If you’ve ever felt overlooked, broken or like life left you behind, there’s a man in the Bible whose story speaks directly to you. His name is Mephibosheth— hard to pronounce, maybe, but unforgettable once you know his story.
Mephibosheth was the grandson of King Saul and the son of Jonathan, David’s closest friend. By birth, he belonged to royalty. But when he was just five years old, tragedy struck. Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle and in the chaos, his nurse grabbed him to flee. In her rush, she dropped him, leaving him permanently crippled. From that day forward, he lived in a barren place called Lo-debar—a name that literally means “no pasture.” Think about it: a boy once destined for the palace now hiding in poverty, carrying the shame of a fallen dynasty.
But then something remarkable happened. Years later, King David asked, “Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” David could have ignored Saul’s family— after all, Saul once tried to kill him. Instead, David remembered a covenant he made with Jonathan: to always show kindness to his descendants. That moment changed everything for Mephibosheth.
David sent for him. Imagine the fear when soldiers knocked on the door of Mephibosheth’s hiding place. In those days, a new king often wiped out the former king’s family to secure the throne. Mephibosheth probably thought it was the end. But what he expected to be a death sentence turned out to be an invitation to life.
When he stood before David, trembling, the king spoke powerful words: “Fear not.” Then came the promises: all the land of his grandfather Saul would be restored, and he would eat at the king’s table continually.
Picture that for a moment. This crippled man, once hiding in shame, now seated like one of the king’s own sons. His broken feet, a symbol of his weakness, were hidden under the table. His past was covered, and his future was secured—not because of anything he did, but because of the kindness of another.
That’s grace. And Mephibosheth’s story is more than just a slice of history—it’s a mirror of our own. Spiritually speaking, every one of us has lived in Lo-debar. We’ve all been broken by sin, carrying guilt and living far from God. But the King came looking for us. He didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up. He sought us out, called us by name and welcomed us to His table.
The gospel is clear: God doesn’t save us because of our worthiness. He saves us “for Jesus’ sake.” Just like David blessed Mephibosheth for Jonathan’s sake, God blesses us because of Christ. That’s why Ephesians 2:8 reminds us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
Maybe you remember when the call of God first reached you. Like Mephibosheth, you might have felt unworthy—like a “dead dog,” as he put it. But that’s the beauty of grace. It doesn’t depend on what we bring. It depends on what the King gives.
And He gives more than forgiveness. He provides for us. He sustains us. He gives us a family in His church and a future in His kingdom. And one day, every believer will sit at the great Marriage Supper of the Lamb, not as guests but as children of the King.
From Lo-debar to the king’s table—that’s the journey of Mephibosheth. And that’s the journey of every soul touched by God’s amazing grace.
So if you feel stuck in your own Lo-debar today—alone, ashamed, or broken—hear the King’s voice: “Fear not.” There’s a seat waiting for you at His table.
Jimmy Barrett is a resident of Blackshear and pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Waycross.
