2 Samuel 9:7

And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

And David {H1732} said {H559} unto him, Fear {H3372} not: for I will surely {H6213} shew {H6213} thee kindness {H2617} for Jonathan {H3083} thy father's {H1} sake, and will restore {H7725} thee all the land {H7704} of Saul {H7586} thy father {H1}; and thou shalt eat {H398} bread {H3899} at my table {H7979} continually {H8548}.

David said to him, "Don't be afraid, for I am determined to be kind to you for the sake of Y'honatan your father. I will restore to you all the land of Sha'ul your [grand]father, and you will always eat at my table."

“Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

And David said unto him, Fear not; for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

Commentary

Context of 2 Samuel 9:7

Following the establishment of his kingdom and securing Jerusalem as its capital, King David sought to fulfill a solemn covenant he had made with his dear friend Jonathan, the son of the former King Saul. This verse is central to the narrative of David's search for any surviving member of Saul's household, not to punish them (as was common practice for new dynasties to eliminate rivals), but to show them kindness. Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, was found to be alive but lame in both feet (2 Samuel 4:4). David's words here address Mephibosheth's understandable fear and reveal his true intentions.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Covenant Loyalty: David's actions are driven by his unbreakable oath to Jonathan, who had asked David to show God's kindness to his house. This highlights the sacredness of covenants in ancient Israel and David's faithfulness to his word.
  • Unmerited Kindness (Grace): Mephibosheth, as a descendant of Saul, might have expected death or imprisonment. Instead, David offers him radical grace. He was not chosen for his merit but for the sake of another (Jonathan), illustrating a profound biblical principle of God's grace towards humanity through Christ.
  • Restoration and Inheritance: David restores to Mephibosheth "all the land of Saul thy father." This was a significant act, returning family property and dignity, ensuring Mephibosheth's livelihood and status.
  • Fellowship and Security: The promise, "thou shalt eat bread at my table continually," signifies Mephibosheth's permanent place within the king's inner circle. It guaranteed his provision, protection, and honor, treating him as one of the king's own sons despite his physical disability and former family allegiance. This echoes the imagery of God inviting His people to His table (Psalm 23:5).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "kindness" in this verse is hesed (חֶסֶד). This term is rich with meaning, encompassing concepts of loyal love, mercy, steadfastness, and covenant faithfulness. It describes a deep, abiding commitment that goes beyond mere pity or charity, reflecting the enduring nature of God's love for His people. David's demonstration of hesed to Mephibosheth is a powerful human example of this divine attribute.

Practical Application

This verse provides a beautiful illustration of God's grace towards us. Just as Mephibosheth, a descendant of the former regime, was brought into the king's favor not because of his own worth but because of a covenant, so too are believers brought into God's family. We, like Mephibosheth, are spiritually "lame" or broken by sin, yet God, through His covenant of grace in Jesus Christ, shows us unmerited favor. He restores our spiritual inheritance and invites us to fellowship at His table continually. This narrative encourages us to extend similar grace and kindness to others, reflecting the hesed God has shown us.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 9:1 (10 votes)

    ¶ 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?

  • 1 Kings 2:7 (8 votes)

    But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.

  • 2 Samuel 9:3 (8 votes)

    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.

  • 2 Samuel 19:28 (7 votes)

    For all [of] my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?

  • Ruth 2:11 (6 votes)

    And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and [how] thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

  • Ruth 2:12 (6 votes)

    The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

  • Luke 1:29 (6 votes)

    And when she saw [him], she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.