91 And David saith, 'Is there yet any left to the house of Saul, and I do with him kindness because of Jonathan?' 2 And the house of Saul hath a servant, and his name 'is' Ziba, and they call for him unto David; and the king saith unto him, 'Art thou Ziba?' and he saith, 'Thy servant.' 3 And the king saith, 'Is there not yet a man to the house of Saul, and I do with him the kindness of God?' And Ziba saith unto the king, 'Jonathan hath yet a son—lame.' 4 And the king saith to him, 'Where 'is' he?' and Ziba saith unto the king, 'Lo, he 'is' in the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, in Lo-Debar.' 5 And king David sendeth, and taketh him out of the house of Machir son of Ammiel, of Lo-Debar, 6 and Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, son of Saul, cometh unto David, and falleth on his face, and doth obeisance, and David saith, 'Mephibosheth;' and he saith, 'Lo, thy servant.' 7 And David saith to him, 'Be not afraid; for I certainly do with thee kindness because of Jonathan thy father, and have given back to thee all the field of Saul thy father, and thou dost eat bread at my table continually.' 8 And he boweth himself, and saith, 'What 'is' thy servant, that thou hast turned unto the dead dog—such as I?'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 9:1-8
Commentary on 2 Samuel 9:1-8
(Read 2 Samuel 9:1-8)
Amidst numerous affairs we are apt to forget the gratitude we owe, and the engagements we are under, not only to our friends, but to God himself. Yet persons of real godliness will have no rest till they have discharged them. And the most proper objects of kindness and charity, frequently will not be found without inquiry. Jonathan was David's sworn friend, therefore he shows kindness to his son Mephibosheth. God is faithful to us; let us not be unfaithful to one another. If Providence has raised us, and our friends and their families are brought low, we must look upon that as giving us the fairer opportunity of being kind to them.