Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 9

Verses 1-13

2 Samuel 9:1-13 David Shows Kindness to Mephibosheth In 2 Samuel 1:1-13 we have the story of David showing kindness to Mephibosheth, King Saul’s only remaining son. David honoured King Saul until the king’s death. Even after his death, David wept for him and gave him an honourable burial. This honor continued through his son Mephibosheth. It is significant to understand that as long as David served King Saul, he ensured that God would help David fulfil his destiny. David continued sowing in this area of his life by ministering to Saul’s son.

2 Samuel 9:1 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 Samuel 9:1 Comments - The Hebrew word “kindness” is “hesed” ( חֵסֵד ) (H2617) is the Old Testament word for love. Kenneth Copeland translates this word in this context as “covenant faithfulness.” [54]

[54] Kenneth Copeland, Believer’s Voice of Victory (Kenneth Copeland Ministries, Fort Worth, Texas), on Trinity Broadcasting Network (Santa Ana, California), television program.

David is showing kindness to Mephibosheth as a result of his covenant with Jonathan. We find this covenant in 1 Samuel 20:14-16.

1 Samuel 20:14-16, “And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew 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.”

2 Samuel 9:3 And 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.

2 Samuel 9:3 “And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet” - Comments - Ziba will later betray Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 19:24-30). Here Ziba appears to see Mephibosheth as a person under a curse, one to be despised. This is because Ziba coveted his inheritance. In contrast, King David saw Mephibosheth as a child of blessings.

2 Samuel 9:4 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.

2 Samuel 9:4 Word Study on “Lodebar” Strong says the Hebrew name “Lodebar” ( לֹא דְבַר ) (H3810) literally means “ pastureless.” PTW says it means, “barren,” and is located east of the Jordan River. Easton says that it is “a town in Gilead not far from Mahanaim, north of the Jabbok” (2 Samuel 17:27), and “is probably identical with Debir” of Joshua 13:26. The ISBE says that it seems to be placed on the northern boundary of Gilead. [55]

[55] W. Ewing, “Lo-debar,” in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ed. James Orr (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., c1915, 1939), in The Sword Project, v. 1.5.11 [CD-ROM] (Temple, AZ: CrossWire Bible Society, 1990-2008).

2 Samuel 17:27, “And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar , and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,”

Joshua 13:26, “And from Heshbon unto Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir ;”

2 Samuel 9:7 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.

2 Samuel 9:7 Comments - King David attempts to dispel any fear that Mephibosheth may have in meeting him. Mephibosheth did not know that he was a child of a covenant with the king. He probably wondered at this time if the king was pursuing all of Saul's descendents in order to kill them. This could have been a death sentence for Mephibosheth.

2 Samuel 9:9 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.

2 Samuel 9:9 Comments - King David had made sure that Saul's possessions were not destroyed nor robbed. He had taken care of them for the sake of his covenant with Jonathan.

Ziba had been the servant of King Saul. Since all of Saul's sons were dead, Ziba felt justified and wanting the king's inheritance. Perhaps Ziba had been caring for this land since the death of King Saul. Perhaps he felt that the land rightfully belonged to him.