July 28, 2024

David and Mephibosheth – an example of God’s grace

Preacher:
Passage: 2 Samuel 9
Service Type:
  • This passage is full of God's grace
    • It is not down how faithful we are - but how faithful God has been
  • David is now King
    • He asks if there was anyone left of the house of Saul ...
      • Not to liquidate them - example
      • Not to kill the family from whom the crown was taken
    • ... to whom I can show kindness / mercy / love (v1)
      • This word sums up God's love - a faithful, undeserved, merciful, kind love
      • David wishes to show God's love (for Jonathan's sake)
  • David had made a covenant with Jonathan
    • Jonathan was not God's next choice of king after Saul
    • Jonathan understood this
    • 1 Sam 18:1-4
    • 1 Sam 20:3-4, 8-9, 14-17
  • David shows grace to Jonathan's descendant (Mephibosheth)
    • Duration of covenant does not matter - it remains true and binding as the day it was made
    • David is showing the grace of God
  • God made a covenant with Jesus - to give Him a people/Church
    • Jesus kept His people
    • Example of King's walkway with arches
    • God's promises are way stronger
    • It is not down to our faith, goodness or worth - it is down to God's covenant faithfulness
  • Covenant provision:
    • v5-7 ... for Jonathan's (your father's) sake
      • Not due to himself but the covenant with his father
      • This takes away fear
    • David will restore the lost lands (v9)
      • This brings peace and restoration
    • David will have Mephibosheth eat at his table (v10b)
      • This brings adoption into the family
      • This brings total provision for the rest of his life
  • This is a pale reflection of Jesus' love
    • God has promised His Son that He will bless believers
    • There is no condemnation for those that love Jesus
    • There is forgiveness in Jesus - the price is paid, Hallelujah!
      • Explanation
    • There is restoration of all that was lost - fellowship with God
      • Explanation
    • A perfect heaven where God will dwell with us
      • Explanation
  • A covenant people
    • v8 - Mephibosheth sees himself as a dead dog
      • Example of the Syrophoeneician woman
    • God's blessings are so gracious and undeserved
      • Because of His promise to Jesus before the creation of the world
    • Mephibosheth was not liquidated but blessed!
    • Jump with joy at God's covenant with us
    • Song from Casting Crown