Bible Commentaries

And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for ^a Jonathan's sake?

(a) Because of my oath and promise made to Jonathan, (1 Samuel 20:15).

And the king said, [Is] there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the ^b kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, [which is] lame on [his] feet.

(b) Such mercy as shall be acceptable to God.

Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of ^c Ammiel, from Lodebar.

(c) Who was also called Eliam the father of Bathsheba, David's wife.

And he bowed himself, and said, What [is] thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such ^d a dead dog as I [am]?

(d) Meaning, a despised person.

Thou therefore, and ^e 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.

(e) Be ye provident overseers and governors of his lands, that they may be profitable.

Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. ^f As for Mephibosheth, [said the king], he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.

(f) That Mephibosheth may have all things at commandment, as becomes a king's son.