As a guy, I love hearing stories of glorious kingdoms, mighty kings, valiant knights, epic battles between good and evil, and happy endings. You mention King Arthur and his round table of Knights, and I’m all ears. Specifically, I enjoy studying how kings lived and ruled. Were they a good king or a bad king? Glance through your old history books and you can study up on those who ruled with grace and extended a hand to their people, and then you read those who took advantage of others. The Old Testament has records of this as well. Second Samuel 9 is a beautiful picture of grace and leading well.
It’s dinnertime and all the place settings are prepared. The food is ready and the guests have taken their seats. Yet there is one chair that remains empty, and it’s next to King David. Finally in the distance you hear “Clomp Clomp…Clomp Clomp…Clomp Clomp.” Emerging around the corner is a humbled face, apologetic of his tardiness. This is Mephibosheth (say that 3 times!)– David’s guest and best friend’s son. Injured at a young age from being dropped by a nurse, Mephibosheth is crippled in both feet and needs crutches. His story goes way back - son of Prince Jonathan, grandson of King Saul, and adopted son of King David. He is a recipient of grace.
In those days once a new king was crowned, his first action was to kill all threats to his throne including family members of the former king. Mephibosheth, being a royal family member, had a target on his back…but not from David. David’s question, “Is there anyone still left in the house of Saul…” started off as one who may have a vendetta. It ended with “to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” Mephibosheth arrives expecting punishment or even death, but receives mercy and grace. He now has a permanent seat at David’s table (v.10). He has been elevated from outcast to adopted son.
Though we may not have the physical impairment of Mephibosheth, we do have our own hindrances that cripple us. The great news is that we’ve been extended a hand from a Heavenly King. God has declared, “I will show kindness for my Son’s sake.” We have received mercy and grace not by anything we have done, but from what Jesus has done for us. God loves hearing the “Clomp Clomp…Clomp Clomp…Clomp Clomp” in the distance as we approach our empty chair right next to Him. It is in this chair that we have all we need – His love, His peace, and complete rest.
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