Chapter 9

1 David by Ziba sendeth for Mephibosheth. 7 For Jonathan’s sake he entertaineth him at his table, and restoreth him all that was Saul’s. 9 He maketh Ziba his farmer.

1. The house of Saul. David’s kingdom was now secure, and there was little danger of any of the descendants of Saul seeking to obtain the throne. The king’s generous nature now manifested itself in his desire to show some kindness to the memory of Jonathan.

For Jonathan’s sake. Jonathan died with his father Saul at the battle of Mt. Gilboa (ch. 1:4, 17). His son Mephibosheth was then only five years old (ch. 4:4). Since Mephibosheth now had a young son, the experience here related must have taken place a number of years after David had come to the throne. But David had not forgotten his great friendship with Jonathan, and was now desirous of showing kindness to the house of his fallen enemy out of memory to his friend.

3. The kindness of God. That is, the kindness prompted by God, the kindness God constantly exercises toward the children of men.

Hath yet a son. It seems that Mephibosheth, fearful of his life, had secluded himself so successfully that his whereabouts were known to only a few of the closest friends of the house of Saul.

4. Lo-debar. A place to the east of the Jordan, near Mahanaim (ch. 17:27–29). Machir was evidently a man of wealth and influence. Up till this time he had undoubtedly been secretly loyal to the house of Saul, giving refuge to the crippled son of Jonathan and his family. David was later to reap the fruit of his kindness to the house of Saul, for, when he fled from Absalom, Machir the son of Ammiel responded with liberality in supplying him and his army with the necessities of life (ch. 17:27–29).

6. Mephibosheth. Called “Merib-baal” in 1 Chron. 8:34 and 9:40. The Heb. bosheth, meaning “shame,” seems to have been substituted by the Hebrews in proper names in place of the heathen title Baal. Compare Ish-bosheth and Esh-baal (see on 2 Sam. 2:8), Jerubbaal and Jerubbesheth (Judges 6:32; 2 Sam. 11:21).

He fell on his face. Mephibosheth realized that his life was at the mercy of the king. If David had so desired, he could have given orders for his execution in order that the seed of Saul might be completely wiped out of existence, and that there would be no possibility for a rival to arise from that source who might claim the throne.

Behold thy servant! Mephibosheth was the grandson of Saul, and his childhood memories were of the struggle between his uncle Ish-bosheth and David. He now stood before the king, pledging loyalty to the house of David. Henceforth he would be a servant of the king, faithfully doing his bidding.

7. Fear not. Anyone in Mephibosheth’s position might have had reason to fear. The life of this descendant of Saul depended upon the attitude of the king. Frequently such situations resulted in the extermination of all rivals. David knew that as long as any of the offspring of Saul continued to live, his own throne might be in jeopardy. But his generous nature, together with his promise to Jonathan, prompted him to a course of kindness and mercy.

Shew thee kindness. Life had thus far brought Mephibosheth little of kindness. Nearly as far back as he could remember he had been a cripple and a fugitive. His life had been in danger. Now his troubles were at an end.

All the land of Saul. This land had undoubtedly been confiscated by David and now belonged to him. But he would give it back, himself making a personal sacrifice in order that Mephibosheth might possess all that had once belonged to Saul. It was a magnificent gift that was prompted by a remarkable spirit of generosity toward one who did not expect it.

Eat bread at my table. The expression need not be taken literally. The basic meaning is that the one to whom such a favor was shown was henceforth to be supported from the king’s bounty—in other words, he was to receive a life pension. Thus the 400 prophets of the grove did “eat at Jezebel’s table” (1 Kings 18:19). This simply means that these prophets, who were probably scattered throughout the realm, received their support from the queen. Thus also Jehoiachin, after his release from prison, “did eat bread continually” before the king “all the days of his life” (2 Kings 25:29, 30). That is, a daily allowance was provided for him as long as he lived. In the case of Mephibosheth, however, special honor was involved, since he was placed on a par with David’s own sons (2 Sam. 9:11). He was to be treated like one of the children of David. Such treatment served further to endear David to Mephibosheth and to ensure mutual good will.

8. Such a dead dog as I am. See 1 Sam. 24:14; 17:43. The wild dogs of the East were the scavengers of the community, and were looked upon with loathing. A dead dog was about as contemptible a thing as could be imagined. By these words Mephibosheth showed himself truly humble in spirit and sincerely grateful. Such an expression was not an overstatement from the Oriental point of view.

9. Ziba. Ziba must have been a man of influence and responsibility. He had the confidence of David, and he had not been unfaithful to the posterity of Saul. However, he may not have been above seeking his own interest (see chs. 16:1–4; 19:24–30).

10. Thy sons, and thy servants. Since there were 15 sons and 20 servants, the estate of Saul that was turned over to Mephibosheth must have been of considerable extent. Instead of being a hapless fugitive Mephibosheth now became a man of position and wealth.

11. So shall thy servant do. The servant of Saul acknowledged himself to be the servant of David. Ziba promised to obey all the king’s commands. He was given an opportunity to demonstrate his loyalty during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Sam. 16:1–4).

At my table. This is the third time this statement is made (see vs. 7, 10). Its repetition shows its importance and the greatness of the honor that was being bestowed on Mephibosheth.

12. Had a young son. This statement indicates that Mephibosheth was already grown and that a number of years had passed since the death of his father and David’s accession to the throne, inasmuch as Mephibosheth was only five years of age when Jonathan died (ch. 4:4). As far as our information goes, Mephibosheth had only one son, Micah, but Micah’s posterity was numerous (1 Chron. 8:35–40; 9:40–44).

13. Dwelt in Jerusalem. There may have been a double purpose in retaining Mephibosheth at Jerusalem. It would be both a matter of safeguard and of special honor. Dwelling at the palace with the rest of the sons of David and being constantly associated with them would serve to draw Mephibosheth ever closer to David and would thus ensure peaceful and happy relationships between the house of David and the house of Saul. If Mephibosheth were of an evil disposition, refusing to respond loyally to the treatment extended to him, he would be under constant surveillance at the palace and away from the influences of David’s enemies, who might wish to foster revolt. That the possibility of revolt was not absent is evident from Ziba’s statement at the time of David’s flight from Absalom. To David this servant of Mephibosheth made the accusation that his master was hoping, out of the unsettled conditions, to have the kingdom restored to the house of Saul (see chs. 16:1–4; 19:24–30).

Was lame. Because of his lameness Mephibosheth was prevented from leaving Jerusalem at the time of Absalom’s uprising. It was his staying behind in Jerusalem that gave plausibility to the charge that Mephibosheth was disloyal (chs. 16:3; 19:25–27).

Ellen G. White comments

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