II Samuel Chapter 9

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Introduction: David and Mephibosheth is one of the loveliest scenes in the life of David. To appreciate it properly we need to recall his earlier experiences. The unkind treatment David received from the hands of Saul and the jealousy which was awakened in that king’s heart when he heard the women celebrating in song the victory of Jesse’s youthful son over Goliath. How,that later he sought to kill David. Finally, how that David had to flee for his life and how relentlessly the king pursued him, determined to kill him.

Saul and his sons were slain in battle, and David had ascended the throne of Israel. A most admirable spirit did King David now display: instead of using his royal power tyrannically or maliciously, he put it to a most noble use: to return good For evil, to extend pity to the descendant of his foe, to befriend one who might well have feared death at his hands, was David’s next act.

I. David and Mephibosheth

2 Sam 9:1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

2 Sam 9:2 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.

2 Sam 9:3 And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

As we pickup the story here in Chapter 9, David is now fully established upon his throne. As we studied two weeks ago, God had made the Davidic Covenant with him. David therefore turned his attention to his old friend Jonathan. “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?”

There are no clear date markers in the text, but it may be that as much as sixteen years had passed since the battle of Gilboa when Saul and Jonathan had been killed. David had been focused upon establishing his reign and extending his kingdom.

He had captured Jerusalem, moved there, and developed the city. He no doubt had thought of Jonathan. But now one day, he asked his aides if there were any descendants of Jonathan still left. The large heart of David is apparent. He expressed a desire to deal kindly with any descendants of his old and dear friend Jonathan.

In verse 3, Ziba, a former servant of Saul, informed him that there indeed was one son of Jonathan. However, he was crippled in his feet.

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