2 Samuel 9

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Dave Burnette's Commentary

2 Samuel Chapter 9

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Nathan, Zabud, & Gad

Date Penned: (930 BC)

Overview: A Record of David's Reign (c 1-24)

Theme: David's Successes (c 1-10)

Message: David is Kind to Mephibosheth (v 1-13)

2 Samuel 9 Commentary

(9:1) David Shows Favor to Mephibosheth - Most kings in David's day tried to wipe out the families of their rivals in order to prevent any descendants from seeking the throne. But David showed kindness to Mephibosheth, whose father was Jonathan and whose grandfather was King Saul. David was kind, partly because of his loyalty to God's previously anointed king (1 Samuel 24:5-6); partly for political reasons--to unite Judah and Israel (2 Samuel 3:13-16 and 3:29); and mainly because of his promise to show kindness to all of Jonathan's descendants (1 Samuel 20:14-17).

(9:3) Mephibosheth is Lame - The story of how Mephibosheth becomes lame is recorded in 2 Samuel 4:4. Mephibosheth was five years old when Saul and Jonathan died.

(9:5-6) David Fulfills the Promise He Made to Jonathan - Mephibosheth was afraid to visit the king, who wanted to treat him like a prince. Although Mephibosheth feared for his life and may have felt unworthy, David wanted to honor him and show him the love and loyalty he had promised Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:41-42). When God graciously offers us forgiveness of sins and eternal life, we may feel unworthy, but God shows us this grace out of love for us. A reception even warmer than the one David gave Mephibosheth waits for all who receive God's gifts through trusting Jesus Christ, not because we deserve it, but because of what God has promised (Ephesians 2:8-9).

(9:7) David Shows Love and Mercy - David's treatment of Mephibosheth shows his integrity as a leader who accepted his obligation to show love and mercy. His generous provision for Jonathan's son goes beyond any political benefit he might have received. Do you keep your promises to others, as David did? Are you able to forgive those who may have wronged you? Can you be generous with those who you think don't deserve it? Each time we show compassion and keep our word, our character is strengthened and we become more like Jesus.

Dave Burnette's Life Application
The Kings Table

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter, making application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Today we continue in the book of 2nd Samuel with Chapter 9. In our text, we see David being kind to Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson to the former King Saul. Yesterday we reflected on how God keeps his promises, and today we see how David keeps his vow to take care of the descendants of the King. In making an application, we see how God takes care of us. Every saved individual is indwelt with the Spirit of God and is an adopted child of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Just as Mephibosheth, we are taken care of by our Lord. We need not worry about our needs, for we, too, will eat at the King's table every day of our life. How about you? Have you been saved? Do you see that you are the child of the King and will be taken care of by our Lord and King Jesus? Let us learn from our text today and the life of Mephibosheth to realize that we will eat from the King's table all the days of our lives.

2 Samuel 9

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2 Samuel 9

¹And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

²And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.

³And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

⁴And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.

⁵Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

⁶Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!

⁷And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

⁸And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?

⁹Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.

¹⁰Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

¹¹Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.

¹²And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.

¹³So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.

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