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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

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 9:2

A servant whose name was Ziba. It is evident from this that David was not certain that Jonathan had left behind him a son; but not because of the change of name from Meribbaal ( 1 Chronicles 8:34 ); for Baal retained its innocent meaning of "lord" until the time of Jezebel. It then became the title of the Phoenician sun god; and Jezebel's shameless worship of this deity, and her cruelty to Jehovah's prophets, made the people henceforth change the name Baal into Bosheth, "the shameful... read more

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