SEATED AT THE KING’S TABLE
I often think of the story of Mephibosheth when I read Ephesians 2:1–3: “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”
Mephibosheth was crippled and living in Lodebar — a barren place whose name means “no pasture” (2 Samuel 9:4). He was the grandson of Saul, the fallen king, and by birth had no claim to David’s table. Like us before Christ, he was cut off, helpless, and unable to help himself.
But God, rich in mercy, moves in ways that defy our expectations, as Ephesians 2:4–5 reminds us: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”
David remembered the covenant he made with Saul’s son Jonathan, Mephibosheth’s father, and out of pure mercy said, “Is there anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1) That is how God works toward us — not because of our worthiness, but because of His covenant love through Jesus Christ. His mercy finds the broken, the lost, and the overlooked, calling us to Himself.
David sent for Mephibosheth, lifted him from Lodebar to Jerusalem, and said, “You shall eat bread at my table continually” (2 Samuel 9:7). This illustrates Ephesians 2:6–7: “And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” From that day forward, Mephibosheth sat among the king’s sons, welcomed and honored. In the same way, God has raised us up in Christ and seated us in heavenly places. We dine daily at His table of grace, not because of our merit, but because of His love.
Mephibosheth brought nothing with him — no strength, no merit, no offering. He said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I am?” (2 Samuel 9:8) Yet David gave him everything: land, servants, and honor. Salvation works the same way. Ephesians 2:8–9 says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” We come empty-handed, and grace fills our cup.
From that day, Mephibosheth lived in humility and gratitude, walking in the kindness shown to him (2 Samuel 9:11). His life became a quiet testimony to the mercy of the king. Likewise, when we are redeemed by grace, our lives become living reflections of God’s workmanship. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” We are called to live in His goodness, reflecting His love to a world that is still lost without Him.
We were Mephibosheth — broken, hiding, unworthy. Christ is our greater David — seeking us, lifting us, and seating us in His presence. His mercy is personal, His grace abundant, and His love unending.
Lord Jesus, I thank You for calling me when I was lost and helpless. Thank You for lifting me from the pit of sin and seating me at Your table, not because of anything I have done, but because of Your covenant love and mercy. Help me to walk in gratitude and humility, reflecting Your workmanship in every good work. Let my life be a quiet testimony to Your grace, and may I always remember that it is Your love that saves and sustains me. In Your holy name, Amen.
BDD
