Today's treasure: 2 Samuel 9:1
Read 2 Samuel 9:1-13
In verse 1, what emotions do you think David might have been feeling that caused him to ask this question?
Whose kindness was David wanting to show according to verse 3?
How did Ziba describe the son of Jonathan?
Don't you love God's Word? The Bible is a book of the heart, reflecting God's ways.
David knew well the feeling we all know as loneliness. David had conquered kingdoms and subdued enemies. All was momentarily quiet and peaceful and he missed his best friend.
God fulfilled Jonathan's wish and gave David everything, but Jonathan wasn't there to share it. David sought the next best thing, Ziba, a servant of the house of Saul, told him about Jonathan's son Mephibosheth. In the encounter between David and Mephibosheth we see several characteristics of God displayed.
1. His loving kindness. David was searching for someone of the house of Saul to whom he could show God's kindness, not his own. (v. 3)
The Lord is first of all kind. Compassionate. He desires to deal with us first in mercy. If we refuse to accept His mercy, He often deals with us in the way He must; but He is above all kind.
2. His initiation of the relationship. "Where is he?" David inquired and summoned Mephibosheth immediately. Note he did not seek David. David sought him. He wanted someone to whom he could show God's kindness.
3. His complete acceptance. David did not hesitate when Ziba informed him of Mephibosheth's handicap. In the Old Testament people considered physical imperfection shameful, but David summoned him as he was. God calls people just the way they are.
What does MAtthew 9:12 tell you about the heart of God?
Picture the king sitting on the throne, surrounded by splendor. His brightly adorned servants open the door and before him stands a crippled man. With crippled legs he crept before the king, then he bowed before him. Imagine the difficulty! Mephibosheth was obviously humiliated.
4. His calming spirit. As Mephibosheth practically came crawling before the king, David exclaimed "Mephibosheth!" and his next words were, "Don't be afraid." How many times have we seen those words come from the precious lips of our Lord?
Matthew 10:31
Matthew 14:27
Matthew 17:7
Mark 5:36
5. His delight in restoration. David's first desire was to restore Mephibosheth. (v. 7) He had been so hurt by the fall. He had lived with such shame. The king could hardly wait to see Mephibosheth's shame removed and his life restored. David knew about restoration. Perhaps the most grateful response we could ever offer God for our restoration is to help another be restored.
Mephibosheth's name means 'shame destroyer'' or 'image breaker'
6. His desire for another son.
The king came to make him a son. He was family--invited to sit at the king's table to partake of his fellowship as one of his own. No matter how many sons the Father has, He still wants more to conform to the image of His first and only begotten, the virgin born.
One day when we sit down to the ultimate wedding feast. the lame will be healed, the blind will see, the restored will leap and skip with joy! AMEN
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