DAVID AND MEPHIBOSHETH In 2Samuel 9 we have recorded one of the finest stories in the Old Testament.  Why?  Because it bring to light some of the finer virtues of character and emphasizes the value of good friendships and there effect in later life.  Many are well acquainted with the life of King David but we know very little about the life of Mephibosheth. From 2 Samuel 4:4 we learn that he is a cripple.  A terrible battle raged on the slopes of Mount Gilboa.  When the battle was ended the King and the Crown Prince of Israel were dead.  A messenger rushed to the palace to relate the news.  Those who were in the palace were seized with fear and fled for their lives.  A nurse in fear dropped a five year old boy and so crippled him that he would never walk again.  The boy’s name was Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan.  When the battle ended Saul was dead and his family was almost wiped out.  Mephibosheth lived and grew to manhood in obscurity. In 2 Samuel 9:1 David asked,  “Is there anyone left of the house of Saul that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”  David was looking for an opportunity to do good. This shows us the kind of man David really was.  Our thoughts in hours of quietness and when we are alone show what we really are at heart.  David could have thought of all that Saul had done to him and bitterness and mistreatment could have filled his heart.  But he did not.   What about us, do we dwell on the ill-will and mistreatment we receive at the hands of others?  Or, do we like David seek to do kindness and look for opportunities to do good. David did not wait until someone pointed out that this boy needed help.  He looked for him. There is great value and power of sacred associations from the past.  David evidently thought about this as he recalled his friendship and many fond memories entered his heart.  Many a son or daughter have been turned back from a life of sin by a mother’s tender love and a father’s word of advice that are stored in their memory bank, as they look back.  Many a times I have as well as other preachers, preached a sermon and it seemed that no one was listening.  Discouraged and downhearted many would feel like giving up.  Then again, the time comes when you are standing at the back door shaking hands  and a faithful child of God reaching out says, “that was a good sermon, it did something for me.”  It just sturdies your soul and strengthens your spirit and you keep on going.  David knew how much of restraint, of tenderness, of fidelity to truth and honor he owed to the associations and fond memories of his friend Jonathan.  We would do well, like David, to form good associations with those who are older to take more time and let our memories wander down life’s pathway. Notice what David said in 2 Samuel 9:7 “. . .for Jonathan thy father’s sake. . .”  Children may be blessed after their parents are gone by deeds done to others.  The fruit of well doing lives longer that the one who does it, and therby leaves behind a blessing for his children.  Jonathan, no doubt , ever thought that his kindness to David would one day be repaid to his crippled so.  What an encouragement dor parents to be good and kind.  It may be when their child needs help and they are no longer able to render such, those they have befriended will be a friend to them.   This is also an encouragement for you and I to do good and be kind to everyone, therefore leaving a memorial to a loving parent. Paul wrote in 2 Cor. 4:5 “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”  Again, in Eph. 4:32 Paul wrote, “and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”  For just a moment picture a chariot stopping before an humble cottage.  An officer steps out and approaches a cripple.  How surprised he must have been when he was told the King had sent for him.  He is taken to the palace and Ziba is told to restore all the lands of Saul to him and he and his son’s are to be Mephibosheth’s servants.  King David tells him that from this point on he is to eat at the kings table and his home will be the palace.  Mephibosheth asked, Why?  And the King replies, “for Jonathan’s sake.” This boy had been crippled by a fall.  We too have been crippled by sin.  We could not walk in the paths of righteousness, and outcast we were, and live in the slums of sin.  We were poor, wretched and had little hope.  Then we received an invitation from the King to a wedding feast of the Lamb.  We were told we could exchanged our garments of sin for the beautiful robes of righteousness.  We were told we must obey the gospel and live faithful till death and all this could be ours.  We asked Why?  “For Jesus’ sake.”  What if Mephibosheth had not believed .David’ s kindness and rejected it?  What about us if we do not believe God’s offer of kindness and reject his salvation that is to all men?  Yes, salvation is for all men, we must believe, repent, confess Christ and be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins. Where do you stand? ----Bill Young