WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.700 Good morning, church. It is always a pleasure to be with you, and a little bit of a special surprise that I'm with you on this side of the pulpit this morning. 00:00:10.480 --> 00:00:19.820 Surprise to me, of course, not a surprise to the Lord. So we'll be taking an unexpected and humanly unplanned break from our exposition of the Gospel of John this morning. 00:00:20.019 --> 00:00:21.519 We'll be in prayer for Nathan. 00:00:22.600 --> 00:00:26.539 Mr. Reminder will be on the lookout for ways to help the Rainers as Nathan is on the mend. 00:00:26.539 --> 00:00:31.839 Please be in prayer for me this morning, as this preparation had to be done in only a couple hours. 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:40.219 Thankfully for me, God is all-wise and powerful. It is only my responsibility to let the lion of God's Word out of its cage this morning. 00:00:40.879 --> 00:00:44.539 So join with me in prayer before we examine God's Word together. 00:00:45.439 --> 00:00:48.980 Dear Lord, thank you for the breath in our lungs this morning. 00:00:48.979 --> 00:00:57.479 Thank you for gathering us together to sing your praises, to bear with one another through this life as you grow and sanctify us to the image of Christ, 00:00:57.739 --> 00:01:05.420 to celebrate the greatness of the Gospel and to cherish the depth of your kindness and wisdom shown to us through the testimony of your Word. 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:12.039 It is an abundant gift that we have your Word to explore and to see how you've revealed yourself to us in it. 00:01:12.579 --> 00:01:16.099 Help us to see your working today and obediently follow where you lead us. 00:01:16.099 --> 00:01:20.859 I pray that you would take this brief sermon and multiply its effects beyond what I think is possible, 00:01:21.379 --> 00:01:23.519 because we know that you give the growth. 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:30.459 Thank you for your faithfulness to us, that we can count on it, and it is our hope everlasting. 00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:33.739 We pray this and come to you in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:35.939 --> 00:01:40.119 Today, we will be looking at a powerful prefigure of Jesus Christ, 00:01:40.199 --> 00:01:44.039 as well as a name that I do not expect to be announced on Slack anytime soon. 00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:47.920 Of course, that means we will be studying David and Mephibosheth this morning. 00:01:48.580 --> 00:01:50.300 I invite you to turn to 2 Samuel. 00:01:50.660 --> 00:01:53.620 The focus of our time today will be in chapter 9, 00:01:54.080 --> 00:01:57.460 but we will have some quick touch points earlier in the story 00:01:57.460 --> 00:02:03.620 to help frame our understanding of the situation in chapter 9. 00:02:04.460 --> 00:02:07.080 So, at the end of 1 Samuel, in chapter 31, 00:02:07.580 --> 00:02:11.719 we read about Saul and Jonathan falling in battle against the Philistines. 00:02:11.719 --> 00:02:16.120 In chapter 1 of 2 Samuel, this news makes its way to David, 00:02:16.259 --> 00:02:19.719 and he weeps and mourns the death of his best friend and king. 00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:22.840 David's poetic lament was captured and recorded. 00:02:23.340 --> 00:02:25.639 A few verses in the middle summarize it well. 00:02:26.199 --> 00:02:29.680 Verse 23 and 25 of chapter 1 of 2 Samuel says, 00:02:29.680 --> 00:02:51.800 David loved these men. 00:02:51.800 --> 00:02:55.860 God used Saul to put David in the position to bring much glory to God 00:02:55.860 --> 00:03:00.640 as David led campaigns and battles and defenses against people that hated God and Israel. 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:05.160 Jonathan was a faithful friend and brother in arms with David 00:03:05.160 --> 00:03:07.719 as God preserved them through those many battles. 00:03:08.380 --> 00:03:11.720 And despite Saul's determined murderous chase against David, 00:03:11.860 --> 00:03:14.200 David still loved and respected Saul, 00:03:14.340 --> 00:03:18.040 as we can see here clearly in David's mourning of Saul. 00:03:18.039 --> 00:03:23.259 There are many biblical phrases that have permeated English, 00:03:23.919 --> 00:03:26.219 and we read one, we see a common one here, 00:03:26.739 --> 00:03:27.899 how the mighty have fallen. 00:03:28.180 --> 00:03:30.099 This was a genuine tragedy. 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:33.780 I often hear this phrase used facetiously or sarcastically, 00:03:34.340 --> 00:03:37.979 so I want to be sure that we are not anachronistically reading that notion back into this. 00:03:38.060 --> 00:03:43.840 This was a real tragedy, a real mourning that David says in his feeling. 00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:49.680 He repeats this rephrase how the mighty have fallen three times during his lament. 00:03:49.819 --> 00:03:53.879 This was a deep, impactful loss for the nation. 00:03:55.020 --> 00:03:57.520 So in the power vacuum of Saul's death, 00:03:57.659 --> 00:04:00.840 the nation of Israel starts to crack politically, 00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:03.219 not unlike it was in the time of the judges. 00:04:03.980 --> 00:04:05.819 David is appointed king of Judah in the south, 00:04:06.020 --> 00:04:10.020 and Ish-bosheth, son of Saul, is appointed king of Israel in the north. 00:04:10.020 --> 00:04:15.300 Saul's general, Abner, took Ish-bosheth and endorsed him as king. 00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:17.879 In these politically unstable situations, 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:21.280 people tend to listen to the guy who has control of the army, 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:23.300 so Ish-bosheth became king. 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:26.460 We also read about David's general, Joab, 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:28.800 and his actions during this politically unstable time. 00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:32.280 A while later, Abner, Saul's former general, 00:04:32.680 --> 00:04:35.540 defected and went and joined with David. 00:04:35.540 --> 00:04:41.280 David, Joab, David's general, voiced his distrust of Abner to David. 00:04:41.819 --> 00:04:45.600 And he also, Abner, had a personal vendetta against Joab 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:50.000 because Joab killed Abner's brother, Asahel, earlier in these conflicts. 00:04:50.900 --> 00:04:54.700 So Joab quickly set about his plan to murder Abner, which he does. 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:57.379 David publicly mourned Abner's death 00:04:57.379 --> 00:05:00.780 and confirmed that he had no role in the murder. 00:05:01.580 --> 00:05:04.460 News of this murder gets back to Israel and Ish-bosheth, 00:05:04.459 --> 00:05:06.279 and the city starts to go crazy, 00:05:06.819 --> 00:05:09.839 and Ish-bosheth loses his courage. 00:05:10.739 --> 00:05:12.299 At the same time, in Israel, 00:05:12.500 --> 00:05:15.560 two raiding band captains were with Ish-bosheth in the city, 00:05:15.799 --> 00:05:18.560 and they take this tumultuous moment of this uncertainty 00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:21.259 following Abner's death 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:25.319 as a moment for them to have opportunity for gain. 00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:29.120 So they assassinate Ish-bosheth and take his head to David, 00:05:29.479 --> 00:05:31.240 hoping that David will give them a reward 00:05:31.240 --> 00:05:33.399 because they took out David's enemy. 00:05:33.399 --> 00:05:35.539 David sees the men for what they are, 00:05:35.779 --> 00:05:38.399 murderers, and puts them to death for their wickedness. 00:05:38.839 --> 00:05:41.859 In the middle of this account, in 2 Samuel chapter 4, 00:05:42.519 --> 00:05:47.500 in verse 4, the narrator kind of flashes back about Mephosheth, 00:05:48.159 --> 00:05:50.859 likely so that the reader would understand 00:05:50.859 --> 00:05:53.239 why the next of kin was not appointed king 00:05:53.239 --> 00:05:55.419 after Ish-bosheth is murdered. 00:05:55.420 --> 00:05:58.580 So this is 2 Samuel 4, verse 4. 00:05:59.240 --> 00:06:00.480 Jonathan, the son of Saul, 00:06:00.640 --> 00:06:02.580 had a son who was crippled in his feet. 00:06:02.819 --> 00:06:03.879 He was five years old. 00:06:04.280 --> 00:06:05.879 So, okay, that's the headline. 00:06:06.020 --> 00:06:07.620 Jonathan had a son who was crippled in his feet. 00:06:07.700 --> 00:06:08.720 This is how he got crippled. 00:06:09.020 --> 00:06:11.620 He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan 00:06:11.620 --> 00:06:13.580 came from Jezreel, the battlefield. 00:06:14.340 --> 00:06:15.980 And his nurse took him and fled. 00:06:16.080 --> 00:06:17.420 And as she fled in her haste, 00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:20.340 he, Mephibosheth, fell and became lame, 00:06:20.339 --> 00:06:23.039 and his name was Mephibosheth. 00:06:23.419 --> 00:06:26.979 So in the chaos about hearing about a leader's death, 00:06:27.019 --> 00:06:28.259 in this case Saul's death, 00:06:28.359 --> 00:06:31.679 Mephibosheth has an accident and can no longer walk. 00:06:31.859 --> 00:06:34.699 Years later, in the chaos about another leader's death, 00:06:34.759 --> 00:06:35.919 in this case Ish-bosheth, 00:06:37.059 --> 00:06:38.779 his uncle is assassinated. 00:06:38.779 --> 00:06:42.939 So no one tried to take up this young crippled Mephibosheth 00:06:42.939 --> 00:06:44.279 and put him on the throne, 00:06:44.399 --> 00:06:46.019 as had been done for Ish-bosheth. 00:06:46.699 --> 00:06:47.779 So the political dust settles, 00:06:47.779 --> 00:06:51.119 and David is anointed king over a reunited Israel. 00:06:51.739 --> 00:06:54.399 The chapters that follow this are generally quite positive. 00:06:55.019 --> 00:06:57.179 God gives David victory over the Philistines. 00:06:57.319 --> 00:06:59.279 David brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. 00:06:59.859 --> 00:07:02.859 God makes a covenant with David to uphold his house forever. 00:07:03.419 --> 00:07:05.539 And God gives many more military victories 00:07:05.539 --> 00:07:06.959 around the land to David. 00:07:07.779 --> 00:07:10.359 And there is a repeated phrase there in chapter 8, 00:07:10.679 --> 00:07:11.979 in verse 6 and 14. 00:07:12.699 --> 00:07:16.379 The Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. 00:07:16.379 --> 00:07:19.019 And the narrator follows this latter verse, 00:07:19.159 --> 00:07:20.920 in verse 15, with this, 00:07:21.339 --> 00:07:23.300 So David reigned over all Israel, 00:07:23.659 --> 00:07:26.040 and David administered justice and equity 00:07:26.040 --> 00:07:27.680 to all his people. 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:29.639 So to be clear, at this point, 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:32.500 this is a mountaintop, high point moment 00:07:32.500 --> 00:07:34.560 in the life of David. 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:36.659 He has brought the Ark with him. 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:39.199 God has made him victorious wherever he went. 00:07:39.420 --> 00:07:40.719 God has made a covenant with him 00:07:40.719 --> 00:07:41.639 that will last forever. 00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:43.879 I mean, this is the top of the top. 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:46.120 There's justice and equity for all the people. 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:49.959 This is a huge sigh of relief for this nation. 00:07:50.659 --> 00:07:52.420 We must remember that this has been, 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:54.920 what came before David 00:07:54.920 --> 00:07:56.719 was the reign of Saul, 00:07:57.219 --> 00:07:58.379 selfish, murderous, 00:07:58.459 --> 00:07:59.920 and at times pretty insane. 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:02.420 And before Saul was the time of the judges, 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:04.779 a very dark and depressing time 00:08:04.779 --> 00:08:06.000 in Israel's history, 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:07.199 full of sin and wickedness. 00:08:07.620 --> 00:08:10.439 So this had been since the time of Moses and Joshua, 00:08:10.439 --> 00:08:13.839 that the people would have known justice and peace like this 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:16.660 about 350 years before. 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:19.959 Now, we just celebrated the 250th anniversary 00:08:19.959 --> 00:08:22.060 of the United States independence earlier this year. 00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:23.680 So with that context, 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:27.879 350 years feels like a long, long time indeed. 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:29.899 So with that lengthy introduction, 00:08:30.159 --> 00:08:32.179 we now arrive in chapter nine, 00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:33.679 where we will consider first, 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:37.279 David's intention in the first five verses. 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:39.959 So read with me in 2 Samuel chapter nine, 00:08:40.139 --> 00:08:41.159 verses one through five. 00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:43.539 And David said, 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:47.079 Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul 00:08:47.079 --> 00:08:50.100 that I might show him kindness for Jonathan's sake? 00:08:50.539 --> 00:08:52.500 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul 00:08:52.500 --> 00:08:53.500 whose name was Ziba. 00:08:53.839 --> 00:08:55.519 And they called him to David. 00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:56.980 And the king said to him, 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:57.899 Are you Ziba? 00:08:58.439 --> 00:08:59.100 And he said, 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:00.179 I am your servant. 00:09:00.699 --> 00:09:01.699 And the king said, 00:09:01.799 --> 00:09:03.860 Is there not still someone of the house of Saul 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:07.320 that I may show the kindness of God to him? 00:09:08.259 --> 00:09:09.220 Ziba said to the king, 00:09:09.300 --> 00:09:10.639 There is still a son of Jonathan. 00:09:10.940 --> 00:09:12.220 He is crippled in his feet. 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:13.940 The king said to him, 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:14.680 Where is he? 00:09:15.159 --> 00:09:16.419 And Ziba said to the king, 00:09:16.539 --> 00:09:17.659 He is in the house of Mekir, 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:19.639 the son of Amiel at Lodabar. 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:22.419 Then King David sent and brought him 00:09:22.419 --> 00:09:23.340 from the house of Mekir, 00:09:23.419 --> 00:09:25.139 the son of Amiel at Lodabar. 00:09:25.700 --> 00:09:27.720 So from the very beginning of this account, 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:31.159 we can see David's true and stated intention. 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:33.659 Is there anyone left that I may show him kindness 00:09:33.659 --> 00:09:34.600 for Jonathan's sake? 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:35.339 And then again, 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:37.139 Is there anyone left that I may show 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:39.480 the kindness of God to him? 00:09:40.219 --> 00:09:42.459 As we've already covered today and more 00:09:42.459 --> 00:09:44.259 beyond that and recorded in scripture, 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:49.519 David knows well the enduring, faithful kindness of God. 00:09:49.719 --> 00:09:51.779 And that is what he is looking to show. 00:09:52.199 --> 00:09:53.319 It is out now, 00:09:53.419 --> 00:09:56.139 out of an overflow of God's kindness to him, 00:09:56.259 --> 00:09:58.759 that he seeks out who else he can lift up 00:09:58.759 --> 00:10:00.840 and bless to honor the promises 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:03.960 that he made to Jonathan and Saul. 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:04.980 So once again, 00:10:05.059 --> 00:10:06.259 getting back some other context, 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:09.019 in 1 Samuel 20, verse 42, 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:11.399 Jonathan summarizes the covenant 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:13.220 that he and David made together. 00:10:13.819 --> 00:10:15.620 Then Jonathan said to David, 00:10:16.039 --> 00:10:16.879 Go in peace, 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:18.980 because we have sworn both of us 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:20.000 in the name of the Lord, 00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:20.840 saying, 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:23.659 The Lord shall be between me and you, 00:10:23.939 --> 00:10:25.100 and between my offspring 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:27.059 and your offspring forever. 00:10:27.059 --> 00:10:31.099 And after David spares Saul's life 00:10:31.099 --> 00:10:32.179 in 1 Samuel 24, 00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:34.279 David swears this to Saul. 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:35.539 So Saul said to David, 00:10:36.619 --> 00:10:37.379 Swear to me, 00:10:37.619 --> 00:10:37.859 therefore, 00:10:38.059 --> 00:10:38.699 by the Lord, 00:10:38.799 --> 00:10:41.279 that you will not cut off my offspring after me, 00:10:41.319 --> 00:10:42.679 and you will not destroy my name 00:10:42.679 --> 00:10:43.859 out of my father's house. 00:10:44.239 --> 00:10:45.699 And David swore this to Saul. 00:10:45.959 --> 00:10:47.759 The difference in flavor 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:49.119 from these two promises 00:10:49.119 --> 00:10:51.079 is telling about the difference in character 00:10:51.079 --> 00:10:52.599 between Jonathan and Saul. 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:55.239 Jonathan's covenant is mutual 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:59.399 and founded on their mutual faith in God 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:00.940 and God's kindness to both of them. 00:11:01.180 --> 00:11:03.139 Whereas Saul's is a little bit more, 00:11:03.659 --> 00:11:05.039 Hey, you could have just killed me, 00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:07.419 but promise you won't kill my sons 00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:09.259 after I die kind of thing. 00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:10.500 And it's very one directional. 00:11:10.779 --> 00:11:12.919 And yet David still agrees to it. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:14.519 So I think that's noteworthy 00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:15.560 to see the difference in character 00:11:15.560 --> 00:11:17.259 between Jonathan and Saul. 00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:18.439 So, continuing. 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:21.340 Likely since Saul's death, 00:11:21.679 --> 00:11:23.580 Ziba, who is Saul's former servant, 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:25.139 had assumed the leadership 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:27.879 and stewardship of Saul's estate 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:30.019 and was probably sending the prophets to David 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:30.879 as the new king 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:32.600 like the other land managers would have done. 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:34.980 Now, later on in 2 Samuel, 00:11:35.059 --> 00:11:35.939 after this account, 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:38.000 we see Ziba deceive David 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:39.580 in an attempt to actually undo 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:41.059 what happens in this chapter. 00:11:41.659 --> 00:11:42.259 Even still, 00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:43.580 here in chapter 9, 00:11:43.819 --> 00:11:45.379 Ziba does what he is told. 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:48.159 So then the attention turns the other way 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:51.139 from David to Mephibosheth in verse 6. 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:52.620 And we can glean how he expected 00:11:52.620 --> 00:11:54.259 this summons to go. 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:55.779 So now in verse 6 through 8, 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:58.179 we'll consider Mephibosheth's expectations. 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:02.320 And Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:03.159 son of Saul, 00:12:03.439 --> 00:12:05.059 came to David and fell on his face 00:12:05.059 --> 00:12:05.679 and paid homage. 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:06.980 And David said, 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:07.799 Mephibosheth. 00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:09.080 And he answered, 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:10.940 Behold, I am your servant. 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:12.659 And David said to him, 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:13.500 Do not fear, 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:15.600 for I will show you the kindness. 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:17.139 I will show you kindness 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:18.779 for the sake of your father, Jonathan. 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:20.379 And I will restore to you 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:22.139 all the land of Saul, your father. 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:24.759 And you shall eat at my table always. 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:27.019 And he paid homage and said, 00:12:27.220 --> 00:12:28.419 What is your servant 00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:29.919 that you should show regard 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:32.360 for a dead dog such as I? 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.820 So Mephibosheth comes in 00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:36.620 humble, lowly, and respectful 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:38.059 before David the king. 00:12:38.679 --> 00:12:39.940 Then even after, 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:41.340 David brings him in 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:42.080 on his own intentions, 00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:43.460 brings him in on his own plan, 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:45.320 that he will show him kindness, 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:46.980 restore to him Saul's estate, 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:48.420 and invite him to eat at his table. 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:50.259 Mephibosheth continues 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:51.780 his own self-abasement 00:12:51.780 --> 00:12:52.460 in verse 8, 00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:53.360 referring to himself 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.740 as a dead dog, 00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:56.120 seemingly not believing 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:57.560 that this could truly 00:12:57.560 --> 00:12:58.540 be a real offer, 00:12:58.660 --> 00:13:00.560 a real invitation to him. 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:02.700 The subtext that we can infer 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:03.600 is that Mephibosheth 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:04.560 expected David 00:13:04.560 --> 00:13:05.900 to carry out the norm 00:13:05.900 --> 00:13:08.639 when a reigning family regime 00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:10.460 changed to snuff out 00:13:10.460 --> 00:13:12.179 any chance of rebellion 00:13:12.179 --> 00:13:13.620 or treachery 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:15.259 from the deposed family. 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:17.159 This political pattern 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:18.580 happens all the time 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:19.259 in stories, 00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:20.480 as it has happened 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:22.120 repeatedly in history. 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:24.059 It's a common story trope 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:24.559 that a member 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:26.159 of a wrongfully deposed family 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:27.399 comes back to avenge 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:28.840 his family against the usurper. 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:30.519 However, clearly, 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:32.120 Mephibosheth 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:33.500 is in no position 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.500 to lead a rebellion 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.340 against David. 00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:37.600 And he has definitely 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.780 heard already 00:13:38.780 --> 00:13:39.300 that the Lord 00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:40.460 gave victory to David 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:41.320 wherever he went. 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:42.740 Understandably, 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:44.040 Mephibosheth likely assumed 00:13:44.040 --> 00:13:45.220 that he was about to be 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:46.399 another victory 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:47.460 in that long 00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:48.360 and growing list 00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:49.660 of David's victory. 00:13:50.680 --> 00:13:51.820 But David chose 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:53.000 not to repeat himself 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:54.780 and answer Mephibosheth's 00:13:54.780 --> 00:13:55.639 confused question. 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:56.560 Instead, 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:57.980 David moves forward 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:58.720 to carry out 00:13:58.720 --> 00:13:59.780 his promise 00:13:59.780 --> 00:14:00.960 and declaration 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:01.940 to Mephibosheth. 00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:04.240 So, verse 9 through 13 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:04.820 we'll consider 00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:06.360 the king's table. 00:14:08.180 --> 00:14:09.259 Starting in verse 9. 00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.500 Then the king 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.320 called Ziba, 00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:13.440 Saul's servant, 00:14:13.560 --> 00:14:14.200 and said to him, 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:15.480 All that belong 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:16.159 to Saul 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:17.299 and to all his house 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:18.220 I have given 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:19.399 to your master's grandson. 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:21.680 And you and your sons 00:14:21.680 --> 00:14:22.379 and your servants 00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:23.399 shall till the land 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:23.860 for him 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:24.680 and shall bring in 00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:25.139 the produce 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:26.440 that your master's grandson 00:14:26.440 --> 00:14:28.019 may have bread to eat. 00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:29.580 But Mephibosheth, 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.639 your master's grandson, 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:32.080 shall always eat 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:33.000 at my table. 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:35.139 Now Ziba had 15 sons 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:36.299 and 20 servants. 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:38.519 Then Ziba said 00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:39.100 to the king, 00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:40.320 According to all 00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:41.159 that my lord the king 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:42.000 commands his servants, 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:43.539 so will your servant do. 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:44.980 So Mephibosheth 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:46.419 ate at David's table 00:14:46.419 --> 00:14:48.600 like one of the king's sons. 00:14:49.679 --> 00:14:50.460 And Mephibosheth 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.320 had a young son 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:52.220 whose name was Micah. 00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:54.620 And all who lived 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.379 in Ziba's house 00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:57.340 became Mephibosheth's servants. 00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:58.779 So Mephibosheth 00:14:58.779 --> 00:14:59.700 lived in Jerusalem 00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:01.179 for he ate always 00:15:01.179 --> 00:15:02.399 at the king's table. 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:04.519 Now he was lame 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:06.240 in both his feet. 00:15:07.199 --> 00:15:08.100 So I want to consider 00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:08.919 three aspects 00:15:08.919 --> 00:15:10.899 to this chunk, 00:15:11.079 --> 00:15:11.919 this fulfillment 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:13.799 of David's promise. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:14.399 So first, 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:15.019 restored. 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:17.000 David gives the land 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:17.480 and the servants 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:18.539 back to Mephibosheth 00:15:19.079 --> 00:15:19.740 as they were 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.360 to Saul 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:22.899 that the land 00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:23.500 and the servants 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.639 would provide for him. 00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:26.340 As I mentioned earlier, 00:15:26.439 --> 00:15:27.259 this would not sit well 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.259 with Ziba in the long term, 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.819 but David is meaning 00:15:29.819 --> 00:15:30.379 to do right 00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:31.259 by Mephibosheth 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:32.200 for the sake 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:32.840 of Jonathan 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:33.700 and Saul. 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:35.460 The second aspect 00:15:35.460 --> 00:15:36.860 that he's provided for. 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:39.259 Men who could not walk 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:39.860 in this time 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:40.879 did not have much, 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:41.299 if anything, 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:41.879 they could do 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:42.860 to provide for themselves. 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:43.980 Computer programming 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:44.899 was not an available 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:45.740 career path. 00:15:46.439 --> 00:15:47.000 Of course, 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:47.759 God had kept 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.799 Mephibosheth alive 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:49.960 one way or another, 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:50.840 but now, 00:15:51.179 --> 00:15:51.759 Mephibosheth 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.879 was always welcome 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:54.039 to eat at the king's table. 00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:55.500 Now he was secure, 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:56.399 not begging 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.759 from one house 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.319 to another. 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:01.419 Mephibosheth 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:02.259 is adopted, 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:03.459 so not only 00:16:03.459 --> 00:16:03.939 was he welcome 00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:04.600 to eat at the table, 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:05.279 but he did so 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:07.059 like one of the king's sons, 00:16:07.139 --> 00:16:08.279 not as a beggar. 00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:10.500 This is a world-flipped, 00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:11.840 upside-down change 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:13.220 in Mephibosheth's life. 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.480 He was likely forced 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.179 to beg for food, 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:15.519 water, 00:16:15.559 --> 00:16:15.939 and shelter 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:16.939 for the many years 00:16:16.939 --> 00:16:18.819 that he roamed the land 00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:21.539 in a land of civil war 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.720 and political turmoil, 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:24.259 and now the man 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:24.940 that he thought 00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:25.840 would kill him 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:27.040 has welcomed him 00:16:27.040 --> 00:16:29.620 like one of his own sons. 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:31.740 So this is a beautiful 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:33.060 account of 00:16:33.060 --> 00:16:35.220 an overflowing 00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:36.600 kindness and faithfulness 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.220 before God 00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:37.600 that we see 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.519 exampled by 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:39.580 King David. 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:41.160 But this is not 00:16:41.160 --> 00:16:42.279 the end of the story, 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:42.899 it's just 00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:43.899 the foreshadowing. 00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:45.680 God promised David 00:16:45.680 --> 00:16:46.340 that his son, 00:16:47.040 --> 00:16:47.860 that his house 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:48.379 would uphold, 00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:49.540 that he would 00:16:49.540 --> 00:16:50.259 uphold his house 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:50.660 forever. 00:16:51.420 --> 00:16:52.120 David fulfilled 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:52.980 his promise, 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:55.179 and God will also 00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:56.620 fulfill his promise 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:57.120 to David. 00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:58.799 So let us see 00:16:58.799 --> 00:16:59.620 how the son of David 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.840 acts when meeting 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:01.860 a man that could not 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:02.320 walk. 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:03.899 If you would turn 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:04.799 in your Bibles with me 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:06.079 to Mark chapter 2, 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:07.200 we're going to read 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:08.140 the first 12 verses 00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:08.599 together. 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.859 And here we will see 00:17:10.859 --> 00:17:12.279 a greater restoration, 00:17:12.839 --> 00:17:13.799 a greater provision, 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:15.680 and a greater adoption. 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:23.799 So starting in Mark chapter 2, 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:26.519 and when Jesus 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.660 returned to Capernaum 00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:28.720 after some days, 00:17:28.840 --> 00:17:29.580 it was reported 00:17:29.580 --> 00:17:30.600 that he was at home, 00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:32.360 and many were 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:33.180 gathered together 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:33.820 so that there was 00:17:33.820 --> 00:17:34.560 no room, 00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:35.980 not even at the door. 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.580 And he was preaching 00:17:37.580 --> 00:17:38.380 the word to them, 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.620 and they came, 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.299 bringing to him 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:40.880 a paralytic 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:42.519 carried by four men. 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:44.019 And when they could 00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.639 not get near him 00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:45.339 because of the crowd, 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:46.220 they removed the roof 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:46.740 above him, 00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:47.440 and when they had 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.059 made an opening, 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.220 they let down the bed 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.639 on which the paralytic lay. 00:17:51.639 --> 00:17:52.359 And when Jesus 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:53.319 saw their faith, 00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:54.559 he said to the paralytic, 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.500 Son, 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:57.139 your sins are forgiven. 00:17:58.599 --> 00:17:59.819 Now some of the scribes 00:17:59.819 --> 00:18:00.420 were sitting there 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:01.460 questioning in their hearts, 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:02.539 Why does this man 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:03.639 speak like that? 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.940 He is blaspheming. 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:06.279 Who can forgive sins 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:07.000 but God alone? 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.319 And immediately, 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.180 Jesus perceiving 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:09.819 in his spirit 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:11.000 that they thus questioned 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.859 within themselves, 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:12.980 said to them, 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.400 Why do you question 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:15.680 these things in your hearts? 00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:17.619 Which is easier to say 00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:18.740 to the paralytic, 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:20.259 Your sins are forgiven? 00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:21.160 Or to say, 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:21.559 Rise, 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:22.420 take up your bed, 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.099 and walk? 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:25.319 But that you may know 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.180 that the Son of Man 00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:27.119 has authority 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:28.759 on earth to forgive sins, 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:30.339 he said to the paralytic, 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.579 I say to you, 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.380 Rise, 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:33.380 pick up your bed, 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:34.460 and go home. 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.519 And he rose, 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:37.839 and immediately picked up his bed 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:39.240 and went out before them all, 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:41.180 so that they were all amazed 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:42.420 and glorified God, 00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:43.099 saying, 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:45.920 We never saw anything like this. 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:49.400 So David did the best 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:50.720 that he could do. 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:52.019 He gave the best blessing 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:53.779 that he could give 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.620 to Mephibosheth, 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.620 but he was only 00:18:55.620 --> 00:18:57.200 an Israelite king. 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.380 As we read at the end 00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:58.859 of the story 00:18:58.859 --> 00:19:00.539 in 2 Samuel 9, 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.940 Mephibosheth was still lame 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:04.099 in both his feet. 00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.259 He was fed now, 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:06.420 he was clothed, 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:07.200 he was sheltered, 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.400 all good things, 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:10.519 but he was still lame. 00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:13.500 Jesus sees this man's 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.220 greatest need, 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:16.360 his sin that separates him 00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:17.360 from the love of God. 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:19.759 Jesus not only identifies 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:21.059 this greater brokenness 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:22.120 than his physical body, 00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:23.860 Jesus has the solution 00:19:23.860 --> 00:19:24.799 and authority 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:26.000 to carry it out. 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.480 And to demonstrate 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:28.700 that spiritual authority, 00:19:28.840 --> 00:19:29.920 Jesus shows his authority 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:31.140 over the physical as well, 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:32.400 and heals the man 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:33.440 so that he can walk. 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:35.720 Jesus does not give 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:37.460 the crippled man food, 00:19:37.620 --> 00:19:38.980 he gives him himself, 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.200 the bread of life, 00:19:40.600 --> 00:19:41.340 that he may never 00:19:41.340 --> 00:19:42.320 have to hunger again. 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:44.080 Jesus does not only 00:19:44.080 --> 00:19:46.019 restore his physical body, 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.559 Jesus restores 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.460 his relationship 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:49.320 to his creator, 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:51.080 the source of all life. 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.880 Jesus does not invite 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:53.660 the man for dinner, 00:19:53.820 --> 00:19:54.840 he brings him 00:19:54.840 --> 00:19:56.019 to his true father 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.640 so that he can be adopted, 00:19:58.140 --> 00:19:59.320 called a son of God 00:19:59.320 --> 00:20:01.140 and a co-heir with Christ, 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:02.800 to share in the riches 00:20:02.800 --> 00:20:04.560 of God's grace forever. 00:20:06.860 --> 00:20:09.420 This is a greater David, 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:11.400 that as David did 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:13.020 the best that he could do, 00:20:13.080 --> 00:20:14.380 he did fulfill his promise. 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:15.780 Jesus doesn't have 00:20:15.780 --> 00:20:16.960 any promise to this man, 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:18.500 and yet he showed him 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.920 this abundant kindness. 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.820 David was following through 00:20:22.820 --> 00:20:23.600 on his word, 00:20:24.340 --> 00:20:26.040 Jesus is going out of his way 00:20:26.040 --> 00:20:27.740 to fulfill and restore 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:29.180 this man to life, 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:30.299 not just physically, 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.560 but ultimately, 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:32.400 spiritually. 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:35.680 And it is in this way, 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.420 and it is later through 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:37.120 the life, death, 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:37.580 and resurrection 00:20:37.580 --> 00:20:38.900 of Jesus Christ 00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:39.820 that God would fulfill 00:20:39.820 --> 00:20:41.259 his promise to David 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:43.779 to uphold his house forever. 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:47.880 So, for some closing applications, 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:50.080 first, we must see ourselves 00:20:50.080 --> 00:20:51.640 rightly within these stories. 00:20:52.860 --> 00:20:54.860 We are the Mephibosheth 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:55.980 and the paralytic. 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.500 We have nothing to bring. 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:59.299 We can often be confused 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:00.819 by the great mercy of God 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.680 toward us, 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:03.299 expecting the natural consequences 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:03.980 of our sin, 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.539 but by faith in Jesus Christ, 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:06.559 we can be restored, 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:07.339 forgiven, 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:08.980 restored to new life 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:10.420 and everlasting life 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.079 with God. 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.980 Always welcome to be with God 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:14.160 like his own son. 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:15.920 Once we have placed 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:17.039 our faith in Christ, 00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:17.920 we are compelled 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:19.039 by the love of God 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:20.920 to tell the other beggars 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:22.519 where the bread of life is. 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:24.559 God's grace is not only 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:25.740 abundant for me, 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:27.480 it is abundant for all 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.180 that would place 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:29.240 their faith in Christ. 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.880 So, if you have been 00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:31.720 so richly blessed 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.839 to know God's forgiveness 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.440 in Christ, 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.880 you must understand 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.940 that this blessing 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.680 and goodness 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:37.819 is not for you 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:38.920 to keep for yourself. 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.700 Let's close in prayer. 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.019