2 Samuel 9:1-12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:9

Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant ,.... Who had been his servant: and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son ; meaning either, as some, the son of Mephibosheth, Micha after mentioned; or rather Mephibosheth himself, the grandson of Saul, whose servant Ziba had been: all that pertained to Saul, and to all his house ; all his paternal estate, or what he had acquired, or in any wise belonged to him and his family; which David had in possession, and which he readily... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:10

Thou therefore, thy sons, and thy servants ,.... Which were many, and whose numbers are after given: shall till the land for him ; manure it, plough it, sow it, and reap it: and thou shall bring in the fruits ; the corn, and oil, and wine, the land produces: that thy master's son may have food to eat ; meaning either Micha, the son of Mephibosheth, since Mephibosheth seems to be distinguished from him, and opposed to him in the next clause: and who would stand in no need of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:11

Then said Ziba unto the king, according to all the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do ,.... Till the land, and bring the fruits of it to Mephibosheth, for the support of his family; he promised very fair, had he been as faithful to his trust: as for Mephibosheth, said the king , he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons ; which is repeated, for the confirmation of it, and to show that he should be treated with equal respect, and fare as the king's sons... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:12

And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha ,.... What his age was is not said from him sprung a progeny of several generations, 1 Chronicles 8:34 , and all that dwelt in the house Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth ; his sons and his servants. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 9:1

Is there yet any that is left - David recollecting the covenant made with his friend Jonathan, now inquires after his family. It is supposed that political considerations prevented him from doing this sooner. Reasons of state often destroy all the charities of life. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 9:3

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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 9:4

Lo-debar - Supposed to have been situated beyond Jordan; but there is nothing certain known concerning it. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 9:7

Will restore thee all the land - I believe this means the mere family estate of the house of Kish, which David as king might have retained, but which most certainly belonged, according to the Israelitish law, to the descendants of the family. And thou shalt eat bread at my table - This was kindness, (the giving up the land was justice), and it was the highest honor that any subject could enjoy, as we may see from the reference made to it by our Lord, Luke 22:30 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 9:9

I have given unto thy master ' s son - Unless Ziba had been servant of Jonathan, this seems to refer to Micha, son of Mephibosheth, and so some understand it; but it is more likely that Mephibosheth is meant, who is called son of Saul instead of grandson. Yet it is evident enough that the produce of the land went to the support of Micha, (see 2 Samuel 9:10 ;), for the father was provided for at the table of David; but all the patrimony belonged to Mephibosheth. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 9:10

Thou therefore , and thy sons - shall till the land - It seems that Ziba and his family had the care of the whole estate, and cultivated it at their own expense, yielding the half of the produce to the family of Mephibosheth. Ziba was properly the hind, whose duty and interest it was to take proper care of the ground, for the better it was cultivated the more it produced; and his half would consequently be the greater. read more

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