Wedged in between the 2 Samuel stories of wars is a story of “amazing grace.” It begins this way:

One day David asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family? If so, I’d like to show him some kindness in honor of Jonathan.” It happened that a servant from Saul’s household named Ziba was there…The king asked, “Is there anyone left from the family of Saul to whom I can show some godly kindness?” Ziba told the king, “Yes, there is Jonathan’s son, lame in both feet.” 2 Samuel 9.1 – 3, MSG)

Lame in both feet. Here’s the backstory:

It so happened that Saul’s son, Jonathan, had a son who was maimed in both feet. When he was five years old, the report on Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and ran, but in her hurry to get away she fell, and the boy was maimed. His name was Mephibosheth. (2 Samuel 4.4, MSG)

David summons Mephibosheth who doesn’t have much of a self-image:

“Don’t be frightened,” said David. “I’d like to do something special for you in memory of your father Jonathan. To begin with, I’m returning to you all the properties of your grandfather Saul. Furthermore, from now on you’ll take all your meals at my table.” Shuffling and stammering, not looking him in the eye, Mephibosheth said, “Who am I that you pay attention to a stray dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9.7, 8, MSG)

“A stray dog” (the more literal translations say, “dead dog”) who can make no contribution to David, and the chapter ends affirming that fact:

Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, taking all his meals at the king’s table. He was lame in both feet. (2 Samuel 9.13, MSG)

“Lame in both feet” – 2 Samuel 9.3 and 13. God doesn’t want us to miss it. We, too, are invited to the King’s Table. Some call it the Lord’s Supper; others, the Eucharist. No matter what we call it, we get to participate not based on our merit because, like Mephibosheth, we’re all “lame in both feet.”

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins… (Ephesians 2.1, ESV)

Then he said to his servants, “The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.” So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. (Matthew 22.8 – 10, NIV)

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone… (Ephesians 2.19, 20, ESV)