THE VERY RELATABLE LIFE OF KING DAVID
THE STANDARD OF LOVE
2 SAMUEL 9:1-12, 16:1-4, 19:24-30
#kingdavid
INTRODUCTION
Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:12 in a passage where He prophesies about the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (verses 1-28) and in a passage where He later talks about His Second Coming (verses 29-51):
READ MATTHEW 24:12
“… because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.”
TRANSITION
We have been taking a look at the very relatable life of King David. We’ve seen how David was anointed to be king whilst he was still an insignificant young shepherd boy. He ended up serving King Saul who was at the same time a friend and a great enemy. David was on the run for many years and dealt with depression and rash behavior and sin. He lived a life of adventure and violence and at times kept God at a distance. David dealt with frustrating people and situations almost constantly. And yet, everything God promised to David came true when King Saul died and David was established as king over all Israel. David conquered Jerusalem and made it his capitol. Things did go well for him for a while. It is in this time of victory after victory that David wants to do something good to honor his friend Jonathan.
KINDNESS EXTENDED IN 2 SAMUEL 9
The beginning of 2 Samuel 9 describes the heart and motivation of David during this time of peace and prosperity. Let’s read from 2 Samuel 9.
READ 2 SAMUEL 9:1 (ESV)
And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?”
We see here in verse 1, that David is looking to do a kindness for Jonathan. Jonathan, you will remember, is King Saul’s son with whom David had a close friendship and bond. Jonathan, unlike his father, accepted that David would be king and helped him. Saul and Jonathan and many of their family members are dead at this time and many others are in hiding.
David seeks to do a “kindness.” That word in this verse is used 248 times in the Old Testament and is a Hebrew word for which we really don’t have a good word to translate. It means “unswerving love and favor.” It means “dependable mercy and love that is stable.” If you would like to put a New Testament word on it, the word would be ‘agape love’ although it really is not the same. Close in my opinion, but not really the same. Let’s keep reading in 2 Samuel 9.
READ 2 SAMUEL 9:2-13 (ESV)
Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. 6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 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?” 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. 10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master's grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master's grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's sons. 12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servants. 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 4 shares with us that when Saul and Jonathan died, Mephibosheth and their household ran and in a terrible accident, he was crippled in both feet. Mephibosheth has been in hiding ever since because in David’s day, usually when a new dynasty comes to power, all the family of the other king is killed. If you read in 1 and 2 Kings, you will see this happen. Jonathan’s family and Saul’s kin run and hide for safety.
David wants to show kindness to Jonathan’s family and by extension the family of Saul. King David is not like other kings. Mephibosheth is brought before him and I don’t think verse 6 is trying to be funny, but Mephibosheth falls before David when he arrives. He falls because he is lame in both feet and because he is trying to be humble before King David. David calls him by name and sets up a system by which Mephibosheth and his family will be provided for into the future. Lands and workers and money is restored. Mephibosheth has equal standing with princes in the kingdom… which is amazing. David shows “unswerving love and favor” to the family of Jonathan. David shows “dependable mercy and love that is stable” to Mephibosheth.
Why? Why does David do that? Perhaps something Jesus said might help us.
READ MARK 12:28-34a (ESV)
And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that He answered them well, asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 And the scribe said to Him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that He is One, and there is no other besides Him. 33 And to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
TRANSITION
That is an interesting statement by Jesus that this scribe is “not far from the kingdom of God.” David’s interaction with Mephibosheth is not just in 2 Samuel 9, but later in 2 Samuel 16 there is sort of an interaction.
ODDNESS IN 2 SAMUEL 16
2 Samuel 16 finds David in a time of trial and tribulation and stress and no good choices. One of David’s sons, Absalom, has conspired against him to take the kingdom away from him. David does not want to fight or kill his son so he runs. David does not want fighting in the streets of Jerusalem so he runs. David needs to go and consolidate his base and his troops so he runs. 2 Samuel 16 opens up as David is on the run.
READ 2 SAMUEL 16:1-4 (ESV)
When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine. 2 And the king said to Ziba, “Why have you brought these?” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who faint in the wilderness to drink.” 3 And the king said, “And where is your master's son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.’” 4 Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.” And Ziba said, “I pay homage; let me ever find favor in your sight, my lord the king.”
Interesting. David is on the run and Ziba, the major-domo of Mephibosheth, shows up with a small caravan of supplies to help David flee from Jerusalem. Oddly enough, the supplies remind me a lot of the supplies Abigail brought David when she met him to change his mind about being rash with her husband Nabal in 1 Samuel 25.
The other odd thing in this passage is that Mephibosheth, who has received steadfast kindness from David for years, is not with Ziba. David notices that the son of Jonathan is not with him. Ziba tells David that Mephibosheth stayed in Jerusalem for the express purpose that in the midst of the political confusion and conspiracy of Absalom that he might gain back the throne of Israel for his family.
What do we call that? Betrayal, since David took him in and provided for Mephibosheth when he didn’t have to. Opportunistic, since David is having a hard time and Mephibosheth might seize the opportunity. Traitorous. Back stabbing. Political maneuvering. Unkind. Disloyal. Villainous. Dirty.
King David has extended constant friendship and provision for Mephibosheth and his whole household and yet now it seems when David is having troubles, Mephibosheth jumps at the chance to seize power. It is sad really. It is terrible news that David receives while he is running away to avoid killing his own son. Tragic.
In the midst of this back-stabbing episode, let’s remember something else Jesus said…
READ LUKE 6:27-36 (ESV)
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
TRANSITION
The tragedy of Absalom ends with his death. It is a terrible thing. David’s son is killed and much of what David tried to avoid by running ended up happening anyway. David leaves his temporary capitol and heads back to Jerusalem. Here, upon his arrival, we have the final installment of Scripture dealing with Mephibosheth.
THE MYSTERIES OF 2 SAMUEL 19
We find in the middle of 2 Samuel 19, some mysteries as David enters back into Jerusalem.
READ 2 SAMUEL 19:24-30 (ESV)
24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back in safety. 25 And when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me, for your servant said to him, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ For your servant is lame. 27 He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God; do therefore what seems good to you. 28 For all my father's house were but men doomed to death before my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right have I, then, to cry to the king?” 29 And the king said to him, “Why speak any more of your affairs? I have decided: you and Ziba shall divide the land.” 30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Oh, let him take it all, since my lord the king has come safely home.”
King David arrives back home in Jerusalem with a broken heart and is tired and worn out and weary. Mephibosheth is in a bit of a state of nastiness. The picture we get is that Mephibosheth has been fending for himself in Jerusalem and has not been taken care of the whole time David was gone. It does not seem like he was angling to be king based on his unkempt state. He seems to have been living on the streets (perhaps). Mephibosheth tells David that Ziba deceived David earlier and lied to him.
So, herein lies one of the mysteries of 2 Samuel 19. What actually happened as David was fleeing Jerusalem? Did Mephibosheth stay behind in order to try and gain the throne in David’s absence as Ziba claims or is Mephibosheth correct and Ziba left him behind and lied to David? Which is the truth? The mystery is confounding because David doesn’t ask. David does not ask questions to find out. He does not follow-up. David does not question Ziba or Mephibosheth, but just wants to move on. In addition, the writer of 2 Samuel does not tell us either. We simply do not know the answer as to what actually happened.
The other mystery of 2 Samuel 19 is why King David just simply moves on with this whole issue. David summarily divides the lands of the family of Saul between his grandson Mephibosheth and Ziba the servant. Boom. Done. Mephibosheth is so appreciative of David’s care over the years that he does not even seem to care. Or it could be he is relieved he is not put in prison or executed.
Why does David just move on?
Why does David continue to show kindness to Mephibosheth?
What is motivating the heart of David at that moment?
Perhaps some more words of Jesus might give us some insight into the heart and motivation of King David.
READ JOHN 13:34-35 (ESV)
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
SUMMARY
So, what do we have when it comes to David and Mephibosheth?
We have King David wishing to show kindness to the family of Jonathan and he does so. He takes Mephibosheth (whom I wish had a nickname after I’ve said his name 100 times… Meph… Mephy… The Phibster… Sheth…) into the royal household and provides for him. Not only that, David shows extreme kindness in providing for future generations by restoring lands. Even after there is a mystery surrounding him during a time of turmoil, David shows love.
So, what do we have when it comes to David and Mephibosheth?
APPLICATION: THE STANDARD OF LOVE
What we have is the standard of love God expects lived out. Many times we think that Jesus Christ entered the scene and commanded us to love, which is true, but a 1000 years before Jesus arrived on the scene King David is living out the standard of love that Jesus would teach.
What is Jesus’ standard of love?
We find first that the standard of love that Jesus taught and that prophetically David lived out is that love remains constant and intense (Matthew 24:12). The love that God has for us does not shift or wane or grow cold. Rather, God’s decision to love us is always made in the positive. God chooses to love us every time. So, should we be. We need to be people whose love does not grow cold, but rather we need to be people who choose love consistently and even predictably. If we follow God as David did, we will love consistently. That is part of the standard.
We find second that the standard of love that Jesus taught and that prophetically David lived out is that love for God and love for the people around us are linked (Mark 12:28-34). They are linked in God’s mind and so they need to be linked in our minds. We cannot love God and not love people. It doesn’t work that way. The greatest commandment in the Bible is summarized by loving God with all of our being and the second intertwined commandment is that love spills out to the people around us. We, as believers in Jesus, cannot love God and disregard people. If we follow God, as David did, we will love people. That is part of the standard.
We find thirdly that the standard of love that Jesus taught and that prophetically David lived out is that love is given regardless of the other person (Luke 6:27-36). Enemies are loved. People who mistreat us are loved. People who we know are using us are loved. You may disagree with that because it makes you feel weak or stepped upon, but the love commanded by Jesus and lived out by David does not consider wrongs suffered or future wrongs anticipated. Our hearts of love do so without expecting anything in return and no change on the part of the other person. If we follow God, as David did, we will love people even if we think they will hurt us. That is part of the standard.
We find lastly that the standard of love that Jesus taught and that prophetically David lived out is that love should be what we are famous for and should be what marks us as belonging to God (John 13:34-35). Mephibosheth and his family knew that David had loved their family well. Ziba and his family knew that David has loved their family well. David did a whole lot of things wrong and terrible in his life, but he followed God’s standard of love in his life. It marked him. It marked him as different. It marked him as a man after God’s own heart. If we follow God, as David did, we will seek to be known for and marked by how we love God and how we love others. That is part of the standard.
ILLUSTRATION… Backed into your car (p)
Recently, I took a trip to Florida which was unsuccessful. It was unsuccessful because a hurricane hit and I had to leave early and I didn’t get to do anything I set out to do. Before I had to escape from the storm, I was able to visit one of my favorite restaurants in Florida called 4Rivers BBQ. It has the best food. Anyway, I was just sitting down to eat my meal, when I man and his family came in. They looked to be tourists since I was in Orlando. Sometimes tourists stick out.
They walked into the restaurant and as the family got in line to order, the husband/dad stayed at the door and asked in a loud voice: “Excuse me. Who in here has the new black Audi SUV in the parking lot?” A woman sitting, near to the door he was standing at, responded: “The one with temporary tags? That is mine I just got it.” I was in earshot and the gentleman walked up to her table and told her that he had just hit her car in the parking lot while he was parking. They both went out of the restaurant. I’m not going to lie, I watched to see how the interaction would go with a brand-new Audi being hit. They exchanged information. There was no drama that I saw. The two folks came back in and both tables ate their food with no issues. I noticed it because of the lack of drama or yelling which is not what I expected.
In our world, the standard of behavior is often mistreatment and blame and abuse and yelling and hurt and brokenness and bad attitudes and prizing things over people and yet, the standard that God lays out for us is different. God’s standard of love is a different standard than what the world calls us towards. We, who believe in God and have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and have the presence of the Holy Spirit, are to love different because we have a different standard. I would say that standard has always been there, but it was taught by Jesus Christ.
* Love is a constant decision and should remain consistent.
* Love is directed toward God and also toward other people.
* Love is given regardless of the other person and is not dependent on them at all.
* Love is specifically what marks us as believers in Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION
I want you to notice that King David lived out the love that Jesus taught over 1000 years before He taught it. God is love and He does not change. God’s standards of love do not change. When we choose to love like David, we choose to love in the same standard that Jesus Christ teaches. Every person. All the time. Each situation. When it is fair. When it is unfair. People you like. People you can’t stand. When you don’t want to. When they don’t deserve it. Love according to the standard.
PRAYER
INVITATION
