Then the king summoned Saul's servant Ziba and said to him, "I have given to your master's grandson all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. Sermons
2 Samuel 9:5-13. - (THE KING'S PALACE.) We have here a picture of - I. EXTRAORDINARY VICISSITUDES IS LIFE. A prince by birth, deprived of his father, crippled by a heedless footstep, carried into exile and poverty, recently a helpless dependent in a remote district, is conducted into the presence of one who was once a shepherd boy, afterwards a wandering outlaw, and now the greatest monarch on earth! Such changes: 1. May be largely, though not entirely, traced to moral causes, personal character, hereditary relationships. 2. Are wrought by Divine providence (1 Samuel 2:7, 8; Psalm 113:7, 8). 3. Are designed for human welfare; being not only corrective, but also tentative and disciplinary (Psalm 55:19; Job 23:10; Hebrews 12:6). 4. And should be regarded in an appropriate spirit (James 1:9, 10). II. THE DEPRESSING INFLUENCE OF MISFORTUNE. "He fell on his face, and did reverence" (ver. 6); "And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?" (ver. 8). His physical infirmity, combined with long continued dependence, made him not merely humble, but timid, anxious, abject, and self-depreciatory. Hence his language (due in part to Oriental exaggeration) is excusable, though scarcely to be commended (Kitto, 'Daily Bible Illus.'). The natural tendency of heavy affliction to enfeeble and crush the spirit is effectually overcome only by the aid of Divine grace. III. AN ADMIRABLE EXHIBITION OF KINDNESS; spontaneous, faithful, considerate, magnanimous, practical, enduring, Divine. 1. In gracious and encouraging words. "Mephibosheth!" (ver. 6). "Fear not!" etc. (ver. 7). To David himself, in a time of dejection, Jonathan had said," Fear not!" (1 Samuel 23:17); and how often has the Lord spoken the same comforting word to his servants (Genesis 15:1; Luke 12:32; Revelation 1:17)! 2. In becoming and beneficent acts; fulfilling what had been promised (vers. 9-11), restoring an alienated inheritance, and making a sure, permanent, and abundant provision (ver. 12). 3. In honoured, intimate, and abiding friendship. '"Mephibosheth, thy master's son, shall eat bread alway at my table" (vers. 10, 11,13). Such kindness, like sunshine after rain, and as a visit of "the angel of God" (2 Samuel 19:27, 28), dispersed his fear, alleviated his misfortune, and filled him with grateful devotion; whilst his presence at the royal table would daily remind the king of his deceased friend, and incite him to renewed generosity. IV. THE IRREMEDIABLE DEFECTS OF THE MOST FAVOURED EARTHLY CONDITION. "And he was lame on both his feet" (ver. 13). His deformity was incurable; his infirmity became an occasion of complaint and slander (2 Samuel 16:2-4); and his dejection and distress returned "as the clouds after the rain" (2 Samuel 19:24-30). The king himself often longed to flee away and be at rest (Psalm 55:6). And it is vain to expect perfection in character or condition except in the heavenly mansions. "There is a spot in every flower, "To smile and weep, and weep and smile, (Charles Deal.). People Ammiel, David, Jonathan, Machir, Mephibosheth, Micah, Micha, Saul, ZibaPlaces Israel, Jerusalem, Lo-debarTopics Belonged, Calleth, Family, Grandson, Master's, Pertained, Property, Saul, Saul's, Servant, ZibaOutline 1. David by Ziba sends for Mephibosheth7. For Jonathan's sake he restores to him all that was Saul's 9. He makes Ziba his farmer Dictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 9:1-11Library David and Jonathan's Son'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? 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. And the … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Samuel Links 2 Samuel 9:9 NIV2 Samuel 9:9 NLT 2 Samuel 9:9 ESV 2 Samuel 9:9 NASB 2 Samuel 9:9 KJV 2 Samuel 9:9 Bible Apps 2 Samuel 9:9 Parallel 2 Samuel 9:9 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 9:9 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 9:9 French Bible 2 Samuel 9:9 German Bible 2 Samuel 9:9 Commentaries Bible Hub |