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May 26, 2019
Bud Burk (Downtown Campus) | 2 Samuel 9:1-8
And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” 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.” And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.”And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”—2 Samuel 9:1–8
Outline
Main Point: Rehearsing the gospel while beholding Jesus Christ, cultivates humble gratitude and a longing for the King’s return, which is the heart context by which we bless one another in love.
Introduction
On Sunday April 28 (2019), our Preschool 1 teams taught the children 2 Samuel 9 while pointing them to Jesus: The Messiah, our Shepherd King: An Old Testament story Aiming Forward to the Coming King.
Do you recall after Jesus’ resurrection, how he walked with two of his followers who did not recognize him at first? We read this in Luke 24:27, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures [OT] the things concerning himself.” These OT stories point to Christ, the Messiah, such as (1) Genesis 22 where Abraham is about to sacrifice his son Isaac and God provides a substitute, and we know that Jesus Christ his Son is the Supreme Substitute, (2) Exodus 12 where the Passover lambs point to the One Passover Lamb who is Christ, (3) Judges 16 as we see Samson dying with his enemies, and we are reminded that Jesus died for his enemies, (4) Jesus prayed through Psalm 22 on the cross saying, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me”, (5) and of course Isaiah 53, the suffering servant is Christ, (6) and we will see another pointer today in 2 Samuel 9.
These Old Testament stories point to Christ, and we need him. The moral goodness among people is not good enough, and the badness among people calls for justice. We need a Supremely righteous Messiah, and all throughout the Old Testament we are told that a Messiah is coming. We know him to be Jesus Christ the Righteous.
Now, 2 Samuel 9 is not what we call a “classic OT story,” showing up in an OT survey class, but it is here in our preschool class. Why? Because it is precious to me and therefore an evidence of the Spirit’s transforming grace within me. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3:18 …
We all with unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. This is from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
As the Spirit transforms my heart, and yours, our affections for Christ mature—we together will desire more of him. As the spring of my heart, the fountain of my life, is being transformed, the streams of ministry that flow from the spring through my hands and words, will necessarily be changed too: Thus more Christ & his Good News in my affections & thinking = more Christ and his Good News in ministry practice.
And as the Spirit has been doing this in my heart, the Story of David and Mephibosheth has become deeply meaningful to me. It is a mighty wondrous pointer to our merciful and kind Shepherd King. It is in fact my story, and yours, as you are in Christ. We are Mephibosheth, and the king in the story points to The King. The golden gems of the loving kindness of God in 2 Samuel 9 shine brilliantly in Ephesians 2:1–10. “But God, being rich in mercy …” The gospel according to 2 Samuel 9.
David, as king, is looking to make good on his promise to Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:14–17), to love and bless Jonathan’s household when David becomes king, and David keeps his promise doing so here in 2 Samuel 9 by blessing Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son—Saul’s grandson—with more than Jonathan could have ever imagined.
2 Samuel 9:1
Notice in verse 1 the king’s desire to keep his promise, and to show kindness in doing so. This is not detached duty: This is kindness by love—promise-keeping by affection. Consider this: Mephibosheth’s grandfather, King Saul, was after David’s life. Looking at David’s desire one way, we see the king pursuing his enemy that he might bless with a heart of kindness: blessing instead of crushing. Sound familiar?
2 Samuel 9:2–3
Reading verses 2–3 we see the king’s desire to show kindness going deeper now—he wants to show loving kindness as an expression of God’s kindness. This is not only the king’s kindness, but God’s. This is a Godward expression of promise-keeping, marked by love. Jonathan said to David back in 1 Samuel 20:14–17, “If I am still alive [when you are king], show me the steadfast love of the LORD (loving-kindness), that I may not die; and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever …”
2 Samuel 9:4–5
Mephibosheth is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel. We are not too sure who he is. Lo-debar is east of the Jordan—far away from the center, far away from Jerusalem. Keep in mind, David does not see in Mephibosheth a man who is bringing obvious and great blessing to the kingdom, doing great and marvelous deeds as a right-hand man, saying, “He is worthy of blessing—go get him.” In fact, it seems that the Spirit wants us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Mephibosheth can’t do anything like that— he’s crippled. He’s far away from the center, from Jerusalem. He’s staying with someone who is without prestige or popularity, at least so it seems.
2 Samuel 9:6–11
Here we see the king keeping his promise and much more. David grants an inheritance —he grants restoration to Mephibosheth, restoring to him King Saul’s personal property. In one statement David has kept his promise to Jonathan, and he does so by saying to Mephibosheth that it was “for the sake of your father Jonathan” (v.7). This is a blessing for a greater purpose, beyond the one who is receiving it. It was for Jonathan’s name. This is God’s way, to initiate blessing for a person/people for the sake of something greater than them. This is what Samuel says in his address to Israel in 1 Samuel 12:22.
“For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.”
They might respond, because we were great, worthy of being served, earning this blessing? No. In Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 7:7–9,
“It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it was because the LORD loves you …”
All of God’s blessing, mercy and grace given his people is initiated by something and Someone greater than them. It is for God’s great Name. King David is initiating particular blessing to Mephibosheth, because he wants to honor Jonathan’s name. Friends, blessing—mercy from the King is given, not earned, and for a greater purpose than our blessing. We know this don’t we?
Now that David has kept his promise, he could be done granting blessing, but he continues. In verses 9–10a we see an additional blessing granted Mephibosheth. Ziba was likely King Saul’s senior servant, and a wealthy one with 15 sons and 20 servants. David told Mephibosheth that Ziba, his house and servants would till the land that was given him. David has now done more than met his promise, and it was done in kindness —the kindness of God. Still, he’s not done.
Here’s the peak of his promise-keeping. We read in verse 7 that King David grants a personal welcome to Mephibosheth at his table. “You shall eat at my table always.” Again, in verse 10 as David speaks to Ziba he says, “Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table,” and then in verse 11 we read “So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons.” Sounds like adoption! Then finally in verse 13 we read, “For he ate always at the king’s table.” You know where this is going for us don’t you—it’s going all the way to the zenith of God’s grace upon us in Christ. First, let’s consider Mephibosheth’s heart.
What is Mephibosheth’s response to such particular promise-keeping and abundant blessing—the kindness of God by way of the king?
2 Samuel 9:8
“What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
We can just see him thinking thoughts like, “King David, I am nothing before you and can do nothing for you. Look at my feet. My grandfather was trying to kill you. What are you doing—why such blessing?” And David, in response, would say, “For the sake of your father Jonathan, you’re sitting next to me as one of my sons—forever!” Friends, as Jesus taught in Luke 24, the things concerning himself in the OT, so we see both him and his Good News message on display in 2 Samuel 9 and a fitting response in Mephibosheth.
Now, where is Mephibosheth’s heart, really? This story doesn’t reveal it completely. Is his heart saying, “I really wish my grandfather, King Saul, was on the throne, but I’ll take your gifts and will feign allegiance to keep them” Let’s look into this …
In 2 Samuel 16:1–4, we see King David fleeing Jerusalem as his son Absalom is taking over the kingdom. David is fleeing with his mighty men and we read that Ziba loaded up donkeys with provision to help David. When David asked where Mephibosheth was, Ziba told David that Mephibosheth said, “Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father [referring to Saul]” I’ll be king. David then in response gave all Saul’s property to Ziba, the supposed loyal one. I propose that Ziba got exactly what he wanted.
We need to move further into the story to discover Mephibosheth’s heart for the King, in 2 Samuel 19:24–30. Absalom is now dead, and David is returning to Jerusalem. In reading verses 24–28, it appears that Ziba prevented Mephibosheth from getting a donkey and going with David.
Mephibosheth obviously demonstrated mourning with his untrimmed beard, unwashed clothes, and feet that were not cared for. David had to make a decision. Who was telling the truth, Ziba or Mephibosheth? David said in verse 29, “You and Ziba shall divide the land.” Perhaps David did not know what to do and just cut it in half. The key to Mephibosheth’s heart is revealed in his response. He did not say “Okay.” He did not say, “Hey, wait a minute …” What did he say? “Oh, let him take it all, since my lord the king has come safely home.” There’s his heart. “My king has returned—he’s my heart’s desire. My king has returned; I am at peace now. My king has returned; I am content now. My king has returned; he is more than enough.
Friends, like Mephibosheth, may we long for the return of our King!
And the Mephibosheths of the earth cry out:
“Give me Jesus … Give me Jesus … You can have all this world … Just give me Jesus.”
The fitting countenance of our hearts in response to God’s kindness upon us in Christ is meant to be a blend of humility, contrition, broken-hearted joy, trembling trust, hopeful repentance and gratitude. Jesus, thank you! Consider this theme now in the following places in God’s word.
2 Samuel 9:8
“What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
David said in Psalm 32:3–5 …
For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?
David said in Psalm 130:3–4 …
If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness
that you may be feared.
What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?
God said through Isaiah, in Isaiah 57:15 & 66:2 …
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the spirit of the contrite. …”
“This is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word.”
What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?
Peter said in Luke 5:8–10 …
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”… And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men”
What is your servant that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?
John said in 1 John 1:8–9 …
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
What is your servant that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?
Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:13–16a …
I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy …
What is your servant that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?
In Luke 23:39–43 …
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us?” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man had done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
What is your servant that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?
Friends, it was the heart of man not the heart of dogs that rebelled against God—and continues to do so daily. It was the hand of man that was forbidden to touch Ark of the Covenant, not the paw of a dog. This is what makes the gospel of Jesus Christ wondrous. Really God … What? … Why?
The deeper I go into the gospel, the more I comprehend and confess aloud the depth of my sinfulness…Such an awareness of my sinfulness does not drag me down, but actually serves to lift me up by magnifying my appreciation of God’s forgiving grace in my life. And the more I appreciate the magnitude of God’s forgiveness of my sins, the more I love him and delight to show him love through heart-felt expressions of worship. (From Milton Vincent’s Gospel Primer, p. 33.)
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved.—Ephesians 2:4–5
A fitting response, the countenance of our hearts, is a blend humility, contrition, broken-hearted joy, trembling trust, hopeful repentance and gratitude: Jesus, thank you!
What is you servant that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?
In our Grade 2–5 Sunday School class we are teaching children the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts on a four-year rotation. Every lesson we ask the same five questions.
Question #4: How does this story fit into the greater story of God redeeming a people to himself in Christ? It is a living story—it is alive
In relation to 2 Samuel 9, I’ll answer it this way:
Jesus tells two stories in Luke 14.
One ends with him saying this, “When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed because they cannot repay you” (Luke 14:14).
The second story is about a man who gave a banquet but the people whom he invited did not come, so he said to his servant, “Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame. And the servant said, “Sir, what you commanded has been done; and still there is room.” And the master said to the servant, “Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:21–23).
What is your servant that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?
And as I see myself in Mephibosheth, down low, the place of blessing, with no capacity to repay the King for such kindness …
I will enter my home, extended family, church, small group, neighborhood and work place with a humble thankful heart in Christ, bringing a patient loving influence among people while pointing them to the Son. And when I fall short yet again, I will turn to my Father with a contrite repentant heart getting up with fresh faith, being compelled forward by the Spirit with grace-filled resolve because of God’s loving kindness upon me in Christ (1 John 1:8–2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:14–15): Christ’s love for me shall control me as I long for his return.
One day …
And our response?
Closing Prayer:
Valley of Vision ‘Heaven Desired’
(slightly edited)
Oh God, we long for home—and you are our home
“In heaven we shall be near you
Dwell with your family
Stand in your chamber
Be an heir of your kingdom
As the spouse of Christ
As a member of his body
One with him who is one with yo
And exercise all our powers of body and soul
In the enjoyment of you”
For that day, we long
And we long for return of the King
And we thank you for your lovingkindness
That is for your glory—and Jesus’s great name’s sake. Amen
Closing Song: ‘Jesus, Thank You’
The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend,
the agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One crushed Your Son,
who drank the bitter cup reserved for me
Your blood has washed away my sin,
Jesus thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus thank You.
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table,
Jesus, thank You
By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end
Lover of my soul, I want to live for You!
Lover of my soul, I want to live for You!
(Pat Sczebel @ 2003 Sovereign Grace Music CCLI130553)