2 Samuel 9

2 Samuel 9:1-8

David Jesus kindnefs to Jonathan’s said for his sake. 1. He enquires after the remains of the house of Saul, and disavows Mephibotheth, ver. 1—4. 2. He receives him kindly, ver. 5—8. And, 3. Provides for him and his, ver. 9—13.

1. AND David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I might shew him kindnefs 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 kindnefs of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son which is lame on his feet. 4. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar. 5. ¶ Then king David sent, and set him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar. 6. Now when Mephibotheth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibotheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant. 7. And David said unto him, ‘Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindnefs, for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father, and thou shalt set bread at my table continually. 8. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou should’st look upon such a dead dog as I am?

When respite from war, and rest from the multiplicity of his engagements, during the first year of his government, gave David opportunity of rebellion; he remembered the covenant between Jonathan and himself, and let himself to fulfil it.

1. He enquires if any remained of Saul’s house, to whom, for Jonathan’s sake, he might shew kindnefs. Saul had been his bitter enemy, but he had forgiven and forgotten it: his descendants might rather have feared to be cut off, thus to be preserved; but he had sworn to Saul to spare them, and for his old friend’s sake, Jonathan, he would do more for them; shew them kindnefs and favour; the kindness of God for his sake, and great like that himself shews. Note, (1.) We must be not only ready to do good, when applied to, but seek for occasions, and enquire out the proper edged objects. (2.) It is not enough to forgive those who hate us, but we must shew kindnefs to them or their families in their defenses; thus is God-sake. (3.) No advancement, or change of circumstances, should make us forget our old friends; they and theirs have a take to our nature, and, according to our powers, to our allegiance. (4.) That is the acceptable charity, and no other, which is done with an eye to God’s glory, and flows from a sense of God’s love to us.

2. Ziba, an old servant of Saul, who was at that time at Jerusalem, is then for, and introduced to David; and on his enquiry, informs him of a son of Jonathan’s, who was lame, Chap. iv. 4. and had been previously brought up at Loudelbar, probably among his mother’s relations. Him therefore David without delay finds for to court. Note, A good old servant is a very valuable profession to his mother.

The following, to fight against them with the sword of his mouth, will find infinite wisdom united with everlasting strength, and who then can be able to stand?

5. Joab encourages his brother and the officers at the council of war, heavily to play their parts. Their enemies were numerous, and advantageously petted, and they must divide their forces to make head against them: if either therefore were worried, the other must make a detachment to support him. But the battle was the Lord’s, and whilst in dependence on him they fought for their people and the cities of their God, they might confidently expect the victory. Note, (1.) Great dangers call for greater fortitude. (2.) In our spiritual warfare, if our brother fall, we must be ready to help him up. (3.) The love of God and our country make the bearest soldiers. Foreign mercenaries are an unequal match for such patriots. (4.) Desendances upon God in the use of the means, is the fact way to be crowned with success.

6. The issue answered their hopes. The auxiliary Syrians being quickly routed, the Ammonites took refuge within their walls, and left the field of battle to the conquerors. The season not permitting a farther progress of his arms, Joab returned to Jerusalem in triumph, and there made preparations to push his conquests at the returning Spring. Note, War is a grievous trade: it is a mercy that inclement feasons prevent the constant exercise of it, and force the combatants to unwilling rest.

7. ¶ And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. 16. And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the hoff of Hadarezer went before them. 17. And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam: and the Syrians set themselves in arm against David, and fought with him. 18. And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David flew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their hoff, who died there. 19. And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

2 Samuel 9:15-19

We have here,

1. A second attempt of the Syrians, more fatal to them than the former. Their routed forces rallied, shame for their defeat sharpened their courage; and to strengthen them, Hadarezer their king summons his confederates and tributaries to appear from beyond the Euphrates, and a vast army assembles at Helam. Thither David in person leads his army to meet them, and gives them a total overthrow. Seven hundred chariots, with seven thousand men who fought in them, are destroyed and flun, (See 1 Chron. xix. 17.) and forty thousand horse and foot fall by the sword, with their famous Captain Shobach, the generalissimo of their united forces. Note, though the vanquished powers of hell and corruption rally and return to the charge again, they will only the more exact the triumphs of Jesus our king, and make the believers crown of victory more glorious.

2. In consequence of this victory, the Syrians deserting the children of Ammon, fought only to make their own peace with David; and the neighbouring princes who were tributary to Hadarezes, since he was no longer able to proudly them, changed their master, and submitted to the victorious king of Israel, and thus was fulfilled the promise made to Abraham, Gen. xx. 18. Note, It is wise to make peace and alliance with those, whose righteous cause God espouses.