Restoration 2 Samuel 9:1-13
Like in the past few weeks, we’re continuing a look in the Old Testament. This chapter in 2 Samuel Gives us a description of God, a description of the condition of men, and a description of the glory of God as directed to mankind. More specifically, it gives a description of how God interacts with each one of us.
In this historical account of David and Mephibosheth, like in other readings, we see spiritual truths. Spiritually King David is representing God, and Mephibosheth is representing mankind.
We open with verse 1, “David asked, ‘Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul…’” This immediately made me think of Genesis. How when God was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah Abraham asked God to spare the cities if fifty righteous could be found, then forty-five, and so on till finally he asked if ten righteous would do. In Genesis 6 God is going to destroy the world in a flood but he saves Noah and his family because they are righteous. David reaching out to Mephibosheth is reminiscent of God reaching out to men.
“Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” David wanted to reach out and show kindness to one of Saul’s family because of his friendship with Jonathan. What does his question and desire show us about God and man? Back to Genesis, Genesis 22:16-17, “’I swear by myself,’ declares the Lord, ‘that because you have done this…I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky…” So what does David show us? He shows us that God is still looking for those who believe so he can show kindness, or in other words, he’s still looking for those to give his grace to because he made a vow to Abraham thousands of years ago. David shows kindness to Mephibosheth because of his friendship with Jonathan, God offers us his grace because of his promise to Abraham.
Verse 3, “There is still a son of Jonathan, he is lame in both feet.” Mephibosheth was lame in both legs. This is a total disability, there was no work around. Mephibosheth couldn’t walk, couldn’t move around, couldn’t care for himself. He was totally dependent on others to take care of his needs. King David’s soldiers even had to carry him to the palace.
Mephibosheth is a picture of mankind. We are disabled, hampered, and prevented by our sin. We cannot move forward with God. And there is no work around that allows us to gain God’s mercy on our own. We are totally dependent on God for his grace.
Out of his own empathy, compassion, and desire for Mephibosheth to be restored to the honor he should have by his position in the house of Saul, David extended mercy and had his soldiers bring Mephibosheth to the palace. This is a physical fact. What it shows us spiritually is God, out of his love and compassion, sent Jesus to earth so he may offer us grace and mercy, and lead us back to the house of God.
As David sent the soldiers to find Mephibosheth and bring him back to the palace, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit into the world to find the lost, the lame, the hurting, and to lead them back to God.
Now let’s look at David for a moment. David is king. He lives in the palace. He has anything he wants. He commands men. King David is living in splendor, with everything desirable at his disposal. David has no need to reach out to Mephibosheth, but he does so to honor his position and a friendship; he reaches out to honor his covenant with Jonathan.
God lives in heaven, all of creation is at his disposal. We are powerless, we can do nothing to better God. He doesn’t need us. But God reaches out to us, he invites us to come to him because of his covenant with Abraham, because of his love, and because of his glory.
Now looking at verse 3 again. Let’s remember it says Mephibosheth is “lame in both feet.” In that time someone with a disability was seen as a liability, as someone less worthy, someone seen as not worth one’s time and effort.
Verse 5, “So King David had him brought from Lo Debar…” Lo Debar, the towns name means “no thing.” It points to nothing of value or vitality being from that town, yet King David found value in one from the town, Mephibosheth. This likens us to the prodigal son. He was starving and impoverished, living among the pigs. Filthy and smelling of those pigs, he was seen as valueless. And yet he was seen as glorious and loved by his father when he returned. In fact, his father embraced the boy before he had a chance to wash the grime off himself.
These two examples show us God’s attitude towards us. Whatever dirty manger we are in, whatever lowly position in life we come from, whatever stench of sin covers us, we are not worthless. God sees every person as worthy and deserving of his love and embrace. If we accept Jesus as our savior, there is nothing we can do that would cause God to withhold his grace from us.
Verse 7, “’Do not be afraid,’ David said to (Mephibosheth), ‘for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father, Jonathan.’” David’s statement, “do not be afraid,’ would be meaningless if he didn’t give a reason for Mephibosheth not to be afraid. The reason is, “for the sake of your father.”
We sin, and still God says, “Come to me, do not be afraid.” Ephesians 3:12, “We can come to God without fear because we have put our trust in Christ.”
Now let’s take a minute and look at Mephibosheth. This man bore his family’s shame. The shame caused by King Saul’s jealousy of David and his actions against David.
He bore his own shame born out of his lameness. But the name Mephibosheth means, “one who destroys shame.” King David brought Mephibosheth to the palace. David restored his family inheritance. David showed him love and kindness. And in doing so he ended Mephibosheth’s shame.
Jesus went to the cross abandoned by his friends and shamed by the Romans, three days later he walked out of the tomb, glorified and shameless.
What causes us shame? Is it an inability to live up to society’s standards? Is it incarceration? Perhaps a lack of finances. Whatever we may be ashamed of, Jesus took it to the cross. Through our faith in Christ, the shame we feel at our lacking, the shame we feel over our sin; it’s all removed. Through our faith God sees Jesus’ perfection when he looks on us.
Today, here in the Old Testament, we are taught about our position in the world because of sin. We’re taught about God’s attitude towards us. And we’re taught about what we gain through faith in Christ.
We see that through the condition of our sin we are helpless, relying solely on God for restoration. We see that whatever the condition of our lives as caused by our sin, God is seeking us, calling us to himself and offering us his grace and mercy, his love and presence.
And we see that by accepting Jesus, our sin is removed. Our shame is removed. And we will live with the Father in his house forever.
Now may Jude’s prayer be our prayer.
“to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore. Amen.” (Jude 25)