A PLACE AT THE TABLE
MAIN TEXT: 2 Samuel 9:1-13
MAIN POINT: The Father calls us to engage with Him and to have a
place at His table.

Illustration: When Ruby and I lived at Ridgepoint apartments we met a family who
were driving in a minivan that was missing a window in the backseat. This was a family
of 5, a couple with three kids. Did I mention that it was one of the coldest winters we
had, this was the year that we got snow for a few days here in the city. I remember Ruby
and looking at each other and asking God how we could help.
We had just gone through the FPU by Dave Ramsey and had completed some baby
steps to include having our $1,000 emergency fund. After a conversation and prayer,
Ruby and I were quickened to help this family. We had an opportunity to show the
kindness of God and how generous and good He has been with us!
It wasn’t meant to stay with us, but it was an opportunity to show the kindness of God by
sharing it with someone else. The Father shows us His kindness because He loves us
and so that we can do the same to others! God has not only sought us out, forgiven us,
but He has given us a place at His table! We see a perfect example in the book of 2
Samuel chapter 9.

SCIPTURE:

2 Samuel 9:1 (MSG translation)
9 One day David asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family? If so, I’d like to show him
some kindness in honor of Jonathan.”

2 It happened that a servant from Saul’s household named Ziba was there. They called
him into David’s presence. The king asked him, “Are you Ziba?”
“Yes sir,” he replied.
3 The king asked, “Is there anyone left from the family of Saul to whom I can show
some godly kindness?”
Ziba told the king, “Yes, there is Jonathan’s son, lame in both feet.”
4 “Where is he?”
“He’s living at the home of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”
5 King David didn’t lose a minute. He sent and got him from the home of Makir son of
Ammiel in Lo Debar.
6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan (who was the son of Saul), came before David,
he bowed deeply, abasing himself, honoring David.
David spoke his name: “Mephibosheth.”
“Yes sir?”
7 “Don’t be frightened,” said David. “I’d like to do something special for you in memory
of your father Jonathan. To begin with, I’m returning to you all the properties of your
grandfather Saul. Furthermore, from now on you’ll take all your meals at my table.”
8 Shuffling and stammering, not looking him in the eye, Mephibosheth said, “Who am I
that you pay attention to a stray dog like me?”
9-10 David then called in Ziba, Saul’s right-hand man, and told him, “Everything that
belonged to Saul and his family, I’ve handed over to your master’s grandson. You and
your sons and your servants will work his land and bring in the produce, provisions for
your master’s grandson. Mephibosheth himself, your master’s grandson, from now on
will take all his meals at my table.” Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11-12 “All that my master the king has ordered his servant,” answered Ziba, “your
servant will surely do.”
And Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, just like one of the royal family. Mephibosheth
also had a small son named Mica. All who were part of Ziba’s household were now the
servants of Mephibosheth.

13 Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, taking all his meals at the king’s table. He was
lame in both feet.
MAIN POINT: The Father calls us to engage with Him and to have a place at His
table.

Context: Mephibosheth, which means, destroyer of shame in Hebrew, was the son of
Jonathon, who was the son of Saul (the previous king), and King David’s best friend.
Jonathon was extremely close to David, one who came to David’s defense, even to the
point of death. When both Saul and Jonathon died in the battlefield, David wanted to
show kindness to their family for his friendship with Jonathon. David felt led to bless
others because of God’s constant kindness and faithfulness to him. This is where David
requested the help of Ziba in efforts to find anyone (Mephibosheth) to show God’s
kindness to. There are a few things to consider when we study this text.
1. WE HIDE FROM GOD (sin/fear/or simply not knowing God)
• Mephibosheth’s condition expresses the sinners need, or our need.
• Mephibosheth was fearful and hidden from the king, Ziba was the only one that
knew about his hiding place.
• Mephibosheth was in the house of Machir in Lo-debar, which translates to “sold
without pasture.” This is true about us, we were all sold to sin in a desolate place
(Psalm 68:6).
• Sin cripples us and causes us to become lame!
• Mephibosheth was helpless, lame on both feet (v. 3; 2 Sam. 4:4). We are the
same, we can’t come to God on our own. It’s the Father’s love that searches us out.
It’s through the work of Jesus, He seeks for us (Luke 10:10).
• Isaiah 59:2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

• Hebrews 12:1 …let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
• Illustration: When my son Benaiah misbehaves it creates a disconnect in our
relationship. If we don’t deal with it right away it creates a separation. The moment
that I go to Him and love on Him through correction, it restores him and brings back
to the right place.
• What’s amazing is that there is no sin, no mountain, no valley, no death, no
power in hell, no demon, no angel, nothing in all creation, there is absolutely
nothing that can separate us from the love of the Father (Romans 8:38-39).
2. THE FATHER’S LOVE SEARCHES FOR US (Taking us as we are)
• The motivation for David to find anyone from the house of Saul was to show the
kindness of God. This tells us that David was eager to show the same kindness
that God had shown to him.
• David wished to show the same kindness to the house of Saul (his enemy) for
Jonathon’s sake. This is the Father’s love! God the Father showed us His
kindness and mercy to us (His enemy) through the work of Christ on the cross
(2 For. 5:10)!
• The love of the Father searches out the undeserving and the lost.
• Jesus stands at the door of our hearts and knocks. He seeks us!
• Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and
opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
• Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.
• Mephibosheth answered the call from the king (v. 6).
• Mephibosheth humbled himself before the king (v. 6, 8). He fell on his face,
revered the king, and confessed himself to be a “dead dog.”

• Illustration: Have you ever been corrected by a father or leader? How do you feel
when it happens? Knowing that it is to restore you and make you better.
• Not only was Mephibosheth called by the King, but he was given a place at His
table.
3. THE FATHER GIVES US A PLACE (Provision, purpose, and
confidence)
• Mephibosheth was accepted, adopted, and was made an heir (v. 7, 11)!
• King David said, “I will restore to you all the land of Saul, your grandfather” (v.
7-9).
• When we answer the call from the Father, he restores us, redeems us, and gives
us a place at His table.
• Luke 22:29-30 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you
may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve
tribes of Israel.
• Being at the table gives us purpose and confidence.
• Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that
we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
• Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your
own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
• John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right
to become children of God.
• Mephibosheth meaning: One who destroys shame, to cleave or break apart. Or
shame No More!
• Illustration: When I was growing up, my dad was a waiter at La Parilla Suiza. When I
would walk in after school and let the hostess know that I was Manuel’s son, they

would quickly shave me seated at one of the best seats in the house, get me a drink,
and my dad would come great me and serve me.
• Mephibosheth was lifted from poverty to plenty through the grace of the king.
This is God’s grace for us! The Father has sought us out to redeem, restore,
and give us a place at His table!

CONCLUSION

• Spiritual significance/Christ in the message: We are all like Mephibosheth, we are
all weak, shameful, lame, fearful, and hiding before the King comes to us. We
separated ourselves from the King because of fear and not knowing Him and His love.
We receive the Kings kinds with humility. The King returns more to us than what we
lost when we hid from Him. We can eat at the King’s table. We have access to a
relationship with Him. The King doesn’t immediately take away our weakness or
lameness, but He gives us favor and a standing that overcomes its sting and
changes the way we think about ourselves. No matter who we are and what we’ve
done, the King loves us unconditionally. We become the King’s sons! His children, His
heirs! We have a place at His table. We can stand in that confidence! What’s so
powerful is that we may still be lame and crippled, but we are able to stand
because of who God says we are!
• We may still be lame and crippled, but we are able to stand because of who God
says we are! This is what being at the table means!
SO WHAT/APPLICATION

Why does this matter? The Father searches us out, His love for us is enough to cover
a multitude of sin (1 Peter 4:8), and He wants us to have a place with Him at His table!
When we humble ourselves before Him and repent, He is faithful to forgive, heal, and
restore us (2 Chron. 7:14). Finally, He guarantees us a place with Him! We not only
get to enjoy eternity with Him, but we get to see and experience His presence
here on earth. When we are seated at the Kings table, we too can be an extension

of the Father (because we are children and heirs of God) and seek out the lost so
that we too can bring them to the table! It’s not meant to stop at us! Its for
everyone! Whoever wants it!
1. Start now (what or how have you tried to hide yourself from God)
2. Grow together (get plugged in and stay connected).