King's Table

I was reading last night about how Mephibosheth ate at David's table (David was the king) and it was apparently an honor to eat at his table.

But, when I picture this scene in my head, the table is long - at least 40 feet - and narrow. David sits at one end with a feast of colorful fruit, thick roasted chicken legs, and large glasses of wine. Mephibosheth sits at the other end - at least 40 feet away - with a tiny piece of bread.

Surely, this is the wrong picture.

2 Samuel 9:11 - Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons. Hmm, eating at the king's table meant you were treated as a son or daughter of the king. They had special privileges. In fact, they were in line for the throne...

1 Kings 4:27 - The district officers, each in his month, supplied provisions for King Solomon and all who came to the king's table. They saw to it that nothing was lacking. Eating at the king's table means you lack nothing. In fact, you don't have to go out and get what you need.... it's supplied for you.

Jeremiah 52:33 - So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king's table. You don't have to be who you were. Jehoiachin was in prison! Not only did he get to eat at the king's table, but he didn't have to eat there as a prisoner. He was able to cast of his old clothes - his old self!

2 Samuel 9:13 - And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table, and he was crippled in both feet. Mephibosheth, in many eyes, was worthless. He couldn't even get from one place to the other! The King didn't care!

Luke 22:14 - When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. Jesus reclined with his apostles. They were his closest friends. He confided in them. He told them of blessings. He prepared them for work and for his kingdom. They had to have been close - spiritually and physically - because Jesus was able to break bread with them, talk with them, and recline with them.

Lord, Your table looks beautiful! I can be treated like your daughter there. Oh, how I’d feel your love! And You’d provide for me – everything I need. I’d lack nothing! You’d treat me for who I would be – not for the sinner I was (and deserved to be treated as). You’d look beyond my faults, even faults others so readily expose. And, Lord, You’d share with me. You’d commune with me, telling me things I long to hear and you long to tell me.
Luke 22:35 - Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready...
Lord, find ME ready! I want my lamp to be burning! I want to be ready for service! Use ME for Your glory. I desire to recline at your table. Lord, I wait for your blessings.