1.
And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
2 Samuel 9:1. Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul— After the establishment of his kingdom, religion was David's first care; chap. 2 Samuel 7:1-2. Friendship now became his second. It is not, I think, to be imagined, but that he well knew there yet survived one of the sons of his dear friend Jonathan. Knowing him, however, to be under the protection of a very considerable family, where he wanted no convenience of life, it was not altogether so consistent with the principles of political prudence to look out for a rival to his throne, before that throne was thoroughly established; and, perhaps, this is one reason why the sacred Writer lets us know that his throne was now thoroughly established, before he made an inquiry after Saul's posterity. See the foregoing chapter.
2.
And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.
3.
And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.
2 Samuel 9:3. That I may shew the kindness of God unto him— That is, "That I may treat him with a benignity resembling that of Almighty God;" who continues his kindness even to the descendants of those who love him.
4.
And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.
5.
Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.
6.
Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!
2 Samuel 9:6. And David said, Mephibosheth, &c.— David said, Art thou Mephibosheth? He answered, I am thy servant. Houbigant. Note; (1.) We must be not only ready to do good when applied to, but seek for occasions, and enquire out the most proper objects. (2.) It is not enough to forgive those who hate us, but we must shew kindness to them or their families in their distresses; this is God-like. (3.) No advancement, or change of circumstances, should make us forget our old friends; they and theirs have a title to our notice, and, according to our power, to our assistance. (4.) That is the acceptable charity, and no other, which is done with an eye to God's glory, and flows from a sense of God's love to us.
7.
And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
8.
And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
9.
Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.
10.
Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11.
Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.
2 Samuel 9:11. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, &c.— Said the king, is not in the Hebrew. Houbigant renders the clause thus: afterwards Mephibosheth did eat at the king's table, as one of the king's sons. Dr. Delaney supposes, that David composed upon this occasion the 101st Psalm. Note; Our forfeited inheritance is restored to us in Christ; and, though we are utterly undeserving the least of his regard, he kindly condescends to invite us to his table below, and to sit down with him in his kingdom above.
12.
And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
13.
So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.