Transcript

A young boy was consistently late coming home from school. His parents warned him one day that he must be home on time that afternoon. But that night he arrived later than ever. His mother met him at the door and said nothing.

Later at dinner, the young man came to the table and looked at his plate. There was a slice of bread and a glass of water. He looked at his father’s full plate and then at his father, but his father remained silent. The boy was crushed.

The father waited for the full impact to sink in, then quietly took the boy’s plate and placed it in front of himself. He took his own plate of meat and potatoes, put it in front of the boy, and smiled at his son. When that boy grew to be a man, he said, “All my life I’ve known what God is like by what my father did that night.”

In this episode of Transformed by Grace, we’ll take a look at a young man who also experienced grace at a dinner table. We learn what God is like by it as well.

As you read through God’s Word, you sometimes come across a scene and a person where you see an unforgettable portrait of grace. This is the case with an obscure man in Scripture, who has a name that can be a real tongue twister: Mephibosheth.

2 Samuel 4:4: “And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.”

Mephibosheth was the son of David’s close friend, Jonathan. Jonathan was the son of King Saul, thus of course, Mephibosheth was the grandson of King Saul.

King Saul and Jonathan were both killed in battle against the Philistines, leaving the throne to be occupied by David. This is the “tidings” mentioned in 2 Samuel 4:4. It was news of Saul’s and Jonathan’s deaths.

Years earlier David made two promises, one to Jonathan and one to King Saul. In 1 Samuel 20, David was running for his life from King Saul who was trying to remove this threat to his throne out of his jealousy. David was destined for the throne, and his friend Jonathan pledged to help and save David, but asked him one favor in return.

1 Samuel 20:13-15 reads, “…but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee…And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever…”

It was the custom in dynasties at that time that when a new king took over, the entire family of the displaced king were eliminated to remove the possibility of any future opposition and revolt.

Jonathan asked David, that when he became king and took the throne, to please show his family kindness, and to preserve his and their lives, and to take care of them and protect them.

David agreed without any hesitation. And his deep, loyal friendship with Jonathan led him to willingly enter into a binding covenant with him to spare their descendants after he became the King of Israel.

1 Samuel 20:16,17 reads, “So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David…And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.”

After Saul’s and Jonathan’s death in battle, news came to the family of their demise.

The family and servants had no idea that David had no intention of harming them when he became king. So knowing what normally happened in these circumstances, they ran to escape and to hide themselves.

Of special concern to them was 5-year-old Mephibosheth, because upon the deaths of his father and grandfather, he would have been the heir to the throne. And if David was intent on killing Saul’s heirs, this boy would have been first on the list.

When the nurse heard that both Saul and Jonathan were dead, she grabbed the boy who was in her charge and she fled to protect him, holding him as she ran.

In her haste to run away as fast as she could, she apparently tripped, and the boy slipped and tumbled out of her arms and fell. She may have landed on top of him, but the biblical record simply says that he fell as she ran.

As a result of this accident, Mephibosheth’s feet were damaged. The bones never mended correctly, and he was lame and permanently disabled. For the rest of his life he was crippled.

We find in all this how Mephibosheth had a life of hardship from a very young age. When he was only 5 years old, he lost both his father and his grandfather. He became lame from a fall, and could not run and play like others his age.

Not only that, but he had every reason to believe that he was the king’s enemy, and would be eventually killed. For around 15 to 20 years, Mephibosheth lived a life of insecurity in a distant land, in hiding and in fear for his life.

2 Samuel 9:1-6: “And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.

“And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.

“Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!”

As time went by, David did not forget Jonathan, or the promise he had made to him. There came a day that something prompted David to ask, “Is there anyone left in Saul’s family? I want to show kindness to that person for Jonathan’s sake.”

For David, this wasn’t a political maneuver. He wasn’t try to do good to be applauded by the people of Israel. He wasn’t doing something good so someone would do something good in return. He just wanted to show grace and kindness.

And so he asked the people in his court if there was anyone left to whom he might demonstrate kindness because of Jonathan.

Notice how David asked: “Is there anyone?” He didn’t ask, “Is there anyone qualified?” Or “Is there anyone worthy?”

But instead, regardless of who they were, David asked if there was anybody still living that should be the recipient of his kindness in Saul’s family?

Now servants scramble when king’s request anything. Thus, they act quickly and immediately think of having David ask Ziba, who was a servant of the late King Saul. If anyone might know, he would! Ziba is then brought before King David.

David asked Ziba the same question. Ziba reported that he knew of a descendant, and that Jonathan had a son still living who was crippled in both his feet.

Notice that when Ziba mentioned Mephibosheth’s name, he mentioned his problem. This happens a lot in life, that when people’s names are mentioned their problems are mentioned in the same breath.

Have you heard from John lately, you know, the one who was in that accident? Lucy’s in town. It’s a shame she has to raise those kids on her own. I saw Frank today. He can’t seem to keep a job. Our circumstances and past follows us wherever we go.

But when God speaks of the believer, He doesn’t mention our past, our plight, our pain, or our problems. He lifts us up and calls us His dear children, children of light, a saint, heirs of God, beloved of God, ambassadors for Christ, and members of Christ’s Body.

You can see an insinuation in the response that Ziba gives the king. David asked “Is there anybody left in the house of Saul that I might show the kindness of God?” The servant answered, “Yes, there is, Jonathan has a son, but he’s lame on his feet.”

In other words: David you better think hard about this, because he would be out of place in your court, and wouldn’t fit well here. He doesn’t fit with your surroundings, its people, and this beautiful palace. He has a serious disability.

But in keeping with the “kindness OF GOD,” Mephibosheth’s condition didn’t matter. David was looking to show the unconditional kindness and love of God.

This was also about keeping his promise to his friend Jonathan, who had made David promise that he would show his family the “kindness of the Lord.”

Because David was fulfilling this promise, David didn’t ask how bad Mephibosheth’s condition was, or how he became crippled, if there were any other options, or any healthy family members? These words were never spoken.

David’s only response was “Where is he?” “Where’s the man located?” Ziba answered that he was living at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.

He was in Lo Debar, says Ziba. In Hebrew “Lo” means “no,” and “Debar” means “pasture.” This royal son of Jonathan was living in a desolate place, in a remote, barren location on the east of the Jordan River, about 10 miles south of the Sea of Galilee.

He was living with Machir. Machir was a man of wealth and means. Later, during the rebellion of Absalom, Machir, with others, came to David’s assistance, bringing many supplies for the king and his men.

Machir ministered to those in need in Israel. He helped a lame prince, Mephibosheth, by providing him with a place to live, and then later he helped King David with provisions.

Mephibosheth had been hidden away in a barren place far away from Jerusalem with Machir, and the only one who knew his whereabouts was an old servant of Saul.

It had been around 15-20 years, so being around 20 to 25 years of age, Mephibosheth had a family of his own by this time. We read in this chapter in verse 12 that he had a young son named Mica.

Mephibosheth had been hiding, now with a family, and the last thing he ever wanted to hear was an emissary from the king knocking on his door. But this is exactly what happened.

Mephibosheth finally did get that knock on the door that he dreaded, as David’s servant was dispatched and went to fetch “him out of the house.”

We can only imagine his shock and fear at the sight of David’s courier. After answering the door, Mephibosheth is told that the king requested to see him. He most likely thought, “Well, this is it.” “It’s curtains for me.”

Then Mephibosheth is put in a chariot to be taken to Jerusalem. Arriving there, he is escorted into the palace, and then right into the very presence of the king himself.

Coming into the King’s presence, this frightened man drops his crutches and throws himself down and falls on his face before the king, the one who had sovereign rights over his life. He did so fully expecting the king’s wrath and judgment.

David says, “Mephibosheth,” or, “Are you Mephibosheth?” And his response was “Yes, I am Mephibosheth and your servant.”

He had no idea what to expect, and he expected the worst. Expecting death, he instead hears unbelievable words from the King.

2 Samuel 9:7-13: “And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

“And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.

“Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

“Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.

“And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.”

Mephibosheth’s fear is understandable. So David’s first words to him were “Fear not.” “Don’t be afraid.” The trembling guest was given assurance that he was bowing before a gracious king.

The name Mephibosheth means “he who scatters shame.” And that is what David did for the young prince. And in fulfilling his promise from long ago, Jonathan’s son would be honored and treated with kindness forever.

Mephibosheth expected the king’s wrath; instead, he got grace, unbelievable grace. Mephibosheth need not fear anything. He would be under David’s protection.

David assures him of his kindness, telling him, “I will SURELY show thee kindness,” and in his kindness he would restore to Mephibosheth all the land of his grandfather, Saul, the land that his father Jonathan would have inherited from Saul.

Best of all, David insisted that he would eat at his table regularly with all of his family as one of the king’s sons. This is repeated 4 times in these verses (vv. 7,10,11,13).

Grace can be shocking and confusing. And Mephibosheth is confused. He asked: “What is thy servant” or “Who am I?” The kindness he had received from the king was overwhelming.

He asked David, “Why would you look so favorably upon me, who is no better than a dead dog?” To be called a “dog” in Bible times was to be considered of very low estate, to be contemptible and useless. Being a DEAD dog took it to another level and was even worse!

Mephibosheth humbly knew he had not merited and did not deserve such kindness and could in no way repay this. In response, David piles on more blessing.

Ziba is called before the king again. As Ziba had served King Saul, Ziba and his sons and servants were appointed by the king to serve Saul’s grandson, Mephibosheth.

Ziba and his 15 sons and 20 servants were all commanded by David to work the land for Mephibosheth and to give him the food and its profits.

The estate belonging to King Saul would have been quite substantial, and it would take all these sons and servants of Ziba to work the land, and to harvest its crops. Then David tells Ziba that Mephibosheth would always eat at his table.

Mephibosheth and his family moved from Lo-Debar to Jerusalem, and everything that David promised came true, and he continually ate at the king’s table.

Think of suppers at this table with David in the years to come. It’s mealtime. The dinner bell rings in the palace. Along come the members of the family and any guests.

King David enters and takes his rightful place at the head of the table. Next, Amnon, David’s oldest son, comes in and sits to the right of his father. Tamar, the tender daughter of David enters next, and sits beside her half-brother Amnon.

Handsome Absalom, with his black as a raven, flowing hair, enters and takes a seat, next to his sister Tamar.

This particular evening Joab, the courageous warrior and David’s commander of the troops, has been invited to dinner, he proudly walks in with purpose, and takes a seat.

Later on, one could add Solomon to this picture. He walks slowly in from his study with a scroll in his hand; brilliant, preoccupied Solomon. The heir apparent slowly sits down.

Then they all wait. And they hear the clump, scrape, clump, scrape, clump, scrape of the crutches and feet as Mephibosheth hobbles along.

He smiles as he enters the room and joins the others and finds his place at the table and slips into his seat, taking his place at the table as one of the king’s sons. And as it’s been said, “And then the tablecloth of grace covers his feet.”

Now I ask you: Did Mephibosheth understand grace? You bet he did. His story helps us to understand God’s grace.

Do you see yourself in his story? First, as we rightly divide the Word, we see the main interpretation is for Israel and the kingdom on earth. Believing members of Israel’s program will be shown grace and kindness and will feast with Christ in the Kingdom and find her place at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Lk. 14:15-24).

They will be blessed and honored by their King with literal land, servants, and riches, and be brought into the family of God, and dwell in the kingdom under a mighty and gracious King, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Next, we see a portrait of grace and principles of our salvation in Mephibosheth’s story. He reminds us of wonderful truths about the kindness and grace of God shown to us through Christ our Savior.

Each of us carry the wounds of a fall. We have been crippled by the fall at the beginning, and we have been marred by sin. Living in this world, we each live in Lo-Debar, living in a spiritually barren wasteland.

But we have remembered by the King of kings and Lord of lords, and by Him, like Mephibosheth, we have been called, delivered, elevated, blessed, and given assurance.

By His grace and kindness, not by anything we deserve, Christ calls each of us to Himself. When we respond in faith and trust Him as Savior, we are given a permanent place in His presence. We are made a part of His family, the family of God. And He lavishes us with blessing beyond what we could ever imagine.

We all have crutches. We all have been crippled by sin. But Christ takes us just as we are, crutches and all. Like Mephibosheth, He scatters our shame, and lifts us up. We bow in faith before a gracious God.

David took Mephibosheth from a place of barrenness and exalted him to a place of honor. He took a fearful, broken person from a hiding place and gave him an elevated station, welcomed him in his presence, at his table, “continually.”

Likewise, when we trust Him as our Savior, Christ takes us from where we were, fearful, broken, hiding in our sins, and brings us to where He is, elevates us, and tells us that we are welcome in His presence “continually.”

Like David with Mephibosheth, Christ, as our Creator, has Sovereign right over our life. But we do not need to fear His wrath or judgment of eternal death.

Christ tells us to “Fear not,” and gives us assurance by pointing to His blood-stained Cross and His empty tomb, and tells the believer, “Don’t be afraid.”

Christ gives each of us in the Body of Christ an inheritance, but our inheritance is not a piece of real estate on the earth, but an eternal place in heaven. We are given a high position, seated with Christ in heavenly places, blessed with all spiritual blessings there.

Ephesians 2:5-7: “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us [made us alive] together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

Mephibosheth had nothing, deserved nothing, could repay nothing, and the same is true of us spiritually. But God by His amazing grace, grants His salvation, heaven, forgiveness, and eternal blessings that we can’t earn, don’t deserve and will never be able to repay.

And our response to such grace, is like Mephibosheth’s, “What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?”

We were dead in our sins, heading for eternal judgment, and when we believe and are saved and blessed by God’s grace, our response is like Mephibosheth’s: “Who am I? Why would you look so favorably upon me, who is no better than a dead dog?”

Mephibosheth was constantly reminded as he was in the palace every single day to eat at the king’s table that he was in this magnificent place, enjoying the pleasures and blessing of this position because of the grace of the king and nothing else.

And one day in heaven, in that magnificent place, as we enjoy the pleasure and blessing of our exalted position in Christ in the heavenlies, we will look around and be reminded that it is all because of the love and grace of our Savior and nothing else.