II Samuel 9:1-13
“And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” (II Samuel 9:1)
David and Jonathan had made an agreement in I Samuel 18. They renewed that covenant after Saul tried to get David murdered, in I Samuel 20:14-17. “And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth. So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies. And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.”
Over twenty years later, David finally has control of the country and is able to honor his commitment. When he had last visited with Jonathan neither of them had children, so he was just looking for some of Saul’s descendants he could help in honor of Jonathan.
“And 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.
And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him?
And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath 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.” (II Samuel 9:2-4)
Learning that one of Saul’s servants was still around, David contacted him asking if any of Saul’s descendants were still alive, as most had died when the Philistines defeated and killed Saul. Ziba informed him that Jonathan had had a son named Mephibosheth, and that he was living in Lodebar with the family of the nurse who had rescued him. He had only been five when Saul and Jonathan were killed. According to II Samuel 4:4, his legs were injured during the escape and he was handicapped.
“Then king David sent, and fetched 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 father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.” (II Samuel 9:5-7)
Throughout history, most rulers have killed any members of the previous administration to eliminate any claims to power. When Mephibosheth was brought before David, he had every reason to suspect David might have him killed. David was quick to reassure him that he had no such intention, and that instead he would have what had belonged to Saul’s family restored to him.
“And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?” (II Samuel 9:8)
Mephibosheth was very appreciative, knowing that as a handicapped person, he had little chance of recovering his father’s property, and in most societies he would have just been killed to make sure he didn’t .
“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. Thou 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.
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, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.” (II Samuel 9:9-11)
Ziba himself had become quite well off, but David ordered him to serve Mephibosheth like he had Saul, farming the ground for him, as tenant farmers, so that Mephibosheth would have his own property and income so that he could enjoy David’s bounty as an equal, and not as a charity case. Ziba agreed to the terms.
“And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. 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 king's table; and was lame on both his feet.” (II Samuel 9:12-13)
Mephibosheth and his family were treated as members of David’s own family, eating with them everyday, even though he could hardly walk.
“And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” (II Samuel 9:1)
David and Jonathan had made an agreement in I Samuel 18. They renewed that covenant after Saul tried to get David murdered, in I Samuel 20:14-17. “And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth. So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies. And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.”
Over twenty years later, David finally has control of the country and is able to honor his commitment. When he had last visited with Jonathan neither of them had children, so he was just looking for some of Saul’s descendants he could help in honor of Jonathan.
“And 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.
And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him?
And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath 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.” (II Samuel 9:2-4)
Learning that one of Saul’s servants was still around, David contacted him asking if any of Saul’s descendants were still alive, as most had died when the Philistines defeated and killed Saul. Ziba informed him that Jonathan had had a son named Mephibosheth, and that he was living in Lodebar with the family of the nurse who had rescued him. He had only been five when Saul and Jonathan were killed. According to II Samuel 4:4, his legs were injured during the escape and he was handicapped.
“Then king David sent, and fetched 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 father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.” (II Samuel 9:5-7)
Throughout history, most rulers have killed any members of the previous administration to eliminate any claims to power. When Mephibosheth was brought before David, he had every reason to suspect David might have him killed. David was quick to reassure him that he had no such intention, and that instead he would have what had belonged to Saul’s family restored to him.
“And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?” (II Samuel 9:8)
Mephibosheth was very appreciative, knowing that as a handicapped person, he had little chance of recovering his father’s property, and in most societies he would have just been killed to make sure he didn’t .
“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. Thou 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.
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, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.” (II Samuel 9:9-11)
Ziba himself had become quite well off, but David ordered him to serve Mephibosheth like he had Saul, farming the ground for him, as tenant farmers, so that Mephibosheth would have his own property and income so that he could enjoy David’s bounty as an equal, and not as a charity case. Ziba agreed to the terms.
“And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. 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 king's table; and was lame on both his feet.” (II Samuel 9:12-13)
Mephibosheth and his family were treated as members of David’s own family, eating with them everyday, even though he could hardly walk.
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