1 Chronicles 28:3 (NLT)
but God said to me, ‘You must not build a Temple to honor my name, for you are
a warrior and have shed much blood.’
2 Samuel 8:1-2 (NLT)
After this, David defeated and subdued the Philistines by conquering Gath, their
largest town. 2 David also conquered the land of Moab. He made the people lie
down on the ground in a row, and he measured them off in groups with a length
of rope. He measured off two groups to be executed for every one group to be
spared. The Moabites who were spared became David’s subjects and paid him
tribute money.
1. Even though David was a warrior, he was faithful to Jonathan’s family.
1 Samuel 20:14-15 (NLT)
And may you treat me with the faithful love of the LORD as long as I live. But if I
die, 15 treat my family with this faithful love, even when the LORD destroys all
your enemies from the face of the earth.”
2 Samuel 9:1-5 (NLT)
One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I
can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 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.
3 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.”
4 “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of
Makir son of Ammiel.” 5 So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s
home.
(70 plus miles away…Saul’s enemy…King David calls for him…)
2 Samuel 4:4 (NLT)
(Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a
child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and
Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she
picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he
became crippled.)

Psalms 143:3-4 (NLT)
My enemy has chased me. He has knocked me to the ground and forces me to
live in darkness like those in the grave. 4 I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed
with fear.
2 Samuel 9:6-8 NLT
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.”
7 “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!” 8 Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant,
that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”
2. Who is the “dead dog” today? (Hint, the first two letters of Mephibosheth.)
Colossians 1:20-21 (NLT)
and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with
everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. 21
This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies,
separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions.
Luke 15:11-24 (NLT)
To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12
The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you
die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a
distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time
his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.
15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields
to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he
was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the
hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I
will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven
and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me
on as a hired servant.”’
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his
father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son,
embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned
against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your
son.’

22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house
and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the
calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of
mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’
So the party began.
2 Samuel 19:28 (NLT)
All my relatives and I could expect only death from you, my lord, but instead you
have honored me by allowing me to eat at your own table! What more can I ask?”
2 Samuel 9:9-13 NLT
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. 10 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.)
11 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.
12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members
of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants. 13 And Mephibosheth, who
was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table.
Luke 22:29-30 (NLT)
And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right 30 to
eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the
twelve tribes of Israel.
Revelation 3:20 (NLT)
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I
will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.