Valued

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Intro:

The story of Mephibosheth is the first thing mentioned after the government of David had been fully established. Typically, it reveals the gospel in a beautiful way, and foreshadows the kindness of God which will be manifested in the coming kingdom.
NIV - 1 David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?"
David sought an opportunity to do good. He might have satisfied his conscience with the performance of his promise to Jonathan if he had been only ready, upon request or application to help. But he does more, he looks for an opportunity.
Note, Good men should seek opportunities of doing good.
Isaiah 32:8 NIV
But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.
Isaiah 31:8 NIV
“Assyria will fall by no human sword; a sword, not of mortals, will devour them. They will flee before the sword and their young men will be put to forced labor.
Kindness: The quality of compassion and generosity, characteristic of God’s dealings towards the weak and poor, demanded of believers. This Kindness is also shown in the words and deeds of Jesus.
(NLT) 3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But— “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. God for Christ's sake shows His great kindness to sinful man.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible.

David and Jonathan's Covenant of Kindness

David and Jonathan's Covenant of Kindness
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible.
NIV
But show me unfailing kindness like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family—not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.” So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.” And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.
2 Now there was a servant of Saul's household named Ziba. They summoned him to appear before David, and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" "At your service," he replied.
3 The king asked, "Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet."
4 "Where is he?" the king asked. Ziba answered, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar."
5 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.
6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, "Mephibosheth!" "At your service," he replied.
7 "Don't be afraid," David said to him, "for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table."
8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?"
9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul's steward, and said to him, "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family.
10 You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master's grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table." (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)
11 Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons.
12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mika, and all the members of Ziba's household were servants of Mephibosheth.
13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table; he was lame in both feet.
1 Samuel 4:4 NIV
So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. And Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
1 Sam 4
(NLT) 4  (Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.)
1 Samuel 20:14–17 NIV
But show me unfailing kindness like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family—not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.” So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.” And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.
15 and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family—not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”
16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.”
17 And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.\
The story of Mephibosheth is the first thing mentioned after the government of David had been fully established. Typically, it reveals the gospel in a beautiful way, and the kindness of God which will be manifested in the coming kingdom.
The story of Mephibosheth is the first thing mentioned after the government of David had been fully established. Typically, it reveals the gospel in a beautiful way, and the kindness of God which will be manifested in the coming kingdom.
Mephibosheth is a type of the sinner and the condition which he is in. He was helpless, being lame of both feet.
How he became lame is found in 2 Samuel 4:4. He fell and became lame, a helpless cripple. It reminds us of the fall of man and the helpless condition into which sin has put man.
Therefore, he could not come to David. He had to be carried into the king's presence. The sinner cannot come of himself to the Saviour; He has to seek him out. And David wanted to show him "the kindness of God" for Jonathan's sake. "Thus, the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man hath appeared" ().
Mephibosheth means "shame out of the mouth" (Confession?); when he hears from David's lips what kindness was prepared for him he confessed with his mouth his own shame and nothingness. "What is thy servant that thou shouldst look upon such a dead dog as I am?" And what words of grace came from David's lips! Surely the kindness of God is here fully made known. He is lifted from his low place of shame to take a place at the King's table "as one of His children.
God for Christ's sake shows His great kindness to sinful man.
Mephibosheth means "shame out of the mouth" (Confession?); when he hears from David's lips what kindness was prepared for him he confessed with his mouth his own shame and nothingness. "What is thy servant that thou shouldst look upon such a dead dog as I am?" And what words of grace came from David's lips! Surely the kindness of God is here fully made known. He is lifted from his low place of shame to take a place at the King's table "as one of His children.
Acts 14:17 NIV
Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
Acts 14
Ephesians 2:7 NIV
in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Gal 5:
Galatians 5:22–23 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Col 3:12
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
14 But show me unfailing kindness like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed,
15 and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family—not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”
16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.”
17 And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.
Kindness – A Characteristic of God’s dealings with His people.
The story of Mephibosheth is the first thing mentioned after the government of David had been fully established. Typically, it reveals the gospel in a beautiful way, and foreshadows the kindness of God which will be manifested in the coming kingdom.
Mephibosheth is a type of the sinner and the condition which he is in. He was helpless, being lame of both feet.
How he became lame is found in chapter 4:4. He fell and became lame, a helpless cripple. It reminds us of the fall of man and the helpless condition into which sin has put man.
Therefore, he could not come to David. He had to be carried into the king's presence. The sinner cannot come of himself to the Savior; He has to seek him out. And David wanted to show him "the kindness of God" for Jonathan's sake. "Thus, the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man hath appeared" ().
God for Christ's sake shows His great kindness to sinful man.
(NLT) 3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But— “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Mephibosheth
Mephibosheth — Saul had a son of this name, and so had Jonathan his son, ( and 21:8-9) His name signifies reproach from the mouth, from Pe, a mouth -- and Bosh, shame.
It is thought by some, that the proper name of Jonathan's son was Merib-baal, (see ) and that his name was changed to Mephibosheth, because the Israelites were cautious of using the name of Baal. Idolatry was not then so much in fashion, as in the after days of the kings of Israel. But this point is speculation.
Mephibosheth means "shame out of the mouth"/ Reproach from the mouth or (Confession?);
· when he hears from David's lips what kindness was prepared for him he confessed with his mouth his own shame and nothingness. "What is thy servant that thou shouldst look upon such a dead dog as I am?"
· And what words of grace came from David's lips! Surely the kindness of God is here fully made known. He is lifted from his low place of shame to take a place at the King's table "as one of the King's sons."
o It is the kindness of God as made known in the gospel of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. He takes us out of our shame and makes us one of His sons.
"So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem; for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both feet."

Kings Table v.13 -13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table; he was lame in both feet.

THE WORDS ARE APPLICABLE TO THE CHRISTIAN’S ENJOYMENT OF SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS.
THE WORDS ARE APPLICABLE TO THE CHRISTIAN’S ENJOYMENT OF SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS.
The image reminds us of:
1. His exaltation. Once, like Mephibosheth, living far away from the king, now brought near, and associated with his children. Still "lame" and otherwise defective, and unfit perhaps for much service, yet admitted to favor and honor.
2.At the King’s table is Best Nourishment. Not just for this short earthly life, but for life eternity.
Food which quickens and nourishes the soul, in faith, and love, and hope, and holiness.
3. At the King’s table is the best society. At the table of the Divine King we associate with the Father and the Son, by the Spirit.
4. At the King’s table is gladness and Security.
5. The privilege of eating at the table of our King is perpetual promise and a constant source of comfort and support under their troubles.

David’s grace to Mephibosheth is a wonderful picture of God’s grace to us. We are Mephibosheth.

• We are hiding, poor, weak, lame, and fearful before our King comes to us
• We are separated from our King because of our wicked ancestors
• We are separated from our King because of our deliberate actions
• We separated ourselves from the King because we didn’t know him or His love for us
• Our King sought us out before we sought Him
• The King’s kindness is extended to us for the sake of another
• The King’s kindness is based on covenant
• We must receive the King’s kindness in humility
• The King returns to us what we lost in hiding from Him
• The King returns to us more than what we lost in hiding from Him
• We have the privilege of provision at the King’s table
• We are received as sons at the King’s table, with access to the King and fellowship with Him
• The King’s honor does not immediately take away all our weakness and lameness, but it gives us a favor and standing that overcomes its sting and changes the way we think about ourselves

David’s grace to Mephibosheth is also a pattern for us in serving and ministering to others.

We are David.
• We should seek out our enemies and seek to bless them
• We should look for the poor, weak, lame, and hidden to bless them
• We should bless others for the sake of someone else
• W must show the kindness of God to others
Other Kindness Verses:
Acts 14:17 NIV
Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
Ephesians 2:7 NIV
in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:22–23 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
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