2 Samuel 9 - Printer Friendly

What does 2 Samuel 9 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

David is king of the united tribes of Israel. It was a bloodless coup on his part. He patiently waited to rule over Judah and, eventually, all the tribes, allowing God to work on his behalf. Saul, his son Jonathan, and two of Jonathan's brothers died in war against the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:1–6). David became king of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4). Saul's general Abner installed Saul's son Ish-bosheth as king over the remaining tribes (2 Samuel 2:8). About two years later, bandits murdered Ish-bosheth (2 Samuel 4:5–6). The tribes invited David to be their king, as well (2 Samuel 5:3).

In that era, it was a completely acceptable tradition for a man who took the throne from another family—or, sometimes, even his own—to kill all the male heirs. David doesn't do this. He knows God has made him king, and he will be king of whatever God gives him, whenever God wants.

Another odd thing about David is that the son of the previous king, the heir-apparent, was his best friend (1 Samuel 18:1). Jonathan even agreed that David, not he, should be king (1 Samuel 23:17). David remembers the covenant he made with Jonathan that David would not kill him or his children (1 Samuel 20:14–17, 42).

It's time for David to make good on that promise. For the sake of Jonathan, David wants Saul's sons and grandsons to make themselves known. He asks Saul's former servant Ziba, and Ziba reveals that Jonathan still has a living son, Mephibosheth, whose feet were permanently injured when a nurse tried to take him to safety after his father's death (2 Samuel 4:4; 9:1–4).

Mephibosheth is understandably concerned. We don't know the timing of this event, but it could be as much as thirty years after Jonathan died and David became king. David doesn't let him grovel, however. He promises to restore Saul's land to him and to host him at the royal table every day (2 Samuel 9:5–8).

David then turns to Ziba. He orders Ziba and his fifteen sons to tend Saul's land on behalf of Mephibosheth. Ziba agrees (2 Samuel 9:9–13).

The chapter ends here, but the story doesn't. In the future, David's son Absalom will betray him and take Jerusalem. When David and his household flee Jerusalem, Ziba meets him with a large amount of provisions. Ziba tells David that Mephibosheth has betrayed him, thinking Israel will give him the crown as Saul's heir. David gives Ziba all of Mephibosheth's land (2 Samuel 16:1–4).

But David was deceived. When he returns to Jerusalem, Mephibosheth meets him. He had been in such mourning he hadn't groomed or washed his clothes since David left. He had wanted to follow David, but Ziba left him behind. Since Mephibosheth couldn't walk, he couldn't saddle his own donkey. David tells Mephibosheth he and Ziba will share the land. Mephibosheth tells him David's return is more important than any land (2 Samuel 19:24–30).

Mephibosheth isn't Saul's only male descendant. Because of Saul's sin against the Gibeonites, God places a famine on the land. To stop it, David has to give seven of Saul's sons to the Gibeonites. He finds two sons of Saul's concubine Rizpah, and three of Saul's daughter Merab: the daughter David was supposed to have married (1 Samuel 18:17–19). We never learn what Saul did, but the Gibeonites kill the men, and God stops the famine (2 Samuel 21:1–9).

Second Samuel 9:1–5 describes what happened when David hears that Jonathan has a living son. David asks Saul's former servant, Ziba, if any of Saul's male heirs are still living. Ziba doesn't mention the sons of Saul's concubine or his daughter (2 Samuel 21:8), but he does reveal that Jonathan's son Mephibosheth is still living, although he can't walk. David tells Mephibosheth he will dine at the royal table every day, and tells Ziba to farm Saul's land for his new master (2 Samuel 9:6–13).

Second Samuel 9:6–8 describes the meeting between King David and Jonathan's son Mephibosheth. David wants to show kindness to his best friend's sons (1 Samuel 20:42). Saul's servant Ziba reveals one is still living. When Saul and Jonathan were killed, Mephibosheth's nurse grabbed him and fled, but she fell, and his feet were permanently injured (2 Samuel 4:4). David insists Mephibosheth dine at his own table, and tells Ziba to care for Saul's land on behalf of Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:9–13).

In 2 Samuel 9:9–13, David unknowingly sets up a betrayal. He asked Saul's former servant, Ziba, if any of Saul's heirs are still alive. Ziba brings him Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son. David gives Mephibosheth Saul's land and tells Ziba and his sons to farm it. All goes well until the kingdom is in turmoil and Ziba tells David that Mephibosheth is vying for the crown. It's not true; it's Ziba's attempt to get the land for his own sons. Mephibosheth stays loyal to David, just like his father did (2 Samuel 16:1–4; 19:24–30).

Chapter Summary:

In 2 Samuel 9, David keeps his promise to show kindness to Jonathan's children. Mephibosheth is Jonathan's only living son. David brings him to Jerusalem and gives him a place at the king's table as if he were David's own son. In addition, David gives full ownership of Saul's lands to Mephibosheth, telling Saul's servant Ziba that he and his sons now serve Saul's grandson as their new master. Ziba will later tell David Mephibosheth has betrayed him, but it's a lie: Ziba's attempt to keep the land for his own (2 Samuel 16:1–4; 19:24–30).

Chapter Context:

In 2 Samuel 9, David takes care of Jonathan's last son, as he promised (1 Samuel 20:14–17). David finds Jonathan's son Mephibosheth and invites him to Jerusalem. David gives Mephibosheth Saul's lands and tells Saul's former servant Ziba to farm the estate. In an attempt to keep the land for his own sons, Ziba will tell David that Mephibosheth betrayed him and is trying to regain the crown. When he can, Mephibosheth corrects the lie and rededicates himself to David (2 Samuel 16:1–4; 2 Samuel 19:24–30).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

Accessed 1/8/2026 6:42:25 PM