2 Samuel Chapter 9

David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
A. David’s Kind Heart Toward the House of Saul

(2 Samuel 9:1) — “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?”

David’s heart was moved by mercy rather than vengeance. His question, “Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul?” reflected genuine compassion rather than political calculation. In those days, it was common for a new king to exterminate every member of the previous dynasty to eliminate potential threats. Yet David, instead of following worldly custom, desired to show kindness for Jonathan’s sake. This was a radical act of grace and covenant loyalty. It demonstrated that David’s rule was not characterized by fear or ambition, but by a godly heart shaped by love and remembrance.

This question mirrored the earlier concern he expressed in 2 Samuel 7, when he sought to do something for God. There he asked, “See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains” (2 Samuel 7:2). His focus had always been outward—first toward God, now toward others. A godly man considers both the Lord’s glory and the welfare of those around him.

David’s motivation sprang from his covenant with Jonathan. Jonathan had said to David, “And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever” (1 Samuel 20:14–15). Years had passed, but David had not forgotten that sacred promise. His actions were not driven by emotion but by faithfulness. His kindness mirrored the covenant faithfulness of God Himself.

(2 Samuel 9:2–4) — “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. 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. 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 Lo-debar.”

The name Ziba reappears later in Scripture, showing that he was once a trusted servant in Saul’s household. It was through Ziba that David learned of Mephibosheth’s existence. The fact that this information was obscure shows that Mephibosheth was living in secrecy, hidden away in fear. Under normal circumstances, the descendant of a fallen dynasty would be executed. Thus, Mephibosheth’s concealment reveals both his awareness of the danger and the dark shadow that had followed Saul’s legacy.

David’s phrase “the kindness of God” reveals the nature of his intent. He did not merely want to show human mercy but divine mercy—the kind of grace that flows from the very character of God. This kindness was not earned, nor was it deserved. It was based solely on covenant promise and love, much like God’s mercy toward sinners. As Titus 3:4–5 declares, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.”

Ziba’s answer revealed that Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was “lame on his feet.” This condition was not by birth but the result of an accident. 2 Samuel 4:4 records, “And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame.” The child’s nurse, fearing the vengeance of a new king, fled in panic, and in the rush the boy was dropped, leaving him crippled for life. That one fall marked him physically just as Saul’s fall marked his dynasty spiritually.

Mephibosheth’s identity as “a son of Jonathan” meant that, according to worldly reasoning, he was the rightful heir to Saul’s throne. He was the grandson of the former king and the son of the eldest prince. To most monarchs, such a man would represent a threat to be eliminated. Yet David’s heart was not ruled by politics but by grace. His response defied the instincts of the flesh and reflected the mercy of God.

The Scripture later records that some still held loyalty to Saul’s house. In 2 Samuel 16:5–8, a man named Shimei cursed David and called him “thou man of Belial,” accusing him of usurping Saul’s throne. Such bitterness proved that there remained a faction within Israel that resented David’s rule. In theory, Mephibosheth could have been used by such men to rally opposition. Nevertheless, David’s kindness was not hindered by suspicion or fear. His actions flowed from grace, not calculation.

Ziba reported that Mephibosheth was “in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.” This was a place of obscurity and poverty. The name Lo-debar literally means “no pasture,” symbolizing barrenness and isolation. Mephibosheth, once the grandson of Israel’s first king, was now a crippled man dependent upon the charity of others, dwelling in a place of desolation. This illustrates the fall of man’s glory. As Proverbs 29:23 says, “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”

Yet even in Lo-debar, God had preserved him for a purpose. The mention of Machir is also significant, for he later proved loyal to David during Absalom’s rebellion, bringing food and supplies to sustain the king in his time of need (2 Samuel 17:27–29). This indicates that Machir was a man of generosity and integrity, caring for the helpless even at personal risk. God often works through such hidden acts of kindness to preserve His purposes in history.

B. David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth

(2 Samuel 9:5–6) — “Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar. 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!”

David, keeping his covenant promise to Jonathan, sent royal messengers to bring Mephibosheth from Lo-debar, that barren and forgotten place. This command must have struck fear into Mephibosheth’s heart. For his entire life, he had lived in obscurity, convinced that David, like all other kings, would eliminate potential heirs of the former dynasty to secure his throne. When the royal entourage arrived at his door, he must have assumed the worst—that his time of hiding had come to an end. What had been a distant fear had now become a reality.

His journey from Lo-debar to Jerusalem symbolized more than a change in location; it represented the transition from shame and fear to grace and restoration. Before the king, Mephibosheth immediately “fell on his face and did reverence.” He bowed low in humility, fully aware of his helplessness before the king’s authority. He expected condemnation, not compassion.

David called him by name—“Mephibosheth”—and that personal address must have startled him. Instead of hearing a command for execution, he heard his name spoken kindly from the mouth of the one who had every right to destroy him. His reply, “Behold thy servant,” reveals a posture of submission and fear, but also respect. At that moment, Mephibosheth stood as a picture of the sinner before Christ—guilty, powerless, expecting judgment, but instead hearing the voice of grace.

Mephibosheth’s fear was based on assumption, not truth. For years he had hidden from the very one who intended to bless him. His life in hiding had been built upon a false image of the king, much like how sinners often hide from God, fearing wrath instead of realizing His desire to show mercy. Romans 2:4 reminds us, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

(2 Samuel 9:7–8) — “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. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?”

The first words out of David’s mouth—“Fear not”—were filled with grace. They were the same kind of words spoken by God and His messengers throughout Scripture to those who trembled in His presence. Like the angel’s assurance to Mary (“Fear not, for thou hast found favour with God” – Luke 1:30) and to the shepherds at Bethlehem (“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy” – Luke 2:10), David’s words brought unexpected peace to a frightened soul. These words would have been meaningless unless followed by action, but David immediately gave him reason to trust.

David declared, “I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake.” His motivation was covenant love, not pity. He remembered his sacred promise to Jonathan made many years earlier, as recorded in 1 Samuel 20:14–17, “And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever.” David now honored that covenant in full, displaying the faithfulness of one whose heart was after God’s own heart.

He further said, “I will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father.” This meant that Mephibosheth would once again possess the royal estates that had belonged to his grandfather, Saul. For years these lands had lain under someone else’s control, yet David willingly restored them, not out of obligation but out of pure grace. This act reversed the expected order of worldly justice. Instead of stripping him of inheritance, David restored what was lost. This is a profound picture of redemption—the undeserving heir receiving restoration from the gracious king.

Yet David’s kindness did not stop there. He added, “And thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.” This was not mere provision but fellowship. David was inviting Mephibosheth to share his royal table as a son, granting him permanent access to the king’s presence. It was a position of honor and intimacy, not charity. In this we see a remarkable foreshadowing of Christ’s mercy toward sinners. The Lord said to His disciples, “That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Luke 22:30). Likewise, every believer who was once estranged and fearful is now invited to sit at the table of grace, not as an enemy but as a child.

Mephibosheth’s reply was filled with humility: “What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?” In the ancient world, to call oneself a “dead dog” was to confess total unworthiness. Mephibosheth recognized that he had nothing to offer David—no merit, no strength, and no claim. His words echo the sinner’s confession before a holy God. Just as the publican prayed in Luke 18:13, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” Mephibosheth approached David in humility and brokenness.

All those years of fear and isolation had shaped how he viewed himself. Living as a cripple in exile, he had come to believe he was worthless. Yet David saw him differently. Grace always sees beyond what sin and shame have defined. As Psalm 113:7–8 declares, “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.”

3. (2 Samuel 9:9–12) David’s Instructions to Ziba

(2 Samuel 9:9–12) — “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. 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. 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. And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.”

David’s generosity extended beyond words. Not only did he restore Mephibosheth’s inheritance, but he ensured its fruitfulness by assigning laborers to work it. The king called upon Ziba, the former servant of Saul, and commanded him to manage the estates that once belonged to Saul’s family. David declared, “I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.” This statement was both legal and merciful, reinstating to Mephibosheth the full dignity of his royal heritage.

David added, “Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him.” The king not only gave the land but appointed a workforce to maintain it. Mephibosheth, being lame, could not tend the land himself. David’s provision ensured that the inheritance would not become a burden but a blessing. The harvest would feed Mephibosheth’s household, though David made it clear that Mephibosheth’s personal sustenance would come from the royal table: “But Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table.” This signified continual fellowship and favor.

The mention that Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants underscores the scope of David’s kindness. Mephibosheth went from living in another man’s house in Lo-debar to having an entire household of servants and a productive estate restored to him. Ziba, who once served Saul, now served Saul’s descendant under David’s gracious authority.

Ziba responded with full submission: “According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do.” His obedience acknowledged David’s rightful rule and the legitimacy of Mephibosheth’s restored position. Then David again reaffirmed, “As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.” This repetition emphasizes the permanence of Mephibosheth’s place at the king’s table. He was not treated as a guest or a servant but as a son.

The text also mentions Mephibosheth’s young son, Micha, showing that David’s grace extended to future generations. God’s blessings often overflow beyond the individual recipient. As Psalm 103:17 says, “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children.” The closing note that “all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth” reveals the total reversal of fortune—he who once depended on others now had others depending on him. Grace not only lifts the fallen but establishes them in new dignity.

David’s actions here mirror the divine pattern of redemption. The Lord not only saves us from ruin but also restores what was lost, appoints laborers for our benefit, and grants us fellowship at His table. As Psalm 23:5 declares, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

4. (2 Samuel 9:13) David Fulfills His Promise to Mephibosheth

(2 Samuel 9:13) — “So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.”

This closing verse beautifully summarizes the transformation in Mephibosheth’s life. Once an outcast living in fear, he now dwelled openly in Jerusalem, the city of God’s presence. “So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem.” He was no longer hiding from the king but dwelling in fellowship with him. Grace had replaced fear.

He “did eat continually at the king’s table.” The repetition of this phrase throughout the chapter underscores the constancy of David’s kindness. This was not a temporary gesture but an enduring relationship. It speaks of continual fellowship, daily communion, and perpetual favor. Just as Mephibosheth had a permanent place at David’s table, so believers have a continual place at the Lord’s table of grace.

The final phrase, “and was lame on both his feet,” reminds us that his physical weakness remained. Grace transformed his position but did not remove his infirmity. This serves as a profound spiritual truth: salvation delivers us from condemnation, not necessarily from every earthly limitation. We are still weak in ourselves, but grace gives us a new standing before God. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Typological and Spiritual Application

David’s grace to Mephibosheth stands as one of the clearest Old Testament portraits of God’s grace toward the believer. Mephibosheth represents the sinner, helpless and undeserving, while David represents the divine King extending covenant mercy. The parallels are striking:

• We are hiding, poor, and fearful before the King comes to us.

• We are separated from our King because of the sin of our forefathers, as through Adam all fell (Romans 5:12).

• We are separated from our King by our own deliberate actions and rebellion.

• We avoid the King because we do not truly know Him or His love for us.

• Our King seeks us long before we seek Him.

• The King’s kindness is extended for the sake of Another—just as God’s mercy comes to us for Christ’s sake (Ephesians 4:32: “Even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”).

• The King’s kindness is based on covenant promise, not merit.

• We must receive His kindness in humility, recognizing our unworthiness.

• The King restores what we lost in rebellion and gives even more than we forfeited.

• We are granted continual provision and fellowship at the King’s table.

• We are adopted as sons, with full access to His presence (Galatians 4:7: “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”).

• The King appoints servants and blessings for our good.

• Though our weakness remains, it no longer defines us, for we now live under royal favor.

Likewise, David’s conduct provides a pattern for the believer’s ministry toward others. Just as David reflected God’s heart, so should we:

• Seek out those who are forgotten, poor, and broken, to bless them.

• Show grace to those who do not deserve it.

• Extend kindness for the sake of Christ, not for our own gain.

• Demonstrate the same mercy God has shown us.