Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. They chose. Imperfect: were choosing. Something going on before his eyes.The chief seats. Or couches. The Greek writers refer to the absurd contentions which sometimes arose for the chief seats at table.
Theophrastus designates one who thrusts himself into the place next the host as mikrofilotimov, one who seeks petty distinctions.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
14:7 {A parable for those which were bidden} (pros tous keklemenous parabolen). Perfect passive participle of kalew, to call, to invite. this parable is for the guests who were there and who had been watching Jesus. {When he marked} (epecwn). Present active participle of epecw with ton noun understood, holding the mind upon them, old verb and common. {They chose out} (exelegonto). Imperfect middle, were picking out for themselves. {The chief seats} (tas prwtoklisias). The first reclining places at the table. Jesus condemned the Pharisees later for this very thing (#Mt 23:6; Mr 12:39; Lu 20:46). On a couch holding three the middle place was the chief one. At banquets today the name of the guests are usually placed at the plates. The place next to the host on the right was qen, as now, the post of honor.