Showing God’s Kindness
David and Mephibosheth
2 Samuel 9: 1-13
As a layman, I was privileged to give the following message that launched our special needs ministry in our church. It is a familiar theme in the special needs community, I hope you enjoy my take on it.
Last time, we saw David ask, “Who’s left in Saul’s household that I may show him the kindness of God?” Saul’s servant, Ziba, responded, “Mephibosheth – David’s son who is lame in both feet.
In today’s parlance, Mephibosheth’s disability would be called a “special need”. The term “special needs” applies to people of all ages whose physical, cognitive or emotional status has some degree of impairment. Mephibosheth had a special need because he was lame in both feet.
The first kindness David showed Mephibosheth was the gift of life itself.
To understand this, we have to look at the context of the time. Mephibosheth was the adult son of Jonathan and the grandson of King Saul. He became lame as a child when he fell off a horse. Both Jonathan and Saul are dead. They lost their lives in the battle with the Philistines when Mephibosheth was a young boy. David has finally ascended to the throne of Judah and will eventually become King of a unified kingdom with Israel
Now, in those days, when a new ruling family came to power, it was common practice to eliminate everyone in the former dynasty who might possibly oppose or challenge the new king. Mephibosheth must have wondered why David had summoned him to his court. David quickly sets him at ease: “Don’t be afraid.” ….
“Don’t be afraid, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan.”
Why did David show God’s kindness to Mephibosheth? For the sake of his relationship with Mephibosheth’s father, Jonathan. First Samuel tells us that David and Jonathan’s souls were knitted together in an extraordinary example of friendship, love and loyalty. (1 Samuel 18:1) This relationship is so exemplary that any message about friendship is certain to reference David and Jonathan. One has to wonder if Solomon didn’t have this relationship in mind when we wrote about the virtues of friendship in Proverbs. David showed kindness to Mephibosheth because of his relationship to the father.
Isn’t that why those of us who are pro-life embrace the sanctity of life from the womb to the tomb? – for the sake of the Father? Aren’t we all created by God in his likeness? (Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image Genesis 1:26)
When David wrote Psalm 139 was he only referring to himself or was he speaking for all mankind?
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
The first of God's kindnesses that David showed to Mephibosheth was the gift of life itself. He did so for Jonathan’s sake. We value and respect the lives of those with special needs for the same reason – they are the Father’s children; made in his image and they are valuable to Him.
Next time, we’ll see how David showed Mephibosheth the kindness of hospitality.
Thoughts? Comments? Come along side. Side by Side, we’ll grow together.
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