2 Samuel 9
Overview
2 Samuel 9 is a chapter that exemplifies King David's character through his display of kindness and loyalty. It focuses on his treatment of Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, as a fulfillment of his promise to Jonathan. Key aspects include:
David’s Inquiry About Saul’s Family: David remembers his covenant with Jonathan and inquires if there is anyone left from the house of Saul to whom he can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake.
Mephibosheth Introduced: Ziba, a servant of Saul’s household, informs David about Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, who is living in Lo-debar and is disabled in both feet.
David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth: David sends for Mephibosheth and restores to him all the land that belonged to Saul, his grandfather. He assures Mephibosheth that he will always eat at David’s table, essentially treating him as one of his own sons.
Mephibosheth’s Gratitude: Mephibosheth expresses his gratitude to David, considering himself unworthy of such kindness. He humbly accepts David’s generosity.
Provision for Mephibosheth: Ziba and his family are appointed to work the land and provide for Mephibosheth, who will live in Jerusalem and dine regularly at the king’s table.
David’s Fulfillment of His Promise: David’s actions towards Mephibosheth fulfill the promise he made to Jonathan to show kindness to his family. This gesture highlights David’s integrity and his commitment to honoring his word.
2 Samuel 9 is a moving account that showcases David’s compassion and faithfulness. By extending kindness to Mephibosheth, David not only honors his bond with Jonathan but also demonstrates a departure from the common practice of eliminating potential rivals from the former king’s family. This chapter provides a profound example of the power of loyalty and kindness, further establishing David as a ruler who values mercy and upholds his commitments.
David’s Inquiry About Saul’s Family: David remembers his covenant with Jonathan and inquires if there is anyone left from the house of Saul to whom he can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake.
Mephibosheth Introduced: Ziba, a servant of Saul’s household, informs David about Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, who is living in Lo-debar and is disabled in both feet.
David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth: David sends for Mephibosheth and restores to him all the land that belonged to Saul, his grandfather. He assures Mephibosheth that he will always eat at David’s table, essentially treating him as one of his own sons.
Mephibosheth’s Gratitude: Mephibosheth expresses his gratitude to David, considering himself unworthy of such kindness. He humbly accepts David’s generosity.
Provision for Mephibosheth: Ziba and his family are appointed to work the land and provide for Mephibosheth, who will live in Jerusalem and dine regularly at the king’s table.
David’s Fulfillment of His Promise: David’s actions towards Mephibosheth fulfill the promise he made to Jonathan to show kindness to his family. This gesture highlights David’s integrity and his commitment to honoring his word.
2 Samuel 9 is a moving account that showcases David’s compassion and faithfulness. By extending kindness to Mephibosheth, David not only honors his bond with Jonathan but also demonstrates a departure from the common practice of eliminating potential rivals from the former king’s family. This chapter provides a profound example of the power of loyalty and kindness, further establishing David as a ruler who values mercy and upholds his commitments.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
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.
🔑→ Devotion
10 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.
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, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.
12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were 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.
End of 2 Samuel 9
1 Year Plan: May 10 - 2 Sa 9, 2 Sa 10, Ps 54
2 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.
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.
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.
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 is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
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.
🔑→ Devotion
10 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.
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, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.
12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were 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.
End of 2 Samuel 9
1 Year Plan: May 10 - 2 Sa 9, 2 Sa 10, Ps 54
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