2 Samuel 9:1-12

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:9-13

The matter is here settled concerning Mephibosheth. 1. This grant of his father's estate is confirmed to him, and Ziba called to be a witness to it (2 Sam. 9:9); and, it should seem, Saul had a very good estate, for his father was a mighty man of substance (1 Sam. 9:1), and he had fields and vineyards to bestow, 1 Sam. 22:7. Be it ever so much, Mephibosheth is now master of it all. 2. The management of the estate is committed to Ziba, who knew what it was and how to make the most of it, in... 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

John Gill

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

And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba ,.... Or there was a servant that belonged to Saul's family; not that any of Saul's family was a servant; and this servant the Jews commonly say was a Canaanitish servant, and who upon the death of his master was not made free, but became the inheritance and possession of his children after him, Leviticus 25:46 ; though Josephus F14 Ut supra, (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 5.) sect. 5. says he was made free by Saul: and when... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:3

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, 1 Samuel 20:14 , and Ziba said unto the king,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:4

And the king said unto him, where is he ?.... In what part of the land, city, or town, does he dwell? and Ziba said unto the king, behold, he is in the house of Machir , the son of Ammiel ; a descendant of Machir, the son of Manasseh, to whom the land of Gilead was given, which lay on the other side Jordan: in Lodebar ; a place in that country, perhaps the same with Debir in Joshua 13:26 . Here it may be his mother's relations lived, and here he might dwell in obscurity, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:5

Then King David sent ,.... Messengers; it may be Ziba, none being more proper than he that knew him, and where he was: and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar ; they demanded him in the king's name, and being delivered to them, they brought him from thence to Jerusalem. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:6

Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul ,.... For that was his name, though sometimes called Meribbaal, 1 Chronicles 8:34 ; and this was his relation to Jonathan and Saul, the son of the one, and grandson of the other: was come unto David ; to his court and palace in Jerusalem, being thither brought; for he could not go of himself, being lame: he fell on his face, and did reverence ; to him as a king, in a civil way, and in the best manner he could, considering... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:7

And David said unto him, fear not ,.... He might observe a dejection in his countenance, a trembling in his limbs, and might discover signs of fear lest David should cut him off, because he was of the seed royal: for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake ; whom he loved as his own soul, and to whom he had sworn that he would not cut off his kindness from his house for ever, and now remembering his oath was determined to observe it: and will restore thee all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:8

And he bowed himself ,.... In token of gratitude, and as a sign of humility, and of the sense he had of his unworthiness to enjoy such a favour: and said, what is thy servant, that thou shouldest look on such a dead dog as I am ? one so mean, and base, and worthless; which he might say with respect to the infirmities of his body, the rejection of his family by the Lord, their attainder of high treason for rebellion against David, and the low circumstances he was brought into and now... read more

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