Text: 2 Samuel 9
After David became king, he looked for an opportunity to show kindness to someone of Saul’s house. He learned of Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, who was crippled. The kindness David extended to Mephibosheth provides an important lesson for us to help those in need as we have opportunity (Galatians 6:10). However, this example also teaches us about GRACE. David’s kindness to Mephibosheth parallels (in several ways) the grace which God shows to us. In this lesson, we are going to consider this example and what it teaches us about the grace of God.
David’s Example
- David planned to show kindness (2 Samuel 9:1) – shows intentionality; not something he did reluctantly
- Mephibosheth had reason to fear the king (2 Samuel 9:7) – the king had the power to kill him (cf. 2 Samuel 8:2, 5, 13); the king had reason to kill him if he was a wicked king (cf. 2 Chronicles 21:4); he had nothing to offer the king to convince him to spare his life (cf. 2 Samuel 8:2)
- David’s kindness was made known to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:7) – rather than killing him, David greatly blessed him
- Mephibosheth declared his allegiance to David and recognized his unworthiness (2 Samuel 9:8) – he would never be able to repay David’s kindness, but he offered what he could in his service
God’s Grace Toward Us
- God had a plan to save us (Ephesians 3:11) – this plan was prophesied immediately after sin entered the world (Genesis 3:15), and the prophecies continued; Jesus’ death was not an accident, it was part of God’s plan (Acts 2:23)
- Man has reason to fear God (Hebrews 10:31) – God has the power to destroy us (Matthew 10:28); He also has reason to destroy us (Romans 3:23); there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation (cf. Micah 6:7-8), it is by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- God’s grace was made known to us (Acts 20:24) – by His grace, we can avoid the punishment we deserve (Romans 6:23); but we must do certain things to receive His grace (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; et al.); we must live a certain way as a recipient of His grace (Titus 2:11-12); it is possible to fall from grace (Galatians 5:4); we might receive it in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1)
- We must faithfully serve the Lord (Ephesians 2:8-10) – despite our previous sins (1 Timothy 1:12-16), background (Colossians 3:10-11), or perceived shortcomings (1 Corinthians 12:14-22)
Conclusion
- We may not be in the same physical condition as Mephibosheth – but spiritually, we are in a similar condition; we need God’s grace and are unable to save ourselves
- Let us appreciate the grace of God and respond appropriately to it
