I. 'l'BIB 18 TRUE AB REBPEOTB THEIR PARTIOIPATION 011' THE GIFTS OF Goo's PTil)VI- DENOE. All creatures depend upon him, nod he supplies their wants (Ps. civ. 27, 28; oxlv, 16, 16). But the lower creatures partake of his bonnty unconscious 0f the hand which feeds them. They are, in relation to God, rather like the horses in the stable, or the cattle and sheep in the fields, than the children at the table. And what these are through incapacity, ungodly people are through nnbelief and forgetfulness. They Jive on the bounty of God, unmindful of him and unthan!<:fuL His children, however eveu in the enjoyment of their daily food, "sit at his table." As he provides, so they recognize hie care and bounty, and give him thanks. As he is present, so they are con- scious of his presence, They regard him ag presiding at their meals, aod are glad to discern him so near. They ask for his blessing, and receive it. They" eat to the Lord, end give God thanks" (Rom. xiv. 6). 'l'hey satisfy their appetites and gratify their tastes as in his sight. They aim "to eat and drink ... to the glory of God " (1 Cor. :x. 31). 'rhey not only enjoy his gifts, but commune with himself. They tiilk with him, and he with them. Common meals thus enjoyed become as sacraments and means of grace, Let it be our endeavour to enjoy them thus more than we have done. II, 'l'HE WORDS ARE MORE EJIIPBATIOALLY APPLICABLE TO THE CHRISTIAN'S ENJOY- MENT OF SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS. In this sense, "he eats continually at the king's table." The image reminds us of: 1. His e:caltation. Once, like Mephibosbeth, living far away from the king, now brought near, and associated with, yea, made really oce of, his c,hildren. Still "lame" and otherwise defective, and unfit perhap8 for much service, yet admitted to favour and honour. 2. The abundance of the best provisions he enjoys. .At the King's table is plenty, and of the best. .At the table of the heavenly King, spread under the gospel, are provisions the choicest and rarest, to be fonnd nowhere else; nod which nourish, not for this short earthly life, bat for life eternal. The best intellectual food is here; but especially that food which quickens and nourishes the soul, in faith, and love, and hope, and holiness, Divice truth and whatever it reveals and presents-the pardoning mercy and fatherly love of God, the love and sacrifice of Christ, his body and his blood, which are the real food and drink of men. Of these the believing and loving soul may partake at will, anywhere and everywhere. The King's table is not confined to place; but especially in the house of God and at the Lord's Supper, the table is spread, and Christians gather together to feed and feast. 8 . .At the King's table is the best society. .At the table of the Divine King we associate with the Father and the Son, by the Spirit ; and by him also with saints and angels, "the excellent of the earth" and the excellent of heaven. The Lord fulfils his pro- mise, "I will sup with him, and he with me" (Rev. iii. 20). 4. .;It the King's table ia gladness. The honour, the provision, the company, all tend to give pleasure. 5. There also is safety. The palace of a king is commonly the securest spot in the land. Far more assured is the safety of those who sit at the table of the heavenly King. Angels guard them ; God himself is their Dwelling-place and Defence. 6. Tlie privilege of eat- ing at the table of our King is perpetual. As in the case of Mephibosheth. If it is cot continually enjoyed, it is our own fault. The privilege enjoyed by Mephibosheth would be a constant solace to him in his helplessness; and the spiritual counterpart is to Christians a constant source of comfort and support under their troubles. III. THE WORDS .ARE PERFECTLY FULFILLED IN THE,HE.AVENLY WORLD, The future blessedness of God's people is often compared to a feast (see Matt. viii. 11; Rev. ii. 7; xix. 9). It is, io fact, the continuance and the perfecting of the blessedness now enjoyed. The King himself is perfectly" maaifested." "They shall see his face" (Rev. xxii. 4)-; "We shall see him as he is" (1 John iii. 2). His love and favour are so displayed as not to admit of a doubt. The provisions at his table are the same as on earth; but the guests are better able to enjoy them, their spiritual appetite and tastes being freed from. all that lessens their fitness to do so. The society is the same, but those imperfect on earth are perfected in spirit and in body (Heb. xii. 23; Phil. iii. 21). The security is absolute; the joy unmingled with sorrow; the feast is perpetual and without end. "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God" (Luke xiv. 15). Who shall partake of that bliss? All are invited by the gospel; _an~ n~ne will be ex?luded but such as exclude themselves by refusing to accept the rnv1tat1on, and obtam the necessr1ry preparation for the feast, which consists in reconciliation to the King througb. Jesus Christ, cunstllllt loyalty and obedience to him, and joyful partaking now of hill THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [err. x, 1-19,
Bpiritual gi~11. To "eat oontinually at the King's table" here la the necesse.ry con- dition of our doing so heree.fter, &s it is alBO the prepe.r&tion for the.t happiness e.nd the evidence the.t we shall enjoy it.-G. W.