The Lord's Table (2 Samuel 9:4-13)
Read 📖
Today’s reading is 2 Samuel 9:4-13
So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table continually.
2 Samuel 9:13a
Reflect ❤️
Long before David was king, David had made a promise to his friend Jonathan to care for his family and show them kindness, despite the fact that Jonathan was the son of the current king (1 Samuel 20:14-17). David now remembers this promise, ”Is there anyone still left to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (v1). In those days the new king would put to death old enemies and their families, but David’s behaviour was the opposite!
David’s servants found Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son. He had been a young boy when his family had to escape from an enemy and his nurse had dropped him, hurting his feet so badly that he didn’t walk again.
What do you think David’s reaction could have been to hearing this?
What do you think Mephibosheth thought might happen next?
In the Bible, kindness is much more than surface-level politeness or a passive mood. It is an active, sacrificial, and deliberate way of living that reflects God's own character and serves as a powerful evidence of faith. Biblical kindness (both in thoughts and deeds) is an outpouring of God's love and compassion.
We see David’s compassion and love in saying “Don’t be afraid, I will show you kindness…I will restore to you...and you will eat at my table” (v7).
What could Mephibosheth have feared as he sat to dine at the king’s table?
What do we fear as we come into God’s presence?
Scripture says in many places that we are not to fear or be anxious!
So, the chapter proceeds to show us how Mephibosheth now lived for the rest of his life. David provided for him in a way that Mephibosheth didn’t expect, and he probably wasn’t even aware of the promises made between David and Jonathan. Mephibosheth continues to live in Jerusalem as if he were David’s own son.
Mephibosheth was happy and content to just be in the King's home...not desiring any land that would rightfully have been his. But David blessed him anyway! He was shocked that David even looked at him (v8).
Isn't it wonderful that God looks on us and doesn't see our faults and failings, but He sees Jesus.
Are we happy and content to be in our Saviour's presence or are we craving worldly things?
Reading this chapter I hear echoes of Psalm 23:5: ‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of our enemies’. I'm also reminded of Nigel’s sermon: how do we view this table that God has provided?
Our table is full of all the things that we need, as was Mephibosheth’s. Have we put things on it that aren’t good for us, have we replaced the good things with the second best? In Galatians 5:22 we read about the fruit of the spirit, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness".
Are we seeing this fruit in ever-increasing measures in our life, particularly kindness?
How does this story reflect Jesus?
In Matthew 11:28-30: ‘Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest......for you will find rest for your souls’
What acts of kindness can we show to those around us at work, at home, at school this week?
In Ephesians 4:32 Paul reminds us that we are exhorted to be kind and compassionate to each other, just as Jesus is towards us.
Pray 🙏
Lord, thank you for welcoming us to your table, not because of our worthiness but by your grace. Help us reflect that grace in our lives as we go through this week. Amen