2 Samuel 9:1-10
9:1 David [remembered his covenant with Jonathan (1 Sam. 20:14-17) and Saul (1 Sam. 24:21-22)] asked [note that David did not wait for an opportunity to show kindness but instead took the initiative to do so], “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I [David sought to keep his personal promise to Jonathan] can show kindness [Heb. chesed: a loyal love that is expressed in actions rather than emotions; “Kindness motivated by kindness is merely repayment, but kindness motivated by grace is godly.” (ETB Adult Commentary, Summer 2002, p. 54)] for Jonathan’s sake [David was determined to honor Jonathan’s memory]?”

9:2 Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba [cf. 9:10]. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” “Your servant,” he replied.

9:3 The king asked, “Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s [David understood that God was about to use him to be a blessing to the house of Saul] kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet [literally “crushed of feet”; cf. 2 Sam. 4:4 re: childhood injury that resulted in Mephibosheth’s disability].”

Note: “The greatest thing a man can do for his Heavenly Father is to be kind to some of His other children.” (Henry Drummond)

“The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.” (William Wordsworth)

9:4 “Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir [apparently had been a loyal supporter of Saul since he had taken in Saul’s grandson; Makir later provided for David during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Sam. 17:27-29)] son of Ammiel in Lo Debar [located in the region of Gilead east of the Jordan River].”

9:5 So King David had [suggests David issued order rather than invitation] him brought [literally “sent and took him”] from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.

9:6 When Mephibosheth [means “from the mouth of shame” or “one who scatters shame”; reasons why Jonathan gave his son this name are not known] son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “Your servant [indicates submission/subservience],” he replied.

9:7 “Don’t be afraid [implies that David sensed Mephibosheth’s fear],” David said [David’s words completely changed Mephibosheth’s life] to him, “for I will surely show you kindness [note two ways in which David demonstrated kindness to Mephibosheth] for the sake of your father Jonathan [David’s kindness motivated by his love for Jonathan and not by pity over Mephibosheth’s physical condition]. [1] I will restore to you all the land [ownership of land represented power, wealth, stability] that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and [2] you will always eat at my table.”

Note: What privileges and blessings has God given you? How can you use those privileges and resources to benefit others?

9:8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog [emphasizes complete unworthiness; common expression of Middle Eastern humility] like me?”

9:9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said [David informed Ziba of his decisions re: Mephibosheth] to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything [David’s kindness provided Mephibosheth with a more secure future] that belonged to Saul and his family.

9:10 You [Ziba would function as chief steward of Saul’s former estate] and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson [the ongoing affairs of Mephibosheth’s estate] may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)