2 Samuel 9:5-11 NIV

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 9:5

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

John Gill

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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