Some of you may have watched just a few weeks ago as President Trump did a similar address to that it wasn't technically a State of the Union.
It was an address to the joint session of Congress, and throughout his very lengthy speech, he acknowledged a few guests that he had invited.
They were in the gallery, and if you watch, you recognize you'll remember what had happened.
There were several of them that he went through at various points in his speech, and the point was to put a face on the issues, and then, of course, there were some other motives to that as well.
For example, when he was pressing in the issue for his immigration policy, he recognized the family of a 12-year-old girl who had tragically been killed by an illegal immigrant.
And by doing this, he put a face on the issue to try to gain support for what he's doing, help us understand the reality of the situation as he understood it to be.
But he also gave himself an opportunity to extend a public kindness to the family of that 12-year-old girl who was in attendance.
And in the case of that particular moment, the kindness was to simply rename a wildlife refuge after the name of the girl who enjoyed wildlife and was passionate about that during her lifetime.
Now, a lot of public figures will do this, won't they?
And as they should do.
And these are often actually quite touching moments for us.
Remember, on that particular night especially, there was one moment with a little boy who had survived cancer that was just especially touching.
But even the most genuine acts of kindness in instances like that have a deeply political motivation.
These people are chosen for a reason.
Their circumstances provide a unique opportunity for the public figure to gain some political advantage in something that he wants to emphasize.
And apart from that potential advantage, it's unlikely that they would ever receive the president's personal kindness.
At least in a nationally televised speech.
When we get to 2 Samuel chapter 9, we find a very powerful king showing extraordinary kindness to a subject of his kingdom.
But in this case, there is no conceivable benefit to motivate the king's act.
His kindness was motivated instead by covenant love.
And this love was lavished not on a faithful friend, but on a potential enemy.
A potential threat to his very throne and to the throne of his children.
It's one of my favorite stories in all of the Bible.
And it is so because it so beautifully pictures the kindness of God extended to you and me.
Let's read it together.
2 Samuel 9 verse 1.
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?
Ziba said to the king,
He is in the house of Machir, the son of Amiel, of Lodabar.
Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir, the son of Amiel, at Lodabar.
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.
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 such regard for a dead dog such as I?
Then the king called Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him,
All that belong to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's grandson.
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.
But Mephibosheth, your master's grandson, shall always eat at my table.
Now Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants.
And 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.
And Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Micah.
And all who lived in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servants.
So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table.
Now he was lame in both his feet.
The impact of this story is magnified, I think,
when we understand the historical context in which it took place.
And fortunately for us, 2 Samuel gives us a lot of context that helps us understand it.
The book actually opens by describing the death of David's predecessor, we know to be King Saul.
But it actually took years for David to have a throne that was established in Israel, even after Saul's death.
There was an ongoing struggle, an ongoing war, we might say,
between those who were loyal to the house of Saul and those who were loyal to the house of David.
And after Saul's death, the tribe of Judah anoints David to be king,
but they're the only tribe to anoint David to be king and recognize and receive him as king.
All the other tribes gather and they recognize one of Saul's other sons, Ish-bosheth.
Ish-bosheth.
And they anoint him to be their king.
And so, for a period of two years, David reigns over Judah and Judah alone.
And during that two years, one of Saul's sons reigns in the other place.
And there's constant friction between the two, as you might imagine.
War takes place and unfolds time after time.
For two years, they fought.
But we're told in chapter 3 and verse 1 that David grew stronger and stronger
while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.
Beginning in chapter 5, everything shifts.
Ish-bosheth was killed and David was anointed king over all of Israel,
which initiated a legitimate golden age of God's blessing to God's people.
David established Jerusalem as the center of worship.
He did that in chapter 6 by bringing the Ark of the Covenant,
the tent of God, and letting it rest in Jerusalem rather than where it had been previous.
Establishing Jerusalem as the heart of the worship of Almighty God.
And then in chapter 7, we read of God's covenant with David,
that one day he would raise up offspring from David's seed,
who would be a greater king than David.
Such a king that his throne would see no end.
He would be an eternal king over God's eternal kingdom.
And he would occupy the throne forever.
And then we get to chapter 8,
and we see that God gave David victory over all his enemies,
who pressed against Israel literally from every direction.
He had them coming from the south.
He had them coming from the east.
He had them coming from the north.
Pagan enemies.
And in every situation, simultaneously,
God gives victory to David and to his people.
And what's the point of all of that?
What is it telling us?
It's telling us that David was God's king.
And that the Lord blessed his people through David in every possible way.
So that when we get to chapter 9,
and we read of this particular story,
we find clearly this comes at a time when David needs no advantage.
He doesn't need to gain political clout.
He's not trying to raise his poll numbers.
It's as good as it gets for David.
And it's as good as it gets for God's people at this time.
He had the favor of Almighty God resting on him.
God was blessing everything that he did.
But David was also the representative of God,
meant to reflect God's righteousness
and reveal the nature of God's kingdom.
But as God's representative, like the rest of us,
David often fell short of that purpose.
In fact, just two chapters after this,
we see David at his very worst in the scenario with Bathsheba.
But here, in chapter 9,
we see David at his very best.
This man who is to be the representative of God among his people,
who is to point us forward to a greater king,
whom God is blessing in every imaginable way,
we can argue that in this moment,
he does it best as God's chosen.
So that if we want to see a glimpse of God's loving kindness,
we can see it here in 2 Samuel 9.
If you long to get a taste of what God's eternal kingdom will be like,
you get a taste of it here in 2 Samuel 9.
If you hope to just gain a better understanding of the kind of king that Jesus is,
this chapter will give you a lot to meditate on.
Now what I want to do is just kind of lead you on a march through the plot line of the chapter.
We won't be able to stop and examine every detail.
I'll leave that to you.
We're going to look at the big picture here.
We want to see why.
Why is this here?
Why did God see fit to include this particular story of David?
Out of countless others, why this one?
Why is it here?
What are we supposed to understand?
First thing I want you to see here is the king's search.
The king's search.
Let's just read verses 1 through 4 again.
David said,
Well, again, in the United States, we enjoy the peaceful transfer of power, typically,
whenever one presidential administration transitions to another.
Historically speaking, that is quite unusual.
You understand that.
In the ancient Near East, whenever a king overtook another,
his first step was eliminating every potential threat to his throne,
which meant hunting down and killing the previous king's family,
especially his children.
He would find his advisors, and he would eliminate them as well.
Anyone who had a serious loyalty to the previous regime would be imprisoned or killed.
Anyone who might foment some kind of insurrection in the name of the previous king.
The cultural expectation for David,
cultural,
was that he would kill the entire house of Saul.
And it is this expectation that overshadows this entire scene,
this entire narrative,
is founded upon that premise
that what was expected of David
is that in his search for whoever remains of Saul's family and Saul's lineage would be eliminated.
And it's magnified by the fact that in the chapters leading up to it,
there's this constant war,
even after Saul's death between David and Saul's loyalists.
So when David asked if anyone from Saul's family was still alive,
the expectation is that he's asking
so that he might finish off any remaining threat to his own throne.
And surprisingly,
David searched for Saul's remaining relatives,
not to kill them,
but to show him kindness.
This word for kindness,
chesed,
it's often translated as mercy or steadfast love.
It refers to extraordinary kindness that isn't self-seeking.
It arises from personal affection and purity and goodness.
John Woodhouse defines it this way,
it is mercy and kindness shown toward one in need
by one with the power to help,
but not necessarily with any obligation to help.
That's what's being communicated by this language here.
There's three things about David's kindness,
his search to show kindness that I think sticks out here
that would be good for us to know.
First, his kindness was covenantal.
His kindness was covenantal.
He wasn't looking for political advantage,
he wasn't looking for personal praise.
His search to show kindness
was motivated by covenantal love.
Specifically,
specifically,
over the covenant that he made with Jonathan,
who was not only Saul's son
and next in line for the throne
according to Saul's lineage,
but he was David's best friend.
David sought someone to bless
out of his deep,
covenantal faithfulness
and love for Jonathan.
We remember that covenant
from 1 Samuel chapter 20.
Let me just read it to you.
1 Samuel 20, 14 to 17.
This is Jonathan speaking.
He says,
If I am still alive,
show me the steadfast love of the Lord.
Same word as kindness here in 2 Samuel 9.
Has said,
show me the steadfast love of the Lord
that I may not die.
And do not cut off your hesed,
steadfast love,
from my house forever.
When the Lord cuts off
every one of the enemies of David
from the face of the earth,
and Jonathan made a covenant
with the house of David,
saying,
May the Lord take vengeance
on David's enemies.
And Jonathan made David swear again
by his love for him.
For he loved him
as he loved his own soul.
What is the nature
of this kindness being displayed?
He's not looking to gain advantage.
He's being faithful to a covenant.
Faithful to a covenant.
A covenant of love.
Second,
his kindness is godly.
It's godly love.
In verse 3,
David speaks of this action
when he speaks to Ziba.
He doesn't say
that I may show my kindness.
He says that I may show
the kindness of God to him
is what he sought to do.
He understood himself
to be a conduit
of God's steadfast love to others.
The action,
whatever it is that he would do,
it would not merely be from David.
It would be God's favor
supplied through David
David's kindness,
to someone from Saul's house.
David's kindness,
even in his own understanding,
was meant to reflect
the kindness of God.
He was God's man.
He was God's instrument.
A man who had God's heart.
And it's reflected
at its best here.
Third,
his kindness
was extraordinary.
It was extraordinary kindness.
And we've touched on this already,
but we find here
that after consulting with Ziba,
David discovered
that one of Jonathan's sons
had survived.
And everything we read here
about this young man
points to one thing.
Shame.
There is nothing good
said about Mephibosheth here.
Not because he wasn't
a good guy,
but because he would have
been recognized
in every possible way
with shame.
His disabilities
crippled in his feet.
It's emphasized
throughout the text.
It's mentioned over and over.
In fact,
you'll notice,
even when we get
to the very end of the chapter,
the very last thing
that it says about
Mephibosheth again
is that he was lame.
He was crippled in his feet.
It's emphasized.
Why?
Shame.
Something that might
have gained him pity
in some regards
in our culture
garnered only shame
in his own day.
But how he became crippled
reminds us
that this man
was a potential enemy
of God
and of David.
He was crippled
by running for his life
after Saul's death.
Just flip a couple
of chapters back
to chapter 4
and look at
verse 4.
Jonathan,
the son of Saul,
had a son
who was crippled
in his feet.
And this is how
he became crippled.
He was five years old
when the news
about Saul
and Jonathan
came from Jezreel,
that is their death,
and his nurse
took him up
and fled
and as she fled
in her haste,
he fell
and he became lame
and his name
was Mephibosheth.
How did he even
become lame
to begin with?
He wasn't born that way.
He became lame
because he was
related to Saul
and upon Saul
and Jonathan's death,
everybody expects
whoever's coming next
is coming after us
and they get out
of the house
as quickly as they can.
Five-year-old Mephibosheth
is picked up
by his nurse
and on the rush out,
he falls
and he breaks his legs.
Another reminder
of who he is.
He's a potential enemy.
And then finally,
what do we know
about Mephibosheth
from chapter 9
in this little section?
Well, we learn about
where he is
currently
and his location
suggests a life
of exile.
Lodabar
was somewhere
in the Transjordan area,
somewhere northeast
of the Jordan River.
We can approximate
where it was
but nobody really knows
where it was
and that is
by design.
Lodabar,
it literally means
no word.
This is the kind
of place
that you went
when you didn't
want to be found.
That's where
Mephibosheth was,
the grandson
of the previous king.
He's in hiding.
He's in exile.
He is unwelcome
in Jerusalem
or anywhere near David
and his kingdom.
At least that's
what he believes.
So what do we know
about the grandson
of Saul?
Well,
he lived a life
of shame
in exile
as an enemy
of the king.
This,
this is the one
that David
determined to show
the steadfast love
of the Lord to.
Second,
let's look at
the king's encounter.
So we see his search.
Let's look at his encounter
in verses 5 to 8.
Start with
verses 5 and 6.
Then king David
sent and brought him,
that is Mephibosheth,
from the house
of Machir,
the son of Amiel
at Lodabar.
And Mephibosheth,
the son of Jonathan,
son of Saul,
came to David,
fell on his face
and paid homage.
David said,
Mephibosheth.
He answered,
Behold,
I am
your servant.
Now you can imagine
Mephibosheth's anxiety
when David's representatives
arrive at his hideout
in Lodabar.
He must
surely have expected
this to be
the end.
Judgment day
for Mephibosheth
as he might have feared
for many years,
maybe up to two decades
at this point.
it had finally arrived.
All he could do
was plead
for the king's mercy.
And that's exactly
what he did.
He makes it to David,
he stands before the king
and he immediately
falls on his face,
prostrate
before the king
and we're told
that he pays homage,
he gives honor
to the king
and he declares,
Behold,
I'm your servant.
I don't want
your throne.
I'm not serving Saul.
I am your servant.
What is this?
It is a
plea for mercy.
His words,
his actions,
they're all recognizing
that David
is the true
king of Israel
in hopes
that the king
who has all the power
would grant him
mercy
in this moment.
Again,
John Woodhouse
so helpfully,
he remarks here
that David's kingdom
would be one
in which those
with reason
to be his enemies
would receive kindness
if only
they received him
as their king.
And that's
exactly what
Mephibosheth is doing.
He falls on his face.
He understands
his unworthiness.
He understands
the situation.
He understands
what
David would be justified,
culturally speaking,
would be justified
in doing.
And he pleads
for mercy.
Look at verse 7.
David said to him,
Do not fear.
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.
Always.
Now I wonder
what came first.
Shock.
Confusion.
Skepticism.
Here's Mephibosheth.
He's been in hiding.
Now he's summoned
to the king.
There's no indication
that he has
any understanding
as to why
he's being summoned.
He probably expects
he's about to lose
his life
and probably
his son as well.
But what he hears
is those
gracious words
that we so often
read in the scripture.
Don't be afraid.
The one who has
the power
to do whatever
he wants
to Mephibosheth
says,
don't be afraid.
Do not fear.
He must have
expected the
sentence of death.
What he actually
experienced however
was loving kindness.
Surprising.
Unexpected.
Don't be afraid
Mephibosheth.
I mean to show
you kindness
for the sake
of the covenant
I made with your dad.
And then David
reveals the fruit
of that kindness.
What exactly
does he mean
to show kindness?
And he mentions
two things.
The restoration
of Saul's estate
to Mephibosheth.
But then even greater
is this lifelong
seat
at the king's table.
The one
who had lived
in exile
would be brought
near to the king.
He who had
nothing but shame
would be given
more honor
and wealth
than he would
have ever imagined.
He who was
considered
an enemy
would now feast
every day
at the table
of the king.
And he would
receive all of this
not because of
anything that he
had done
but solely
on the basis
of the covenant
love
of the king.
Mephibosheth
receives the
fullness of mercy
and grace
in that moment.
And how does
he respond?
Verse 8
He paid homage
and he said
what is your servant
that you should
show
regard
for a dead dog
such as I?
As Mephibosheth
pleads for mercy
what he wants
is to live.
what he gets
is far more
than that.
And then he
displays this
utter humility
knowing that
he was
unworthy
of all
that the king
promised to him.
And his language
is familiar.
It's similar
to what David
said to God
after God
made
a covenant
with him
earlier in the book.
just flip over
to chapter 7
and look at
verse 18.
God gives
this amazing
covenant with David
and then look
and of course
everything that
follows in that
chapter is
David's response
and prayer.
Just look at
verse 18.
Chapter 7
verse 18.
Then King David
went in
and sat
before the Lord
and said
Who am I
O Lord God?
What is my house
that you have
brought me
thus far?
Similar to what
Mephibosheth
is now recognizing
in chapter 9
and verse 8.
What is your servant?
Who am I David?
That you would show
this kind of regard
for me.
It gives us
a deeper look
into what
moved David
to act
with such kindness.
He did for
Mephibosheth
what God
had done for him.
Those who truly
know the love
of God
will show
the love of God
to others
even their enemies
and that's what
we see coming
forth in David's
life.
But David
and Mephibosheth
together
exemplify
the only
true
response
to the kindness
of God.
Humble
worship.
recognizing
that they are
owed
nothing
of what
they're receiving.
They're worthy
of the opposite
of what
they're receiving
and yet
in grace
God
shows them
amazing
extraordinary
covenant
kindness.
And what
is their
response?
Who am I?
Not
it's about
time
you came
to your senses
and did this.
No.
Who am I
that you
would do
this for me?
Those
who do
not
worship
suggest
that they
have not
come to
understand
the steadfast
love of
the Lord.
Because to
truly
understand
who you
are
in
relationship
to God
will
produce
only one
thing
humble
worship.
But those
who recognize
their true
unworthiness
before a
holy God
will burst
forth in
humble worship
and praise
as they
acknowledge
and experience
his
unexpected
extraordinary
kindness
to them.
What does
your worship
suggest?
Does it
suggest you
have known
the kindness
of God?
Third,
we see
the king's
kindness.
We've seen
his search.
We've seen
his encounter
with Mephibosheth
and now we see
the details
of his
kindness.
Verses 9
to 13,
let's read
them together.
Then the
king called
Ziba,
Saul's servant,
said to him,
All that
belong to
Saul and
to all
his house
I've given
to your
master's
grandson.
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.
But
Mephibosheth,
your master's
grandson,
shall always
eat at
my table.
Now
Ziba had
15 sons
and 20
servants
indicating
substantial
wealth for
a servant.
Then
Ziba said
to the
king,
According
to all
that my
lord the
king
commands
his
servants,
so will
your
servant
do.
And
here's
the
summary
of it
all.
So
Mephibosheth
ate at
David's
table like
one of
the king's
sons.
And
Mephibosheth
had a
young son
whose name
was
Micah.
And
all
who
lived
in
Ziba's
house
became
Mephibosheth's
servants.
So
Mephibosheth
lived in
Jerusalem,
for he
ate always
at the
king's
table.
Now
he was
lame
in
both
his
feet.
So
in
these
final
verses,
David
repeats
the
promise
to
Ziba,
whom
he
designated
to be
Mephibosheth's
chief
servant.
He,
his 15
sons,
and his
20
servants
were to
become
the
caretakers
of what
is now
Mephibosheth's
estate,
while Mephibosheth
himself
remained
close to
the king.
And
then the
narrator
expounds
on the
details of
David's
kindness.
I think
there's
five things
worth noting.
First,
most
profoundly,
Mephibosheth
was given
a seat
at David's
table.
This is
intimacy.
This is
blessing
that cannot
be exceeded.
But
this time,
there's a
different
note.
It's not
only that
he will
sit at
the table,
he will
sit at
the table
as if
one of
the king's
sons.
The
grandson
of
David's
greatest
enemy
became
as one
of
David's
own
children.
Amazing.
Second,
there's a
statement here
about
Mephibosheth's
young son
Micah.
It's just
a quick
statement
and it
moves on,
but why
is it
here?
This
whole
ordeal,
it was
not just
about an
act of
kindness
to a
disabled
man
who
showed
no
reasonable
threat
to the
throne.
I
mean,
who's
really
going to
be
afraid
of
Mephibosheth?
Micah.
But that's
not what
this kindness
is about.
Included
in this
kindness
is his
own
family.
Micah
ensured
the
survival
of
Saul's
line,
which
did pose
a significant
threat
to the
future of
David's
throne.
So
why
would
David
show
such
kindness
to
someone
who
was
such
a
potential
threat?
The
only
answer
for
that
is
that
he
had
his
own
faith.
David
fully
trusted
that
God
would
be
faithful
to
his
covenant.
The
covenant
that he
gives
to
David
in
chapter
seven
when
he
says
there
will
be
no
end
to
your
throne.
There's
going
to
be
an
offspring
that
comes
from
you
David
and
he's
going
to
be
perfect
he's
going
to
reign
forever
he's
going
to
bring
my
kingdom
in
a
way
that
you
wouldn't
even
imagine
David
and
David
says
I
believe
you
David
has
no
fear
of
Micah
David
has
no
fear
of
anyone
else
that
would
come
from
Saul's
line
not
because
humanly
speaking
they
wouldn't
be
a
reasonable
threat
but
because
David
trusted
God
he
trusted
!
God's
covenant
And
therefore
he
showed
great
faithfulness
to the
covenant
that he
made
not only
to
Jonathan
but
also
to
Saul
that
he
would
not
bring
an
end
to
his
progeny
this
was an
act of
faith
from
beginning
to
end
amazing
third
Saul's
servants
were
made
Mephibosheth
servants
meaning
Mephibosheth
shame
was
turned
to
honor
there's
much
more
we could
say
about
Ziba
I'll
restrain
myself
at this
point
but
it
would
be
worth
you
looking
into
number
four
Mephibosheth
was
brought
out
of
exile
to
live
the
rest
of
his
days
in
David
city
Jerusalem
where
the
presence
of
God
was
now
where
the
king
was
enjoying
his
seat
at
the
king's
table
and
then
finally
the
final
note
we're
reminded
once
again
of
his
own
disability
the
king
doesn't
heal
his
legs
he
just
brings
him
to
the
table
anyways
in
the
narrative
this
disability
it
represents
brokenness
it
represents
shame
it
represents
sin
Mephibosheth
isn't
brought
to the
king's
table
because
of his
disability
he was
brought
to the
king's
table
in
spite
of
his
disability
that's
the
idea
being
pressed
This
is not
a
come
as
you
are
situation
this
is
a
come
in
spite
of
who
you
are
situation
the
one
who
was
despised
by
his
culture
was
loved
by
his
king
and
in
this
way
David's
best
moment
gives
us a
beautiful
picture
of
Christ
eternal
kingdom
in which
the
outcast
are
welcomed
and
the
lame
leaped
for
joy
which
brings
us
to
our
final
consideration
why
is
this
here
it's
a
great
story
but
is
that
all
it
is
it
just
meant
to
encourage
us
that
there
is
goodness
in
the
world
despite
how
much
wickedness
we
see
well
no
I
think
it's
more
than
that
on
the
one
hand
it
is
an
example
of
how
God's
people
are
to
display
God's
character
to
the
world
David
is
God's
representative
to
God's
people
he
is
to
show
forth
the
character
of
God
in
the
way
that
he
rules
and
reigns
over
Israel
David
was
kind
because
God
is
kind
and
if
like
David
we
are
to
be
people
with
God's
very
heart
we
must
learn
to
show
extraordinary
kindness
and
covenantal
love
even
to
those
who
hate
us
this
is
precisely
what
Jesus
commanded
Matthew
5
in the
Sermon
on the
Mount
Jesus
says
you've
heard
it
said
you
shall
love
your
neighbor
and
hate
your
enemy
but
I
say
to
you
love
your
enemies
and
pray
for
those
who
persecute
you
why
Jesus
says
so
that
for
the
purpose
that
you
may
show
that
you
are
sons
of
the
father
in
heaven
now
why
does
he
say
that
he
continues
because
the
father
who
is
in
heaven
makes
his
son
to
rise
on
the
evil
and
on
the
good
and
he
sends
rain
on
the
just
and
on
the
unjust
for
if
you
love
those
who
love
you
what
reward
do
you
have
Jesus
says
do
not
even
the
tax
collectors
do
the
same
and
if
you
greet
only
your
brothers
what
more
are
you
doing
than
others
do
not
even
the
Gentiles
do
the
same
you
therefore
must
be
perfect
as
your
father
is
perfect
now
there
is
something
in
that
for
us
David
as
God's
representative
demonstrates
God's
kindness
even
to
his
enemies
there
are
also
times
he
demonstrates
God's
justice
to
his
enemies
in
this
case
we
see
his
kindness
and
then
Jesus
says
just
like
God
is
kind
you
are
to
be
kind
if
you're
going
to
come
after
me
you're
going
to
have
to
be
kind
you're
going
to
show
grace
and
mercy
and
love
just
like
the
father
does
and
what
is
it
that
the
father
does
even
those
who
are
evil
Jesus
says
even
those
who
are
unjust
he
feeds
them
he
sends
rain
so
that
their
crops
will
grow
and
so
that
they
can
survive
he
people
that
are
persecuting
those
who
love
God
pours
out
his
kindness
on
them
and
here
we
are
deciding
that
we're
going
to
isolate
from
everybody
imaginable
who
doesn't
think
like
us
and
isn't
like
us
and
doesn't
love
God
like
we
love
God
that
is
not
what
Christ
did
and
it's
not
what
he
calls
us
to
do
and
David
in
his
best
moment
shows
us
that
even
thousands
we
need
to
take
that
away
in
this
in
this
passage
but
that's
not
the
primary
purpose
of
this
passage
it's
a
useful
application
it's
not
the
main
one
there's
a
greater
purpose
to
this
text
it
points
us
to
the
extraordinary
kindness
of
God
in
the
gospel
of
Jesus
Mephibosheth
was
only
a
potential
enemy
of
David
what
we
find
is
that
he
was
not
actually
a
real
threat
was
he
he's
a
potential
enemy
turns
out
he
wasn't
an
actual
enemy
however
all
of
us
by
our
very
nature
are
true
enemies
of
God
not
potential
it's
what
we
are
we're
set
in
rebellion
against
him
we're
set
in
rebellion
against
his
rule
over
us
but
out
of
his
covenant
love
displayed
and promised
through the
centuries
God
sent
his
son
Jesus
so
!
so that
he might
redeem
us
from
our
sin
take
away
our
shame
freely
give us
the blessings
of his
kingdom
and give
us a
seat
at his
table
as his
sons and
daughters
forever
God
not a
potential
enemy
an
actual
enemy
so
great
is his
love
for us
that
David
can only
point us
toward it
he can't
give us
the fullness
of what
it is
but that's
exactly what
David was
meant to
do
he's
meant to
point us
forward
to something
greater
he's
not to
show the
fullness
of what
that is
he's
just to
point us
to something
greater
than himself
and that
greater
thing
was a
person
Jesus
Christ
the
son
of
God
who
came
to
make
his
enemies
his
sons
in the
primary
application
of this
text
if you're
trying to
insert
yourself
somewhere
to
figure
out
where
you
fit
in
this
dynamic
we're
not
David
we're
Mephibosheth
Titus
chapter 3
4-7
but when
the goodness
and the
loving kindness
of God
our Savior
appeared
has said
he saved
us
not because
of works
done by us
in righteousness
not because
we were
worthy of
it
not because
we earned
it
not because
there was
just something
special about
us that
wasn't special
of others
no
but according
to his
own mercy
according
to his
own
chesed
by the
washing
of regeneration
and the
renewal
of the
Holy Spirit
whom he
poured out
on us
richly
through
Jesus
Christ
our
Savior
why
so that
being justified
by his
grace
we might
become
heirs
sons
daughters
and what
is it that
we are
granted as
heirs
the hope
of eternal
life
Paul said
I could
take you
to dozens
of passages
that say the
same exact
thing
in the
New Testament
what's it
all about
it's pointing
us back
to passages
like this
we're not
meant to go
to this text
and think
David was
awesome
we're meant
to walk away
from this text
saying
God is
kind
what a
God
that he
would do
this for
us
Spurgeon
always
had a
helpful
quip
and he
does
in
relationship
to
Mephibosheth
he says
Mephibosheth
was not
an attractive
guest
at the
royal
table
yet
he had
an open
invitation
because
King
David
could see
in his
face
the
features
of his
beloved
Jonathan
and like
Mephibosheth
the Lord
invites us
to share
intimately
with him
because he
sees in
our
countenances
the
remembrance
of his
dearly
beloved
Jesus
such
is the
love
that the
father
bears
to his
only
begotten
that
for his
sake
he
raises
his
lowly
brothers
and sisters
from poverty
and exile
to enjoy
the king's
court
and noble
rank
and royal
provision
a king's
table
is a
noble
hiding
place
for lame
legs
lord
help
the
lame
to
leap
like
the
deer
and
satisfy
all
your
people
with
the
bread
of
your
table
so
good
why
is it
here
it's
here
to
point
us
to
the
kindness
of
God
in
the
gospel
of
Jesus
by
his
death
and
resurrection
God
makes
his
enemies
his
sons
and
Christ
kingdom
is
one
in
which
those
with
reason
to
be
his
enemies
receive
his
kindness
if
only
they
receive
him
as
their
king
and
those
who
will
do
that
through
repentance
and
faith
will
always
eat
at
the
king's
table
what