and isolated place, wounded as we are, with the wounds of living in this world, and he wants to say to us – I want to pour out HESED – mercy and grace and the unfailing love that I have on you – not because of you. You didn’t earn it. It’s for the sake of my Son Jesus, I’m going to pour it out on you.
THAT’S the picture we see. God does not give us what we rightfully deserve but instead gives us what we could never deserve for the sake of the covenant that has been accomplished through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is for the sake of his Son, Jesus.
And if you and I will come, crippled and broken as we are, falling on our face before God, then we will receive not the judgment that we deserve. But instead, mercy, grace, and the never-ending love of the God of the Universe who has become – himself – the only way possible for you to be saved instead of judged.
So, why are we still living in Lo-debar? Why are we still living there? Why are we holding on? Why are we still living in that crippled, lame, isolated, and desolate place when God is seeking us to pour out his steadfast love on us? What part of this story do we not get?
And incredibly, the King is just getting started. Because now that mercy has been given (that’s Mephibosheth not getting the judgment he deserves), now the grace begins (which is Mephibosheth getting what he does not deserve).
2 Samuel 9:7(C) (ESV)
7 . . . and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father . . .
I’m sure Mephibosheth is still face-down, still struggling to accept that he’s just been spared from judgment. Now he hears the King say, I am going to make you a joint heir of my kingdom. The land that was Saul’s is now the land of King David, and so the King is sharing his kingdom with Mephibosheth.
There was no sense to this – no logic. There is only one reason this is happening… for the sake of the covenant the King made with Jonathan – which is the only reason that you and I can become joint heirs of the Kingdom of God.
But the grace just keeps on coming. At the end of verse 7, King David says to the damaged, crippled, lame Mephibosheth whose name means “to breath out shame” and who’s been living in that desolate and isolated place:
2 Samuel 9:7(D) (ESV)
7 . . . and you shall eat at my table always.”
Mephibosheth’s head is spinning – he’s mumbling to himself, “What, oh King, are you talking about? I deserve only judgment, and instead you are making me a joint heir to your Kingdom, and not only that, but you are going to have me eat at your table – always?”
There is no way Mephibosheth could begin to grasp all that is going on here, and if we would better grasp God’s grace in our own lives, we would feel the same way, and we would never again look down on another person or judge another person.
Instead, we would have the same response Mephibosheth had when he could finally get the courage to speak to the King.
2 Samuel 9:8 (ESV)
8 And he (Mephibosheth) paid homage (he bowed low) and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
Mephibosheth says to King David what we should say on a regular basis to God. "Who am I, God, that you would sacrifice so much - that you would sacrifice the life of your own son for me not just to give me Eternal Life - but to make me a joint heir of the Kingdom – WITH Your Son and not only make me a joint heir but Carry me – to your Banqueting Table? Who am I, God? - - Who am I - that You would do that for me?"
Guys, we don’t grasp how great God’s grace is toward us, and that’s what makes us think much more highly of ourselves than we should.
We are crippled, lame, and hiding in a desolate place called Lo-debar, and when we begin to understand God’s amazing grace, we say with Mephibosheth… “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
But King David doesn’t respond to Mephibosheth’s correct description of himself.
Instead, in 2 Samuel 9, verses 9-10:
2 Samuel 9:9–10 (ESV)
9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson.
10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat (meaning ‘household’). But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
Suddenly, this crippled, lame, desolate placed Mephibosheth is sharing in the Kingdom of Israel’s greatest King, with thirty-five servants to care for all the grace that’s been given to him. But the dead dog comment proves Mephibosheth knows he doesn’t deserve it, hasn’t earned it, and can never repay it.
But the king has poured it all out on him… for the sake of the covenant the King made with Jonathan.
And God pours out his steadfast love upon our lives through his mercy and grace because of the Covenant of Grace that we become part of through faith in Jesus Christ.
So, then we read in 2 Samuel 9, verse 11:
2 Samuel 9:11 (ESV)
11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons.
Wait a minute!!!
We knew Mephibosheth received MERCY instead of JUDGMENT
We knew he was SHARING in the Kingdom of David
We knew he was given thirty-five SERVANTS to care for him
We knew he was going to EAT ALWAYS at the King’s Table.
But – look again – at the end of verse 11: “‘Mephibosheth will eat at David's table, like one of the king's sons.’"
When does this end? How much more can God give you than to make you a full-fledged adopted son or daughter?
Mephibosheth is saying… “But, But . . . I'm undeserving; I'm crippled - I'm carrying baggage – I have scars from this life I can't even walk on my own. And I come from a desolate place. And You, God, are going to make me an adopted son?"
"Why, God?" . . .
"For the sake of MY Son Jesus Christ," God says.
There’s no greater grace – no greater love than God making a dead dog a joint heir to his Kingdom.
Finally, in 2 Samuel 9, verses 12-13:
2 Samuel 9:12-13 (ESV)
12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba’s house became Mephibosheth’s servants.
13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem (the city of God), for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.
But wait (again) God… Why would you leave him lame? Why would you leave him with the baggage and with the scars? Why wouldn’t you just make him perfect? And whole? Maybe to remind you – and others – of the Grace of God at work in your life.
Paul says it this way.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
9 [The Lord] said to me, “My GRACE is sufficient for you, for my POWER is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
What this world has done to you, listen to me, please, God wants to use to bring him glory. He didn’t make “Stepford ‘Christians’” if you remember the movie. He didn’t make robots. Every one of us, broken, lame, dysfunctional, God wants to use for his glory, and he seeks us out, and he says – I want you just as you are! And I’m going to carry you to my table because you can’t even walk there. That’s the love of God!
After all the incredible, indescribable mercy and grace that was showered on Mephibosheth, the last words are Now he was lame in both his feet.
Now, there’s just one more picture I want to paint for you. In the paragraph just before our story, in 2 Samuel 8:15, there is a list of King David’s dignitaries.
These are the top officials in David’s Kingdom, and if there were the most formal and great banquet, these are the dignitaries who would be there. Can you see – the greatest banqueting hall – in the palace of the King, prepared for a full-dress formal banquet and the entourages begin to arrive. One by one, the dignitaries would emerge, and they would be escorted into the grand dining room to dine with the King.
In 2 Samuel 8:16 is the first Dignitary listed.
JOAB – who was commander of the army
Joab would come in first - walking proud and sharp. He would be in command and control - in full dress uniform.
Next in Verse 16 is - JEHOSHAPHAT - the recorder.
He was the Official Historian - He would come in with pen and scroll – to record all that would happen during the Banquet.
Next, in Verse 17, ZADOK and ABIATHAR – the priests.
Arriving in full dress garb - Everything about them - righteous and proper. They would quickly and easily judge every person in the room (That's what priests tend to do)
Verse 17 continues, "SERAIAH was the scribe."
Not only the priests but the scribe. The most learned and astute – He knew the Law by Memory – He may’ve been copying the Torah that day.
Verse 18 - BENAIAH – who was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites.
These were the elite guard of David's army. They were the CIA and the Special Forces. Benaiah was in charge of security – and he was about to get very concerned.
Finally, Verse 18 says David's sons were priests.
The way the word is used, it may be referring to Chief Ministers or Leaders. But they were there – PROUD to be the King’s SONS.
All those of the highest honor are now in place. But they’re not sitting – Because they’re waiting for King David to sit.
Finally, King David himself would enter the room with all of the pomp and circumstance that was right for the greatest king of Israel. But… King David is still standing, and so everyone else is still standing. Something seems wrong – everything is in place, but the King is not sitting down, and while the dignitaries are waiting – quietly and patiently – they hear an unusual sound coming down the hallway.
It sounds like something's dragging down the hall - It seems out of place.
Shhhh . . . Bump - - Shhh . . . Bump
Finally, BOTH doors open, and in comes Mephibosheth. He wants to walk, but he can’t because the world he’s lived in has made him lame. He’s dragging his feet, and he’s being carried, and he is there – wholly and completely – by grace.
And every dignitary – who’s earned their position – watches in awe as Mephibosheth is carried to the table.
Not King David, not the priests, not the scribe, not the dignitaries – Mephibosheth sits down first. And when he sits down, the tablecloth of the King covers his feet. He’s still carrying the scars of his life, but you can’t see it because the Table of the King – is covering his pain. Most incredibly – Mephibosheth sits not as a guest at the king’s table – but as a son, and the table of the Lord covers not only his infirmities but also his past.
And now that Mephibosheth has taken his place, the banquet can begin.
If you will allow God to carry you to the table, then his table will cover over (in the Old Testament, the word is ATONE FOR) your infirmities. And you’ll sit as a son or a daughter. Not deserving, not earning, but because of what Romans 8, verse 15 says.
Romans 8:15 (ESV)
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Once we sit at the king’s table, not because we’re worthy, but because of his mercy and grace and for the sake of his Son – then the banquet can begin. That’s how full of grace our God is.
Have you recognized your true position? And have you cried out to God to carry you to the table? Have you acknowledged that you are broken, crippled, lame, and living in a desolate and barren place?
And God has sought you out, and he desires to carry you to his table. And if you will allow him to, he will pour out HESED, mercy and grace and unfailing, steadfast love on you, and he will make you a joint heir of the King, and he will adopt you as a full son or daughter with all of those privileges.
Have you recognized where you are and said, “God, here I am. Just as I am. I will come to you and fall on my face before you, trusting in your mercy, your grace, and your incredible unconditional love.”
I want to give you a chance to do that now. If you come before the Lord today and bow before him, he will not give you what you deserve. He will give you the mercy and grace that you need.
We’re going to play a song written for this exact text, and I’m going to ask you to come here to the cross with me and surrender your life completely to the greatest King of Kings – Jesus Christ – who will pour out the mercy and grace of God that you so badly need. He will make you a son or daughter of the Heavenly Father, and he will carry you to the table of the Lord.
Let’s pray. Lord, Jesus, give us the strength to be broken before you. Give us the strength to come just as we are, trusting you to forgive, to cleanse, to clothe us in your righteousness so that we could sit at your table with you.
Come to the cross. Lay all that stuff down right here. Everything that has kept you isolated and in that desolate place, you lay it down before the throne.
Lord, cover our sins. Cover our brokenness. We trust you, God. We pray, Lord, that you would forgive us, that you would restore us to you. Lord, we deserve judgment, but we pray for your mercy, Lord. That you would forgive us, that you would draw us close to you, Lord.
If there’s anyone out there that needs to be here before the cross… would you just come and kneel before the Lord? Let him cover you.
We trust you, Lord, we trust you, God. Thank you for your forgiveness, for your mercy, Lord. And for your grace, God. You carry us, Lord. You carry us. Thank you, Jesus.
Just continue to pray, and get real with God. All that stuff that you’ve hidden, that’s been bogging you down, lay it down and surrender it to the Lord. Let him have it. Receive his mercy in its place. Receive his grace in its place. And his forgiveness. Cry out to him. Speak to him and say, Lord, save me today! Seat me at your table! Cover my shame, my sin, and my pain. This is your time right now. You pray. Lord, meet us here as we wait on you, Lord. Meet us here. Lord, you carry us.
If you’re here today and you’ve never formally surrendered your life to Jesus, just do that right now, and say, “Lord Jesus, you are King. You are Lord. I lay down my life completely to you, Lord. All that I am and all that I’m not. All that I’ve been through, all that I carry, I just surrender it all to you, Lord, and say, Lord, make me a son or a daughter. Lord, make a place at your table for me, Lord, and be glorified in my life. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit and give me the power to be a testimony of your grace, in your name Jesus, we pray, amen.”
My prayer for us today is that we would see how we go from the desolate place we deserve to be to where God places us – by his grace. God’s grace comes to us while we are living in a dry, barren, and desolate land. God’s grace finds us right there, and then from that dry and desolate place, God carries us to the table of the Lord. And it is there that we can begin to live in the constant flow of God’s mercy and his grace.
In our illustration today in 2 Samuel 9:
KING DAVID - is actually a picture of God, the Father.
JONATHAN - is a picture of Jesus Christ,
and YOU AND I - are graphically pictured by the Bible character that best represents us
We are pictured by Mephibosheth - (fun name to say)
The name Mephibosheth means:
“to be ashamed”.
“to be put to shame” - even
“to breath out shame”
And the meaning of the name Mephibosheth should be our first clue as to why he is a picture of us. Mephibosheth is a picture of us receiving God’s unmerited and undeserved grace… that carries us to the Table of the Lord.
2 Samuel 9 takes place at the pinnacle of King David’s life. David had been crowned King over all of Israel in Chapter 5 – in Hebron – and then he immediately captured Jerusalem and made it the capital of Israel (which it still is today). And then David brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem, and in Chapter 7, God makes an unconditional covenant with David that his dynasty (his lineage) would rule forever, referring to the Messiah (the forever Ruler) that would come from the lineage of David.
Then in Chapter 8, David gains victory over all his enemies, and in Chapter 9, all is well in the City of God and in the Kingdom of Israel.
And that is where this picture of God’s incredible grace begins.
2 Samuel 9:1 (ESV)
1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
Look first at the word “kindness” – it is the key to the whole story.
The Hebrew word for kindness is HESED (also fun to say). It is translated as – Loyal Love – Gracious Love – Kindness – or Mercy.
But the word means more than our language can convey. HESED is the Hebrew word for God’s unconditional, steadfast, faithful love. A love that can never be earned and never be deserved and never be repaid. It’s the word for the love God pours out in his grace and mercy toward us.
But (unfortunately) grace and mercy are words that we hear often – maybe too often. So often that maybe we’ve become a little numb to the absolute immensity of their meaning. This story of Mephibosheth is a picture of God’s indescribable love shown in his grace and mercy toward us.
Remember – in this illustration
DAVID is a Picture of God the Father
and JONATHON is a picture of Jesus Christ
and SAUL (Israel’s 1st King) is a picture of the Kingdom of Man (Saul was Man’s choice to rule Man’s Kingdom)
So, read with me again, 2 Samuel 9, verse 1.
2 Samuel 9:1 (ESV)
1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
Is there anyone in the lowly, needy, miserable Kingdom of Saul that I can extend my mercy and grace to? And notice (very clearly) at the end of verse 1, King David says, “For Jonathan’s sake.”
NOT - "Is there anyone worthy?”
NOT – “Is there anyone we should rightfully acknowledge”
BUT - "Is there anyone that I can show MERCY and GRACE to - for Jonathan's sake?”
This is a picture of God the Father saying, “Is there anyone in the lowly, miserable Kingdom of Man that I can show my mercy and grace to – for Jesus’ sake?”
And what gives this the power is, at that time, there was an accepted and expected procedure for every new king. The first thing a new king would do when he came into power was to execute all of the heirs of the previous king. David rightly replaced the rule of Saul, and so the expected judgment on the heirs of Saul was death. It was assumed – expected – and anticipated.
It was expected. If there were heirs of the previous kings, there could be revolutions. Any of the heirs of the House of Man, represented by Saul, should be assuming, expecting, even anticipating judgment from the new King… that judgment is death.
And so, Saul had a son named Jonathan, and Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth. And when Saul and Jonathan and Saul’s other two sons were killed in battle, everyone knew a new king would be coming, and Mephibosheth would rightly deserve the judgment of the new king because of the “house of man” he belonged to (meaning Saul). That is one reason Mephibosheth is a picture of you and me.
But there is another reason. Years earlier, Mephibosheth had a nanny, and when that nanny heard the news about Saul being killed in battle, she tried to flee with Mephibosheth.
On the wall behind me is 2 Samuel 4, verse 4 that describes it.
2 Samuel 4:4 (ESV)
4 Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
Can you insert your name there?
The person who was to care for him . . . fled in haste, and he fell and became lame. And his name was _______." (Can we see ourselves?)
I wonder if you could say, the person who was supposed to care for me fled in haste, and I fell, and I became lame. And my name is “Dave.” (You insert your name there).
Not only is Mephibosheth destined for judgment, like we were, but now he’s even more like us. Because now – he’s been dropped, he’s been crippled, he’s been broken by the world he was born into.
And maybe this world we were born into, this “Kingdom of Man,” has somehow broken us – somehow crippled us. Maybe from decisions we have made. Maybe from the decisions of others that have left us crippled by no fault of our own.
If that is you today – GOD IS SEEKING YOU.
Broken, lame, and crippled – God has already prepared a way to carry you to his table.
There was already a way prepared for Mephibosheth, but Mephibosheth didn’t know it. Many years before, David had made a covenant with Jonathan. A covenant to show his unconditional and steadfast love to ANY member of the house of Jonathan. Just as God has made a covenant to show his unconditional and steadfast love to any member of the house of Jesus Christ.
I need you to know no matter where you’re at today, what God has for you, has nothing to do with you. It has nothing to do with you. You have not earned it, you cannot earn it. You do not deserve it, you cannot deserve it. And you’ll never repay it. What God has for you and all that he has for you is because of his covenant with his Son, Jesus Christ. You simply receive it. He simply carries you into it. But it’s not about you.
This covenant of mercy and grace is all between God the Father and Jesus Christ. We are only recipients of God’s mercy and grace because we belong to Jesus Christ. We are broken, crippled, and lame because of the kingdom of the world we live in. But God has made a covenant with Jesus Christ – for OUR sake.
And we will see it as we continue.
2 Samuel 9:2-3(A) (ESV)
2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.”
3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” . . .
There it is – “The Kindness of God” – HESED. That is the steadfast love of God’s mercy and grace.
Is there anyone in the Kingdom of Man that I may show the mercy and grace of the unfailing, unconditional, steadfast love of God to?
And the King says – is there someone in the house of Saul that I can show God’s mercy and grace to?
And Ziba is going to respond – but you can almost hear the hesitation in his voice along with some “subtle” counsel.
2 Samuel 9:3(B) (ESV)
3 . . . Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.”
Can’t you feel Ziba kind of stumbling over his words? “Well… Yeah… There is one guy… but you know, he’s not too kingly – I’m not sure he would fit in the Royal court. What I’m trying to say is… he’s … crippled. Something has happened to him – in the world he lives in. Someone – dropped him – and he’s broken… he’s kind of a mess.”
But notice the King’s response very clearly.
2 Samuel 9:4(A) (ESV)
4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” . . .
King David doesn’t stop for one second – doesn’t hesitate one moment.
"The king said to him, 'Where is he?’”
“I didn’t ask you how he was. I didn’t ask you what condition he was in. I didn’t ask you if he was worthy. I asked you if he exists – because I am seeking him… where is he?”
2 Samuel 9:4(B) (ESV)
4 . . . And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.”
Mephibosheth is alone, crippled, broken and he’s living in a place called Lo-debar. Just the name sounds depressing. Lo-debar. It is depressing – In Hebrew the word means “no pasture” – “no life.” It refers to a barren – lonely – isolated place.
And Mephibosheth is living there, broken, crippled and separated from everything that is good. And WE may be as well – living in that place of “no pasture.” Living broken and isolated… and alone.
Why is Mephibosheth there? Maybe for the same reason we are.
Though the King has made a way to carry us to his table, maybe we instead have chosen to live lame – isolated – desolate in a place of no pasture. Maybe because we really think that if we were to come to the King just as we are that we would get just what we deserve.
So, instead of trusting the mercy and grace of the King, we stay crippled and isolated in our desolate place. We hold on to the baggage. We hold on to the pain. We hold on to the damage, and we just learn to cope. We just learn to get by. We have mechanisms to keep us living in Lo-debar. “Yeah, I’m pretty messed up, but I get by.”
But that is not good enough for King David, and it is not good enough for King JESUS. And so, King David seeks out Mephibosheth, and King JESUS – seeks out you so that he can pour out on your life the steadfast love of his mercy and his grace.
Maybe you think you’ve learned to live with your broken and crippled heart. But God is seeking you to FREELY give you his steadfast and unconditional love. God doesn’t want to leave you in Lo-debar – he wants to carry you to his table.
We read in 2 Samuel 9, verse 5:
2 Samuel 9:5 (ESV)
5 Then King David sent and brought him (insert your name here) from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.
King David sent to Lo-debar and said, “bring me that broken one. Bring me that one that life has crippled, that life has made lame. You bring him here.”
At this point, Mephibosheth is most likely saying to himself: "Well, it's my time - - It's time to receive what I'm due. I've hid out long enough - - I've covered up long enough. I've been isolated and desolate long enough. The king has called me - - It's time to face the judgment."
He knew this is what he deserved, and there was no avoiding it.
And so, we read in 2 Samuel 9, verse 6:
2 Samuel 9:6 (ESV)
6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage (deep respect). And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.”
Finally, Mephibosheth is brought before the king, and this crippled, broken man, falls on his face before the king expecting what he deserves.
But then something happens. The greatest King of Israel, who had every right to bring judgment against Mephibosheth, instead – says the same words to Mephibosheth that God the Father wants to say to YOU!!
You’re broken. You’ve been living in isolation in a desolate place, covering up your own pain. And the King has called you to the throne room, and you think it’s for judgment, but God says to you what David says to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9, verse 7.
2 Samuel 9:7(A) (ESV)
7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness . . .
HESED – Mercy, Grace – Faithful, Unconditional Love
“I brought you here for a reason, just as you are, from just where you were, I brought you here not to judge you. But to pour out mercy and grace upon you. That’s why you’re here. Do not fear. I'm not going to give you what you deserve. I'm going to give you what you don't deserve. I'm going to give you Mercy and Grace. I'm going to give you my steadfast and faithful love.”
And Mephibosheth would say, “Why, King David, why would you do that to me?” and we ourselves would cry out, “Why, God, why? Why would you do this for me?”
David says to Mephibosheth,
2 Samuel 9:7(B) (ESV)
7 . . . for the sake of your father Jonathan . . .
Yeah, Mephibosheth, you’re a wreck. You are crippled. Lame. You’ve been hiding out in a desolate place. But for the sake of Jonathan, I’m going to pour out great mercy and grace upon you.
And God says to you – this is not because you’ve earned, or deserved, or could ever repay it. I am going to pour out my mercy and grace and love on you for the SAKE of my Son, Jesus Christ.
This is the story of the entire Bible. That we are Mephibosheth, and God is seeking us in a desolate and isolated place, wounded as we are, with the wounds of living in this world, and he wants to say to us – I want to pour out HESED – mercy and grace and the unfailing love that I have on you – not because of you. You didn’t earn it. It’s for the sake of my Son Jesus, I’m going to pour it out on you.
THAT’S the picture we see. God does not give us what we rightfully deserve but instead gives us what we could never deserve for the sake of the covenant that has been accomplished through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is for the sake of his Son, Jesus.
And if you and I will come, crippled and broken as we are, falling on our face before God, then we will receive not the judgment that we deserve. But instead, mercy, grace, and the never-ending love of the God of the Universe who has become – himself – the only way possible for you to be saved instead of judged.
So, why are we still living in Lo-debar? Why are we still living there? Why are we holding on? Why are we still living in that crippled, lame, isolated, and desolate place when God is seeking us to pour out his steadfast love on us? What part of this story do we not get?
And incredibly, the King is just getting started. Because now that mercy has been given (that’s Mephibosheth not getting the judgment he deserves), now the grace begins (which is Mephibosheth getting what he does not deserve).
2 Samuel 9:7(C) (ESV)
7 . . . and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father . . .
I’m sure Mephibosheth is still face-down, still struggling to accept that he’s just been spared from judgment. Now he hears the King say, I am going to make you a joint heir of my kingdom. The land that was Saul’s is now the land of King David, and so the King is sharing his kingdom with Mephibosheth.
There was no sense to this – no logic. There is only one reason this is happening… for the sake of the covenant the King made with Jonathan – which is the only reason that you and I can become joint heirs of the Kingdom of God.
But the grace just keeps on coming. At the end of verse 7, King David says to the damaged, crippled, lame Mephibosheth whose name means “to breath out shame” and who’s been living in that desolate and isolated place:
2 Samuel 9:7(D) (ESV)
7 . . . and you shall eat at my table always.”
Mephibosheth’s head is spinning – he’s mumbling to himself, “What, oh King, are you talking about? I deserve only judgment, and instead you are making me a joint heir to your Kingdom, and not only that, but you are going to have me eat at your table – always?”
There is no way Mephibosheth could begin to grasp all that is going on here, and if we would better grasp God’s grace in our own lives, we would feel the same way, and we would never again look down on another person or judge another person.
Instead, we would have the same response Mephibosheth had when he could finally get the courage to speak to the King.
2 Samuel 9:8 (ESV)
8 And he (Mephibosheth) paid homage (he bowed low) and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
Mephibosheth says to King David what we should say on a regular basis to God. "Who am I, God, that you would sacrifice so much - that you would sacrifice the life of your own son for me not just to give me Eternal Life - but to make me a joint heir of the Kingdom – WITH Your Son and not only make me a joint heir but Carry me – to your Banqueting Table? Who am I, God? - - Who am I - that You would do that for me?"
Guys, we don’t grasp how great God’s grace is toward us, and that’s what makes us think much more highly of ourselves than we should.
We are crippled, lame, and hiding in a desolate place called Lo-debar, and when we begin to understand God’s amazing grace, we say with Mephibosheth… “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
But King David doesn’t respond to Mephibosheth’s correct description of himself.
Instead, in 2 Samuel 9, verses 9-10:
2 Samuel 9:9–10 (ESV)
9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson.
10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat (meaning ‘household’). But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
Suddenly, this crippled, lame, desolate placed Mephibosheth is sharing in the Kingdom of Israel’s greatest King, with thirty-five servants to care for all the grace that’s been given to him. But the dead dog comment proves Mephibosheth knows he doesn’t deserve it, hasn’t earned it, and can never repay it.
But the king has poured it all out on him… for the sake of the covenant the King made with Jonathan.
And God pours out his steadfast love upon our lives through his mercy and grace because of the Covenant of Grace that we become part of through faith in Jesus Christ.
So, then we read in 2 Samuel 9, verse 11:
2 Samuel 9:11 (ESV)
11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons.
Wait a minute!!!
We knew Mephibosheth received MERCY instead of JUDGMENT
We knew he was SHARING in the Kingdom of David
We knew he was given thirty-five SERVANTS to care for him
We knew he was going to EAT ALWAYS at the King’s Table.
But – look again – at the end of verse 11: “‘Mephibosheth will eat at David's table, like one of the king's sons.’"
When does this end? How much more can God give you than to make you a full-fledged adopted son or daughter?
Mephibosheth is saying… “But, But . . . I'm undeserving; I'm crippled - I'm carrying baggage – I have scars from this life I can't even walk on my own. And I come from a desolate place. And You, God, are going to make me an adopted son?"
"Why, God?" . . .
"For the sake of MY Son Jesus Christ," God says.
There’s no greater grace – no greater love than God making a dead dog a joint heir to his Kingdom.
Finally, in 2 Samuel 9, verses 12-13:
2 Samuel 9:12-13 (ESV)
12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba’s house became Mephibosheth’s servants.
13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem (the city of God), for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.
But wait (again) God… Why would you leave him lame? Why would you leave him with the baggage and with the scars? Why wouldn’t you just make him perfect? And whole? Maybe to remind you – and others – of the Grace of God at work in your life.
Paul says it this way.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
9 [The Lord] said to me, “My GRACE is sufficient for you, for my POWER is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
What this world has done to you, listen to me, please, God wants to use to bring him glory. He didn’t make “Stepford ‘Christians’” if you remember the movie. He didn’t make robots. Every one of us, broken, lame, dysfunctional, God wants to use for his glory, and he seeks us out, and he says – I want you just as you are! And I’m going to carry you to my table because you can’t even walk there. That’s the love of God!
After all the incredible, indescribable mercy and grace that was showered on Mephibosheth, the last words are Now he was lame in both his feet.
Now, there’s just one more picture I want to paint for you. In the paragraph just before our story, in 2 Samuel 8:15, there is a list of King David’s dignitaries.
These are the top officials in David’s Kingdom, and if there were the most formal and great banquet, these are the dignitaries who would be there. Can you see – the greatest banqueting hall – in the palace of the King, prepared for a full-dress formal banquet and the entourages begin to arrive. One by one, the dignitaries would emerge, and they would be escorted into the grand dining room to dine with the King.
In 2 Samuel 8:16 is the first Dignitary listed.
JOAB – who was commander of the army
Joab would come in first - walking proud and sharp. He would be in command and control - in full dress uniform.
Next in Verse 16 is - JEHOSHAPHAT - the recorder.
He was the Official Historian - He would come in with pen and scroll – to record all that would happen during the Banquet.
Next, in Verse 17, ZADOK and ABIATHAR – the priests.
Arriving in full dress garb - Everything about them - righteous and proper. They would quickly and easily judge every person in the room (That's what priests tend to do)
Verse 17 continues, "SERAIAH was the scribe."
Not only the priests but the scribe. The most learned and astute – He knew the Law by Memory – He may’ve been copying the Torah that day.
Verse 18 - BENAIAH – who was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites.
These were the elite guard of David's army. They were the CIA and the Special Forces. Benaiah was in charge of security – and he was about to get very concerned.
Finally, Verse 18 says David's sons were priests.
The way the word is used, it may be referring to Chief Ministers or Leaders. But they were there – PROUD to be the King’s SONS.
All those of the highest honor are now in place. But they’re not sitting – Because they’re waiting for King David to sit.
Finally, King David himself would enter the room with all of the pomp and circumstance that was right for the greatest king of Israel. But… King David is still standing, and so everyone else is still standing. Something seems wrong – everything is in place, but the King is not sitting down, and while the dignitaries are waiting – quietly and patiently – they hear an unusual sound coming down the hallway.
It sounds like something's dragging down the hall - It seems out of place.
Shhhh . . . Bump - - Shhh . . . Bump
Finally, BOTH doors open, and in comes Mephibosheth. He wants to walk, but he can’t because the world he’s lived in has made him lame. He’s dragging his feet, and he’s being carried, and he is there – wholly and completely – by grace.
And every dignitary – who’s earned their position – watches in awe as Mephibosheth is carried to the table.
Not King David, not the priests, not the scribe, not the dignitaries – Mephibosheth sits down first. And when he sits down, the tablecloth of the King covers his feet. He’s still carrying the scars of his life, but you can’t see it because the Table of the King – is covering his pain. Most incredibly – Mephibosheth sits not as a guest at the king’s table – but as a son, and the table of the Lord covers not only his infirmities but also his past.
And now that Mephibosheth has taken his place, the banquet can begin.
If you will allow God to carry you to the table, then his table will cover over (in the Old Testament, the word is ATONE FOR) your infirmities. And you’ll sit as a son or a daughter. Not deserving, not earning, but because of what Romans 8, verse 15 says.
Romans 8:15 (ESV)
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Once we sit at the king’s table, not because we’re worthy, but because of his mercy and grace and for the sake of his Son – then the banquet can begin. That’s how full of grace our God is.
Have you recognized your true position? And have you cried out to God to carry you to the table? Have you acknowledged that you are broken, crippled, lame, and living in a desolate and barren place?
And God has sought you out, and he desires to carry you to his table. And if you will allow him to, he will pour out HESED, mercy and grace and unfailing, steadfast love on you, and he will make you a joint heir of the King, and he will adopt you as a full son or daughter with all of those privileges.
Have you recognized where you are and said, “God, here I am. Just as I am. I will come to you and fall on my face before you, trusting in your mercy, your grace, and your incredible unconditional love.”
I want to give you a chance to do that now. If you come before the Lord today and bow before him, he will not give you what you deserve. He will give you the mercy and grace that you need.
We’re going to play a song written for this exact text, and I’m going to ask you to come here to the cross with me and surrender your life completely to the greatest King of Kings – Jesus Christ – who will pour out the mercy and grace of God that you so badly need. He will make you a son or daughter of the Heavenly Father, and he will carry you to the table of the Lord.
Let’s pray. Lord, Jesus, give us the strength to be broken before you. Give us the strength to come just as we are, trusting you to forgive, to cleanse, to clothe us in your righteousness so that we could sit at your table with you.
Come to the cross. Lay all that stuff down right here. Everything that has kept you isolated and in that desolate place, you lay it down before the throne.
Lord, cover our sins. Cover our brokenness. We trust you, God. We pray, Lord, that you would forgive us, that you would restore us to you. Lord, we deserve judgment, but we pray for your mercy, Lord. That you would forgive us, that you would draw us close to you, Lord.
If there’s anyone out there that needs to be here before the cross… would you just come and kneel before the Lord? Let him cover you.
We trust you, Lord, we trust you, God. Thank you for your forgiveness, for your mercy, Lord. And for your grace, God. You carry us, Lord. You carry us. Thank you, Jesus.
Just continue to pray, and get real with God. All that stuff that you’ve hidden, that’s been bogging you down, lay it down and surrender it to the Lord. Let him have it. Receive his mercy in its place. Receive his grace in its place. And his forgiveness. Cry out to him. Speak to him and say, Lord, save me today! Seat me at your table! Cover my shame, my sin, and my pain. This is your time right now. You pray. Lord, meet us here as we wait on you, Lord. Meet us here. Lord, you carry us.
If you’re here today and you’ve never formally surrendered your life to Jesus, just do that right now, and say, “Lord Jesus, you are King. You are Lord. I lay down my life completely to you, Lord. All that I am and all that I’m not. All that I’ve been through, all that I carry, I just surrender it all to you, Lord, and say, Lord, make me a son or a daughter. Lord, make a place at your table for me, Lord, and be glorified in my life. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit and give me the power to be a testimony of your grace, in your name Jesus, we pray, amen.”