Valued 2 Samuel 9:1-13 Lesson for June 30 / July 1, 2018 By Charles Lyons Introduction Some years ago Dr. Young preached a message and used an illustration regarding what was called the eight-cow wife. The story goes back to the tale of a man who fell in love with a woman who was greatly undervalued or appreciated in her culture. The man had gained wealth, and many families wanted him to marry their daughters. The custom was that a dowry had to be paid for this privilege. The village where this young woman lived so undervalued her they could not imagine any dowry being offered on her behalf. Yet the wealthy young man saw in her qualities others did not see. So he offered to her father a gift that to the village was outlandish, he offered eight healthy cows. He valued her based on what was in his heart not what was in the villager s eyes. In this life, what the world sees in us pales dramatically compared to what God sees in us. Despite our sinful, broken condition, God loves us. How much? So much He would send His Son for us. We may not be eight-cow spouses, but we are so loved that the Son of God would give His life for us. After Saul s death, David had been made king over Judah. Ultimately king over all Israel and he later made Jerusalem the capital. However, after assuming power David wanted to show grace or unexpected favor upon any remaining descendants of Saul. Why? Because of his love for Jonathan. From David s love would come an act of kindness, unmerited favor, for someone that by the world s standards and culture nothing would have been warranted. In God s economy, love always sets a higher standard or value than what the world sets. I. Love Asks A Question 2 Samuel 9:1-5 David asks a question that is driven by his love and value that he has for Jonathan. This dear friend, son of King Saul was as a brother to David. i However, try to understand that this desire and acting on that desire is not something that would have been expected or initially understood in the culture and society of the day. Pastor and author Alan Carr, explains it this way: David desires to extend grace to a member of Saul s family. This is amazing in light of the fact that in those days, when a new king came to power, he usually destroyed every member of the former king s household, in an effort to prevent any rebellion by that family. David had the right to execute judgment, but he chose to demonstrate grace instead. David did this, not because the house of Saul deserved it, but because of his relationship with Jonathan, and because of two promises he had made years before. David had promised both Jonathan and Saul that he would not totally destroy their offspring, 1 Sam. 20:13-17; 1 Sam. 24:20-22. So, this grace is extended because of another ii.
So we see that with the death of Saul and Jonathan the normal standard, the world s standard, any of their descendants would be found and put to death. In addition, imagine the helpless state of Jonathan s son and Saul s grandson, Mephibosheth. Physically he was crippled and in that day dependent on the help of others. Additionally, as a son and grandson, he would be heir to the throne and the logical target of anyone taking the throne. Anyone accept someone walking in the will of God such as David. Asks Repeatedly Note that in verses 1 and 3 King David asks a most unusual question and asks it more than once. The question, is there any heir to the household of the prior King, Saul? Also, note that in verses 1 and 3 David is asking the question is there any people from the household of Saul. This is an excellent analogy to the call that comes to any who would know Jesus Christ as Savior. The call was not to specific members of Saul s household or only those with a specific talent or resource. The call was for any, much in the same way that the call for salvation is to whosoever. Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Asks Specifically Notice that although he begins with, is there any one that is left of the household of Saul, he soon becomes very specific as to why he wants to identify them. In verse 3 David wants to find a member of the household of Saul not just to be good to him, but to show that person the kindness of God. Not earthly good will but kindness and value of a higher standard. In verse 4 Interesting side item, Mephibosheth is staying in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel. According to 1 Chronicles 3 Ammiel, also known as Eliam, was the father of Bath-sheba. If this is the same person, although it was a common name, Machir would be Bath-sheba s brother iii. Lodebar was located on the east of Jordon and in the area of Ish-bosheth s capital, Mahanaim iv. This was east of Gad and south-west of Manasseh. In verse 5 he orders Mephibosheth to be brought to him. These questions are not so unusual. What is unusual is the purpose, which is that King David can show the descendant kindness in memory of his friendship for Jonathan (verse 1.) Lesson for 2018 06-30 and 07-01 Page 2
To be fetched from where he was basically in hiding to the presence of the new king had to be a remarkably terrifying moment. Note the reaction of Mephibosheth on his meeting David in verse 6. II. Love Asks For Humility 2 Samuel 9:6-8 Humility Shown By Mephibosheth (Verse 6) Mephibosheth, lame and fearful, previously treated like royalty now in a place of hiding. Then he is not only summoned to the new king but finds himself on the floor before King David showing reverence as a servant! In context, his falling to the floor is both from his physical challenges combined with fear at what may be in store for him! However, for an even clearer image of this moment, especially the emotions that had to be flowing through Mephibosheth consider this description of the history impacting this moment as described by Pastor and Author Alan Carr: For just a moment, let s put ourselves in the shoes of Mephibosheth. He is one of the few remaining members of the house of Saul. He is living in a place called Lo-debar, which means no pasture. He is probably living each day in fear for his life; afraid that King David will come and take his life way. No doubt he is a poor man. He does not have access to the wealth or the lands of his family. He is a crippled man. His father was killed in battle, and when the news came, his nurse tried to flee with the child. He was dropped and his legs were permanently damaged, 2 Sam. 4:4. He was five when this happened. All of his life he has been warned that David might find him. He lives in fear and he lives in misery every day. Then, one day it happens! There is the sound of horses and chariots outside the little house in Lo-debar. There is a knock at the door and in come men from Jerusalem. The king wants to see you they say. So, with a fearful heart you gather what meager possessions you have and you leave with the guards to see the one man you never wanted to see v. Humility Shown By King David (Verse 7) The custom of the day demanded that David eliminate the potential threat of an heir of Saul s to his throne. Yet David was not operating here in the flesh but in his role as God s man in a position of leadership. This is a verse we could easily read past without application. However, consider the strength of this example. We may not be earthly kings in whatever lot we have in life, but we are God s child and representative. The way we react to others clearly can separate our Christian walk and testimony from just another member of the secular world to a child of God living to a higher standard. How do we Lesson for 2018 06-30 and 07-01 Page 3
treat others when they are in a fragile position and we find ourselves in a position of influence? How do you treat someone who can do nothing to you or for you? David shows kindness expecting nothing in return. His motivation is in memory of his dear friend Jonathan. The lands being restored to Mephibosheth were significant. Most likely not just the lands of Gibeah, but Saul s estates in total. However, the honor of eating at the King s table was an honor perceived greater than the value of the lands vi. Humility Demanded By The World s Standard (Verse 8) The reference by Mephibosheth to himself as a dead dog is another phrase that can be misunderstood easily in today s society. He is not debasing himself from pity or in fear of this new King. He is expressing himself in the manner of the day. It shows humility and clarifies to the hearer, King David that Mephibosheth acknowledges freely the societal distance between David as the new King and himself as no longer in lineage to the throne vii. III. Love Asks For No Boundaries 2 Samuel 9:9-13 (Verse 9) Realize that in the culture of the day and the Hebrew language would refer to Mephibosheth as Saul s son, but in fact he was Saul s grandson. (Verse 10) In this brief verse we are seeing a significant change in the life of Ziba, Saul s attendant. Over time Ziba began as a slave in the household of Saul but had risen significantly in power, position and wealth. At the time of Saul s death Ziba had several wives and 20 slaves. He would have been recognized as a person of importance. He now continues to be seen as a man of stature but loses most of his wealth and dignity in becoming basically Mephibosheth s farmer viii. (Verse 11) After Ziba acknowledges the change in his position and responsibilities, King David makes a significant pronouncement primarily for the benefit of Ziba. Remember that David had already made this clear to Mephibosheth. David restates that Mephibosheth will eat at King David s table with the same respect and honor as one of his own sons. (Verse 12) We find here that Mephibosheth had a young son named Micha. Micha became the representative of the house of Saul whose descendants became great leaders in the tribe of Benjamin until the time of the captivity. Reference 1 Chronicles 8:35-40 and 9:40-44 ix. (Verse 13) It is said the Mephibosheth remained in Jerusalem, and although lame and unable to walk, ate at the King s table. Despite his outward appearance and in the flesh he was provided for as royalty. Is this not a powerful picture of God s children? In our own strength in this flesh we can do nothing. Yet by the grace of God we have a new value, we are valued in the sight of God as His children who He will provide for x. Lesson for 2018 06-30 and 07-01 Page 4
Conclusion As we think about the value that David raised Mephibosheth to, consider this illustration: In a recent post on his blog, Mike Glenn wrote: The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard told a story of thieves who broke into a jewelry store and didn't steal anything; they simply rearranged the price tags. The next morning, the expensive jewelry was sold as junk, and the junk jewelry was sold as expensive. His point is obvious. We live in a world where someone has rearranged the price tags. Nowhere is this switching of price tags more evident than in the area of self-esteem. In our culture, people are valued for how they look, what they can do or even what they have, but rarely for who they are. In our world, you have to be beautiful by mathematical standards (and yes there is a formula for beauty it's all about ratios), entertaining (not talented, but entertaining), and if you are not, the world has no place for you. If you can't make the Top 100 in the world on some list, you are nothing. xi The world will always devalue or undervalue our faith and even our self-worth given an opportunity. The value that King David placed on Mephibosheth was driven by his love and relationship that he had with Jonathan. The true value of a person is not what they make or the position they attain, it is in the relationship they have with God in Jesus Christ. Want to know how much we are loved? Consider this; Christ died for us! Suggestion The week this is being taught is Independence Day weekend. It may be helpful to make analogies and illustrations from the sacrifices of our patriots for our earthly freedom to the eternal freedom we have gained in Christ through His sacrifice. i Henry H. Halley, Halley s Bible Handbook, (Grand Rapids:Zondervan, 1965), p.186 ii No Wonder It s Called Amazing, http://www.sermonnotebook.org/old%20testament/2%20samuel%209_1-13.htm, 2018-06-05 iii Albert Barnes, Barnes Notes, Exodus to Esther, (Grand Rapids:Baker Books, 2005,) II Samuel p.90. iv v No Wonder It s Called Amazing, http://www.sermonnotebook.org/old%20testament/2%20samuel%209_1-13.htm, 2018-06-05 vi H.D.M. Spence and Joseph S. Excell, The Pulpit Commentary Volume IV, (Peabody:Hendrickson Publishing Marketing, LLC, 2011), The Second Book of Samuel p.240 vii viii, p.241 ix x Hawker, Robert, D.D. "Commentary on 2 Samuel 9:13". "Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pmc/2-samuel-9.html. 1828, 2018-06-06 xi Illustration: Value, Self-Worth, https://www.biblestudytools.com/pastor-resources/illustrations/illustrationvalue-self-worth-11636108.html, 2018-06-09 Lesson for 2018 06-30 and 07-01 Page 5