2 Samuel 9

AND David said David's Wars being ended, he set himself to the Administration of Justice to all his People, chap. 8. 15. And amongst others he minds his just debt and obligation to Ionathan and his Family., Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul He says not of the house of Ionathan, for he knew not of any Son which he had left, and therefore thought his kindness and obligation was to pass to the next of his Kindred. As for Mephibosheth, he was very young and obscure, and possibly concealed by his Friends, lest David should cut him off from jealousie of State, as has been usual among Princes in like case, and therefore was unknown to David, as well he might be, especially when David's head and hands were full of War with divers and Potent Enemies, as they had hitherto been., that I may show him kindness for Jonathans sake?

And there was of the house of Saul a servant One who had been a Servant, and, as it may seem, a Steward to Saul. See below, v. 10. 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.

And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God Either, First, That kindness which I owe him for Gods sake, and by virtue of my Oath given to him about it, 1 Sam. 20. 14, 15. But that Oath seems only to oblige him to Ionathan's Posterity, and not to any other of Saul's House. Or, Secondly, Great and eminent kindness. unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan has yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

And 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 In a place beyond Iordan, chap. 17. 27. where his Friends thought he might be kept out of David's sight..

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

Now 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.

¶ And David said unto him, Fear not; for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy fathers sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father Which were now seized and possessed by David, as due to him, either, in right of his Wife, to whom the Inheritance was devolved, Saul's Sons by his Wives being all dead. See Numb. 27. 8. or, by Divine Donation, as belonging to the Crown which God had now given him: or, by forfeiture, because of Ishbosheth's Rebellion against his Lord and King., and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? g So contemptible in my person and condition.

¶ Then the king called to Ziba Sauls servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy masters son all that pertained to Saul, and to all his house.

Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy masters son may have food to eat i. e. That he may have wherewith to buy Food for all his Family, and all manner of provisions (which oft come under the tile of Food and Bread) necessary for himself and them.: but Mephibosheth thy masters son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons, and twenty servants For it is probable he had been the chief Steward to manage Saul's Lands: whereby he had great opportunities to inrich himself, which also he was very intent and resolved upon, either directly, or indirectly, as the following History of him shows; and therefore it is not strange that he was so rich..

Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the... ings sons These are the words, Either, First, Of David; the words, said he, or said the King, being supplied out of the former and following Verses. Or, Secondly, Of Ziba, being thus rendred and understood, Also Mephibosheth, if the King so please, shall eat at my table, and shall be treated there according to his Quality as one of thy Sons, as thou desirest: for the Estate will suffice for that also..

And Mephibosheth had a young son Either, First, Before he was discovered and brought to the King; and then David seems guilty of a great error in forgetting his dear Ionathan so long; although his long and continued Wars both Civil and Foreign, might afford him some excuse, as filling his mind and time with business of another nature. Or, Secondly, After that time: for there is nothing here which determines when this Son was Born., whose name was Micha Who also had other Children and Grand-Children, to keep up the name and memory of worthy and famous Ionathan. See 1 Chron. 8. 34, 35. and 9. 40, 41.: and all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.

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