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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:1-8

Here is, I. David's enquiry after the remains of the ruined house of Saul, 2 Sam. 9:1. This was a great while after his accession to the throne, for it should seem that Mephibosheth, who was but five years old when Saul died, had now a son born, 2 Sam. 9:12. David had too long forgotten his obligations to Jonathan, but now, at length, they are brought to his mind. It is good sometimes to bethink ourselves whether there be any promises or engagements that we have neglected to make good; better... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:1

And David said ,.... To some of his courtiers: is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul ? which question was put by him, not in order to destroy them, lest they should disturb his government, as was usual with other princes, and especially such who got their crowns by usurpation; but to prevent any suspicion of that kind in the persons he inquired of, he adds: that I may show him kindness, for Jonathan's sake ? not for Saul's sake, who had been his implacable enemy, though... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:1

EXPOSITION Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul? As Mephibosheth was five years old at his father's death ( 2 Samuel 4:4 ), but now had a son ( 2 Samuel 9:12 ), a sufficient time must have elapsed for him to grow up and marry; so that probably the events of this chapter occurred seventeen or eighteen years after the battle of Gilboa. As David was king at Hebron for seven years and a half, he had been king now of all Israel for about nine years. But during this long... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:1

( JERUSALEM .) For Jonathan's Sake. David had sworn to his friend Jonathan that he would "not cut off his kindness from his house forever" ( 1 Samuel 20:15 ). He had been probably unaware of his leaving a son behind him (for Mephibosheth was born while he was in exile, five years before the battle of Gilboa); or, if acquainted with the fact, supposed that he perished in the destruction of the house of Saul. But surmising, perhaps, from something he heard, that a son of his friend... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:1-13

The facts are: 1 . David, remembering his love for Jonathan, inquires whether there were any survivors of the house of Saul; and being informed of the proximity of Ziba, an old servant, he sends for him. 2 . He is told that a son of Jonathan, lame of foot, is a sojourner in the house of Machir. 3 . Being sent for, Mephibosheth, on appearing before the king, falls on his face and pays reverence, but is spoken to kindly. 4 . Being assured by David that there was no need for fear,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 9:1

2 Samuel 9:1. And David said, Is there any left of the house of Saul Having ended the wars in which he had been engaged, and settled his kingdom and court, and enjoyed a short interval of peace and tranquillity, like a gleam of sunshine in the intermittings of a storm, he now begins to consider what private obligations he was under, especially to the house of Saul, and above all to Jonathan. His prosperity had, hitherto, in no degree overset him; on the contrary, the blessings God had... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Remembering former kindnesses (9:1-10:19)Although his power was now great, David did not forget his covenant with Jonathan. Unlike other kings, David would not destroy the family of the king whom he replaced (9:1; see 1 Samuel 20:12-17). David not only spared the life of Jonathan’s sole surviving son, the crippled Mephibosheth, but also restored to him Saul’s family property (2-8; cf. 4:4). David gave Mephibosheth the privilege of free access into the palace, and appointed one of Saul’s former... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Samuel 9:1

DAVID KEPT HIS COVENANT WITH JONATHAN; BEFRIENDING MEPHIBOSHETHThis chapter and through 2 Samuel 21, according to many scholars, constitute a unit which even critical scholars accept as absolutely historical, an evaluation which should be applied to the whole Bible. Several names have been suggested for this section. "R. N. Whybray called it, `The Succession Narrative'; A. R. S. Kennedy named it, `The History of David's Court'; and G. W. Anderson labeled it, `The Court History.'"[1] "Many... read more

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