March 17, 2023 - 2 Samuel 8-11

David fought so many wars: against the Philistines, the Ammonites and Arameans, and others. In a very real sense, David can be described as a man of blood; in fact, remember the Lord’s response to David’s desire to build the Temple? “You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood” 1 Chronicles 28:3). And, then, there were the wars David fought against sin and within himself (thoughts on David’s sin with Bathsheba, tomorrow). In the midst of all this violence and these failures, there is the beautiful story of David’s care for Jonathan’s crippled son, Mephibosheth. Though of Saul’s house (9:3), David took pity on Saul’s grandson so that “Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table” (9:13).

Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table. Know what? We get to eat at THE King’s table!

I was starving in the desert

For a crumb of living bread,

When the Lord my wand’ring footsteps

To his own pavilion led.

Tho’ the waves may roll around me,

Shadows to the hillside cling,

Yet I’m feasting, daily feasting,

At the table of the King.

At the table of the King,

I am feasting at the table of the King;

Of his goodness I am telling,

Of his wondrous love I’ll sing. --Eliza E. Hewitt (19th century)