Eating at the Table of the King

Mephibosheth is a compelling figure in scripture.  He was the son of a prince, crippled from a young age when his nurse dropped him upon hearing the news of the deaths of his grandfather King Saul and his own father, Jonathan.  From the moment of the fall, his life and future was uncertain at best.  When David became king in Judah and later over all Israel, Mephibosheth's life seemed to be in jeopardy.  Whenever a new king reigned apart from the line of the prior king, all the descendants of the previous king were executed to eliminate divided loyalty.  Into adulthood, lame Mephibosheth dwelt in Lodebar on the other side of the Jordan river.  He lived far from the lands given as an inheritance to his fathers, isolated, alone - and still lame in his feet, a haunting reminder of his fall from grace.

But if Mephibosheth feared for his life, it would prove unwarranted.  David had made a covenant with Jonathan, Mephibosheth's father, that they would show favour to each other and to their descendants forever.  While Mephibosheth remained distant and isolated, perhaps fearing for his life, David's thoughts towards the children of Jonathan were only gracious and good.  2 Samuel 9:1 reads, "Now David said, "Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?"  After an inquiry was made, word was brought to David that Jonathan did indeed have a son who was living in Lodebar.  David immediately sent men to bring him.  Upon his arrival Mephibosheth fell prostrate before the king, throwing himself upon his mercy.  Instead of being harsh and austere as he may have feared, David did something unthinkable:  he welcomed Mephibosheth back, restored all his father's lands, commanded the servant Ziba to work the land and give the proceeds to Mephibosheth, and reserved a place for Mephibosheth to eat food at his table continually, to live even as one of his own sons.

The invitation and offer given to Mephibosheth by David was gracious and amazing.  What amazed me further as I read this morning is how humble Mephibosheth received it:  2 Samuel 9:13 says, "So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king's table. And he was lame in both his feet."  A proud man would have refused such a gift.  He would have never been content to be a guest at the table of a king when he could be "king of his own castle."  Mephibosheth was not too proud to be seen limping and dragging himself along in public:  he had been given a wonderful gift, and he chose to walk in it - lame he still was.  This whole scene is a shadow of what Jesus Christ has done in offering salvation to all men.  God does not desire the destruction of men, though it is in His power to do so:  He desires that all would repent and receive eternal life through faith in His Son.  We are all damaged and doomed because of the fall of man into sin, and we have been alienated from the relationship God intended man to share with him.  God has called each one of us, despite us being lame, blind, deaf, paralysed, and dead in sins.  He has made an offer that if we will deny ourselves, repent, and place our faith in Christ, we will be restored to fellowship with Him for eternity.  Those who are born again do not live "as sons," but become God's adopted sons and co-heirs with Christ.  Sadly, many people make excuses.  They are too proud to admit their need or humble themselves to bow before the rightful king.  They remain in Lodebar - literally "pastureless" - because they do not see their need for the Good Shepherd.  A lot of people languish in Lodebar when the richness of royalty have been graciously offered to them.

Let us enter into the life of faith and humility God has offered to us by His grace.  Mephibosheth stayed lame in his feet, though he ate continually at the king's table.  When a man is born again, all things are made new.  Whilst we remain in these bodies on earth we must contend with our fleshly lameness, but we can embrace the sanctification process through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  We can be transformed through the renewing of our minds.  In Christ we find healing, love, and life.  Those who wait upon the LORD will find their strength renewed, running without weariness.  Praise be to God for His gracious gift!  As it says in Jude 1:24-25:  "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, ²⁵ to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."