1.Mercy Initiated
1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Samuel 9:1 (ESV)
The word “kindness” refers to extraordinary acts of kindness in meeting extreme needs outside one’s normal perceived duty. 1 Samuel 20:14-15
The promise made in the past directs faithfulness in the present.
We do not always keep our covenants because we feel like it, but because we promised.
2. Mercy Realized
7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” 2 Samuel 9:7-8 (ESV)
Mephibosheth’s disposition:
A forfeited inheritance: (Son of Jonathan Son of Saul . . . old regime) the house of Saul had little. He lived in the place called “no pasture” (Lo debar.)
Inability: Was unable to help himself and cripple in both feet. The name Mephibosheth means shameful thing.
Fear: He came trembling and had every right to fear David if David wished to follow the protocol of the Kings around him.
Our disposition:
A forfeited inheritance: Adam was created in the image and likeness of God to have dominion over God’s creation and a relationship with God, but because of sin, that relationship was marred for all humanity.
Inability: We are spiritually crippled in that there is nothing we can do to save ourselves or earn a right relationship with God.
Fear: When we consider the penalty of sin, which is death and hell, the appropriate emotion is fear before a just and holy God.
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:4-5 (ESV)
3. Mercy Bestowed
9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson. . . 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet. 2 Samuel 9:9-13 (ESV)
David bestows mercy on Mephibosheth by graciously giving him what was lost in his grandfather’s failures, and he shows exceeding kindness by giving Mephibosheth a place of honor at the king’s table.
God bestows mercy on us by graciously restoring to us what was lost in the failures of our forefather, Adam, and he shows exceeding kindness by giving us a place of honor by making us heirs and fellow heirs with Christ.
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ... Romans 8:16-17 (ESV)
10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son . . . Romans 5:10 (ESV)