1 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?
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 show 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 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.
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.
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.
Chapter 9 of the book of 2 Samuel in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a continuation of the story of King David. In this chapter, we see David’s kindness towards Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. It is a story of compassion, forgiveness, and redemption, and it reveals the true character of King David as a just and merciful ruler.
Before we delve into the details of chapter 9, it is important to understand the context in which this chapter takes place. David had recently become the king of Israel after the death of Saul, and he had established his throne in Jerusalem. He had also defeated the Philistines, the traditional enemies of Israel, and had brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. David was now a powerful and respected king, and his kingdom was at peace.
However, despite his successes, David was still troubled by the memory of his dear friend Jonathan, the son of Saul. Jonathan and David had a strong bond, and Jonathan had even saved David’s life on several occasions. But after Saul’s death, David had lost contact with Jonathan’s family, and he longed to show kindness to anyone who was left of Saul’s household.
One day, David summoned Ziba, a servant of Saul’s household, and asked him if there was anyone left of the house of Saul to whom he could show kindness for Jonathan’s sake. Ziba informed David that there was still one remaining, Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan who was crippled in both feet.
David immediately sent for Mephibosheth and had him brought to Jerusalem. When Mephibosheth arrived, he bowed down before David in fear, as he was the grandson of the previous king who had been at war with David. But instead of punishing him, David showed Mephibosheth kindness and compassion. He restored to him all the land that had belonged to Saul and invited him to eat at his table like one of the king’s sons.
On the surface, chapter 9 may seem like a simple story of kindness and generosity, but it holds a deeper meaning and significance. This chapter reveals the true character of David as a just and merciful ruler. Despite the fact that Mephibosheth was the grandson of his enemy, David showed him love and compassion, fulfilling his promise to Jonathan to show kindness to his descendants. This act of kindness also served as a way for David to show that he was not seeking revenge against Saul’s family and that he was a ruler who could be trusted and respected.
Furthermore, the story of Mephibosheth also highlights the theme of redemption and forgiveness. Mephibosheth was a crippled man, a symbol of his broken and helpless state. But David not only restored his land and wealth, but he also invited him to eat at his table as one of his own sons. This act of kindness and acceptance can be seen as a form of redemption for Mephibosheth, as he was no longer an outcast but was welcomed into the royal family. Similarly, this can be seen as a reflection of God’s forgiveness and redemption for all of humanity, despite our brokenness and sinfulness.
Moreover, the story of Mephibosheth also serves as a foreshadowing of the coming of Jesus Christ. Just as David showed kindness and mercy to Mephibosheth, who was from the house of Saul, Jesus came to show kindness and mercy to all of humanity, regardless of their background or past. This chapter also shows how the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you,” was being fulfilled through the actions of David towards Mephibosheth. This promise was ultimately fulfilled through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who came from the line of David.
There are several valuable lessons that we can learn from chapter 9 of 2 Samuel.
Firstly, it teaches us the importance of keeping our promises and showing kindness and compassion towards others. David had made a promise to Jonathan to show kindness to his descendants, and he kept that promise even though it would have been easier for him to ignore it. Similarly, as Christians, we are called to keep our promises and show love and compassion to those around us, just as God has shown us love and compassion.
Secondly, this chapter also highlights the importance of forgiveness and redemption. David’s act of kindness towards Mephibosheth can be seen as a form of redemption for him, and it serves as a reminder that God offers redemption and forgiveness to all who seek it. We are all broken and in need of God’s grace and forgiveness, and through the sacrifice of Jesus, we can find redemption and restoration.
Lastly, chapter 9 also teaches us about the character of God. Just as David showed love and compassion to Mephibosheth, God shows us His love and compassion every day. He is a just and merciful ruler, and He offers us forgiveness and redemption through His son, Jesus Christ. This chapter serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and His promise to bless all nations through the line of David.
In conclusion, chapter 9 of 2 Samuel is a beautiful and powerful story that reveals the true character of King David and the faithfulness of God. It teaches us about the importance of keeping our promises, showing kindness and compassion towards others, and the themes of forgiveness and redemption. It also serves as a foreshadowing of the coming of Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of God’s promise to bless all nations through the line of David. This chapter serves as a reminder of God’s love and faithfulness, and it encourages us to show the same love and compassion towards others, just as David did towards Mephibosheth.
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