In 2 Samuel 9, we read of Mephibosheth.
When Saul and Jonathan died in battle, Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, was five years old. When news of his father’s death reached them, his nurse took him and fled. The reason for their escape was because of how the transition of power worked at the time. When a new king, unrelated to the old one, took the throne in the ancient world, the old king’s line usually didn’t survive the transition. All descendants were eliminated to avoid any opposition to his throne.
So, when Mephibosheth’s servant heard that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle, she grabbed Mephibosheth and fled to hide him, fearing for his life. During this escape, Mephibosheth fell and became lame in both his feet. He spent his life hiding away in a place called Lo-debar, forgotten and out of sight, the way any surviving heir needed to be to stay alive.
That was, until David, the new king, came looking for him. Years earlier, David and Jonathan had made a covenant, promising to show unfailing kindness to each other’s descendants forever. When he was discovered, Mephibosheth thought David wanted him dead. He had no reason to think otherwise. But instead, David invited him into his house, and instead of removing the last threat to his throne, restored to him all of Saul’s land and gave him a permanent seat at the king’s own table, as one of his own sons.
A king who owed nothing showed kindness to someone who had nothing to offer back, because of a promise made to someone else.
I am Mephibosheth. Lame in both my feet, hamstrung by my sin, worthless to society, hiding from the King. But then the King comes looking for me, finds me, and says, “Come to Me.” So I go, expecting to be judged and killed for my transgressions. But instead, the King says, “Take what I give you, work the land, and care for your people, and you, you can come and live in My house, and eat at My table. Come be with Me.” I considered His offer, but I couldn’t accept. “I am a dog,” I said. “Why would you want me in Your house, my LORD? Why don’t You just kill me?” And He answered, “Do not fear, My son. Your feet are healed. Your sin is gone. This is your house now. I am your Father. You are My son. Eternally.”