Surprised by Grace

“And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?”  II Samuel 9:8

Those who are familiar with the history of king David as related in I and II Samuel will recognize the name Mephibosheth.  He was the son of Jonathan, king Saul’s son, who was the most loyal and best friend of David, even though Saul was a chief enemy of David.  Jonathan and David had covenanted together to basically “have each other’s backs”.  In one of the covenants (I Samuel 20:16), Jonathan requested that David would always show kindness to all those of Jonathan’s household.  After the last covenant that the two of them made with each other (I Samuel 23:18), David and Jonathan never saw each other again.  Later, Jonathan was killed in battle with the Philistines (I Samuel 31:2).

David prospered and was anointed king over the land of Judah in Hebron.  He ruled there for seven- and one-half years and then became king over the entire land of Israel, ruling for an additional thirty-three years (II Samuel 5:5).  God was with him bringing victory to Israel over their enemies and brought peace for a time.  It was likely around twenty years after David became king when he remembered the covenant that he had made with Jonathan concerning Jonathan’s family.  David had lost touch with those of Saul’s family and didn’t know if any were still living.  He enquired as to the possibility that there was any left of the family of Saul.  Upon searching, it was told to David that there was a son of Jonathan who was still alive, and that he was crippled (II Samuel 9:3).  It was when Jonathan was only five years old, his nurse grabbed him up to flee from an attack by the Philistines, but she dropped him, injuring his legs so severely that he could not walk (II Samuel 4:4).  That must have been a really hard fall.

When David heard that Jonathan’s son was alive, he sent for him.  His name was Mephibosheth, which means “an exterminator of shame”.  Imagine how afraid he was at being summoned by the king, the same king that Mephibosheth’s grandfather tried to kill.  Mephibosheth did not know David.  He was young when his own father, Jonathan, was killed and maybe didn’t have much knowledge of the friendship between his father and David.  It is sort of like a student being called into the principal’s office.  It can’t be good.  I would guess that Mephibosheth was in his twenties or thirties, and we know that he had a young son (II Samuel 9:12).  He likely feared for his son as well.  No mention is made of his wife.

Upon arrival at the palace, he bowed with his face down to the floor as the proper protocol of appearing before the king dictated.  David could see the look of fear on his face and told him not to be afraid.  David promised that Saul’s land would be restored to him, and that he would dine with the king for the rest of his days.  Mephibosheth could hardly beleive it.  He couldn’t understand how a handicapped person as himself, one who could not work nor contribute any real value to David’s administration, could be the recipient of such generosity.  It was truly a real picture of grace.  He could not nor had not done anything to deserve such honor and benefit but simply received it because of his relationship to David’s best friend.

The promise of heaven is given to those who have a relationship with Jesus Christ through repentance of sin and trusting in Him and not on any works that have been done to try and merit favor with God.  Grace has been defined as “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense”.  Grace is completely free, but it came at a high cost for God to provide it.  None of us could ever earn the grace that cost the suffering and death of the Son of God.  Its price was far too high, but willingly and lovingly paid by Jesus.  How could anyone ever think that they could do enough works to substitute for the sacrifice of Christ?