At the King’s Table 与王坐席
Dexu Xia
So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons. 2 Samuel 9:11
“He’ll live,” the vet announced, “but his leg will have to be amputated.” The stray mongrel my friend had brought in had been run over by a car. “Are you the owner?” There would be a hefty surgery bill, and the puppy would need care as it recovered. “I am now,” my friend replied. Her kindness has given that dog a future in a loving home.
Mephibosheth saw himself as a “dead dog,” unworthy of favor (2 Samuel 9:8). Being lame in both feet due to an accident, he was dependent on others to protect and provide for him (see 4:4). Furthermore, after the death of his grandfather, King Saul, he probably feared that David, the new king, would order all enemies and rivals to the throne killed, as was the common practice of the time.
Yet, out of love for his friend Jonathan, David ensured that Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth would always be safe and cared for as his own son (9:7). In the same way, we who were once God’s enemies, marked for death, have been saved by Jesus and given a place with Him in heaven forever. That’s what it means to eat at the banquet in the kingdom of God that Luke describes in his gospel (Luke 14:15). Here we are—the sons and daughters of a King! What extravagant, undeserved kindness we’ve received! Let’s draw near to God in gratitude and joy.
When are you likely to forget that God protects and cares for you? How could 2 Samuel 9:6–13 encourage you during such times?
Dear Jesus, thank You for saving me and giving me a place at Your table forever. Remind me that I’m Your dear child, and help me to always praise and trust You.
米非波设必与我同席吃饭，如王的儿子一样。—撒母耳记下9章11节
兽医宣布：“它不会死，但必须截肢。”这只非纯种的流浪狗被车辗过，所以我朋友带它去看兽医。兽医还问我朋友说：“妳是它的主人吗？”因为手术费用高昂，而且小狗在复原期间需要有人照料。我朋友回答说：“现在我是它的主人了。”她的爱心让狗儿在这温暖的家拥有美好的未来。
扫罗的孙子米非波设看自己“如死狗一般”，而不配蒙恩（撒母耳记下9章8节）。他因一场意外成了瘸子，需终身仰赖别人的保护与照顾（参阅4章4节）。而且扫罗死后，他可能也很害怕刚登基的国王大卫会依照当时的惯例，将所有对他的王位构成威胁的人全都赶尽杀绝。
然而，大卫因看重与约拿单之间的情谊，就保证会将约拿单的儿子米非波设视如己出，让他得享平安并得到妥善的照顾（9章7节）。同样地，我们从前虽与上帝为敌，本应灭亡，但耶稣拯救了我们，而且还让我们在天国里永远与祂一同坐席。这正是路加福音所描述的，在天国盛宴中一同坐席的真谛（路加福音14章15节）。你我竟能拥有君王儿女的身份！我们所领受的，原是不配得的宏恩大爱，让我们存感恩与喜乐的心来到上帝面前吧！
你在怎样的情况下，
最容易忘记上帝对你的保守与看顾？
这时候，撒母耳记下9章6-13节如何激励你呢？
亲爱的耶稣，感谢祢拯救我，
使我能永远与祢同坐席。求祢常提醒我，
我是祢亲爱的孩子，帮助我时时信靠和赞美祢。