What Does Grace Look Like - 2 Samuel 5-9

2 Samuel 9:6-8 (ESV Strong's)

And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” And David said to him, “Do not fear, 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.” And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”

Tag:  What Does Grace Look Like

In ancient Biblical days, when one leader either conquered another, or took the place of another, it was common practice to seek out the family, servants and loyal slaves of the previous king and have them killed ... typically in sight of all the land. It signaled power and might to the kingdom. It also made sure none of them snuck up on you in the middle of the night to kill you.   In the above text, however, we read the story of King David, becoming King of Israel.  After conquering several surrounding kingdoms, chapter eight, David seeks out any family from the previous king of Israel, Saul:

2 Samuel 9:1 (ESV Strong's)

And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?”

Normally, an inquire like that meant destruction for the family member(s) found.   But, David is a man of grace and peace.   David looks for and finds his best friends, Jonathon’s, son - Mephibosheth.    Instead of killing him, David shows him grace.   Mephibosheth, himself, admits that he is but nothing.   He refers to himself as nothing more than a “dead dog.”    Remember, earlier in David’s life he referred to himself, when speaking to Saul, as nothing more than a flea on the back of a dog:

1 Samuel 24:14 (ESV Strong's)

After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea!

David expressed grace to Mephibosheth because David experienced grace from God.  Grace produces grace.  When God gives us grace we ought to bestow equal grace on others.