Hebrew Word Study – A Table – Shulachan – שלחן Shin Lamed Cheth Nun

Psalms 23:5: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

It seems the commentators tend to walk in lockstep with each other in their explanation of the first part of this verse. What does David mean that God prepares a table before him in the presence of his enemies? Most Christian commentators seem to agree that God is providing a great feast for David as his enemies look upon him wondering how he could enjoy such a feast when they are about to lop off his head.  In other words, it is David’s way of saying that he has no fear of his enemies. 

This is in keeping with his walking through the valley of the shadows and fearing no evil. It also keeps with the shepherding motif.  The shepherd leads his sheep to lush fields to graze and watches over them protects them from any predators while the sheep eat to their hearts content totally oblivious to any dangers. So too, David is able to enjoy a great feast without fear of attack by his enemies. 

My studies in Archaeology cry out: “Hold it, wait one doggone minute!”  Why are we so quick to assume that the table represents a banquet or feast or even having a meal?   This only says that God prepares a table. Just a table, no feast, no banquet, simply a table. The word table in Hebrew is shulachan which comes from the root word shalach which is a word used for moving toward a goal or resolution. So, what does that have to do with a table? Another word in Hebrew for table is tavala which is a board or plank of wood. That is what comes to my mind when I hear the word table. Shulachan is a different, special table.  A table of reaching a goal or resolution to a problem.

Shalach in its Semitic root has the idea of sending forth a message. Again, what does that have to do with a table?  Today in our culture tables are all over the place. It is a plank of wood or some other study material that sets on legs so you can sit in a chair next to it to eat, write, play cards or whatever.  In ancient times, tables were quite rare.  As a rule, ancient Mideastern people did not sit at a table to eat. They often just sat on the ground and shared from a common plate. Tables did exist and were occasionally used when feasting. 

I suspect that the idea of a feast comes from the phrase that follows God setting a table before his enemies.  Does he then say that God anoints his head with oil?  I know shepherds use something like oil of Oley or some other type of plant oil to rub in the wounds of sheep that might have gotten caught in some thorns. It is a nice gesture that God prepares a meal for us to enjoy in front of our enemies who are salivating to have a go at us and then if they do strike us in some way God rubs healing oil over our wounds. Perhaps this is one message that God hopes to convey in this Psalm.  But I tend to believe there are many other messages he wants us to uncover. 

As I said, my Archaeology studies tend to make a table totally out of place in the setting that this Psalm is presenting at least in our common interpretation of it. Maybe you have a different picture than I do but my picture is David sitting on a mountain top, chowing down on delicious food while his enemies are below plotting his demise. Personally, I believe God is much more proactive against our enemies. This idea of anointing his head with oil might be where some commentators get the idea of a feast.  When a king had a feast and invited guests each guest would enter the banqueting hall and have oil, most likely frankincense, poured over his head.  Frankincense was considered the oil of kings.  It not only masked the stink of the guest who most likely did not bathe before the event, but frankincense would also create a euphoric feeling. 

However, this being a feast before one’s enemies suggest something very old and traditional among Middle Easterners.  When one wanted to reconcile with his enemy he would often invite him to share a meal.  This would involve a table where all the food and drinks were on display.  The drinks and food would all be tasted by professional tasters.  If they did not keel over, then it was a sure sign that the food and drinks were not poisoned as you can probably guess that if you’ve invited your enemy to a pow wow he is going to suspect something sinister. So, you would need a table to lay out the food and both sides would eat from a common plate. Thus, if the food was poisoned, they would all go down.  This would be the setting to build trust and when trust is built negotiations would begin to resolve whatever conflict needed a resolution. 

So, my picture here is of David declaring that God is working to create a peaceful solution with his enemies, to do the right thing and try to work out one’s differences before things got physical or turn into a war. Even today in the Middle East conflicts are often revolved around a table and a meal. 

So, here is an alternative picture we may find in this verse, that God set a table for us in the presence of our enemies is His call for us to resolve our differences peacefully, talk them out, and if possible end up as friends and not enemies. 

There are many conflicts in churches, people not talking to each other, holding grudges, and never working through their conflicts.  Sometimes a church will split, sometimes key people will leave with hearts of bitterness toward brothers and sisters in the Lord.  God is ready to prepare a table and arbitrate the differences.  Differences are not often resolved with a snap of the finger or a quick prayer.  Sometimes it takes communication. 

The enemy’s greatest tool is to create division and disharmony. God is ready to heal those wounds but there must be a communication between the parties before the healing can begin.

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