2Sa 9 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Sam 9:1-13: 9:1-13 David showed mercy to Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s crippled son. The incident is sandwiched between David’s victories in battle (8:1-18 , 10 ), indicating that David also had concern for individuals and a compassionate heart. 9:1 show kindness: The Hebrew word ( khesed ) speaks of covenant loyalty and faithfulness. The word frequently describes God’s commitment to his people, but it can also describe the devotion and loyalty between any two persons. David’s use of the word here echoes the language of the covenant of friendship between himself and Jonathan (1 Sam 20:12-17 ). • for Jonathan’s sake: Mephibosheth was Saul’s only remaining descendant and the only son of Jonathan.

Summary for 2Sam 9:1-13: 9:1-13 ^a David showed mercy to Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s crippled son. The incident is sandwiched between David’s victories in battle (8:1-18 ^b, 10 ^c), indicating that David also had concern for individuals and a compassionate heart. 9:1 ^d show kindness: The Hebrew word (khesed) speaks of covenant loyalty and faithfulness. The word frequently describes God’s commitment to his people, but it can also describe the devotion and loyalty between any two persons. David’s use of the word here echoes the language of the covenant of friendship between himself and Jonathan (1 Sam 20:12-17 ^e).

• for Jonathan’s sake: Mephibosheth was Saul’s only remaining descendant and the only son of Jonathan.
9:3 ^f Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet from a childhood accident (see 4:4 ^g).
9:4 ^h Lo-debar was a small town in northern Transjordan (the area east of the Jordan), close to Mahanaim, the capital city of Mephibosheth’s late uncle, Ishbosheth. The town was also near Jabesh-gilead, where Saul first made a name for himself (1 Sam 11:1-13 ⁱ).

• Makir son of Ammiel, Mephibosheth’s host, later supported David during Absalom’s revolt (2 Sam 17:27 ^j).
9:5 ^k As Saul had once sent for David (1 Sam 16:19 ^l), now David sent for Mephibosheth. However, Saul sent for someone to minister to him, whereas David sent for someone to whom he could minister.
9:6 ^m Given Mephibosheth’s physical limitations, bowing low to the ground must have been very difficult.
9:7 ⁿ David had confiscated all the property that had belonged to ... Saul.
9:8 ^o a dead dog like me: Mephibosheth knew that anyone with a possible claim to the throne might be killed as a threat.
9:11 ^p Both Ziba and Mephibosheth (9:6 ^q) used the phrase “I am your servant” when presenting themselves before King David. By referring to himself as David’s servant, Ziba showed that he was no longer loyal to Saul’s dynasty. The sincerity of both later came into question (16:1-4 ^r; 19:17-30 ^s).
9:13 ^t crippled in both feet: See 4:4 ^u.