2 Samuel 9:3 Komentář

The only thing recorded in this chapter is the kindness David showed to Jonathan's seed for his sake. I. The kind enquiry he made after the remains of the house of Saul, and his discovery of Mephibosheth (Sa2 9:1-4). II. The kind reception he gave to Mephibosheth, when he was brought to him (Sa2 9:5-8). III. The kind provision he made for him and his (Sa2 9:9-13).

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 9 This chapter relates David's inquiry after the posterity of Saul, whether any were living and where they were, Sa2 9:1; and on inquiry being informed of one, he sent for him, and kindly received him, Sa2 9:5; and restored to him the land of his fathers, and appointed a person to till it for him, and bring him the fruits of it, and maintained him at his own table, Sa2 9:9.

And the king said, is there not yet any of the house of Saul; that is, remaining or living: that I may show the kindness of God unto him? great kindness, some large favour or benefit; for the word God added to things, as to trees, mountains, &c. serves to set forth the excellency of them; and this kindness is in imitation of God, or such as he had sworn in the presence of God to show; and that is expressed in the same language, Sa1 20:14, and Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son; a son still living: which is lame on his feet; on both his feet, as the Targum; of which occasion; see Gill on Sa2 4:4.

David inquires after the family of Jonathan, and is informed of Mephibosheth his son, Sa2 9:1-4. He sends for him and gives him all the land of Saul, Sa2 9:5-8; and appoints Ziba the servant of Saul, and his family, to till the ground for Mephibosheth, Sa2 9:9-13.

That I may show the kindness of God unto him? - That is, the utmost, the highest degrees of kindness; as the hail of God, is very great hail, the mountains of God, exceeding high mountains: besides, this kindness was according to the covenant of God made between him and the family of Jonathan.

DAVID SENDS FOR MEPHIBOSHETH. (Sa2 9:1-12) David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul--On inquiry, Saul's land steward was found, who gave information that there still survived Mephibosheth, a son of Jonathan who was five years old at his father's death, and whom David, then wandering in exile, had never seen. His lameness (Sa2 4:4) had prevented him from taking any part in the public contests of the time. Besides, according to Oriental notions, the younger son of a crowned monarch has a preferable claim to the succession over the son of a mere heir-apparent; and hence his name was never heard of as the rival of his uncle Ish-bosheth. His insignificance had led to his being lost sight of, and it was only through Ziba that David learned of his existence, and the retired life he passed with one of the great families in trans-jordanic Canaan who remained attached to the fallen dynasty. Mephibosheth was invited to court, and a place at the royal table on public days was assigned him, as is still the custom with Eastern monarchs. Saul's family estate, which had fallen to David in right of his wife (Num 27:8), or been forfeited to the crown by Ish-bosheth's rebellion (Sa2 12:8), was provided (Sa2 9:11; also Sa2 19:28), for enabling Mephibosheth to maintain an establishment suitable to his rank, and Ziba appointed steward to manage it, on the condition of receiving one-half of the produce in remuneration for his labor and expense, while the other moiety was to be paid as rent to the owner of the land (Sa2 19:29).

David's Kindness towards Mephibosheth - Sa2 9:1-13 When David was exalted to be king over all Israel, he sought to show compassion to the house of the fallen king, and to repay the love which his noble-minded friend Jonathan had once sworn to him before the Lord (Sa1 20:13.; comp. Sa2 23:17-18). The account of this forms the conclusion of, or rather an appendix to, the first section of the history of his reign, and was intended to show how David was mindful of the duty of gratitude and loving fidelity, even when he reached the highest point of his regal authority and glory. The date when this occurred was about the middle of David's reign, as we may see from the fact, that Mephibosheth, who was five years old when Saul died (Sa2 4:4), had a young son at the time (Sa2 9:12).