2 Samuel9
World English Bible · Public Domain
1David said, “Is there yet any who is left of Saul’s house, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2There was of Saul’s house a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” He said, “I am your servant.”
3The king said, “Is there not yet any of Saul’s house, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “Jonathan still has a son, who is lame in his feet.”
4The king said to him, “Where is he?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”
5Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.
6Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, fell on his face, and showed respect. David said, “Mephibosheth?” He answered, “Behold, your servant!”
7David said to him, “Don’t be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your father. You will eat bread at my table continually.”
8He bowed down, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look at such a dead dog as I am?”
9Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s son.
10Till the land for him—you, your sons, and your servants. Bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have bread to eat; but Mephibosheth your master’s son will always eat bread at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table like one of the king’s sons.
12Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. All who lived in Ziba’s house were servants to Mephibosheth.
13So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. He was lame in both his feet.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Samuel 9.
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.