2 Samuel9
English Standard Version
Tap any underlined word for the original Hebrew or Greek.
1 And , Is there anyone of the of , that I may him for ?
2 Now there was a of the of whose was , and they him to . And the to him, Are you ? And he , I am your .
3 And the , Is there not of the of , that I may the of to him? to the , There is still a of ; he is in his .
4 The to him, is he? And to the , He is in the of the of , at .
5 Then and him from the of the of , at .
6 And the of , of , to and on his and . And , ! And he , , I am your .
7 And to him, Do not , for I you for the sake of your , and I will to you the of your , and you shall at my .
8 And he and , is your , that you should for a such as I?
9 Then the , , and to him, that to and to his I have to your .
10 And you and your and your shall the for him and shall in the produce, that your may have to . But your shall at my . Now had and .
11 Then to the , According to that my the his , will your . So at David’s , like of the .
12 And had a , whose was . And all who in .
13 So in , for he at the . Now he was in his .
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2 Samuel 9Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Samuel 9. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David sends for Mephibosheth. (1–8). And provides for him. (9–13).
vv1-8
Amidst numerous affairs we are apt to forget the gratitude we owe, and the engagements we are under, not only to our friends, but to God himself. Yet persons of real godliness will have no rest till they have discharged them. And the most proper objects of kindness and charity, frequently will not be found without inquiry. Jonathan was David's sworn friend, therefore he shows kindness to his son Mephibosheth. God is faithful to us; let us not be unfaithful to one another. If Providence has raised us, and our friends and their families are brought low, we must look upon that as giving us the fairer opportunity of being kind to them.
vv9-13
As David was a type of Christ, his Lord and Son, his Root and Offspring, let his kindness to Mephibosheth remind us of the kindness and love of God our Saviour to fallen man, to whom he was under no obligation, as David was to Jonathan. The Son of God seeks this lost and ruined race, who sought not after him. He comes to seek and to save them!
Key Words
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
יֵשׁ: there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
יָתַר: to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively, to leave, cause to abound, preserve
בַּיִת: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
שָׁאוּל: Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
חֵסֵד: kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
יְהוֹנָתָן: Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites
עָבוּר: properly, crossed, i.e. (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on account of, in order that
Cross References
2 Samuel 9The explicit covenant sworn between David and Jonathan, binding David to show kindness to Jonathan's house.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The historical background explaining how Mephibosheth became lame in his feet during his childhood.
Supported by JFB
Crucial context showing Ziba's later deceit and betrayal of Mephibosheth during Absalom's rebellion.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mephibosheth later recalls David's extreme mercy in sparing and honoring him at his table.
Supported by JFB
David previously used the 'dead dog' self-deprecation to Saul; Mephibosheth now echoes it to David.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Genealogical confirmation of Jonathan's line surviving through Micah, fulfilling David's oath.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The origin of the deep love and covenant bond between David and Jonathan.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Confirms Ziba's family status, listing his fifteen sons and twenty servants.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Machir of Lo-debar later returns to support David in exile, showing his loyalty.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
David's subsequent ruling dividing the land between Mephibosheth and Ziba.
Supported by JFB
David spares Mephibosheth from the Gibeonites' execution of Saul's descendants due to the oath.