“… he ate at the king’s table regularly. Now he was lame in both feet” – 2 Sam 9:13
The story of Mephibosheth and David is a fantastic picture of a sinner coming to feast with Christ, who seeks him out. David, a type of Christ in many ways goes forth and seeks someone to do good to, in order to fulfill his promise to Jonathan. There was nothing in Mephibosheth that would cause David to seek him out, indeed he was lame in both feet! This is not a man who can offer legions, or who could bring great glory to David’s name. This man was merely the recipient of a free gift, offered solely on the basis that David had promised this.
Mephibosheth quaked with fear before David and “fell on his face and prostrated himself”. As well he should! The family of Saul had long been enemies of David, and Mephibosheth knew that he was regarded as an enemy of his lord! As we tremble in the knowledge of our sin and rebellion when brought to face a mighty and holy God, he fell on his face before the king.
However, David, like our God, said “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you”. For both our Lord and his lord, it was because of his promises. It is because of His character that we need not fear Him.
“Again he prostrated himself and said, ‘What is your servant, that you should regard a dead dog like me?’” As well we should after we receive mercy from the God of the universe. The Almighty Lord on high filled with mercy and lovingkindness deigns to have pity on us, and what can we do but be humbled before Him? Shall we not also prostrate ourselves before Him and lay at His feet, weeping because of His magnanimity? Why should a powerful and loving God, such as we have, give anything to those who were once His mortal enemies? We are but dead dogs, yet because of who He is, because of His promises, we can be secure in His love and the recipients of His gifts.
David goes on to bless Mephibosheth in his life outside the palace walls, giving him lands, servants and wealth. But more than that, David gives Mephibosheth a place at his table. “So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons.” As well that we do with our Lord. Not only does He shower us with temporal blessings, caring for us and providing for our needs, He also allows us to come to Him and eat with Him as one of the King’s sons. As Paul said in Romans 8:17 “and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him”, and we do.
“So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table regularly. Now he was lame in both feet.” As do we dwell in the presence of God and are invited to feast at the King’s table regularly. But this does not make us strong in ourselves. We are still lame in both feet and must rely on the Lord’s generosity for everything. Our first steps unaided will cause us to stumble and fall. In our weakness we trust Him who is strong. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Thank heaven that our God is so generous that we lack for nothing. Blessed be the name of God for his provision and glory! Amen.