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The king said, “Is there not yet any of Saul’s house, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “Jonathan still has a son, who is lame in his feet.”
The king said to him, “Where is he?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”
Then king David sent, and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.
2 Samuel 9:3-5 sits inside this longer paragraph.
The king said, “Is there not yet any of Saul’s house, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “Jonathan still has a son, who is lame in his feet.”
The king said to him, “Where is he?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”
Then king David sent, and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar. Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, and fell on his face, and showed respect. David said, “Mephibosheth.” He answered, “Behold, your servant!”
The king said, “Is there not yet any of Saul’s house, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “Jonathan still has a son, who is lame in his feet.”
The king said to him, “Where is he?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”
Then king David sent, and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.
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.
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.
Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.
And the king said: 'Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him?' And Ziba said unto the king: 'Jonathan hath yet a son, who is lame on his feet.'
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.'
Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv3, 5 Such mercy as shall be acceptable to God.
Such mercy as shall be acceptable to God.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv3–5 2Sa 9:3 And the king said, [Is] there not…
2Sa 9:3 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.
Ver. 3. The kindness of God.] A God-like kindness, - compare 3Jn 1:6, - or that which Jonathan bound me in the presence of God to show to him and his. {1Sa 20:14-15}
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Which is lame on his feet.] But this broke no square; neither thought good David the worse of Mephibosheth, so long as he saw in him the features of his friend Jonathan: no more doth God of those weak but willing servants of his, whom he beholdeth in the face of his Son, whose image they bear.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv3–4 The kindness of God; either, first, That kindness which…
The kindness of God; either, first, That kindness which I owe him for God’s sake, and by virtue of my oath given to him about it, 1Sa 20:14,15. But that oath seems only to oblige him to Jonathan’s posterity, and not to any other of Saul’s house. Or, secondly, Great and eminent kindness.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv3–5 And the king said, is there not yet any…
And the king said, is there not yet any of the house of Saul; that is, remaining or living:
that I may show the kindness of God unto him? great kindness, some large favour or benefit; for the word God added to things, as to trees, mountains, &c. serves to set forth the excellency of them; and this kindness is in imitation of God, or such as he had sworn in the presence of God to show; and that is expressed in the same language, Sa1 20:14,
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and Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son; a son still living:
which is lame on his feet; on both his feet, as the Targum; of which occasion; see Gill on Sa2 4:4.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v5 Machir - This Machir appears to have been a…
Machir - This Machir appears to have been a generous man, who entertained Mephibosheth out of mere compassion, not of disaffection to David: for afterwards we find him kind to David himself, when he fled from Absalom. David now little thought, that the time would come, when he himself should need his assistance. Let us be forward to give, because we know not what we ourselves may sometime want.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv3–4 Verse 3. That I may show the kindness of…
Verse 3. That I may show the kindness of God unto him?] That is, the utmost, the highest degrees of kindness; as the hail of God, is very great hail, the mountains of God, exceeding high mountains: besides, this kindness was according to the covenant of God made between him and the family of Jonathan.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v4 2Sa 9:4. He is in the house of Machir…
2Sa 9:4. He is in the house of Machir — This Machir appears to have been a generous man, who entertained Mephibosheth out of mere compassion, not of disaffection to David: for afterward we find him kind to David himself, when he fled from Absalom. David now little thought that the time would come when he himself should need his assistance. Let us be forward to give, because we know not what we ourselves may some time want.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v4 David reaped the fruit of his kindness to Mephibosheth,…
David reaped the fruit of his kindness to Mephibosheth, for, when he fled from Absalom, Machir, the son of Ammiel, was one of those who were most liberal in providing him and his army with necessaries (marginal reference). According to 1Ch 3:5, Ammiel (called inversely Eliam, 2Sa 11:3) was the father of Bath-sheba. If this be the same Ammiel, Machir would be Bath-sheba’s brother. However, the name is not a very uncommon one (Num 13:12; 1Ch 26:5, etc.).
Lo-debar - Evidently on the east of Jordan River, and in the neighborhood of Ish-bosheth’s capital, Mahanaim 2Sa 17:27, but not identified by any modern traveler. Thought by some, not improbably, to be the same as Debir Jos 13:26.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v4 Lodabar, probably on the east side of the Jordan.…
Lodabar, probably on the east side of the Jordan. (Calmet) --- Machir was a powerful man of the tribe of Manasses. (Menochius)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv3–4 3. Lame — See 2Sa_4:4.
3. Lame — See 2Sa_4:4.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv3, 5 3. the kindness of God] A reference to Jonathan’s…
3. the kindness of God] A reference to Jonathan’s words in 1Sa_20:14. “The kindness of God” means kindness or mercy such as God shews to men, unfailing, unsought, unlimited. Cp. Luk_6:36.
lame on his feet] See ch. 2Sa_4:4.
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Machir the son of Ammiel] A man of wealth and position, to judge from the welcome which he gave David in his flight from Absalom (ch. 2Sa_17:27-29). He may have taken charge of Mephibosheth at Jonathan’s death. It may be inferred from his name that he belonged to the tribe of Manasseh (Num_32:39-40).
Lo-debar] A town on the E. of the Jordan in the neighbourhood of Mahanaim, possibly the same as the Debir of Jos_13:26. Its site is not determined.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv3–5 The kindness of God. That is, extraordinary kindness. The…
The kindness of God. That is, extraordinary kindness. The devout mind of the Orientals saw in everything that was more than common a manifestation of God, and thus the epithet "of God" came to be applied to anything that was very great. (comp. Gen_30:8, margin; Psa_65:9; Jon_3:3, margin) David would show Saul"s seed kindness as wonderful as are God"s dealings with man.
Ver. 3. (JERUSALEM.)
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Showing the kindness of God.
David remembered the request of Jonathan to show him "the kindness of Jehovah"; (1Sa_20:14, 1Sa_20:15) felt the obligation of his former promises and covenants; (1Sa_24:21, 22 23:18) and now purposed, in accordance therewith, to "show the kindness of God," i.e. "love from religious motives, or as God shows it" (Thenius); "in God and for his sake" (Keil); "in the Lord"s sight, and according to the Lord"s example, pure, perpetual love, and not such love as arises from mere human respects and is shown in the eye of man" (Wordsworth); and not simply "great and eminent kindness" (Poole, Patrick). There are benevolent affections in our nature; but they must be imbued with religious motives and principles in order that their exercise may be of the highest kind. "The kindness of God" is such as is shown:
1. Out of reverence for his Name. Holy, just, and true; merciful and gracious; delighting in loving kindness. "God is love;" and the eternal Fountain of love in his creatures.
2. In obedience to his will, as expressed in numerous injunctions to the faithful performance of what has been promised; in the royal law; (Jam_2:8) and in manifold exhortations to compassionate love.
3. From gratitude for his benefits. These had been bestowed on David in abundant measure. (2Sa_7:18 2Sa_8:6) The acts of kindness which God performs toward men both enable and incite them to perform acts of kindness toward their fellow men. "What goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee". (Num_10:32) Freely ye have received, freely give.
4. In imitation of his example; of faithfulness, goodness, unsought, abounding, unfailing, and everlasting love. David was specially called, as king, to exhibit in his character and conduct an image of the moral excellences of the Divine King of Israel; and to this Christians are likewise celled. "Be ye therefore perfect," etc., (Mat_5:43-48) "merciful", (Luk_6:36) "imitators of God as beloved children," etc. (Eph_5:1)
1. Under the inspiration of his grace, his love, his Spirit; and, indeed, "it is the merciful love of God himself that dwells in the heart of the truly pious, and works therefrom; for he that lives in fellowship with God receives into his heart, through the Holy Ghost, the love that is in God, and lives and moves in that love" (Erdmann). "He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him". (1Jn_4:16) He not only reflects the Divine love on others, but is also the medium of its communication to them.
2. With the desire of his approval, of pleasing him rather than men, and of partaking more fully of his loving kindness, which "is better than life.
3. For the promotion of his glory; " that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. D.
HOMILIES BY G. WOOD Ver. 3.
The kindness of God.
David, settled on the throne and in his new metropolis, recalls to mind the fallen house of Saul, not to destroy them, as was usual with Eastern monarchs, but to show them kindness for Jonathan"s sake. In his inquiry
after them he uses substantially the same phrase which Jonathan had used (1Sa_20:14) when he took an oath of him that he would be kind to himself and his family. "The kindness of the Lord," or "the kindness of God," is an expression descriptive of the highest and best kindness possible to man or angel. It is kindness which
I FLOWS FROM GOD. This is true of all the kindness which exists amongst men. "Love is of God." All the love of men towards each other streams forth from the fountain of Divine love, and should be thus regarded by those who are the objects of it, he being praised for all. But this is emphatically true of Christian kindness. It originates in, and is a manifestation of, the love of God in Christ. It is produced by the Holy Spirit as given to the disciples of Christ, and by means of the truth respecting him. (1Pe_1:22, 1Pe_1:23) It is a product of regeneration. It is God"s love dwelling in human hearts and revealing itself in human lives. It is an element of "the Divine nature" of which Christians are "partakers". (2Pe_1:4)
II IS EXERCISED FROM REGARD TO GOD.
1. It has its root, like all Christian graces, in faith towards God. (Gal_5:6)
1. It springs from gratitude and love to him for all his goodness, especiallyfor his redeeming love. (1Jn_4:11)
2. It. is practised in obedience to his commandments. (1Jn_4:21)
3. It aims at his approval
4. It imitates him (Luk_6:36; Eph_4:32) Hence it
III IS GOD-LIKE. As it is:
1. Disinterested. "Seeketh not her own". (1Co_13:5) Kindness which is exercised with a view to personal advantage is not kindness but policy and commercial subtlety.
2. Expansive. Ready to help all who need, as far as power permits. Not restricting itself to the good and worthy, but "kind unto the unthankful and the evil"; (Luk_6:35) nor yet to friends, but extending to enemies; (Mat_5:44, Mat_5:45, Mat_5:48) nor to one"s own sect in religion, but regarding with love all Christian brethren (1Jn_5:1; Eph_6:24) Yet it is:
3. Discriminating. The Divine love is united with righteousness, and seeks righteous ends. Hence it cannot be the same thing, and displayed in the same manner, towards the righteous and the unrighteous, the obedient and the disobedient; and it mainly seeks to promote righteousness and salvation in all, and varies its methods accordingly. Christian love and kindness will be exercised with similar discrimination as far as is possible to men; and will seek supremely the moral and spiritual benefit of its objects. Indiscriminate benevolence does more harm than good.
4. Unsparing. "He spared not his own Son", (Rom_8:32) and in him the love of God appears as self-sacrificing (1Jn_3:16) and bountiful. (Eph_1:3) Christian love possesses the same qualities of bountifulness, (2Co_8:2, 2Co_8:3, 2Co_8:9-11) self-denial, and self-sacrifice. It "endureth all things". (1Co_13:7)
5. Constant. The love of God is long suffering, persistent, and eternal, (Psa_103:17 Ps 136., passim) His children are like him in this respect. (1Co_13:4, 1Co_13:8, 1Co_13:13)
IV IS NOURISHED BY CONVERSE WITH GOD. The acts and habits of devotion reading, meditation, prayer, praise bring us into closer communion with God, secure us more of his Spirit, open our hearts to receive the impress of his character, promote in us all those sentiments and principles towards him which issue in hearty love and kindness towards our brethren. Let us draw nigh continually to him whose name is Love, and we shall find it ever more easy to be loving. G.W.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv3, 5 I may show the kindness of God
I may show the kindness of God
The abstract noun "kindness" can be stated as "kind." AT: "I may be kind as I promised God I would be"
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who is lame in his feet
"whose feet are damaged." The word "feet" here refers to the ability to walk. AT: "who is unable to walk" (See: Metonymy)
Machir ... Ammiel
These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)
Lo Debar
This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)
translationWords
God
Jonathan
son
house
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv3–5 9:3 Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet from a…
9:3 Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet from a childhood accident (see 4:4).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.