MEPHIBOSHETH- -2 SAMUEL 9:1-13

MEPHIBOSHETH

2 SAMUEL 9:1-13

Introduction:

Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, the son of King Saul and close friend to David. After the death of Saul and Jonathan David was chosen to be King of Israel. David was occupied with war with the Philistines and business of the kingdom.

When a time of rest came David remembered his covenant with Jonathan and sought to find and help the seed of Saul’s family. Here Mephibosheth appears as a symbol of fallen man and David as a type of Christ as he helps fallen man who is unable to help himself.

I. LIKE MEPHIBOSHETH, MAN IS FALLEN

A. Fleeing, he fell, 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.”

1. Because of Saul’s disobedience God had withdrawen from him and war with the Philistines claimed his life and that of Mephibosheth’s father, 1 Samuel 31:6, “So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.”

2. Mephibosheth’s nurse fled from the advancing Philistines causing the boy to fall, 2 Samuel 4:4b, “and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.”

B. Man fell because of his disobedience to God, Genesis 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

1. Adam had perfect liberty EXCEPT in this one thing, Genesis 2:16, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:”

2. Adam’s disobedience caused his fall from his state of innocence and thus he died spiritually, Genesis 2:17b, “for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

3. Mephibosheth is a type of the fallen sinner fleeing for God’s wrath.

II. DAVID, AS A TYPE OF CHRIST, COMES TO THE AID OF MEPHIBOSHETH

A. David shows kindness to the fallen Mephibosheth, 2 Samuel 9:3, “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.”

1. “…that I may shew the kindness of God unto him?” Isaiah 32:8, “But the liberal [noble, generous] deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.”

2. Saul’s house was a bloody house. Saul had a very numerous family, enough to replenish a country, and was yet so emptied that none of it appeared; but it was a matter of inquiry, Is there any left?

a. The providence of God can empty full families because of sin, Jeremiah 1:15, “And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.”

b. See how the sin of man will do it, Psalm 110:5-6, “The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. 6-He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.”

c. Saul’s was a bloody house, no marvel it was thus reduced, 2 Samuel 21:1, “Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.”

3. Mephibosheth was protected by David against the vengeance the Gibeonites were permitted to execute on the house of Saul, 2 Samuel 21:7, “But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD’S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.”

a. God will protect those who are under the protection of King Jesus during the time of God’s wrath against His enemies, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

b. Those who are not under the protection of King Jesus will suffer, Revelation 6:16-17, “And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

III. MEPHIBOSHETH ACCEPTS THE KINGS OFFER

A. David restores Mephibosheth to life, Ephesians 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

1. He was no more a “dead dog,” but an heir to the kingdom of God, Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

2. Now he sits at the Kings table forever, 2 Samuel 9:13, “So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.”

B. The King of Glory seeks to do the same for fallen man today. Will you let him into your life? He invites to come…

1. To the sure mercies of David, Isaiah 55:3, “Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”

2. To Him for rest from your burden of sin, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

CONCLUSION