Mephibosheth

1. Mephibosheth Mephibosheth

2. Who was Mephibosheth? Jonathan’s son. Jonathan next in line to be king Saul failed to destroy the Amalekites in 1 Samuel 15 David eventually replaced Saul as king Jonathan, not bitter, became a good friend of David’s, like a brother. 2 Samuel 8 talks of David’s victories, look at verse 15 “David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.”

3. Mephibosheth found in 2 Samuel 4: 4 Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel; and his nurse took him up and fled; and, as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

4. Meaning of Mephibosheth’s name Literal name, according to 1 Chronicles 8:34 was merib-baal. “Bosheth” means shame and “Mephib” means dispel or exterminate. Baal is the common name of an idol or “lord” Used as euphemism to avoid using the term “Baal”

5. Main text is from 2 Samuel 9: 1-3 And David said, "Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?" Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" And he said, "I am your servant." And the king said, "Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?" Ziba said to the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet."

6. David looking for someone in the house of Saul to show kindness God looks for us today. Why? Without Him we are weak and sinful, deserve His wrath. Not a situation anyone would want to be in. How does God search for us? His word, for one.He gave us His will, how we should live Then we have the plan of salvation. How to obtain forgiveness and eternal life Third, His love. “He’s not willing that any should perish but all should have eternal life” 2 Peter 3: 9 Fourth His Son, lived a perfect life died as sacrifice because of sin

7. Jeremiah 29 11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you", says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then you shall call upon Me, and you shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And you shall seek Me and find Me, when you search for me with all your heart." God gave us a way to find Him. Also the why and how, He wishes for all of us to find Him.

8. Jonathan’s son crippled in feet shows helplessness If not for God’s love and mercy, we would be helpless in our sin Do not deserve this mercy and never will. “For while we were helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6 David searched for Mephibosheth, we to should search for those who need God’s word.

9. Back to 2 Samuel 9, now verses 6-8. “When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said "Mephibosheth!" "Your servant," he replied. " 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." Mephibosheth bowed down and said "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?"

10. Here Mephibosheth submits to David’s authority as king. We too should submit to God’s authority as our heavenly King. Mephibosheth could have had spite against David for taking kingship from his family, but shows due honor and respect to the king. David could have killed Saul and his family when captured, but David never did. David swore and oath to Jonathan in 1 Samuel 20: 14-17 and also verse 42 This is David fulfilling his oath. Saul lost kingship due to sin, we too can lose position as God’s people if we sin. If we obey God’s commands, we can eat at God’s table.

11. “Dead dog” term of self abasement, of contemptment. He asked why David would care about someone so insignificant As much as David cared for him, God cares for us so much more. Regardless of our history or sins, God wants everyone to enter Heaven. Mephibosheth physically crippled, sin spiritually cripples us. Our job to find those and show care for them, because we’ve all sinned and were ungodly, and must always be on guard or we could be again.

12. Jews believed that if someone was crippled, blind, or lame, it was due to sin Apostles themselves believed this. “And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:2 Should seek those who need God’s saving grace so they too can eat at the king’s table.

13. Finally verse 9. “Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family.” Everything was given to Mephibosheth, even the ability to eat at David’s table, an honor only for the king’s sons. So much did David love Mephibosheth. God’s love for us is incomprehensible. He gave us Jesus so we could have the hope of eternal life.

14. Mephibosheth was searched out, submitted to David giving him honor and respect, was given the honor as one of David’s own sons. The sinner submits to God, obeys the plan of salvation, and lives a godly life and he too can sit at the heavenly king’s table when he dies.

15. In conclusion, David didn’t forget his promise to Jonathan, God will not forget His promise to us. Another example is Abraham. He trusted God and was given a promise recorded in Romans 4: 18-21. He had absolute faith in that even though he was 100, God would fulfill his promise. God did so. We also can have complete assurance that God will fulfill His promises with us.

16. 2 Corinthians 1: 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are all "Yes" in Christ. And so through him, the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. With God all things are possible. And as His promises are always fulfilled we should always glorify God for this. Anyone can enter Heaven. Anyone can follow the plan that was made before we were ever born

17. First comes hearing. Romans 10: 17 states Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Second is Belief. John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins. Third is repentance. Acts 17:40 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

18. Confession is next. Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Finally is baptism. Acts 2: 38 Peter replied "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

19. Thank you for your attention. This was the first sermon I’ve ever preached and have grown since then. I’ve enjoyed looking back and working on this sermon once again and I will be repreaching every sermon I’ve given. First though I’m going to return to my series on Christian Fundamentals with the offices in the church- Elders, Deacons, and the preacher himself.