The grace of God’s grace is discussed at length in such New Testament epistles as Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians. But who would expect to find it shining forth from the pages of 2 Samuel 9? David, the man after God’s heart, knew and applied God’s grace in his life, and his showing “God’s kindness” (9:3) to the crippled Mephibosheth (son of Jonathan) is an illustration of God’s grace to fallen sinners as spelled out clearly in the New Testament.

This incident occurs about half way through David’s reign. David was reflecting on his dear friend Jonathan, who had been killed in battle along with his father Saul about 20 years previously. “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (9:1). The word “kindness” points to God’s loyal, unfailing love for His people. There is nothing in us to merit or deserve it. Grace stems from God’s nature.

God’s grace initiates the relationship, and David sought out Mephibosheth. David discovers that one of Jonathan’s sons is still living.  He also hears the news that this man is crippled.  Yet, the response of grace is not to ask what kind of man he is, or even how bad he is crippled.  Grace does not concern itself with the man’s background, his surroundings, his abilities, his appearance, his future potential, etc. The response of grace is to ask “Where is he?”  As soon as David hears where this man is, he sends his servants to “fetch” him.  Grace said, “I am not concerned about his condition, I want him just like he is.” When Mephibosheth was brought before David and bowed to show honor, David surprised him. Instead of destroying every member of the former king’s household (which was customary in those days), David chose to demonstrate grace instead.

So it is with the amazing grace of God.  He does not look upon us and concern Himself with our crippled spiritual condition.  He looks upon us thought the eyes of grace.  He sees us exactly like we are, but He loves us in spite of what we are.  He knows all about our past, our problems and our potential, yet He responds by drawing us to Himself anyway!  When grace fixes its gaze on one of the crippled sons of Adam’s race, it cares for nothing but fetching us to itself. “’Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.’” (v7)

In Lo-debar, Mephibosheth had nothing.  He was poor.  He was an outcast.  He was a fugitive. He had no hope and no prospects for his future.  All he had was a pair of crutches and little more. But, when he met grace, everything changed!  All of his present needs were met and his future was secured.  Grace gave him something he never could have had in Lo-debar: grace gave him a future. Grace gave him the plenty of the King!

The same is true for all those who experience God’s saving grace.  In Adam, our Lo-debar, we had nothing!  We were lost, undone and headed to Hell.  We were outcasts and fugitives, running for our lives from a holy God Who possessed the right and the power to send us to a lost eternity.  But, when grace was extended and embraced, everything changed!  What sin could never give us became ours in Jesus!  For the first time, there was hope for the future.

Mephibosheth was adopted out of Saul’s family and into David’s.  Grace gave him something that he did not have before it was extended to him.  Grace gave him a family! Every day he lives, Mephibosheth was reminded by his surroundings and by the presence of the King that he was the recipient of grace.  He was where he was because of the grace of the King! That is what grace gives to all those who embrace it!  No wonder it’s called amazing!

Sources: