David and Mephibosheth

2 Samuel 9:1-13

“David asked, ‘Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” 2 Samuel 9:1

This sweet story is a beautiful picture of grace, the kind of grace that God shows toward us.

In the days of Saul and David, when a new regime would come into power, everyone in the old regime would be put to death. But Saul asked David to promise that he would not exterminate Saul’s family when he became king. David promised, and he kept that promise. David also made that promise to his best friend Jonathan.

After David became king, he asked the people in his court if there was anyone left in Saul’s family to whom he could show kindness.  He didn’t ask if there was anyone qualified or anyone worthy. He asked if there was any body. Swindoll calls that “unqualified acceptance based on unconditional love”.

There was someone. Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was five years old when his father and grandfather were killed in battle. His nurse scooped up the lad into her arms and was running with him to save him from being killed by the new king. But she stumbled, and he fell from her arms and became crippled in both feet. A former servant of Saul’s told David, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.” David didn’t ask how badly crippled he was. He just asked, “Where is he?” Swindoll, “That’s the way grace is. Grace isn’t picky...grace is God giving Himself in full acceptance to someone who does not deserve it and can never earn it and will never be able to repay.” Ziba told David that Mephibosheth was in a place called Lo Debar.

David sent his soldiers to fetch Mephibosheth and bring him to the palace. I imagine Mephibosheth was trembling with fear when he was ushered into David’s presence. No doubt he was afraid for his life. David greeted him with these words, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.”

Mephibosheth responded with gratitude, humility, and amazement, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” 2 Samuel 9:8b

God invites us to become His children and partake at His table. And we are as helpless and hopeless in our sins as a dead dog. It is by God’s grace that He offers us forgiveness and eternal life. He offers it not because we deserve it in any way but on account of His Son, just as David offered Mephibosheth a place at his table on Jonathan’s account. Where are you living today--in Lo Debar or in the king’s palace? Have you accepted God’s gift of grace for you? There’s a place card at God’s table with your name on it.

Thank you, Father, for Your grace, for adopting us as your children and for setting us a place at Your table in heaven. May we each one accept Your gracious invitation. Amen.