From Lo-dbar to the King's Table

Allister Murphy share the story of Mephibosheth and his relationship with King David. Found in the book of 2 Samuel, this is a story of hope, redemption and love. It is also an invitation to join the King at His table.

Thanks for listening!

Join the conversation on
Our website, https://teleiostalkpodcast.buzzsprout.com
Twitter, @TeleiosT
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/share/GF5fdop8prDoKfx5/
Or, email us at teleiostalk@gmail.com

Our Podcast is on YouTube and Rumble too!

Check out our book "Six Good Questions"

Please consider supporting our ministry.
Donate using PayPal

Transcript

I want to tell you a story about someone who had a hard life but found redemption. 

Saul was the king of Israel and was fighting against the Philistines. The ever present enemy of God’s people. Saul has forsaken God and God did not intervene in the battle and Saul was killed in action. 

Saul had a son named Jonathan. Jonathan was a close friend of David. So close that the Bible states that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David. To be ‘knit’ by soul was to mean to be bound together in an intimate bond of brotherly love. Jonathan was also killed in the battle with the Philistines. 

Now Jonathan “had a son who…was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

2 Samuel 4 v 4 

The boy was crippled in the fall. He had no use of his legs. And he went from the palace to a place called Lo-debar. Lo-debar means ‘pastureless’. It was a barren place. Nothing was there. It was empty of anything. He went from the glories of the palace to a place of desolation. 

Have you ever been in that situation. Where you are living in relative comfort and the the bottom falls out of your world and you find yourself in a desolate place in your life. Maybe it’s the loss of a loved one. Maybe it’s having to give up your house that you raised your children in. Maybe it’s the physical changes as you get older. 

We’ve all been in those desolate places in life. No sign of hope. But let’s read further. The story continues in 2 Samuel 9:

“And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David.

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.” 

Then King David sent and brought him from…Lo-debar. 

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.” 

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.” 

And Mephibosheth paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” 

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…But Mephibosheth…shall always eat at my table.” 

So Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's sons. Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem”

This is a beautiful picture of something called GRACE. David didn’t have to do what he did for Mephibosheth. Saul had tried to kill David for years. When a new king took over a throne it was common for the new king to kill all the relatives connected to the old king. Eliminate all threats to the throne. David had every right to kill Mephibosheth but he didn’t. Instead he showed he showed great kindness. He showed him GRACE. 

What is GRACE? 

“GRACE IS EVERYTHING FOR NOTHING TO THOSE WHO DON’T DESERVE ANYTHING”

Grace gives us what we don’t deserve. David’s grace gave Mephibosheth what he didn’t deserve. 

You know we are a lot like Mephibosheth. We forfeited our inheritance in God’s kingdom when sin entered the world. But God is a gracious God. The Bible says, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 103 v 8

God in His infinite wisdom and mercy, offers us grace. He offers us what we don’t deserve. The punishment for sin is death (Romans 6 v 23) We deserve death. Not just physical death but spiritual death. Separation from God for eternity. But God, God calls us to him like David did with Mephibosheth. God is calling us to dine with him at the King’s table. God is calling us to live with him for eternity in the new Jerusalem. 

Notice that Mephibosheth ate at the kings table like one of his sons. God is calling you to dine with him at his table as one of his sons and daughters. 

How can this be? 

It is because 2000 years ago a man like no other, a perfect man, a holy man, God in the flesh man, came to die for us that we could have a place at the kings table. His name was Jesus. Jesus came from heaven to earth, died a death (that we deserved) on a cross, he was bury but on the third day he arose. Victorious over death and the grave. Through his sacrifice we have access to the table of the king. 

All we have to do is believe that Jesus came and died to take the punishment for our sins and that he rose again and is seated at the right hand of God. And one day he is coming back (O glorious day!) and all those who have believe and accepted him will be taken to the new Jerusalem where they will feast at the Kings table. 

Do you hear God calling for you? “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3 v 20

If you hear him knocking today…if you hear him calling…don’t turn away.