I suggest you get a water based stain. Do not shake it!!!! Stir it thoroughly but gently with a spoon to avoid bubbles. . Gel stain is really nice too. Look for a stain that will give you the color you want. Most stains have a picture of their final color on the label.
Now for the secret to a fantastic table. Don't sand it. Get a scraper. which is a rectangular piece of steel onto which you roll a small edge, kind of like a hook shape. You use that edge to scrape the surface. The rolled edge clips off the wood fibers and gives you a surface that is wonderful, especially for a table top. Go to Youtube and look up how to sharpen and use a scraper for woodworking. It's very easy to do, and a scraper is available on amazon
https://www.amazon.com/DFM-Blue-Curved-Cabinet-Scraper/dp/B07S2DT3K5/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=W0RYEEGKUGC8&keywords=scraper+for+woodworking&qid=1656125060&sprefix=scraper+for+woodworking,aps,646&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzRUxCRERDVUNUVVZIJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzA1NzMwMlZNWkE1SzQzQ1JXRyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDQxNjgxMTVIMklLMFBYOUw5MiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
Here's a video that walks you through the process of sharpening it.
The problem with sandpaper is that you're scratching the surface and raising fibers. So your final finish will never be as beautiful as it would be with a scraper. If you use sandpaper, you don't really gain much be going about 220 grit. And use a sanding sealer on the surface to help suppress those fibers.
There are so many ways to put on the final finish, but with a scrapered top, you might consider a varnish, but there are also some self leveling finishes in anything from matte to semigloss. I use wipe on poly, that's the name, which produces a very nice look. I use it for picture frames and really like how it looks. Just make sure you put it on in a clean environment, dust spoils the finish. You can brush it on, but I get better results folding a paper towel into a kind of brush shape, dipping it in the poly and gently brushing it on. A foam brush works, but the paper applier works better based on what I use it for. You can thin it if you wish and apply a couple of coats.
Whatever stain or finish you use, read and follow the directions on the can or bottle. Finishing scares a lot of new woodworkers, but it's not so bad. It's reallly all about getting preperation done just right. Modern stains and finishes are really great.