2 Samuel 9 (Listen)
David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
9:1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. 6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson. 10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s1 table, like one of the king’s sons. 12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba’s house became Mephibosheth’s servants. 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.
Footnotes
[1] 9:11
(ESV)
2 Samuel 9 Commentary
In 2 Samuel 9, David sought to honor his covenant with Jonathan by asking if anyone remained from Saul’s family to whom he could show kindness (2 Samuel 9:1). A servant named Ziba informed him about Jonathan’s disabled son, Mephibosheth, who was living in Lo-debar (2 Samuel 9:2–4). David had Mephibosheth brought to him, assured him not to fear, and promised to restore Saul’s land and grant him a permanent seat at the king’s table (2 Samuel 9:5-7).
Mephibosheth humbly responded, referring to himself as a “dead dog” (2 Samuel 9:8). David instructed Ziba and his household to farm the land for Mephibosheth while he would dine continually with the king (2 Samuel 9:9-10). Ziba obeyed, and Mephibosheth was treated like one of David’s sons (2 Samuel 9:11). He lived in Jerusalem with his own son, Mica, and despite his physical disability, he remained honored at the royal table (2 Samuel 9:12-13).
Foreshadowing God’s Grace
Mephibosheth’s story reminds us of the grace God extends to the undeserving. Though born into a royal line, Mephibosheth was living in obscurity, cut off from the palace and crippled by a fall (2 Samuel 9:3, 13). Metaphorically, he represents the lost sinner. Mephibosheth was born into a fallen family, spiritually crippled, and living far from God’s best (Rom 5:12, Eph 2:1–3). Lo-debar, his home, literally means “no pasture.” This is a picture of the emptiness of life apart from Christ.
David, moved by his covenant with Jonathan, took the initiative to seek Mephibosheth. Note: this was not because of what Mephibosheth had done, but because of David’s promise. In the same way, Salvation begins with God’s initiative. We don’t earn His grace; He seeks us out and calls us by name (Luk 19:10, Eph 1:6, Eph 4:32).
When Mephibosheth appeared before David, he came in humility, expecting nothing. But instead of condemnation, David offered peace, restoration, and a permanent place at his table. Just as Mephibosheth was treated like a son, believers are welcomed into God’s family, not as servants trying to earn favor, but as children through faith in Christ (Joh 1:12, 1 Joh 3:1).
David provided for Mephibosheth’s every need. He gave him land, servants, honor, and protection. In Christ, we are joint-heirs and fully provided for, spiritually and eternally (Rom 8:17, Eph 1:11-18, 1 Pe 1:4).
Later, during David’s exile, Mephibosheth’s loyalty was tested. Though slandered by Ziba, he remained faithful, longing not for land or riches, but simply the return of his king (2 Sam 16:1-4; 2 Sam 19:24-30). In the same way, believers today await the return of our King – Jesus Christ (Php 3:20).
“In his dealings with Mephibosheth, David exemplified God’s grace. Mephibosheth was wonderfully blessed, not because of anything he did, but because of David’s faithfulness to a covenant promise. Likewise, believers are blessed, not because of any good work (Eph 2:8-9), but because of God’s faithfulness to the New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34) and the promises of the gospel. As Mephibosheth was regarded as an adopted son—like one of the king’s sons—with attendant privileges and blessings, so believers have been adopted as sons and daughters into the family of God (Joh 1:12; Rom 8:15; Eph 1:5).”
Nelson’s New Illustrated Commentary
David’s Promise Fulfilled
David was a man of his word. So, as he was reflecting on Saul’s family, David remembered his oath of friendship with Jonathan and desired to follow through with what he had pledged (1 Sam 20:14-17).
David wanted to “show the kindness of God” to Saul’s family (2 Samuel 9:3). This takes us back to 1 Samuel 20, when David was on the run from Saul. He will fulfill that promise because it was made to Jonathan, but more importantly, because it was vowed before the Living God (Ecc 5:4-5). David didn’t have to do this, but again, he was a man of his word.
What would follow is an incredible act of mercy that was unheard of in that culture. Although Mephibosheth was crippled (2 Samuel 9:3), it was common for a new king to completely wipe out the previous king’s family (2 Ki 11:1). This was done to eliminate any threat of mutiny against the new regime. David went against the grain of culture because he was a man of integrity (Psa 15:4).
Mephibosheth is shocked. He doesn’t understand why David would want to be so good to him (2 Samuel 9:8).
Is this not the reaction that the church should be seeing from the world? David’s act embodied the counter-cultural DNA of King Jesus. Instead of conquering those who have wronged you, love them instead (Luk 6:27-28). Instead of seeking revenge, seek reconciliation (Rom 12:17-18). Instead of living at war with others, seek to live in peace (Heb 12:14).
So, again I ask. Is this not the reaction the church should be seeing from the world? Are the people around you shocked at the mercy you extend? Do the people who have wronged you experience the extension of grace that was given to you by God (Eph 4:32, Col 3:13)?
