When I was in 10th grade, my family and I moved across the state of Georgia to a brand-new city. This move meant I had to start at a brand-new high school. I remember feeling so nervous about who I would sit with that day at lunch. You can probably empathize with that feeling. No one wants to be sitting by themselves in the lunchroom at a brand-new school. Thankfully, I made fast friends with who I ate lunch with every single day and never had to sit alone at lunch. Something is dignifying about being invited to eat at a table with someone, isn't there? It instills worth and value in the person invited to the table. Although it may seem like a simple task, inviting others to our table is an act of kindness that can greatly encourage another person.
2 Samuel 9 is a beautiful picture of kindness as David invites a man named Mephibosheth to his table. At the beginning of the chapter, we learn that David remembered a promise to show kindness to Jonathan, the son of Saul, and his family. He learned that one of Jonathan's sons, Mephibosheth, was indeed alive. We also learn that Mephibosheth had trouble walking because of a childhood injury. David quickly sent to Mephibosheth and wanted to see him. When Mephibosheth arrived at David's palace, he bowed down out of respect for this king. David must have sensed nervousness on behalf of Mephibosheth because he said to him, "Don't be afraid!... I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father Jonathan, I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather, Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king's table!" (verse 7). Mephibosheth had dinner at King David's table that night. David also gave him "everything that belonged to Saul and his family" (verse 9). David intended to be sure that Mephibosheth and his family were taken care of as long as he was king. This was not the only time that David invited Mephibosheth. In fact, "Mephibosheth often ate at the king's table" (verse 13). What a beautiful picture of kindness and the protection, provision, and dignity it must have given Mephibosheth.
Kindness invites others to our tables. This does not mean we invite people just like us or who can offer us anything. This kind of kindness invites the unexpected, the outcast, the people who are different than us to our tables. Who can you show kindness to and invite to your table today?
During a national pandemic, we may not be able to invite others to our own tables, but we still have the calling to invite others to the table who may feel like outcasts. We just have to be creative. Think of someone who may feel like an underdog and invite them to share a virtual meal with you this week. It may sound strange, but this meal will give you a chance to invite someone to your virtual table and let someone know that they are seen and wanted.
One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked.
“Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied.
The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.”
Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.”
“Where is he?” the king asked.
“In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.”
So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.”
Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.”
“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!”
Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”
Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)
Ziba replied, “Yes, my lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons.
Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants. And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table.
