2 Samuel

2 Samuel 9: God’s kindness reaches the helpless

Begin in prayer

Before we read about David’s kindness to Mephibosheth, let us come before the LORD together. Ask Him to show us His kindness to those who cannot help themselves, and to help us trust Jesus as Lord.

Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.

Psalm 17:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us Your covenant kindness to the helpless, and show us Jesus, who brings the far-off near. Help us to turn from our pride and trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David asks whether anyone is left of Saul’s house, so that he can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake. Ziba tells him that Jonathan had a son who is lame in both feet, and that he is staying at Lo Debar. David sends for Mephibosheth, who falls on his face before the king and calls himself a dead dog. David restores Saul’s land to him, and he tells him that he will eat at the king’s table. Ziba and his sons and servants are to farm the land for him. Mephibosheth lives in Jerusalem and eats at the king’s table.

As you read 2 Samuel 9, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

David keeps his promise with the kindness of God, and brings helpless Mephibosheth to the king’s table.

David asks whether anyone is left of Saul’s house, so that he can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake (verse 1). He promised Jonathan this long before (1 Samuel 20 verse 42). He calls it the kindness of God (verse 3), a kindness that keeps a promise. Ziba, a servant of Saul’s house, tells him of Mephibosheth, who is lame in both feet (verses 2 and 3). He is staying at Lo Debar, in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel (verses 4 and 5). He falls on his face before the king and calls himself a dead dog (verses 6 and 8). David restores Saul’s land to him and says he will eat at the king’s table (verses 7 and 10). Mephibosheth eats at the king’s table like one of the king’s sons (verse 11). God brings the far-off near through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2 verse 13).

How does 2 Samuel 9 show us that David keeps his promise with the kindness of God, and brings helpless Mephibosheth to the king’s table?

David keeps his covenant with Jonathan.

David asks whether anyone is left of Saul’s house, for Jonathan’s sake (verse 1). Ziba tells him about Jonathan’s son (verses 2 to 4). The covenant between David and Jonathan goes back to their promise in 1 Samuel 20 (1 Samuel 20 verse 42).

Mephibosheth is helpless, and David calls him to the table.

He is lame in both feet (verse 13). He falls on his face before the king, and he calls himself a dead dog (verses 6 and 8). David tells him not to be afraid, and he says he will eat at the king’s table always (verses 7 and 13).

God’s kindness reaches the helpless, and Christ brings them near.

David restores Saul’s land to Mephibosheth, and Ziba’s household must farm it (verses 7 and 10). Mephibosheth lives in Jerusalem, and he eats at the king’s table like one of the king’s sons (verses 11 and 13). God brings the far-off near through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2 verse 13).

Memorise

The king said, “Is there not yet any of Saul’s house, that I may show the kindness of God to him?”

2 Samuel 9:3

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what can I bring to God, and why do I need Jesus?

Mephibosheth had nothing to offer the king. He was lame, and he called himself a dead dog. Yet David called for him and gave him a place at the table. In the same way, Jesus brings helpless sinners to Himself.

Sinners cannot save themselves, and God has reached out to them in Jesus, the Son of David. On the cross Jesus died for His people and paid the debt of their sin in full. After He was buried, God raised Jesus from the dead.

So come to Him as the helpless one. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him comes to the King’s table, and their sins are forgiven.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God is kind to those who cannot help themselves, and that He brings them to Himself in Christ. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His kindness to the helpless, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Yet he lifts the needy out of their affliction, and increases their families like a flock.

Psalm 107:41

Lord God, thank You for Your kindness, which reaches those who cannot help themselves. Thank You for the blood of Christ, by which You bring Your people near. Lead each one here to turn from sin and believe in Jesus. Help us to live this week in the light of Your kindness, and bring our heart question to You. Amen.