Ever Had a Mephibosheth Moment? Maybe You're Like Mephibo

Ever had a Mephibosheth Moment?

Maybe you’re like Mephibo – who? This is a message about an Old Testament character a boy named Mephibosheth.

Before I start talking about him, let me first ask you a question. How many of you would say that, “You know what? I have had some not so pleasant things happen to me”?

The story of Mephibosheth, starts for us in 2 Samuel chapter 4, verse 4.

2 Samuel 4:4 (NIV) - 4 (Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became disabled. His name was Mephibosheth.)

Let me pause here for just a second. It’s important for us to understand the context of these characters who are mentioned in this verse.

Even though he is mentioned first I want to start with Saul, he is the current king of Israel not the best king at this time, but king none the less. Next up is Jonathan. Jonathan is king Saul’s son. Then we have our 5-year-old boy that I want to share with you today named Mephibosheth. This would-be Jonathan’s son, Saul’s grandson.

In case you haven’t met Avery my granddaughter here she is: Show pictures Now what does that have to do with my message. . .absolutely nothing but we are talking about Saul’s grandson so I thought it was a great place to throw in a shameless plug about my granddaughter.

After Mephibosheth, the next character in our story is David. This is David the one chosen to take the place of Saul as king. David from the story of David and Goliath.

So, think about this. Your five years old and you’re just playing outside. Maybe with a few of your friends. And then from inside the palace you here this blood curdling scream and then someone runs out of the palace doors screaming at you and as they are running towards you all you can think about is, what's going on?

As they approach you they begin to share through the tears that your grandpa has been killed in battle, oh not just your grandpa but dad as well.

Then they say because of all that, that David is coming to assume power as king. And if your Mephibosheth maybe you’re thinking well finally some good news. Jonathan my dad told me an awful lot about him. They were great friends.

But when they caught up to you they said we need to leave this place now. And this 5-year-old is there with all these questions. But it’s David he’s like family.

What Mephibosheth didn’t understand is the way things worked with a change in family lines on the throne.

See what happens when a family line changes from one to another in leadership is that that old family is killed off. Because you don’t want a potential heir to the throne around as they may stir up trouble or form some kind of coo.

So, all the people are thinking about is Saul is dead, Jonathan is dead, and David is coming, but Mephibosheth would be heir to the throne so David will want him dead as well.

Think about this, Mephibosheth has heard about David he knew that he and his dad were good friends. He may not have even felt threatened but all that was happening.

And David by this time had done great things, he had already defeated Goliath. I mean his name was well known. As a matter of fact, they had even began singing a song about him it’s found in 1 Samuel 18:7.

1 Samuel 18:7 (NIV) - 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

And again in 1 Samuel 29:5

1 Samuel 29:5 (NIV) - 5 Isn’t this the David they sang about in their dances: “ ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

Now Mephibosheth knew of the relationship that David and his dad had so it’s possible that to Mephibosheth David could have been a hero. He could have been like family, you know the one you call uncle or aunt or grandma even though they are not. Because they are that close to you and the family.

So, all that Mephibosheth understands is that his dad is dead, his grandfather is dead and David is coming. The first two pretty bad, but the David coming how bad can that be? And they are telling this kid, no David isn’t who you think he is, he is coming and when he arrives since you are heir to the throne he is going to have you killed. And David maybe in the words of Gary Coleman from Different Strokes looks up and says, "what you talking bout Willis."

So, in this panic the nurse picks up Mephibosheth and begins to run away from the palace. And as we read in verse 4 of our text let’s look at it again.

She drops him and he becomes crippled. No time to do anything with him they pick him back up and run to a place called Lo-debar and we will look at that in a bit.

Jonathan gone, Saul gone and David who you thought was one you could trust you are being told is coming to kill you as well.

Let me pause here for a moment and ask you the question which was the title of my message, and that is, have you ever had a Mephibosheth moment?

You’re just relaxing on the porch all is well with the world and then all of a sudden, the doctor calls and gives you a report that isn’t all that good. Or you found the person of your dreams and felt like this relationship was going to go the distance, but then. . .You’re driving down the road just enjoying the trip back home and then someone runs a stop sign and totals your car.

Those are Mephisosheth moments. When a tragic thing that you have no control over just suddenly drops on you. That’s where we pick up our story. Mephibosheth is just growing up nothing unusual has happened, some time has passed, he is still crippled but then one day. . .

2 Samuel 9:1 (NIV) - David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

I had mentioned that Jonathan and David were great friends. After David was anointed by Samuel to become the next king. Jonathan who would have been heir to the throne heard about it and understood what was to happen and because of that David had promised to show kindness to Jonathan’s family. It’s found in 1 Samuel chapter 20. It takes about the whole covenant between the two of them we are not going to read it for time sake, but spend some time there it will be time well spent. To hear scout the love between these two friends.

So, they make this covenant and not sure why now at this very moment, maybe David is out in the field where he and Jonathan would play. Maybe it’s where they made the covenant together. Whatever the reason something in David triggers his memory and . . .

2 Samuel 9:1 (NIV) - David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

And then we read in verses 2-4

2 Samuel 9:2–4 (NIV) - 2 Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They summoned him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” “At your service,” he replied. 3 The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.” 4 “Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”

It’s almost as though Ziba just shrugs off this one. Look at it. . . “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.” Why even mention that? It had become his identity. Listen church don't let your weaknesses become your identity. Don't let your past dictate your future.

Ziba is saying, why would you want him? He’s crippled, he’s lame in both feet. Understand that during this time people with such handicaps were pushed aside because many thought them to be a burden, and worthless

In our culture, today these types of things we know has no bearing on God’s ability to use you, but in those days, it was a much different story so Ziba is just like, him you don’t want to show kindness to him it’s not worth the time.

But David has a much different plan and response. David says in verse 4.

2 Samuel 9:4 (NIV) - 4 “Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”

Now we need to understand this place Lo-Debar. That name means no pasture. It was a dry desolate place. It was the ghetto of the area. It was a great place to hide. As a matter of fact, here is a couple more things about this kid named Mephibosheth. In the book that no one reads 1 Chronicles we read about this son but look at his name. 1 Chronicles 8:34 (NIV) - 34 The son of Jonathan: Merib-Baal, who was the father of Micah.

That name means “contender with Baal” Baal was false god in the Old Testament. So, he was of royal linage an opponent of false god’s, or one who contends with false gods. Jonathan is saying you are great, you are royalty, you are Maribaal my son. But after his dad dies he is snatched up taken to Lo-Debar and given the name Mephibosheth. That name means out of my mouth proceeds reproach. Or another meaning is son of shame.

So, imagine for a moment your five, you lose dad, granddad, your dropped and become lame. The one you thought you could trust you are told you can’t. Then you are taken from a palace to some place called Lo-Debar and your name is changed from contender with Baal to out of my mouth proceeds reproach.

And you think you had a bad childhood.

So, Mephibosheth has lived years out in Lo-debar. The Bible’s not very clear on how long it’s been. But we know he’s not a little kid anymore, he’s grown. And Ziba comes to the door and knocks, and he says, “Hey, it’s Ziba. I’m here from the palace. King David wants to see you.”

Now think about this it’s been a while Mephibosheth has two things to consider he has been told that the King wants him killed, yet at the same time he thought he was like family. So, he could be thinking finally my day has come David is going to show me kindness. But, my guess is oh great he finally found me out, fear and worry sets in and years of wondering if he would ever be found out is knocking at his door, He’s thinking it’s David’s fault that I am out here in this desolate place to begin with. It’s David’s fault that I’m a fugitive. It’s David’s fault that I’m crippled. And now he wants me dead. They’ve been telling me it’s been coming, for years. And now the time is here.

But this is where the story gets good. David’s response is quite different than what Mephibosheth had thought. We’re going to pick up here in verse 7, in 2 Samuel 9, He says:

2 Samuel 9:7 (NIV) - 7 “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.”

Continues in verse 8

2 Samuel 9:8 (NIV) - 8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”

What a lack of self-esteem Mephibosheth had, look how he describes himself. What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”

Have you ever found yourself at a place where you kind of felt like you’d become worthless, or maybe you weren't worthy of something? Or maybe you felt inadequate for the task that’s been put before you?

Let me pause from out story for just a minute.

Psalm 139:17-18 tells us:

Psalm 139:17–18 (NIV) - 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.

Let me read it from The Living Bible translation:

17-18 How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me.[a] And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!

His thoughts about you outnumber the grains of sand. Go to the beach pick up some grains of sand that’s a thought about you. Each grain a thought about you

So next time you wonder if your worth it, just remember what God thinks about you. He is deeply in love with you. He has plan for you.

Mephibosheth, in this moment, as he’s receiving this blessing from King David, everything that he had believed, everything that he had thought was true, everything that he had internalized about David, had been wrong!

Everything that he had thought, everything that he thought was about to happen, everything that he was told David stood for, everything that he thought David wanted to do to him, was wrong.

Many of us find ourselves in that same place. We find ourselves spiritually pushing to a place like Lo-debar – a desolate place, spiritually, where we begin to believe, what we have heard about or think about God. What the enemy has twisted so that you would believe that our Heavenly Father isn't all that good. But church God is good, all the time and all the time, God is good. We think, He’s mad at me because, well, I haven’t been doing what I know I probably should be doing for Him. I know He’s upset, and He’s just waiting to get me. He’s just waiting, and I know that it’s just coming. Or maybe it’s that you’ve carried guilt, for years, for something that wasn’t even your fault.

And what I’m here to tell you it’s not that way it is at all. Remember His thoughts about you are as the grains of the sand. Not just the sand at Holland State Park, but that is a lot of sand, but all the sand in the oceans bottom across every mile that we travel His thoughts are for you and about you. And they are good and pleasant thoughts.

You see, in the same way that David had a different thought about Mephibosheth, God’s desire for you is to bless you, and to bring you a hope and a future. It’s a twist in the story, for Mephibosheth and for us.

And the story even gets better, check this out. . .

2 Samuel 9:9 (NIV) - 9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s steward, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family.

Think about this. He gives Mephibosheth all of King Saul’s land. Not, like, a little garden over here in the corner – he gives him everything that had belonged to his grandfather, who was king. That was no doubt a lot of land.

But what is a crippled man going to do with all that land?

2 Samuel 9:10 (NIV) - 10 You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

And then, I love this – verse 11.

2 Samuel 9:11 (NIV) - 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So, Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.

Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.

What a beautiful story of restoration, and David bringing him to a place of honor, and power …

I love the ending of this story. I love when the underdog wins.

We love to see the underdog win.

Let me try to close out this story of Mephibosheth this is a true story from the Old Testament, but also a symbol of what Christ has done for you, and for me.

You are Mephibosheth.

“What do you mean, I’m Mephibosheth?” How am I Mephibosheth?

First, we are fallen and broken. Perhaps you are not fallen and broken from being dropped as a kid, but every single one of us are fallen and broken spiritually.

Romans chapter 3, verse 23, says that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s standard. In the same way that Mephibosheth had fallen, and was broken, we, too, are fallen and broken.

Second: But the great thing about this story is, Mephibosheth wasn’t just left there. He was sought after, pursued by the King. Just as Mephibosheth was pursued by King David, we’re pursued by the King. We’re pursued by Jesus Christ.

Lastly, we sit at the King’s table and it covers all our sin.

Let me explain it this way

When Mephibosheth – remember verse 11.

2 Samuel 9:11 (NIV) - 11 . . .So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.

When he sat at the king’s table, and when people looked on at Mephibosheth, they didn’t see a broken and crippled young man. They saw someone who had been granted access by the king, and they saw someone who sat there “like one of the king’s own sons.”

In the same way, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and His blood that was shed for us, covers our spiritually broken condition. And we are made whole and complete at the King’s table, because the sacrifice of Jesus. Underneath the power of Jesus’ sacrifice and forgiveness of our sins, we, too, are made like one of the King’s own sons.

You may think that you are broken and useless, but God says that you are chosen and invited to this table. 2 Samuel 9:13 (NIV) - 13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet.

Understand this church, we were fallen and broken, but we were pursued by the King. And as we sit at the King’s table, it covers our sin. And even though we may think, or were told that we are broken and useless. God says that we are chosen and invited.

Here’s a beautiful truth from this story. You see, Mephibosheth could not do anything to earn David’s favor, and this blessing that David had given to him. And in the same way, there’s nothing that we can do to earn God’s goodness and favor in our lives.

It’s a gift from God. He is pursuing you, right now. That thing that’s stirring on the inside of you, that feeling of, could this be …? That is the King pursuing you.