Undoubtedly his father had great hopes for him . . . envisioned him to be a great man of God. As was the norm, dad named him in accordance with that aspiration . . . he would be called “Exterminator of Idols” or “Dispeller of Shame.” His name was built around a verb . . . he would be a man of action . . . a godly man of action. Just as his father had bravely withstood the Philistines and repelled their aggression and their gods, so too, the boy would stand fast and stand firm for the things of God . . . a mighty warrior . . . a “dispeller of shame.”

But how things change. That day was absolute chaos. The boy’s father and his grandfather had gone up to battle against the Philistines and both were killed on the battlefield. The army of Israel was falling like flies before the enemy . . . the enemy was advancing . . . it was time for the people to flee. The boy, now five years old, was taken up by his nurse and she ran for their lives. But as she ran, she tripped. The boy flew out of her arms . . . crashing to the earth . . . breaking both his ankles. There was no treating the broken joints . . . no setting them back in place so that they would heal properly . . . the damage was done . . . it would be permanent . . . the boy destined for action was now a cripple . . . lame in both feet. Once the grandson of a mighty king of Israel . . . once the hope of his father’s legacy . . . now an orphan . . . a descendant of the “ex-line of kings” . . . unable to walk . . . unable to care for himself much less be a “dispeller of shame.” In fact, his was life lived in shame. The boy’s name? Mephibosheth. (2Sam. 4:4)

Years later the boy is now a young man. A crippled young man. Enter into the young man’s life . . . a king. A king determined to show kindness to the man . . . the kindness of God (2Sam. 9:3). Not that the the man deserved it . . . not that he could repay anyone for any kindness shown him . . . but it was kindness to be shown for the sake of another (2Sam. 9:1). The young man wasn’t aware that he had a benefactor . . . he wasn’t out seeking him . . . instead, the king sent for the young man (2Sam 9:5). When he arrived, he did what men should do before a king, he bowed and prostrated himself (2Sam. 9:6) . . . fear and trembling as he bowed before this king whom his grandfather had hated and had sought to kill . . . this king whom his father had loved with a love which was “wonderful, surpassing the love of women” (2Sam. 1:26) . . . this king who had the power to destroy this last descendant of Saul and thus, might contest the throne.

“Do not fear, says the king, “for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” (2Samuel 9:7 ESV)

Oh, what marvelous grace! God’s kindness shown through the king . . . kindness not shown because of worthiness but for the sake of another. The land restored . . . great wealth given to one unable to earn even a day’s wage. But beyond the wealth, a place at the king’s table. Four times that fact is mentioned in the account. The man lame in both feet would have that shame covered as those feet were placed by another under the king’s table. He would sit at the place of honor . . . he would eat at the table “like one of the king’s sons” (2Sam. 9:11). Not just once . . . not only when he found favor in the king’s sight . . . but this was to be his place continually . . . always . . . the deal was done . . . the sovereign decree of the king final. What restoration . . . what exaltation . . . what amazing grace!

And, each time I come across this amazing story of amazing grace, I can’t help but see in that man with the deformed ankles, this man sitting in this chair. I can’t help but identify with this one who was once of an enemy lineage which opposed the King. I can’t help but envision myself facedown before a mighty King only to hear, “Do not fear . . . I am going to show you God’s kindness . . . not because You deserve it . . . but for the sake of another . . . One who purchased your freedom. I will bless you with spiritual wealth beyond your understanding . . . every blessing in the heavenlies will be deposited to your account. But beyond that, I have reserved a place for you at My table. As a son and heir you have full rights to dine at the table. Your defects will be covered . . . your lame feet hidden . . . as far as the east is from the west it will be remembered no more . . . in My sight . . .and in My presence . . . you are whole . . . and you are wholly accepted.” I can’t help but marvel afresh that I have a seat at the table!

Oh, praise be to the King!!!