Scriptural text: 2 Samuel 9:1-7, 9-12
Lesson Background:
After David became king of Israel, he solidified his kingdom. He made Jerusalem his residence and capital city and named it the City of David. He also brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem.
It’s against this backdrop that the story of Mephibosheth unfolded. David was now able to remember his old friend Jonathan, and he wanted to help Jonathan’s descendants. David wanted to remember the friend that had saved his life.
Mephibosheth was crippled as a child when he fled with his nurse after the death of Saul and Jonathan.
A Promised Remembered (2 Samuel 9:1-4).
David’s inquiry after the remains of the house of Saul, v.1 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, v.12. David had too long forgotten his obligation to Jonathan, but now, at length, they are brought to his mind. David sought an opportunity to do good. David inquired of those about him first, (v. 1), he met with a person who was likely to inform him, asked him particularly, Is there any yet left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness? (v. 3), “Is there any, not only to whom I may show kindness?”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. David’s pledge to Jonathan went so far as to ensure continual kindness to the same, even after “the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth” ( 1 Samuel 20:15). Ziba, a former servant of Saul, tells David about Mephibosheth. David could only learn that there was a descendant of Saul still living and could only learn where he was through this servant name Ziba. This meant Mephibosheth was in hiding. Ziba informed David that there is a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet. 2 Samuel 4:4 tells us that the son of Jonathan was made lame in his feet from an accident that occurred when the nurse heard that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. She gathered the boy and fled with haste. She rightly feared that the leader of the new dynasty would execute every potential heir.
Ziba informed David that Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, was in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.
A Promised Fulfilled ( 2 Samuel 9:5-7, 9-11).
Then King David sent and brought him out of the house. Mephibosheth must have been terrified when messengers knocked at his door and demanded that he come with them to see the king. In the back of his mind was that David would do as other kings did and massacre every potential rival to his throne. He fell on his face and prostrated himself. According to the custom of the times, Mephibosheth had a lot to fear from David.
David removes the fears of Mephibosheth ( 2 Samuel 9:7-8).
“Do not fear. I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake.” David made a covenant with Jonathan in 1 Samuel 20, promising to show kindness to the descendants of Jonathan. David made good on his promise, though Jonathan was long dead. David simply promised Mephibosheth that he would receive what was his. “Will restore to you all the land of Saul”. David went against all custom in showing such kindness to an heir to a former dynasty. “And you shall eat at my table continually” – This went far beyond giving Mephibosheth what was rightly his. David gave Mephibosheth the honor of a close relationship with the king.
References: Matthew Henry Commentary, Enduring Word, 2021-2022 KJV Standard Lesson Commentary