A Place at the King’s Table
Prayer: O Lord, grant us humility and faith, both to acknowledge our own weakness and sin and put our trust in Christ alone, who has provided each of us a place His heavenly table. May we reflect the mercy You have shown us to one another, through Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
In Christ Jesus, who has given dead-dogs such as us, seats at his heavenly table, dear fellow redeemed!
We first hear about a boy named Mephibosheth in II Samuel 4. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, who was the son of Saul, the first king of Israel. Mephibosheth was lame in his feet. When he was only five years old, the news came that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle at Jezreel. And so, his nurse picked Mephibosheth up and fled, but in her great haste to leave the city, the boy fell and became lame. The boy had to flee because his family had lost its power and as an heir of the throne he would have been one of the first to be killed.
Mephibosheth’s grandfather Saul was a good king at first, but later disobeyed God and so the Lord said his kingdom would not continue. God had chosen David as the next king of Israel. But as we hear of Saul’s downfall and David’s rise, we learn of the great friendship that developed between Saul’s son Jonathan and David. When Saul tried to kill David, Jonathan even helped David escape. David and Jonathan became as brothers.
Before David became king, he made a covenant with Jonathan that when he became king he would deal kindly with Jonathan’s family (I Samuel 20:12–15). But David was never able to show this kindness to Jonathan while he was living because both Saul and Jonathan died in battle. Yet, years after this covenant was made, when David now sat on the throne, he remembered his promise to his very dear friend made on the archery field. Since Jonathan, Saul, and most of the rest of Saul’s family members had died in battle and other plots, he wondered if there were any left. We read from II Samuel 9:1–5,
And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.
I. David shows kindness to Mephibosheth
Mephibosheth had a hard life. His father and grandfather were killed in battle, and he was disabled by being dropped. His name literally meant “From the mouth of shame” and he now lived in a land called Lo Debar, which means “a land of nothing.”
Now, David called Mephibosheth to be brought to him, so that, he said, “I may show the kindness of God.” But did he really want to show kindness to the grandson of the former king? It was common practice of the time for a new king to kill off everyone in the line of the former king. Otherwise, they might try to rebel. Those in David’s court were on pins and needles when they heard his request. Was this just an excuse to wipe out the rest of Saul’s line? When Mephibosheth heard that David wanted to see him, he was likely terrified about what he would do to him! II Samuel 9:6–8 continues,
6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.”7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
Instead of facing death, David showed Mephibosheth considerable love and compassion! He restored all the land that was his father’s and invited him to eat bread at the king’s table! Mephibosheth, a man named “from the mouth of shame” and who lived in the land of nothing, now had a seat at the king’s table!
The text says, “And he paid homage and said, ‘What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?’” He calls himself a dead dog. But what does he get? He is treated like a king’s son—he is overwhelmed! This is a remarkable story of compassion and grace. A man who faced death and lived in hiding now had a place at the king’s table!
II. God’s kindness to us
The first lesson that we should take away from this account is to see ourselves as Mephibosheths. We are all dead dogs. By nature, we are sinners and enemies of God and his kingdom. Because of our sin we were living in the land of nothing—and headed towards misery in hell. We deserve death and hell for our treacherous acts towards our heavenly King. We deserve punishment for our sin.
But God showed us compassion and grace. Instead of leaving us to die, he sought us out and rescued us from a life of nothing. He had mercy on us. The king of heaven left his throne on high to save us from hell—a land of nothing. Our Lord Jesus became poor and lowly, so that he could raise us up to divine glory, giving us a seat at his heavenly table. We deserve nothing, but because of his mercy he has made us children of God through faith in him.
Scripture says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (II Corinthians 8:9); “But God demonstrates his love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8); and, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26).
You and I have been shown the kindness of God who gives us more than we deserve and provides more than we need. King David made two promises to Mephibosheth. First, he was given a seat at the king’s table—in essence, he was considered a prince in his kingdom. Second, David gave him all of Saul’s property which would provide him with more than he could ever need.
Our gracious God does the same with us. He gives us more than we deserve and far more than we ask. He provides for daily needs—food and clothing, home and family, property and life. Yet, even more importantly, he provides for our spiritual needs as well. He gives you his Word to assure you of his love and compassion just as David gave his promise to Mephibosheth. The Lord gives you a seat at his heavenly table, where he gives you his Holy Supper for the forgiveness of all your sins. We are lowly beggars, undeserving of such a high honor, but God gladly prepares this table for sinners to eat and drink for the forgiveness of all our sins. He gives us grace upon grace!
We should all see ourselves as “Mephibosheths,” blessed beyond compare!
III. Our attitudes towards our fellow Christians
The final lesson we gain from this account is the attitude which we should have towards fellow Christians. Here, David serves as a wonderful example to Christians of faithful dealings with one’s neighbor and fidelity to the true God, who has revealed his love for all in Christ, even the most disadvantaged. Paul writes in Galatians 6:10, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
David could have seen Mephibosheth as his enemy, someone who would trouble his kingdom and lead a potential rebellion as a descendant of the former dynasty. He could have seen Mephibosheth as someone less-than-worthy, an inferior person, who received what he deserved living out in the land of nothing. But he didn’t. Instead, David saw Mephibosheth as someone who he could show kindness to—a descendant of his dear friend Jonathan. Even though there was nothing Mephibosheth could bring to the table—either physically, politically, or financially—David wasn’t concerned. He viewed himself as in the position to be faithful to his oath to Jonathan and an opportunity to show kindness to the household of Saul, the former king, who had even tried to kill him.
This Sunday in the church year focuses on Christian unity and peace. I think you could chalk up most disputes, disunity, and discord among Christians to two things. The first reason is that we forget who we are. When we are vengeful, spiteful, suspicious of others, quickly perturbed, selfish, and more—it’s because we think of ourselves more highly than we ought. We think other people were created to please us. We think that if someone wrongs us, they must earn our favor back. How many of us have thought, heard, or said, “I can’t forgive them after what they did to me.” Have you forgotten who you are? Have you forgotten that we are Mephibosheths? People who were living in the land of nothing, destined for hell? But God showed us kindness, mercy, and grace. He made us children of God and gave us a seat at the table. Are you now unwilling to do that for someone else?
The second cause for disunity and arguments among Christians is that we forget who our neighbor is. They are a Mephibosheth too. They are sinners who are going to make mistakes, say things they shouldn’t, get angered over nothing, and behave in annoying ways. Sound familiar? But they are also ones who have been shown kindness from God. He has redeemed them with the blood of Jesus, purchased and won them from all sin, death, and the power of the devil. He has made them members of his kingdom and given them a seat at his heavenly table. Do they deserve it? No, and neither do we. But God has placed great value on them, and so should we.
So, now that we all know how to view ourselves and others, should we expect that there won’t be any more problems between you and your neighbor, you and your spouse, your family or church members…? Of course not! There will be. We can only try our flawed best. You and your neighbor will make mistakes, but you and I have also been given the tools needed for restoration and peace. The forgiveness of sins earned by Jesus who did love his neighbor perfectly, even his enemies. Where you and I have fallen short, for the times we kick ourselves again and again for saying and doing what we shouldn’t have, and for not saying and doing what we should have, Jesus did it perfectly in our place. He has paid for your sins and the sins of your neighbor. And because of this, we are forgiven, and we can forgive.
I’ve often thought that if we could see our neighbor for how God sees them, for how they will appear for all eternity—we would treat them with greater value and respect than the kings and queens of this earth. We only see fallen flesh and blood, but if we could see the redeemed and glorified bodies now—wow! If we could see them as eternal and glorious blood-bought souls, we would be much more inclined to be patient, loving, and quick to forgive. We would want to do all that we could to encourage others on the narrow way that leads to eternal life. As we look at ourselves, we realize our own imperfections as well. But God sees you much differently. As those who have been baptized into Christ, who have confessed their sins and received his absolution, who have been given the food and drink of immortality, you are a new creation. You are a redeemed child of God, whom he will glorify eternally. What a glorious sight that will be!
But until then, let us fellow dead-dogs, Mephibosheths, encourage one another in the faith, forgiving and being forgiven, until we see the glories that have been prepared for us! Amen.