Bible Commentaries

REFLECTIONS.—When princes are in adversity they can be familiar with their faithful friends; but on being elevated to the throne, and thronged with the cares of government, they are apt to leave them neglected and almost forgotten. David’s virtues were however of a superior character. The moment he had returned from a succession of victories, and while crowded with the congratulations of a faithful people, he enquired whether any remained of the house of Saul. He remembered the covenant he had made with Jonathan and with Saul, and that God was the witness of every compact.

David also was mindful of his covenant, though it would be deemed null and void by all his court, because of the seven years’ resistance and damage occasioned to the kingdom by the opposition of Ishbosheth and Abner. What magnanimity—what generosity—what benevolence in the Lord’s anointed!

David gave Mephibosheth all the lands of Saul, and his house, not only when they had been fairly forfeited by the long and injurious revolt; but when David had a numerous race of princes to provide for, as well as victorious relatives and generals, who would require establishments correspondent to the services they had rendered the king. Happy were Israel in the virtues of their sovereign. Every man who had contracted a disadvantageous covenant with his neighbour, and every guardian of the orphan might learn of him how to conduct himself with equity and honour.

While David treated Mephibosheth as a prince and a son, he was kind also to Ziba, a faithful servant in the house of Saul, and invested him with a rental of the fruits, and the management of all the estates. This man must have been either an alien, or a Hebrew servant, who would not at the expiration of seven years leave his master’s house; for he was not made free on the death of Saul. Thus David did for Mephibosheth more than he did for his own sons. On reading this high example of virtue, such as became the best of kings, we cannot but be reminded how faithful and disinterested we ought to be in friendship, and kind to the neglected orphans of those to whom we once owed esteem and love. Yea more; we cannot but be reminded how Christ has loved us, and promised us the kingdom, though we have rebelled against him, and are utterly unworthy of his regard. We eat bread at the king’s table, enjoy the glory of his victories, and the protection of his arm. Happy Mephibosheth: thy father Jonathan still lives in the kindness of David, who inherits all the virtues of thy illustrious sire.