THE TABLE OF KINDNESS

 

September 8, 2023

2 Samuel 9:13

 

“So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.” 

 

The Old Testament book of 2 Samuel details the life of David. After David, as God’s own choice, assumed the throne as Israel’s King, he asked if there were any other relatives of Saul still living, Saul, the previous king who, in jealousy, had tried to murder him. In those days it was common for a new king to kill the rest of the royal family, so there were no other challengers to the throne. David reasons for seeking out Saul’s relatives was not to eliminate them, rather he wanted to show Saul’s family kindness because of his relationship with Saul’s son, Jonathan, who had died in a battle.

Johnathan had a son who was crippled and living in hiding because he was afraid that David would kill him. Can you imagine what Johnathan’s son Mephibosheth, must have felt emotionally when King David sent for him. He did not know David’s reasons as is evidenced in his response before the King. When Mephibosheth came to David, (expecting to be killed) he fell on his face and paid respect to the new King. David responded and said, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Johnathan and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father and you shall eat at my table always” (2 Samuel 9:7).

This story, at a first look, just looks like a nice little story, but it holds much more than that. This situation described is like our relationship with God. We are vulnerable, weak, fragile and broken and yet God has a place for us at His table, regardless of our flaws and shortcomings. He loves us so much and wants us to get to know Him.

This story seems small and short but it is full of love and reflects God’s amazing love. David’s promise to Johnathan’s son is like what God’s grace gives to us. In other words, if you will allow me to say it, we are like Mephibosheth.

·         We were in hiding.

·         We were separated from our Creator King.

·         God then took the initiative to step toward us, seek us out as recipients of  his kindness.

·         Our separation from God was because we didn’t know God’s character and His love for us.

·         God extravagantly blesses us with the gift of abundance that goes beyond anything we had before.

·         Now we have an open invitation and place at the King’s table.

·         No matter who we are, what we have done, God’s  unconditional love is extended to us.

I invite you to read 2 Samuel 9 and read the story with a fresh pair of eyes and see how David’s kindness is a reflection of God’s kindness to us. It’s a beautiful image to read and realize that God comes to us in kindness and invites us to eat at His table always. Our response is to sit down, and get to know how great our God is.