Sunday, December 12, 2021
Lesson: II Samuel 9:1-7, 9-12; Time of Action: about 1000
B.C.; Place of Action: Jerusalem
Golden Text: “And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (II Samuel 9:1).
I. INTRODUCTION. As we study the life of David, although he was known as a man of war (see II Samuel 17:7-8), we learn that he was also a kindhearted king and one who ruled with justice (see II Samuel 8:15). This week’s lesson reveals the kindness of David shown to one of King Saul’s sons,
Mephibosheth, which makes it easy for us to understand why Samuel said that David was a man after God’s own heart (see I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). The only thing recorded in this chapter is the kindness David showed to Jonathan’s son
because of the love he and Jonathan had for each other (see I Samuel 18:1-3: II Samuel 1:26).
II. THE LESSON BACKGROUND. Our lesson takes place after David revealed to Nathan the prophet that he wanted to build God a house after bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (see II Samuel 6:12-17; 7:1-3). Sometime after this, David extended his kingdom by conquering many of the
surrounding nations, including the Philistines (II Samuel 8:11-14). Our lesson begins after some of the officers in David’s administration were named (see II Samuel 8:16-18).
III. DAVID REMEMBERS HIS PROMISE (II Samuel 9:1-4)
A. David’s search (II Samuel 9:1-3).
1. (vs. 1). Our first verse says “And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” During the time that “David” was hiding from King “Saul” because
“Saul” threatened to kill him (see I Samuel 20:30-33; 21:10),
“David” had a chance to kill “Saul” but instead, while king
“Saul” was in a cave squatting down, “David” simply cut part of the end of the king’s robe without him knowing it to show how close he had been to him (see I Samuel 24:1-4, 10-11). When King “Saul” and his men left the cave and were at a safe distance, “David” revealed himself to “Saul”
and told him that he had a chance to kill him but he didn’t because he refused to harm the LORD’s anointed (see I Samuel 24:6, 10). As a result, “Saul” felt guilty and remorseful for trying to kill “David” (see I Samuel
24:16-19). Then “Saul” told “David” that he knew that he would one day be king and when that happened he wanted
“David” to promise that he would not cut off his
descendants, and “David” swore that he wouldn’t (see I
Samuel 24:20-22). Now that “David” had been king of Israel
for a few years, undoubtedly he thought about the promise he made to “Saul” and asked those around him “Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” This was a good while after “David” became king, for Mephibosheth,
“Jonathan’s” son was only five years old when “Saul” died and now he himself had a son (see II Samuel 9:12). It seems that “David” had too long forgotten his obligations to
“Jonathan” and his promise to “Saul,” but now they came to mind. Sometimes it’s good to consider if we have any promises or engagements that we have neglected or
forgotten to make good. It’s better to do it late than never at all. It was “forJonathan’s sake,” or because of “David’s”
relationship to “Jonathan” that “David” felt the need to show some type of “kindness” to any of “Saul’s” living relatives. But “David” had no idea that his closest friend
“Jonathan” had a son. So “David” sought out those to whom he could do some good. A lesson for us here is that good people should look for opportunities to show kindness to others because those who need our kindness and charity more often than not need to be sought out. Very seldom will they declare their needs out loud. Note: One may wonder why “David” wouldn’t know if any of “Saul’s” relatives were still alive. Since “David” had been fighting battles early as king, he certainly could not keep up with who was alive and who wasn’t. But the simple and most likely reason “David” was unaware of any of “Saul’s”
relatives being alive was because since “Saul” and his sons, including “Jonathan” had died in battle (see I Samuel 31:1-6) and there was a new king, any
remaining relatives may have went into hiding. When
word came that “Saul” and “Jonathan” were dead,
“Jonathan’s” son Mephibosheth was taken into hiding by his nurse (see II Samuel 4:4).
2. (vs. 2). This verse says “And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And
when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.” Here, we are told that “there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba.” Since “Ziba” is mentioned here, it may be that he was the head “servant” in
“Saul’s” household and had servants of his own (see verse 10). It appears that someone answered “David’s” question (see verse 1) and upon the king’s command “they had
called him unto David.” When “Ziba” appeared before the king, “David” examined him asking him “Art thou Ziba?”
In response to the king, “Ziba” replied, “Thy servant is
he.” He confirmed that he was who the king was looking for and that he was also the king’s “servant.” The fact that he was the king’s “servant” indicates that he was loyal to
“David” and was putting himself at his disposal.
3. (vs. 3). This verse says “And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.” After “Ziba” confirmed who he was, David got right to the point. He asked him “Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him?” In other words, David was asking “Is there no longer anyone left of the family of Saul to whom I may show
the goodness and graciousness of God?” In response, “Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.” David was told that “Jonathan,” Saul’s
“son,” also had “a son” who was alive, but he was crippled;
he was “lame” in both “feet.” We learn how he became
“lame” in II Samuel 4:4 when at five years old after “Saul”
and “Jonathan” died in battle, to protect him, his nurse took him away and in the process of fleeing, Mephibosheth fell and as a result he became “lame.”
B. Ziba’s knowledge (II Samuel 9:4). This verse says “And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.” Now that he was aware that his friend Jonathan had a living son, David wanted to know where he was, so he asked “Where is he?”
In response to David “Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in
Lodebar.” David was told that Jonathan’s lame son was
living with “Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.” The village of “Lodebar” was east of the Jordan River in Gilead.
Since he lived with “Machir” east of the Jordan, seems to indicate that he was kept there in secret to protect him just in case the new king David ever wanted to harm any of Saul’s descendants. What is said about “Ammiel” here is all we know about him. Note: We don’t know much about
“Machir” but it appears that he may have been a very generous free-hearted man since he opened his home to Mephibosheth, not because he was dissatisfied with David or his government, but to show compassion to the son of a prince. Later, we find “Machir” showing
kindness to David when he fled from Absalom, David’s third son (see II Samuel 3:3) who tried to take the
throne from David by force (see II Samuel 15:10-14).
“Machir” is named among those who furnished David and his company with provisions at Mahanaim (see II Samuel 17:27-29). But surely, David, when he sent for Mephibosheth from the home of “Machir” never
thought that the time would come when he himself
would gladly be beholden to him. And maybe “Machir”
showed kindness to David to repay his kindness to
Mephibosheth. Here’s another lesson for us: we should be eager to give to others because we never know when we ourselves may be in need and someone provides for us (see Ecclesiastes 11:1-2; Proverbs 11:25).
IV. DAVID KEEPS HIS PROMISE (II Samuel 9: 5-7, 9-12)
A. Mephibosheth appears before David (II Samuel 9:5-7).
1. (vs. 5). This verse says “Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.” Now that “King David”
knew that Saul had a living descendant, who was also
Jonathan’s “son,” and where he was, all that he needed to do now was send for him. We are told that “David” did just
that; he “sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.”
2. (vs. 6). This verse says “Now when
Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he
answered, Behold thy servant!” When “Mephibosheth”
presented himself to “David,” he did so with all the respect that was due to his position. Even though he was
lame, “when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. When “David” served King Saul (see I Samuel 18:1-7), he showed this same respect and reverence to “Mephibosheth’s” father, Jonathan (see I Samuel
20:41); “he bowed himself to him three times.” And now
“Mephibosheth,” in the same way, when the king
acknowledged him, he replied “Behold thy servant!” This response assured “David” that “Mephibosheth” was willing to serve the king and was not a threat to his throne.
3. (vs. 7). This verse says “And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.” After Mephibosheth submitted himself to the king, “David” received him with all the “kindness”
that he could. First, the king told him to “Fear not” or don’t be afraid. Considering the times, we can understand why Mephibosheth may have been afraid to stand before King
“David.” In ancient times, very often when there was a new king, he would kill the former king and the male members of their family in order to prevent any future attempts to take back the throne. But “David” removed any “fear” that
Mephibosheth may have had when he said “for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father.”
Showing “kindness” to Mephibosheth was a way for
“David” to keep the covenant of friendship he made with
“Jonathan” (see I Samuel 18:3). “David” would show his
“kindness” in at least three ways. First, “David” said “I will surely restore thee all the land of Saul thy father.”
Any property or estate that had belonged to “Saul” would
“surely” be given to Mephibosheth, “Saul’s” grandson. The phrase “Saul thy father” means that “Saul” was his
ancestor not his direct “father;” that was “Jonathan.”
Second, “David” said “and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.” Although the king had given
Mephibosheth a large estate which was certainly enough to maintain him, yet for “Jonathan’s sake,” the king would make him a constant guest at his own “table” where he would not only be comfortably fed, but he would also have company suitable to his birth and quality as the grand-son of a former king. Mephibosheth was lame and does not appear to be fit to do any work, yet for his good “father’s sake,” the king treated him like a member of his family.
B. David’s command (II Samuel 9:9-10). Verse 8 is not part of our printed text, but in that verse, Mephibosheth responded to King David in a way that indicated he didn’t think he belonged in the king’s company. He “bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?” In other words, he wanted to know why the king was being so kind to someone who was no
better than a dead dog.
1. (vs. 9). This verse says “Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.” As if “Ziba” was to be a witness to this granting of “Saul’s” estate to Mephibosheth, David “called to Ziba, Saul’s servant” to confirm to him, as the king said
“I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.” This indicated that David was not only showing “kindness, but he was also a man of justice for he knew that as a descendant of Saul’s, Mephibosheth had a right to everything that belonged to him, his entire estate (see Leviticus 25:23-28). It would appear that “Saul”
had a very good and large estate since his father was “a
mighty man of power” (see I Samuel 9:1), meaning that he had great influence and great wealth and fields and
vineyards to give to his servants (see I Samuel 22:7).
Everything that David gave to Mephibosheth probably even included what God had given David that belonged to Saul when David became king (see II Samuel 12:8). But now Mephibosheth owned it all and was the master of all of it.
2. (vs. 10). This verse says “Thou therefore, and 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.” In thus verse, the management of the estate is committed to “Ziba” for David said “Thou therefore, and 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.”
David’s decision to do this demonstrated wisdom because who would be better to manage the estate than “Ziba” who knew all about it and how to make the most of it. As the
“servant” of both King Saul and Jonathan, “Ziba” also had a large family which included “fifteen sons and twenty
servants.” David said that he had plenty of help to “till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat.” In addition, “Ziba’s”
work on the land would continue to provide provisions for his own large family as well as for “Mephibosheth.” The
number of men “Ziba” had available to work farming the land shows that the properties Saul owned were very large.
Unfortunately, the number also indicates the power “Ziba”
had, and his potential threat to Mephibosheth (see II Samuel 16:3; 19:26). Even though “Ziba’s” job was to ensure that
“Mephibosheth” had plenty of food, David said “but
Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. As noted earlier (see comments on verse 7), David would treat “Mephibosheth” like a member of his own
family, allowing him to always “eat” at the king’s “table.
C. Mephibosheth’s better life (II Samuel 9:11-12).
1. (vs. 11). This verse says “Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.” Here, “Ziba” responds to the king’s command in verse 10 indicating his loyalty and
obedience saying “According to all that my lord the king
hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do.”
Acknowledging the king as “my lord” or “my master”
indicates “Ziba’s” willingness to submit to King David.
Seeing himself as the king’s “servant,” he was committed to do everything that David had “commanded” him to do. But let’s not think that “Ziba” would always be faithful to the king, for in II Samuel 16:3, we learn of his unfaithfulness when he lied to David saying that Mephibosheth was
planning to take the kingdom from him and restore it to the descendants of Saul. In the last part of this verse, David repeated what he had said earlier (see verses 7 & 10)
concerning Mephibosheth; He said, “As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.” Again, this means that David would treat
“Mephibosheth” like he was a member of the king’s family.
By allowing him to “eat” at his “table” David would be treating “Mephibosheth” like one of his “sons.”
2. (vs. 12). Our final verse says “And
Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.” Here we are told that
“Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was
Micha.” It may be that this was important to note because
“Micha” would be the one to continue the family line of Saul (see I Chronicles 8:34-37). The reason is not given, but in I Chronicles 8:34, “Mephibosheth” is called Meribbaal. We don’t know what kind of life “Mephibosheth” had while living in Lodebar with Machir (see verse s 4-5). But what we do know is that because of King David’s kindness and the justice he showed to him, “Mephibosheth” was now living
the good life for “all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.”
V. Conclusion. David showed kindness and justice to Mephibosheth because he had promised King Saul that he would not cut off his descendants. But David was also kind and just to Mephibosheth because Jonathan, Mephibosheth’s father and Saul’s son had been kind to him. As a man after God’s own heart, David sought to rule Israel by
demonstrating the characteristics of divine justice that God required of all Israelites. To demonstrate justice and
kindness, as believers we must be ready to go beyond simply loving those who love us; we must love those who don’t love us as well (see Matthew 5:43-48), and treat everyone the way we want to be treated, fairly and with kindness (see Luke
6:30-33).
***The Sunday School Lesson; The International Sunday School Lesson Curriculum***
