The Kindness of a King
INTRODUCTION
Text: 2 Samuel 9:1-4
We are introduced to a man of Saul’s house, named Mephibosheth. (Say that ten times fast!) He was Jonathan’s son, making him Saul’s grandson. According to 2 Samuel 4:4, Mephibosheth was approximately five years old when Saul and Jonathan were slain in battle. Upon hearing the news of his father’s death, the boy fled with his nurse from their land to find refuge. In haste they fled, but Mephibosheth fell and became lame in his feet from that day forward. He dwelled in the land of Lodebar. While the precise location of this city is unknown, its approximate location is in the region of Gilead, about 10 miles south of the Sea of Galilee (Map). The name means, “The land of nothing.”
Based on this meaning, Lodebar was an appropriate city for Mephibosheth to reside. Nothing is exactly what Mephibosheth possessed. His health was hindered. His family was nowhere to be found. He was far from the presence of the King. His name means, “from the mouth of shame.” It’s fair to assume Mephibosheth felt shame to some extent. He felt deep emotional pain caused by his inability to use his feet. Both his father and grandfather were valiant men of war. He was poised to be a warrior of Israel. Instead, he was wounded, helpless, fearful, and forgotten; living in the land of nothing.
Nevertheless, Mephibosheth’s circumstances changed when someone showed compassion. This “someone” was not just anyone; it was David, the beloved King of Israel. David and Jonathan shared a profoundly bonded friendship that exceeded all others (1 Sam. 18:1-4). While the loss of Jonathan brought tremendous distress upon David, he never forgot the sacrifices Jonathan made on his behalf, especially during the years that his father persecuted David in raging jealousy. Therefore, the King sought to show kindness to the house of Saul (9:1). His desire was for Jonathan’s sake. The love and esteem David had for Jonathan surpassed death.
David’s compassion for the House of Saul, and specifically for Mephibosheth, is significant. The King SOUGHT him, RESTORED him, and HONORED him. Moreover this act of kindness has tremendous application for the believer today, as we will observe towards the conclusion of the message.
THE KING SOUGHT HIM
Mephibosheth dwelled in the “land of nothing.” He had nothing going for him, but shame and solitude. He did not pursue the King’s favor. Rather, the King sought him (9:1). David’s intent was to “…shew the kindness of God unto him” (9:3). Therefore, the King sent called for Ziba, a servant of Saul’s house, to seek out Mephibosheth.
Lodebar was not across the street from Jerusalem (map). It was nearly 70 miles away. The King’s intention must have been sincere. There was nothing that Mephibosheth could offer the King. He was lame, broken, and weary. He could not even be an effective servant. The King had nothing to gain, but had something to show – compassion.
THE KING RESTORED HIM
The kindness of the King brought restoration. As Mephibosheth approached the presence of the King, he “…fell on his face, and did reverence” (9:6). Furthermore, he humbly cried out “Behold thy servant!” He recognized the gravity of the King’s request, and the privilege it was to stand before his throne. But, the King did something unexpected and unannounced (9:7a). He restored all the land of Saul to Mephibosheth (Map of Benjamin’s portion). No longer would Mephibosheth live as an outsider, but an insider of the Kingdom.
THE KING HONORED HIM
The King sought, restored, and even more, honored Mephibosheth (9:7b). The King invited him to “come and dine.” The Kindness of the King was not isolated to a particular event, project, or decree. He sought to show kindness continually: “…and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually” (9:7b). The King was not ashamed to honor him in spite of his inability, disability, or special needs. The King could have chosen anyone within arms-length to honor in His kingdom, yet He honored the one who was helpless and humble.
Observe Mephibosheth’s humble response through the text: “And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?” (9:8). Again, the Kindness of the King extended beyond being his daily table guest. He was given thirty-five servants to maintain and harvest his newly restored land (9:9-13). Without a doubt, Mephibosheth was greatly blessed beyond measure by the King.
APPLICATION
Christian, you and I share a very similar story. Before we could understand the impact of the fall, we limped through the world in the land of Lodebar. In that land, there was “nothing” for us. We had nothing going for us, but shame and solitude. Then, there was a particular day the King of Glory SOUGHT you! The Bible teaches us, “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God” (Rom. 3:11). You were not expecting it. It caught you off guard. You were seeking religion, but instead, you were RESTORED.
The Kindness of the King RESTORED you to a NEW position in heavenly places! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). We no longer have to dwell in Lodebar, the city of this world. We can look forward to living in the land of our Father.
Christian, the King HONORS you and me. He uses us in spite of us. “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (1 Cor. 1:27-29).
He has restored you to a position of sonship. We are His sons and daughters: “…ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor. 6:18). “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26).
We are heirs of His Kingdom: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom. 8:16-17).
CONCLUSION
Being children of God, we enjoy all the privileges of the King; to dine daily at His table; to eat of the Bread of His Word. Are you showing up to the table? Are you feasting with the King?
Come to the table! If you are weary… come to the table! If you are powerless… come to the table! If you alone… come to the table! If you need peace… come to the table!
Maybe the King SOUGHT you years ago. You have been RESTORED and HONORED. But, do you possess the heart of the King? Are you going out of your way to show kindness? “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32). Not merely random acts of kindness, but continual kindness. Who do you choose to HONOR? Are they the weak or the strong? Do they have special needs or in need of nothing? Are they broken or boastful?
“For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding” (Ps. 47:7).
Praise the King, for He SOUGHT us, RESTORED us, and HONORED us. Amen.
