Following Worship Sunday Chili Lunch and Hanging of the Green. We will eat then decorate the church. Bring a desert to share if you would like to.
Scripture
2 Samuel 9:1-13 (ESV)
1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 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.
Questions for Reflection
1. If you had it within your power, whom would you elevate from "rags to riches" and why?
2. What commitment did David remember when he was established in the kingship of Israel? (9:1)
3. Where did David find Jonathan’s son living? (9:4-5)
4. What attitude did Mephibosheth assume toward David when they met? (9:6)
5. What promises did David make to Mephibosheth? (9:7)
6. How did Mephibosheth expect to be treated by David? (9:8)
7. What kind of treatment did Mephibosheth receive in David’s house? (9:11)
8. How would another generation of Saul’s family continue in Israel? (9:12)
9. Why did Mephibosheth live in Jerusalem from this time onward although his family’s lands were elsewhere? (9:13)
10. Why was it especially important to David to find the surviving members of Saul’s family?
11. Why did Mephibosheth have reason to be afraid of David?
12. What special provision did David make because of Mephibosheth’s disability?
13. Why is it important to carry through on promises made, even if the person to whom you made them is dead and gone?
14. Why is it a greater honor to ask someone to eat with you than simply to give him or her a meal?
