"IS THERE ANYBODY LEFT"?........................(2 Sam.9:1-
If you've ever wondered why the bible calls David "a man of God's own heart", you will understand when you view this scene.  Recorded here is the most tender and loving moment in Davids life!  
Mephobosheth was the son of David's best friend, Jonathan.  Jonathan was the godly son of the no-good king Saul.  When Mephibosheth was only 5 years old, his father was killed in a battle....and since then many years have passed; and, Mephibosheth has children of his own now-(v.12).
	Yet, inspite of the years that had passed, David had not forgotten his close friendship with Jonathan, so here he displays an unselfish act of kindness upon his son Mephibosheth.  (TOPIC)-sad words! (Saul's story...)

(1)-THE COMPASSION FOR MEPHIBOSHETH
David is called "a man of blood"...and was not permitted to build a temple unto the Lord.  But, he also was a man of great compassion!-(Psalms)
(a)---THE INQUIRY OF HIS COMPASSION-(v.1)
David had married Jonathan's sister Michael; so why is it that he can't find any living decendants of Saul's house?  (SIN HAD WIPED THEM OUT!!!)
(Rom. 6:23-"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.")
	David's fame, power, nor the absence of Saul's male decendants made 	him forget his ANCIENT OATH to Jonathan 20 years earlier!-(God's 	promises).  Saul had tried to kill David over 20 times...but even THAT had not weakened his love or promises to his friend!-(little things make us hate others!)
*The scope of this "kindness" which David wanted to show was to "ANY" (v.1)!  David didn't say "the best member" of the family...he said "whosoever will"!
*The strength of this "kindness"which David showed was NOT A PASSING MOOD..but a compassion for Jonathan which had lasted over 20 years!
*The source of this "kindness" was "the kindness of GOD"!  That meant it was: 

(b)---THE INTENTION OF HIS COMPASSION-("kindness")
GREAT KINDNESS!..........(not the normal performance of mankind!..esp. a king!)
GRACIOUS KINDNESS!...(this was unmerited and undeserved treatment!)
GOOD KINDNESS!............(it had no tinge of evil in it!)
GLORIFYING KINDNESS!...(Matt.5:16-"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.")
GENUINE KINDNESS!.......(there were no alterior motives!  He was not a politician kissing up to people trying to get votes; or some celebrity trying to make the world like them by giving to some charity!)

(c)---THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS COMPASSION-("Jonathan")
This kindness was done totally because of the merit of another....and that other person had DIED!!!-(Christ)
(2)-THE CONDITION OF MEPHIBOSHETH
*HIS LINEAGE-(v.3-"house of Saul")
When Saul died, ISHBOSHETH, who was the only surviving son of Saul, set up a thone to oppose David!-(sin is "our opposition of God")
*HIS LAMENESS-(v.13-"lame on BOTH of his feet")
(2 Sam.4:4 tells how it happened!)...
The FACT OF HIS CONDITION-(early in life-5 yrs old)
The FALL OF HIS CONDITION-("fall of man")
The FEMALE involved----------(a woman droped him-EVE!)
The FLAW OF HIS CONDITION-(a very hindered life!)
(Romans 5:6-"When we were yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly.")
*HIS LOCATION-(v.4-"Lo-debar")
Lo-debar was situated in Gilead northeast of Jordan...FAR AWAY FROM DAVID!  The name "Lo-debar" means "pastureless"!  In other words, it was a DESOLATE-BARREN PLACE!!!  If you lived out there, you were essentially, A LOST SOUL!!!
	I was WAY OUT THERE!!!  (Eph. 2:13-"But now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.")

(3)-THE COMING OF MEPHIBOSHETH-(v.6)
*THE SEEKING OF DAVID-(v.5-"David sent, and fetched him")
(1 John 4:19-"We love him because he FIRST loved us.")
*THE SERVANTS OF DAVID-(v.5-"sent")-(SPIRIT OF GOD)-(He sends US also!)
(1 Corin. 12:3-"No man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.")
*THE SEPARATION OF DAVID-(v.5-"OUT OF the house,FROM Lo-debar")
(2 Corin.6:17-"Wherefore come ye out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord...")
*THE SALUTATION OF DAVID-(v.6-"Mephibosheth"!)-(by name!!!)
Remember "Moses, Moses"...."Marhta, Martha"..."Zachaeus come down"???
*THE SUBMISSION TO DAVID-(v.6-"fell on face...did reverence..who am I?")
*THE SERVICE TO DAVID-(v.6-"behold thy servant"!)

(4)-THE CHANGES FOR MEPHIBOSHETH-(v.7)
SAFETY CHANGES-"fear not"
SERENITY CHANGES-"fear not"(peace)
STANDING CHANGES-(v.11-"as one of the kings sons"!)
SUPPING CHANGES-(v.7,10,11,13-"eat at the kings table"!)
SUBSTANCE CHANGES-(v.7-9-"restore all the land of Saul"!)
SERVANT CHANGES-(v.9-10-"ZIBA WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL YOU HAVE!!!)
SECURITY CHANGES-(v.7,11-"ALWAYS and CONTINUALLY"!!!)