Ch. 2 Samuel 9:1-13. David’s kindness to Mephibosheth

Since Mephibosheth was only five years old at the time of his father’s death (ch. 2 Samuel 4:4), and now had a young son (2 Samuel 9:12), the incident here recorded cannot have occurred till David had been reigning at Jerusalem for some seven years at least, when Mephibosheth would be about 20 years old. The narrative finds a natural place here as an appendix to the general summary of the public history of David’s reign, and before the account of his great sin with its fatal consequences. It is omitted in Chronicles as being a matter of private interest.

1. that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake] In fulfilment of his oath to Jonathan. See 1 Samuel 20:14-17; 1 Samuel 20:42.

3. the kindness of God] A reference to Jonathan’s words in 1 Samuel 20:14. “The kindness of God” means kindness or mercy such as God shews to men, unfailing, unsought, unlimited. Cp. Luke 6:36.

lame on his feet] See ch. 2 Samuel 4:4.

Machir the son of Ammiel] A man of wealth and position, to judge from the welcome which he gave David in his flight from Absalom (ch. 2 Samuel 17:27-29). He may have taken charge of Mephibosheth at Jonathan’s death. It may be inferred from his name that he belonged to the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 32:39-40).

Lo-debar] A town on the E. of the Jordan in the neighbourhood of Mahanaim, possibly the same as the Debir of Joshua 13:26. Its site is not determined.

5. fet] This archaic form for fetched appears in several passages in the original edition of the E. V. (1611). It is found in Shakespeare:

“On, on, you noblest English,

Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!”

Henry V., A. III. S. I. 18, 19.

6. Mephibosheth] See note on ch. 2 Samuel 4:4.

7. Fear not] Mephibosheth might be afraid that David had only hunted him out to treat him after the common fashion of Oriental usurpers, who often put all their predecessor’s kindred to death. He seems to have lived in concealment at Lo-debar.

the land of Saul thy father] Saul’s private estate at Gibeah, which passed into David’s possession when he came to the throne (ch. 2 Samuel 12:8). Father = grandfather, as frequently: so in 2 Samuel 9:9 son = grandson.

thou shalt eat bread at my table] A common mark of honour in Oriental countries. See 1 Kings 2:7; 2 Kings 25:29. The physician Democedes, who cured Darius, was made “a member of the king’s table” (ὁμοτράπεζος βασιλέϊ, Herod. III. 132): and Histiaeus of Miletus was invited to come up to Susa, and be Darius’ “mess-companion” (σύσσιτος, Herod, v. 24).

8. he bowed himself] The same Heb. word as “did reverence” in 2 Samuel 9:6.

a dead dog] The vilest and most contemptible object possible. See note on ch. 2 Samuel 3:8; and cp. ch. 2 Samuel 16:9; 1 Samuel 24:14.

10. shall till the land] This arrangement suggests that Ziba was already in occupation of the land, so that the only change to him would be that Mephibosheth would now receive the fruits instead of David.

that thy master’s son, &c.] Though Mephibosheth himself was to be a guest at the royal table, he would require the revenues of this estate for the support of his family and household. It may be inferred from the number of Ziba’s servants that they would be considerable.

11. As for Mephibosheth, said the king] There is nothing to warrant the insertion of the words “said the king:” nor can the words be Ziba’s assertion that he would himself have entertained Mephibosheth royally. It remains to follow the LXX. in reading at David’s table for “at my table,” and to take the clause along with the next two verses as the narrator’s conclusion of the story, thus: “So Mephibosheth did eat at David’s table, as one of the king’s sons.”

12. Micha] He had a numerous posterity. See 1 Chronicles 8:34, ff., where he is called Micah.