mh_parser/vol_split/10 - 2Samuel/Chapter 9.xml

<div2 id="iiSam.x" n="x" next="iiSam.xi" prev="iiSam.ix" progress="42.95%" title="Chapter IX">
<h2 id="iiSam.x-p0.1">S E C O N D   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iiSam.x-p0.2">CHAP. IX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiSam.x-p1">The only thing recorded in this chapter is the
kindness David showed to Jonathan's seed for his sake. I. The kind
enquiry he made after the remains of the house of Saul, and his
discovery of Mephibosheth, <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.1-2Sam.9.4" parsed="|2Sam|9|1|9|4" passage="2Sa 9:1-4">ver.
1-4</scripRef>. II. The kind reception he gave to Mephibosheth,
when he was brought to him, <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.5-2Sam.9.8" parsed="|2Sam|9|5|9|8" passage="2Sa 9:5-8">ver.
5-8</scripRef>. III. The kind provision he made for him and his,
<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.9-2Sam.9.13" parsed="|2Sam|9|9|9|13" passage="2Sa 9:9-13">ver. 9-13</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiSam.x-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9" parsed="|2Sam|9|0|0|0" passage="2Sa 9" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiSam.x-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.1-2Sam.9.8" parsed="|2Sam|9|1|9|8" passage="2Sa 9:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.9.1-2Sam.9.8">
<h4 id="iiSam.x-p1.6">David's Kindness to Jonathan's
Son. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.x-p1.7">b. c.</span> 1039.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.x-p2">1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left
of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's
sake?   2 And <i>there was</i> of the house of Saul a servant
whose name <i>was</i> Ziba. And when they had called him unto
David, the king said unto him, <i>Art</i> thou Ziba? And he said,
Thy servant <i>is he.</i>   3 And the king said, <i>Is</i>
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, <i>which is</i> lame on <i>his</i> feet.   4
And the king said unto him, Where <i>is</i> he? And Ziba said unto
the king, Behold, he <i>is</i> in the house of Machir, the son of
Ammiel, in Lodebar.   5 Then king David sent, and fetched him
out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.  
6 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!   7
And 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.   8 And he bowed himself, and said, What
<i>is</i> thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead
dog as I <i>am?</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.x-p3">Here is, I. David's enquiry after the
remains of the ruined house of Saul, <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.1" parsed="|2Sam|9|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. 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,
<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.12" parsed="|2Sam|9|12|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. 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 do it late than never. The
compendium which Paul gives us of the life of David is this
(<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.13.36" parsed="|Acts|13|36|0|0" passage="Ac 13:36">Acts xiii. 36</scripRef>), that he
<i>served his generation according to the will of God,</i> that is,
he was a man that made it his business to do good; witness this
instance, where we may observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.x-p4">1. That he sought an opportunity to do
good. He might perhaps have satisfied his conscience with the
performance of his promise to Jonathan if he had been only ready,
upon request or application made to him by any of his seed, to help
and succour them. But he does more, he enquires of those about him
first (<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.1" parsed="|2Sam|9|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), and,
when he met with a person that was likely to inform him, asked him
particularly, <i>Is there any yet left of the house of Saul, that I
may show him kindness?</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.3" parsed="|2Sam|9|3|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>. "Is there any, not only to whom I may do justice
(<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.5.8" parsed="|Num|5|8|0|0" passage="Nu 5:8">Num. v. 8</scripRef>), but to whom I
may show kindness?" Note, Good men should seek opportunities of
doing good. <i>The liberal deviseth liberal things,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.32.8" parsed="|Isa|32|8|0|0" passage="Isa 32:8">Isa. xxxii. 8</scripRef>. For, the most proper
objects of our kindness and charity are such as will not be
frequently met with without enquiry. The most necessitous are the
least clamorous.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.x-p5">2. Those he enquired after were the remains
of the house of Saul, to whom he would show kindness for Jonathan's
sake: <i>Is there any left of the house of Saul?</i> Saul had a
very numerous family (<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.8.33" parsed="|1Chr|8|33|0|0" passage="1Ch 8:33">1 Chron. viii.
33</scripRef>), enough to replenish a country, and was yet so
emptied that none of it appeared; but it was a matter of enquiry,
<i>Is there any left?</i> See how the providence of God can empty
full families; see how the sin of man will do it. Saul's was a
bloody house, no marvel it was thus reduced, <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.21.1" parsed="|2Sam|21|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 21:1"><i>ch.</i> xxi. 1</scripRef>. But, though God visited
the iniquity of the father upon the children, David would not. "Is
there any left that I can show kindness to, not for Saul's own
sake, but for Jonathan's?" (1.) Saul was David's sworn enemy, and
yet he would show kindness to his house with all his heart and was
forward to do it. He does not say, "Is there any left of the house
of Saul, that I may find some way to take them off, and prevent
their giving disturbance to me or my successor?" It was against
Abimelech's mind that any one was left of the house of Gideon
(<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.5" parsed="|Judg|9|5|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:5">Judg. ix. 5</scripRef>), and against
Athaliah's mind that any one was left of <i>the seed royal,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.22.10-2Chr.22.11" parsed="|2Chr|22|10|22|11" passage="2Ch 22:10,11">2 Chron. xxii. 10, 11</scripRef>.
Those were usurped governments. David's needed no such vile
supports. He was desirous to show kindness to the house of Saul,
not only because he trusted in God and feared not what they could
do unto him, but because he was of a charitable disposition and
forgave what they had done to him. Note, We must evince the
sincerity of our forgiving those that have been any way unjust or
injurious to us by being ready, as we have opportunity, to show
kindness both to them and theirs. We must not only not avenge
ourselves upon them, but we must love them, and <i>do them good</i>
(<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.5.44" parsed="|Matt|5|44|0|0" passage="Mt 5:44">Matt. v. 44</scripRef>), and not be
backward to do any office of love and good-will to those that have
done us many an injury. <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.3.9" parsed="|1Pet|3|9|0|0" passage="1Pe 3:9">1 Pet. iii.
9,</scripRef>—<i>but, contrari-wise, blessing.</i> This is the
way to overcome evil, and to find mercy for ourselves and ours,
when we or they need it. (2.) Jonathan was David's sworn friend,
and therefore he would show kindness to his house. This teaches us,
[1.] To be mindful of our covenant. The kindness we have promised
we must conscientiously perform, though it should not be claimed.
God is faithful to us; let us not be unfaithful to one another.
[2.] To be mindful of our friendships, our old friendships. Note,
Kindness to our friends, even to them and theirs, is one of the
laws of our holy religion. <i>He that has friends must show himself
friendly,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p5.7" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.24" parsed="|Prov|18|24|0|0" passage="Pr 18:24">Prov. xviii.
24</scripRef>. If Providence has raised us, and our friends and
their families are brought low, yet we must not forget former
acquaintance, but rather look upon that as giving us so much the
fairer opportunity of being kind to them: then our friends have
most need of us and we are in the best capacity to help them.
Though there be not a solemn league of friendship tying us to this
constancy of love, yet there is a sacred law of friendship no less
obliging, that to him that is in misery pity should be shown by his
friend, <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p5.8" osisRef="Bible:Job.6.14" parsed="|Job|6|14|0|0" passage="Job 6:14">Job vi. 14</scripRef>. <i>A
brother is born for adversity.</i> Friendship obliges us to take
cognizance of the families and surviving relations of those we have
loved, who, when they left us, left behind them their bodies, their
names, and their posterity, to be kind to.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.x-p6">3. The kindness he promised to show them he
calls the <i>kindness of God;</i> not only great kindness, but,
(1.) Kindness in pursuance of the covenant that was between him and
Jonathan, to which God was a witness. See <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.20.42" parsed="|1Sam|20|42|0|0" passage="1Sa 20:42">1 Sam. xx. 42</scripRef>. (2.) Kindness after God's
example; for we must be merciful as he is. He spares those whom he
has advantage against, and so must we. Jonathan's request to David
was (<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.20.14-1Sam.20.15" parsed="|1Sam|20|14|20|15" passage="1Sa 20:14,15">1 Sam. xx. 14,
15</scripRef>), "<i>Show me the kindness of the Lord, that I die
not,</i> and the same to my seed." The kindness of God is some
greater instance of kindness than one can ordinarily expect from
men. (3.) It is kindness done after a godly sort, and with an eye
to God, and his honour and favour.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.x-p7">II. Information given him concerning
Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan. Ziba was an old retainer to
Saul's family, and knew the state of it. He was sent for and
examined, and informed the king that Jonathan's son was living, but
<i>lame</i> (how he came to be so we read before, <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.4.4" parsed="|2Sam|4|4|0|0" passage="2Sa 4:4"><i>ch.</i> iv. 4</scripRef>), and that he lived
in obscurity, probably among his mother's relations in Lo-debar in
Gilead, on the other side Jordan, where he was <i>forgotten, as a
dead man out of mind,</i> but bore this obscurity the more easily
because he could remember little of the honour he fell from.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.x-p8">III. The bringing of him to court. The king
sent (Ziba, it is likely) to bring him up to Jerusalem with all
convenient speed, <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.5" parsed="|2Sam|9|5|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>. Thus he eased Machir of his trouble, and perhaps
recompensed him for what he had laid out on Mephibosheth's account.
This Machir appears to have been a very generous free-hearted man,
and to have entertained Mephibosheth, not out of any disaffection
to David or his government, but in compassion to the reduced son of
a prince, for afterwards we find him kind to David himself when he
fled from Absalom. He is named (<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.27" parsed="|2Sam|17|27|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:27"><i>ch.</i> xvii. 27</scripRef>) among those that
furnished the king with what he wanted at Mahanaim, though David,
when he sent for Mephibosheth from him, little thought that the
time would come when he himself would gladly be beholden to him:
and perhaps Machir was then the more ready to help David in
recompence for his kindness to Mephibosheth. Therefore we should be
forward to give, because we know not but we ourselves may some time
be in want, <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.11.2" parsed="|Eccl|11|2|0|0" passage="Ec 11:2">Eccl. xi. 2</scripRef>.
<i>And he that watereth shall be watered also himself,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.11.25" parsed="|Prov|11|25|0|0" passage="Pr 11:25">Prov. xi. 25</scripRef>. Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.x-p9">1. Mephibosheth presented himself to David
with all the respect that was due to his character. Lame as he was,
<i>he fell on his face, and did homage,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.6" parsed="|2Sam|9|6|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. David had thus made his honours
to Mephibosheth's father, Jonathan, when he was next to the throne
(<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.20.41" parsed="|1Sam|20|41|0|0" passage="1Sa 20:41">1 Sam. xx. 41</scripRef>, <i>he
bowed himself to him three times</i>), and now Mephibosheth, in
like manner, addresses him, when affairs are so completely
reversed. Those who, when they are in inferior relations, show
respect, shall, when they come to be advanced, have respect shown
to them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.x-p10">2. David received him with all the kindness
that could be. (1.) He spoke to him as one surprised, but pleased
to see him. "Mephibosheth! Why, is there such a man living?" He
remembered his name, for it is probable that he was born about the
time of the intimacy between him and Jonathan. (2.) He bade him not
be afraid: <i>Fear not,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.7" parsed="|2Sam|9|7|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. It is probable that the sight of David put him into
some confusion, to free him from which he assures him that he sent
for him, not out of any jealousy he had of him, nor with any bad
design upon him, but to show him kindness. Great men should not
take a pleasure in the timorous approaches of their inferiors (for
the great God does not), but should encourage them. (3.) He gives
him, by grant from the crown, <i>all the land of Saul his
father,</i> that is, his paternal estate, which was forfeited by
Ishbosheth's rebellion and added to his own revenue. This was a
real favour, and more than giving him a kind word. True friendship
will be generous. (4.) Though he had thus given him a good estate,
sufficient to maintain him, yet for Jonathan's sake (whom perhaps
he saw some resemblance of in Mephibosheth's face), he will take
him to be a constant guest at his own table, where he will not only
be comfortably fed, but have company and attendance suitable to his
birth and quality. Though Mephibosheth was lame and unsightly, and
does not appear to have had any great fitness for business, yet,
for his good father's sake, David took him to be one of his
family.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.x-p11">3. Mephibosheth accepts this kindness with
great humility and self-abasement. He was not one of those that
take every favour as a debt, and think every thing too little that
their friends do for them; but, on the contrary, speaks as one
amazed at the grants David made him (<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.8" parsed="|2Sam|9|8|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>): <i>What is thy servant, that
thou shouldst look upon such a dead dog as I am?</i> How does he
vilify himself! Though the son of a prince, and the grandson of a
king, yet his family being under guilt and wrath, and himself poor
and lame, he calls himself <i>a dead dog</i> before David. Note, It
is good to have the heart humble under humbling providences. If,
when divine Providence brings our condition down, divine grace
brings our spirits down with it, we shall be easy. And those who
thus humble themselves shall be exalted. How does he magnify
David's kindness! It would have been easy to lessen it if he had
been so disposed. Had David restored him his father's estate? It
was but giving him his own. Did he take him to his table? This was
policy, that he might have an eye upon him. But Mephibosheth
considered all that David said and did as very kind, and himself as
less than the least of all his favours. See <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.18" parsed="|1Sam|18|18|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:18">1 Sam. xviii. 18</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.x-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.9-2Sam.9.13" parsed="|2Sam|9|9|9|13" passage="2Sa 9:9-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.9.9-2Sam.9.13">
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.x-p12">9 Then 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.   10 Thou therefore,
and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and
thou shalt bring in <i>the fruits,</i> 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.
  11 Then 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, <i>said the king,</i> he shall eat at my
table, as one of the king's sons.   12 And Mephibosheth had a
young son, whose name <i>was</i> Micha. And all that dwelt in the
house of Ziba <i>were</i> servants unto Mephibosheth.   13 So
Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the
king's table; and was lame on both his feet.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.x-p13">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 (<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.9" parsed="|2Sam|9|9|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>); and, it should seem, Saul had a
very good estate, for his father was a mighty man of substance
(<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.1" parsed="|1Sam|9|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:1">1 Sam. ix. 1</scripRef>), and he had
fields and vineyards to bestow, <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.22.7" parsed="|1Sam|22|7|0|0" passage="1Sa 22:7">1 Sam.
xxii. 7</scripRef>. 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 whom,
having been his father's servant, he might confide, and who, having
a numerous family of sons and servants, had hands sufficient to be
employed about it, <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.10" parsed="|2Sam|9|10|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>. Thus Mephibosheth is made very easy, having a good
estate without care, and is in a fair way of being very rich,
having much coming in and little occasion to spend, himself being
kept at David's table. Yet he must have food to eat besides his own
bread, provisions for his son and servants; and Ziba's sons and
servants would come in for their share of his revenue, for which
reason perhaps their number is here mentioned, <i>fifteen sons and
twenty servants,</i> who would require nearly all there was; <i>for
as goods are increased those are increased that eat them, and what
good has the owner thereof save the beholding of them with his
eyes?</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.5.11" parsed="|Eccl|5|11|0|0" passage="Ec 5:11">Eccl. v. 11</scripRef>.
<i>All that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants to
Mephibosheth</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.x-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.12" parsed="|2Sam|9|12|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>), that is, they all lived upon him, and made a prey
of his estate, under pretence of waiting on him and doing him
service. The Jews have a saying, "He that multiplies servants
multiplies thieves." Ziba is now pleased, for he loves wealth, and
will have abundance. "As <i>the king has commanded, so will thy
servant do,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p13.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.11" parsed="|2Sam|9|11|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>. Let me alone with the estate: and <i>as for
Mephibosheth</i>" (they seem to be Ziba's words), "if the king
please, he need not trouble the court, <i>he shall eat at my
table,</i> and be as well treated <i>as one of the king's
sons.</i>" But David will have him at his own table, and
Mephibosheth is as well pleased with his post as Ziba with his. How
unfaithful Ziba was to him we shall find afterwards, <scripRef id="iiSam.x-p13.8" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.16.3" parsed="|2Sam|16|3|0|0" passage="2Sa 16:3"><i>ch.</i> xvi. 3</scripRef>. Now because David
was a type of Christ, his Lord and son, his root and offspring, let
his kindness to Mephibosheth serve to illustrate the kindness and
love of God our Saviour towards fallen man, which yet he was under
no obligation to, as David was to Jonathan. Man was convicted of
rebellion against God, and, like Saul's house, under a sentence of
rejection from him, was not only brought low and impoverished, but
lame and impotent, made so by the fall. The Son of God enquires
after this degenerate race, that enquired not after him, comes to
seek and save them. To those of them that humble themselves before
him, and commit themselves to him, he restores the forfeited
inheritance, he entitles them to a better paradise than that which
Adam lost, and takes them into communion with himself, sets them
with his children at his table, and feasts them with the dainties
of heaven. <i>Lord, what is man, that thou shouldst thus magnify
him!</i></p>
</div></div2>