Annotations Upon the Historical Books Part 2, 2 Samuel · Chapter 9
CHAP. IX.
Verſ. 1. ANd David ſaid is there yet any left of the houſe of Saul? &c.] Thus David began now to call to mind the covenant he made with Jonathan, 1. Sam. 20.14, 15. And thou ſhalt not onelyonly while yet I live ſhew me the kindneſſe of the Lord that I die not. But alſo thou ſhalt not cut off thy kindneſſe from my houſe for…ever, no not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David. It may ſeem ſtrange indeed, that David did not long ago think of this, or that now thinking of it, he ſhould know nothing of Mephiboſheth Jonathans ſonne; but for the firſt of theſe we may aſcribe it to the continuall warres wherewith he had been hitherto encumbred, and beſides, we know that in the ſacred Hiſtory all things are not ſet down in the very ſame order wherein they were done: and for the ſecond, we muſt conſider, firſt, that David having lived as an exile both from the court and kingdome of Iſrael a long time, might happely know nothing of this child of Jonathans when he came to the crown: ſecondly, that the friends of Saul might purpoſely conceal him for fear of David: thirdly, that David was not through jealouſie and fear inquiſitive after Sauls poſterity: and fourthly, that there is no cauſe why we ſhould be ſo ſolicitous to clear David from being too remiſſe in taking care of performing the covenant which he had made with Jonathan. However obſervable it is, that when he enquired whether there were any left of Sauls family he expreſſed the reaſon, That I may ſhew him kindneſſe for Jonathans ſake: for doubtleſſe this was added purpoſely, that his courtiers might not forbear to deal plainly with him, for fear he ſhould enquire after them with an ill intent.
Verſ. 3. Is there not yet any of the houſe of Saul, that I may ſhew the kindneſſe of God unto him?] That is, that great kindneſſe that in the preſence of God I promiſed to Jonathan; or the kindneſſe which God ſheweth to the fatherleſſe and afflicted, yea to his very enemies, and which he likewiſe requires, that we ſhould ſhew to them that are in diſtreſſe and miſery, that we may be like herein to God. All this may be comprehended in this expreſſion; and it was indeed in the very ſame tearms challenged from David when Jonathan made a covenant with him, 1. Sam. 20.14, 15. And thou ſhalt not onelyonly while yet I live▪ ſhew me the kindneſſe of the Lord that I die not: But alſo thou ſhalt not cut off thy kindneſſe from my houſe for ever▪ &c.
Verſ. 4. Behold, he is in the houſe of Machir, the ſonne of Ammiel in Lodebar.] A place beyond Jordan, ſee chap. 17.27. ſo farre from Jeruſalem he was perhaps purpoſely removed, that he might be the better concealed from David.
Verſ. 6. Now when Mephiboſheth the ſonne of Jonathan, &c.] Who is alſo called Merib-baal, 1. Chron. 8.34.
Verſ. 7. I will ſurely ſhew thee kindneſſe, for Jonathan thy fathers ſake, and will reſtore thee all the land of Saul thy father, &c.] This land of Sauls had been hitherto it ſeems in Davids hands, either by way of confiſcation, becauſe of Iſhboſheths rebellion, or by title of ſucceſſion, as crown lands belonging to the king of Iſrael, or by right of inheritance, becauſe David had married Sauls daughter, according to the law, Num. 27.8. If a man die and have no ſonne, then ye ſhall cauſe his inheritance to paſſe to his daughter.
Verſ. 10. And thou ſhalt bring in the fruits, that thy maſters ſonne may have food to eat, &c.] That is, that Mephiboſheth thy maſter Sauls ſonne may have wherewith to nouriſh and provide for his ſonne, and the reſt of his family. Many Expoſitours hold, that by his maſters ſonne in theſe words is meant Micha, mentioned verſ. 12. the ſonne of Mephiboſheth, who was now Ziba's maſter; and ſo they take the drift of Davids words to be this; that with the fruits of the land he ſhould nouriſh Micha his maſter Mephiboſheths ſonne, and that Mephiboſheth himſelf ſhould live with him in his Court, and eat at his table; but becauſe in the verſe immediately before this by his masters ſonne is meant Mephiboſheth, I have given to thy maſters ſonne all that pertaineth to Saul, and to all his houſe: and ſo likewiſe in the words immediately following, But Mephiboſheth thy masters ſonne ſhall eat bread alway at my table; I cannot think that in theſe words between, he ſhould not mean the ſame by his masters ſonne; onelyonly indeed it is plain by theſe words▪ that thy masters ſonne may have food to eat, is onelyonly meant, that he might have food in his houſe for his family to eat; for the next words ſhew, that himſelf was to be continually at Davids table, But Mephiboſheth thy maſters ſonne ſhall eat bread alway at my table.
Verſ. 12. And Mephiboſheth had a young ſonne, whoſe name was Micha.] Mephiboſheth was but five years old, when Saul and Jonathan were ſlain, chap. 4.4. and now he had a young ſonne: ſo long it was after Sauls death, ere David began to think of requiting the love which Jonathan had ſhewn to him.