(1) The phrase, "I may extend (God's) kindness to him (Jonathan)" was repeated in v.1, 3 and 7. David fulfilled his promise to Jonathan just as God fulfilled His promise to him and made him the king over Israel. He wanted to extend kindness to him because God was kind to him.
Reflection: In what way do you reflect God in your life? Are you a trustworthy person? Are you kind to other people or do you treat other people not according to what they have done to you but according to what God has done to you?
(2) The fact that Mephibosheth's feet were cripple was also repeated twice v.3, 13. When he met David, "he bowed low with his face toward the ground," v.6 and "Mephibosheth bowed and said v.8."
v.8b “Of what importance am I, your servant, that you show regard for a dead dog like me?”
(ZIBBC OT) Dogs were not highly regarded in the ancient Near East (see comment on 1 Sam. 24:14). To be a “dog” was at best to be insignificant, a “dead dog” less significant still... In the Old Testament specifically, dogs were considered unclean (Lev. 11:26–28), aggressive scavengers (2 Kings 9:35–36), and disgusting (Prov. 26:11 speaks of their returning to their own vomit);
Not only did David give him the land and property of Saul, he also gave him the servants who could help him to cultivate the land. Finally, David treated him as his son and had him be his regular guest at his table v.10,11.
Reflection: Mephibosheth's life changed 180 degrees since he met David. He got everything that he needed plus he got the privilege to be treated like a son of David. When did you feel like that? The day that you met Jesus? When you accepted Jesus as your Savior?
Audrey
2024
B:
Repeated phrase:
1. The kind of kindness
v.1 Is anyone still left from the family of Saul, so that I may extend kindness to him for the sake of Jonathan?”
3 Is there not someone left from Saul’s family, that I may extend God’s kindness to him?”
7 David said to him, “Don’t be afraid, because I will certainly extend kindness to you for the sake of Jonathan your father.
David will certainly do kindness חֶ֫סֶד to the son of Jonathan based on his promise to him. And the kind of kindness was not just from man to man (BDB-kindness of men towards men, in doing favours and benefits), but also an extension of God's kindness to man (BDB-of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures....in keeping the covenants).
From ch 7, David knew that he was the showcase of God's glory. Now, he knew that he was an extension of God's kindness to others. Especially in keeping his covenant to Jonathan.
2. The way to show kindness
7 I will give back to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will be a regular guest at my table.
9 “Everything that belonged to Saul and to his entire house I hereby give to your master’s grandson. 10 You will cultivate the land for him...You will bring its produce and it will be food for your master’s grandson to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will be a regular guest at my table.”
11So Mephibosheth was a regular guest at David’s table, just as though he were one of the king’s sons.
13 Mephibosheth was living in Jerusalem, for he was a regular guest at the king’s table
Not only David gave M the land, but also he arranged servants to cultivate the land for him. Plus, he would be a regular guest at David's table (just as though he were one of the king’s sons. v.11).
R:
David extended the kindness of God to others, how about me? To whom I shall show this kindness?
When we are under a covenant of God we are blessed. It is not a just something that binds or restrict us, it is a guarantee of God's kindness. Even though Jonathan had died, his son continued to enjoy the blessings from the covenant. Our blessings from God are also guarantee no matter what changes will happen in the world.
3. The humble response of M
2 The king asked him, “Are you Ziba?” He replied, “At your service."
6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed low with his face toward the ground. David said, “Mephibosheth?” He replied, “Yes, at your service.”
8 Then Mephibosheth bowed and said, “Of what importance am I, your servant
M answered D the same way as Ziba, who was actually a servant. Plus, he bowed low with his face toward the ground twice to David. The first time because he knew that he was the descendent of the previous king. The second time out of the gratitude to David.
R:
How shall I show humbleness in front of God when I realized Who He is? What kind of thanksgiving I have for God that caused me to bow before Him?
Q:
1. Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David when he protected David in fleeing from Saul. 1 Sm 20:15 15 Don’t ever cut off your loyalty to my family
2. (Walton) Reference to oneself as a “dog” was a stereotypical way of showing deference to one in a superior position...“dog” was a favorite term both in insults and in expressions of self-abasement. To be a “dead dog” was worse still.
He feared David because he was a king over all Israel. He might wanted to kill the descendent of the previous king.
3. Beyond the promise of being loyal. Not only David gave M the land, but also he arranged servants to cultivate the land for him. Plus, he would be a regular guest at David's table (just as though he were one of the king’s sons. v.11).
4. Past: He was a descendent of King Saul at the young age, but after his father had died in the battle the nurse carried him and fell. He became crippled. The days might became worse after Iso-b died. Some time in between J died and 2 Sm 9 he moved to the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debarm probably for supply and protection from David.
Present: Land would be cultivated by the servants and he would have income. Plus, he was treated as prince again by David and ate in his table. He no longer needed to fear David.
5. To people that I promised. My husband, missionaries and families.
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