Think back for a moment to your high school lunchroom cafeteria. What was it like? Who did you eat lunch with regularly? Were different cafeteria tables unofficially designated for different groups of people like athletes, musicians, the drama guild, artists, and more? Those unofficially designated tables may seem great to the people who fit into the particular groups of people. Still, to everyone else, they send a different message: "you do not belong here." This message is contrary to what Scripture teaches. We learn in Scripture that God's table is open to anyone and everyone who places their faith in Him. At His table, there is no partiality. One place we see this is through the kindness king David showed Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9.
What extra-curricular activity were you involved in during high school?
1. What message does inviting someone to sit at the table with you send to that person and others around you?
2. Read 2 Samuel 9:1-5. What do you know about David's story that tells you why he wanted to show kindness to Saul's family "for Jonathan's sake?" (If you need a refresher, skim 1 Samuel 20.)
2 Samuel 9:1-5 One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked. “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied. The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.” So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home.
2 Samuel 9:1-5
One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked.
“Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied.
The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.”
Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.”
“Where is he?” the king asked.
“In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.”
So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home.
3. Read 2 Samuel 9:6-12. Compare and contrast David and Mephibosheth's responses when they meet.
2 Samuel 9:6-12 His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.” “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) Ziba replied, “Yes, my lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons. Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants.
2 Samuel 9:6-12
His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.”
Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.”
“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!”
Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”
Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)
Ziba replied, “Yes, my lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons.
Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants.
4. How would you define kindness based on the kindness David showed to Mephibosheth?
5. Have you ever felt like Mephibosheth? If so, when was that time?
6. How is David's kindness a picture of God's kindness to us?
7. If you already have been given a seat at God's table by placing your faith in Him, who can you invite along with you?
Everyone is invited to God's table. He shows no partiality. Is there someone you all can be reaching out to as a group who might need the reminder that they are completely loved and accepted by God? Who is that person? How can you and your group reach out to them and invite them in?
To fully appreciate the story of David's kindness to Mephibosheth, it will be helpful to know about the story of God's kindness throughout David's family history that can be found in the book of Ruth.
Take a few minutes to read several select passages from Ruth individually. As you read each portion, take note of the kindness that was shown in each part of Scripture. After everyone has finished reading, talk about the acts of kindness seen in these verses. Note who showed the kindness, how they showed kindness, why they showed that kindness, and whom they showed kindness to.
Ruth 1:6-18
Ruth 2:1-12, 19-21
Ruth 4:9-12
Finally, read the genealogy of Boaz and Ruth together as a group found in Ruth 4:13-14, 17-22.
Let's take a look at the New Testament, too. Read Colossians 3:12-18.
Like David, you and I have a rich history of being shown kindness, particularly God's kindness. Because of the kindness we have been shown, we are compelled, even commanded, to show kindness, too. This kindness does not mean just showing kindness when kindness is easy. It also means showing kindness when it will cost us something. As you think about your own kindness, how are you doing? Where do you struggle to be kind, and with whom? Why do you think you struggle with this person or situation? What is one way you can go out of your way to show kindness this week, even if it costs you something?
Wallpaper available for download in the Sagebrush App.
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
©2024 Sagebrush Church
