david and mephibosheth 2 samuel 9:1-13biblestudyworkshop.com/data/old/2samuel9.pdf 2 david and...

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DAVID AND MEPHIBOSHETH

2 SAMUEL 9:1-13

Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Avenue, Nashville, TN., 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor


David and Mephibosheth

Text: 2 Samuel 9:1-13, 1. David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" 2. Now there was a servant of Saul's household named Ziba. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" "Your servant," he replied. 3. The king asked, "Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet." 4. "Where is he?" the king asked. Ziba answered, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar." 5. So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. 6. When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, "Mephibosheth!" "Your servant," he replied. 7. "Don't be afraid," David said to him, "for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table." 8. Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?" 9. Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 10. You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master's grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will



always eat at my table." (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) 11. Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons. 12. Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and all the members of Ziba's household were servants of Mephibosheth. 13. And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table, and he was crippled in both feet. (NIV) Introduction: I. “2 Samuel 9-20 coupled with 1 Kings 1-2 are commonly called “the Succession Narrative” because the emphasis is upon the establishment of the succession principle in Israel,” Smith wrote.

A. Coffman noted that other designations include, “The History of David’s Court,” “The Court History,” and “The Narrative of the Succession.”

II. It is not stated when the events of 2 Samuel 9 occurred. (Smith)

A. “Mephibosheth was only five (5) years old at the time of his father’s (Jonathan’s) death, and now he had a young son,” Smith wrote.

1. 2 Samuel 4:4, (Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became crippled. His name was Mephibosheth.) (NIV)



2. 2 Samuel 9:12, Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and all the members of Ziba's household were servants of Mephibosheth. (NIV) 3. Smith concluded that the events of 2 Samuel 9 took place several years after David began to reign.

B. A number of Saul’s descendants were executed.

1. 2 Samuel 21:1-14, During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the LORD. The LORD said, "It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death." The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) David asked the Gibeonites, "What shall I do for you? How shall I make amends so that you will bless the LORD's inheritance?" The Gibeonites answered him, "We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death." "What do you want me to do for you?" David asked. They answered the king, "As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and exposed before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord 's chosen one." So the king said, "I will give them to you." The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul. But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah's daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons



of Saul's daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed and exposed them on a hill before the LORD. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning. Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds of the air touch them by day or the wild animals by night. When David was told what Aiah's daughter Rizpah, Saul's concubine, had done, he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had taken them secretly from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up. They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul's father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land. (NIV)

Commentary: 2 Samuel 9:1, David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" (NIV) I. David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

A. The deaths of Abner and Ish-Bosheth may have provided the explanation for David’s question, Smith wrote.



B. “The word kindness conveys the idea of loyalty to a solemn commitment, and this diplomatic move would bring to David the support of any remaining supporters of Saul,” Smith wrote. C. Clarke said David remembered his sacred covenant with his friend Jonathan and now set about to do as he had promised.

1. It is very important for God’s people to keep their word! 2. We must be reliable, responsible, dependable.

II. David was now firmly established on the throne having achieved victories at home and abroad. (The Pulpit Commentary)

A. It was now safe to act upon his promise to Jonathan.

1. 1 Samuel 20:14-15, But show me unfailing kindness like that of the LORD as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family—not even when the LORD has cut off every one of David's enemies from the face of the earth." (NIV) 2. David had never forgotten his promise. 3. He was now in a position to keep his promise.

2 Samuel 9:2, Now there was a servant of Saul's household named Ziba. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" "Your servant," he replied. (NIV) I. Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba.

A. Evidently when Saul died, his property became the property of the government which property was managed by Ziba, Smith wrote.



B. In view of Ziba’s later behavior, we are left to wonder how honest Ziba was in the discharge of these responsibilities.

II. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” III. “Your servant,” he replied.

A. “Yes, I am Ziba.”

2 Samuel 9:3, The king asked, "Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet." (NIV) I. The king asked, “Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?”

A. 1 Samuel 20:14, But show me unfailing kindness like that of the LORD as long as I live, so that I may not be killed. (NIV) B. “God’s kindness” is the greatest, best possible kindness, extraordinary kindness.

1. Psalm 65:9, You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. (NIV) 2. Jonah 3:5, Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city—a visit required three days. On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned." The Ninevites believed



God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. (NIV)

3. Genesis 30:8, Then Rachel said, "I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won." So she named him Naphtali. (NIV)

II. Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.”

A. Smith stated Ziba mentioned Mephibosheth’s physical disability to let David know:

1. 2 Samuel 4:4, Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became crippled. His name was Mephibosheth.) (NIV) 2. why he had not previously learned of Mephibosheth, and… 3. that Mephibosheth was no threat to him.

2 Samuel 9:4, "Where is he?" the king asked. Ziba answered, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar." (NIV) I. “Where is he?” the king asked. II. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir (Machir) son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”



A. Lo Debar was located east of the Jordan River in the same general region in which Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth had ruled for a while, Smith wrote.

1. Mephibosheth, according to Smith, lived in this Transjordan area because he no longer had access to his family’s property and because he feared the new king. 2. The Pulpit Commentary states Mephibosheth lived in the wild region beyond (east of) Mahanaim

B. Smith advised that Makir was a wealthy man who had received the disabled son of Jonathan into his home after the death of his father in battle in 1010 B. C.

1. 2 Samuel 17:27, When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim. (NIV)

C. Coffman wrote, “Ammiel is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 3:5 as the father of Bathshua (Bathsheba) the mother of Solomon; thus Machir was Bathsheba’s brother making him a brother-in-law of king David.

1. Coffman further said, “Machir was a very wealthy person who out of love for Saul’s family had taken Saul’s grandson into his estate and cared for him.” 2. Coffman also observed that Machir was “a faithful and generous person;” who, “during the rebellion of Absalom, supported and substantially aided David.”

2 Samuel 9:5, So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. (NIV)



I. So king David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.

A. Knowing the custom of ancient kings to kill the families of rival kings, David’s messengers must have brought great fear, apprehension and trepidation to Mephibosheth. (See Coffman)

2 Samuel 9:6, When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, "Mephibosheth!" "Your servant," he replied. (NIV) I. When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor, fell on his face…did obeisance.

A. Under these conditions Mephibosheth must have feared for his life. (See Smith)

1. 2 Samuel 21:1-14, During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the LORD. The LORD said, "It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death." The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) David asked the Gibeonites, "What shall I do for you? How shall I make amends so that you will bless the LORD's inheritance?" The Gibeonites answered him, "We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death." "What do you want me to do for you?" David asked. They answered the king, "As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and



have no place anywhere in Israel, let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and exposed before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord 's chosen one." So the king said, "I will give them to you." The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul. But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah's daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul's daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed and exposed them on a hill before the LORD. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning. Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds of the air touch them by day or the wild animals by night. When David was told what Aiah's daughter Rizpah, Saul's concubine, had done, he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had taken them secretly from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up. They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul's father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land. (NIV)

B. Mephibosheth was also known as Merib-Baal or Meribaal. (See Coffman)



1. 1 Chronicles 8:34, The son of Jonathan: Merib-Baal, who was the father of Micah. (NIV)

2. 1 Chronicles 9:40, The son of Jonathan: Merib-Baal, who was the father of Micah. (NIV)

C. Bowing in this manner before ancient kings was the customary way of showing proper respect.

II. David said, “Mephibosheth!” III. “Your servant,” he replied.

A. “I am he.”

2 Samuel 9:7, "Don't be afraid," David said to him, "for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table." (NIV) I. “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan…

A. Mephibosheth may not have personally known of the close friendship of David and Jonathan due to his age at the time of his father’s death. (See Smith)

1. 1 Samuel 20:14-17, But show me unfailing kindness like that of the LORD as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family—not even when the LORD has cut off every one of David's enemies from the face of the earth." So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the LORD call David's enemies to account." And



Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself. (NIV)

II. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, …

A. Mephibosheth was Saul’s rightful heir and David extended justice as well as kindness.

III. and you will always eat at my table.”

A. Smith wrote, “The privilege of being the king’s friend, and eating at his table, was an honor that would be more highly prized than even the possession of the estates.”

1. 1 Samuel 2:8, He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor." For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's; upon them he has set the world. (NIV)

B. Mephibosheth became a member of David’s royal court. C. Christians eat at our Lord’s table as members of his family.

1. Luke 22:30, That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (KJV)

2 Samuel 9:8, Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?" (NIV) I. Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”



A. Mephibosheth, Smith wrote, “could not believe his good fortune.”

1. Mephibosheth, because of his disability, considered himself to be “a dead dog,” i.e., a person of no account, Smith wrote.

a. 1 Samuel 24:14-15, "Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? May the LORD be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand." (NIV) b. 2 Samuel 3:8, Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said and he answered, "Am I a dog's head—on Judah's side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven't handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! (NIV) c. 2 Samuel 16:9, Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head." (NIV)

B. Self-abasement was customary for oriental people of that era.

2 Samuel 9:9, Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. (NIV) I. Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him,…



II. “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family.

A. In some versions, Coffman observed, grandson (NIV) is translated son reminding us that son sometimes refers to a literal son, a Leverite son, adopted son, grandson, descendant, son-in-law, et. al.

2 Samuel 9:10, You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master's grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table." (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) (NIV) I. You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for.

A. Mephibosheth was not physically able to tend all his family’s property and needed Ziba’s services as property manager. B. Who better to become Mephibesheth’s estate manager than Ziba who had already been doing similar work.

1. Ziba and his family would have had a really good lifetime job if they had remained faithful and discreet and Mephibosheth would also have been well supported. 2. Saul’s estate must have been quite large to have required Ziba, his ten sons and fifteen servants to look after it. 3. Regrettably a rift arose between Ziba and Mephibosheth as we will see in a future study. (See Smith)

a. 2 Samuel 16:1-4, When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the



steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine. The king asked Ziba, "Why have you brought these?" Ziba answered, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the desert." The king then asked, "Where is your master's grandson?" Ziba said to him, "He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, 'Today the house of Israel will give me back my grandfather's kingdom.' " Then the king said to Ziba, "All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours." "I humbly bow," Ziba said. "May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king." (NIV) b. 2 Samuel 19:24-30, Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, "Why didn't you go with me, Mephibosheth?" He said, "My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, 'I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.' But Ziba my servant betrayed me. And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever pleases you. All my grandfather's descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?" The king said to him, "Why say more? I



order you and Ziba to divide the fields." Mephibosheth said to the king, "Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has arrived home safely." (NIV)

4. The question naturally arises in view of Ziba’s later conduct, “Had Ziba been faithful in the discharge of his duties before this time?”

a. Perhaps, as The Pulpit Commentary suggests, Ziba had worked Saul’s land thinking it would become his in due time. b. David’s recognizing Mephibosheth as sole owner of Saul’s estate may have been deeply resented by Ziba.

II. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.”

A. Mephibosheth was to be treated like one of David’s own sons. (Smith) B. Mephibosheth needed the funds from Saul’s estate to maintain his position in David’s court and to support his family, (see Coffman) Mica (Micah) in particular. C. Coffman also observed that Mephibosheth through his son Micah became the head of an extensive clan in Israel (Benjamin) which continued all the way to the Babylonian Captivity.

1. 1 Chronicles 8:35-40, The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea and Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza. Moza was the father of Binea; Raphah was his son,



Eleasah his son and Azel his son. Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. The sons of his brother Eshek: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second son and Eliphelet the third. The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow. They had many sons and grandsons—150 in all. All these were the descendants of Benjamin. (NIV) 1. 1 Chronicles 9:40-44, The son of Jonathan: Merib-Baal, who was the father of Micah. The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tahrea and Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Jadah, Jadah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza. Moza was the father of Binea; Rephaiah was his son, Eleasah his son and Azel his son. Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel. (NIV)

III. (Now Ziba had fifteen (15) sons and twenty (20) servants).

A. “Ziba had the necessary manpower to carry out David’s order,” Anderson wrote.

2 Samuel 9:11, Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons. (NIV) I. Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my Lord the king commands his servant to do.”

A. In view of Ziba’s later treacherous conduct. “his solemn promise to carry out the commandments of the king was evidently made with reluctance; and he rebelled at the first opportunity,” Coffman wrote.



B. Ziba evidently, according to Clarke, was a “share cropper,” the better Ziba did his work, the more both he and Mephibosheth would profit. C. How was David to know that Ziba, who appeared to be the logical choice for manager of Mephibosheth’s estate, would later turn out to be a disloyal, dishonest traitor?

II. So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.

A. Mephibosheth was disabled and not physically able to hold public office, “but was treated by the king with the utmost respect and affection.” (Clarke)

Note: Coffman wrote, “…two of Saul’s “sons” were named Mephibosheth (Meribbaal): (1) the son of Jonathan whom David befriended here, and (2) another Mephibosheth who, along with six (6) other sons of Saul, was executed by king David to avenge king Saul’s heartless slaughter of the Gibeonites.” 2 Samuel 9:12, Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and all the members of Ziba's household were servants of Mephibosheth. (NIV) I. Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and…

A. David’s loyalty was unending to Jonathan’s descendants. (See Smith)

1. 1 Chronicles 8:35-40, The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea and Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza. Moza was the father of Binea; Raphah was his son,



Eleasah his son and Azel his son. Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. The sons of his brother Eshek: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second son and Eliphelet the third. The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow. They had many sons and grandsons—150 in all. All these were the descendants of Benjamin. (NIV) 2. 1 Chronicles 9:40-44, The son of Jonathan: Merib-Baal, who was the father of Micah. The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tahrea and Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Jadah, Jadah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza. Moza was the father of Binea; Rephaiah was his son, Eleasah his son and Azel his son. Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel. (NIV)

II. and all the members of Ziba’s household were servants of Mephibosheth. 2 Samuel 9:13, And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table, and he was crippled in both feet. (NIV) I. And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table, and… II. he was crippled in both feet. Conclusion: I. Smith wrote that David’s kindness to Mephibosheth served several purposes:



A. David kept his word to Jonathan. B. Ziba and Mephibosheth figure in David’s later struggles. C. David felt no threat from Saul’s royal family. D. David’s kindness reveals much about his character and perso-nality.

a. Oriental kings would have normally killed all members of the former royal house. (Smith)

II. “The essence of this chapter is David’s loyalty to Jonathan,” Anderson wrote.

A. David’s action benefited Mephibosheth certainly. (Anderson) B. This action also would tend to gain for David the favor of supporters of the house of Saul. (Anderson)



Questions

on

2 Samuel 9:1-13

(Questions based on NIV text.)

1. What are 2 Samuel 9-20 and 1 Kings 1-2 commonly called? ______ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. When did the events of 2 Samuel 9 occur? _____________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. How important is it for God’s people to keep their word, their promises? _________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Why did David find this particular time good for keeping the promise he had made to Jonathan? _____________________________________



__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Who was Ziba? Give all the information you can about this person. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Why did David summon Ziba to appear before him? What did David ask him? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. What is meant by “God’s kindness?” _________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8. What was Ziba’s answer to David’s question? __________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



9. Of what significance is the fact that Jonathan’s son was “crippled in both feet?” _________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. Where was Jonathan’s son living at that time? Locate that place. ___ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 11. Who was Makir (Machir)? Speak to his character, socio-economic status, relationship to David, etc. _______________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12. Who was Mephibosheth (Meribbaal, Meribaal)? ________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13. Why was Mephibosheth fearful when he appeared before David? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 14. What promises did David make Mephibosheth? What did each of these promises involve for Mephibosheth and his family? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. What led Mephibosheth to refer to himself as a “dead dog?” What did people at that time think of dogs? Did Mephibosheth have an inferiority complex? _________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 16. What order did David give Ziba. ___________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17. In your opinion, what did Ziba think of David’s order? ___________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



18. What are some of the variable meanings of son as the word is used in the Bible? _________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19. Was Ziba the best choice for this work? Why or why not? ________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20. Later Ziba and Mephibosheth had certain disagreements. What were the issues involved? What were the outcomes of these disagreements? _ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 21. Why did Mephibosheth need the proceeds from Saul’s estate? _____ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 22. What does the Bible say about Mephibosheth’s family after the events of 2 Samuel 9? ________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 23. What purposes did David’s kindnesses to Mephibosheth serve? ____ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 24. What is the main point, the essence of 2 Samuel 9? ______________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 25. On what principles do you form your opinion of others? How much do physical appearance and the presence of disabilities enter into the equation? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


david and mephibosheth 2 samuel 9:1-13biblestudyworkshop.com/data/old/2samuel9.pdf 2 david and...

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