2 Samuel 9:13

2Sa 9:13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.

Ver. 13. And was lame on both his feet.] Or, Though he were lame, and therefore unfit to take his meals at the court, or to come thither at all; {2Sa 5:8} yet by special favour he enjoyed this privilege.

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.

9:13 crippled in both feet: See 4:4.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 13. Did eat continually at the king's table] He was fit for no public office, but was treated by the king with the utmost respect and affection.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem,.... Either in some apartments in the king's palace, or in some house in the city provided for him; for he returned not to Lodebar, nor to any mansion house upon the estate, of Saul restored unto him:

for he did eat continually at the king's table; to which he was invited, and he accepted of:

and was lame on both his feet; or "though" he was (n), yet this was no objection to David, he admitted him notwithstanding his infirmity; nor any obstruction to Mephibosheth, who found ways and means to be carried to the king's table daily.

(n) "quamvis esset", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so Patrick.

Next: 2 Samuel Chapter 10

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Feet, from five years of age, chap. iv. 4. If we add the seven years and a half of his uncle’s reign, and suppose that David would take this notice of him, as soon as he had it in his power, after the taking of Jerusalem, we may conclude that he was about thirteen years old when he was presented to the king, and behaved with the most engaging modesty and respect. If he had already a son, (ver. 12,) we may allow a few years more. (Haydock)

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).

Lost and found: a sermon to young people.

The story of Mephibosheth may be used as a little parable of the spiritual history of everyone who is restored to God. He was:

1. A prince. To you belongs a more than princely dignity; for you are all "the offspring of God," and bear on you traces of "the image and glory" of "the Father of spirits.

2. Lost. You belong to a sinful and fallen race; and your condition is one of deprivation, helplessness, obscurity, and misery. "A true religion ought to instruct man both in his greatness and his misery" (Pascal).

3. Sought. Infinite piety has sought and is still seeking every one of you, and employs many means to find and save you. (Mat_18:10-14 Lu 15)

4. Found; unexpectedly to himself and to the joy of the seeker. So is it when the gracious message of the gospel comes to you, "not in word only, but in power.

5. Self-abased; in the presence of the king. When you see the height of Divine greatness and goodness, you also see the depth of your own unworthiness and shame.

6. Comforted. "Fear not; only believe.

7. Exated; endowed with more than had been lost; and adopted as "one of the king"s sons" (ver. 11). The gifts of God are worthy of himself. When one, to whom Alexander gave a city, declined to accept it, on the, ground that it was unsuitable to his condition, he said, "I do not ask what is becoming in you to receive, but what is becoming in me to give" (Seneca, "De Beneficiis"). D.

Eating at the king"s table.

David, out of regard to the memory of his dear friend Jonathan, and mindful of his oath to him, not only restores to his son Mephibosheth the forfeited property of Saul, and arranges for its cultivation by Ziba and his sons, but exalts Mephibosheth to the position of a constant guest at his own table, "as one of the king"s sons." So Mephibosheth "did eat continually at the king"s table." The circumstance may serve to remind us of the greater honour which good men enjoy it is theirs to eat continually at the table of the King of kings.

I THIS IS TRUE AS RESPECTS THEIR PARTICIPATION OF THE GIFTS OF GOD"S PROVIDENCE. All creatures depend upon him, and he supplies their wants. (Psa_104:27, 28 145:15, 16) But the lower creatures partake of his bounty unconscious of the hand which feeds them. They are, in relation to God, rather like the horses in the stable, or the cattle and sheep in the fields, than the children at the table. And what these are through incapacity, ungodly people are through unbelief and forgetfulness. They live on the bounty of God, unmindful of him and unthankful. His children, however, even in the enjoyment of their daily food, "sit at his table." As he provides, so they recognize his care and bounty, and give him thanks. As he is present, so they are conscious of his presence. They regard him as presiding at their meals, and are glad to discern him so near. They ask for his blessing, and receive it. They "eat to the Lord, and give God thanks". (Rom_14:6) They satisfy their appetites and gratify their tastes as in his sight. They aim "to eat and drink to the glory of God". (1Co_10:31) They not only enjoy his gifts, but commune with himself. They talk with him, and he with them. Common meals thus enjoyed become as sacraments and means of grace. Let it be our endeavour to enjoy them thus more than we have done.

II THE WORDS ARE MORE EMPHATICALLY APPLICABLE TO THE CHRISTIAN"S ENJOYMENT OF SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS. In this sense, "he eats continually at the king"s table." The image reminds us of:

1. His exaltation. Once, like Mephibosheth, living far away from the king,now brought near, and associated with, yea, made really one of, his children. Still "lame" and otherwise defective, and unfit perhaps for much service, yet admitted to favour and honour.

2. The abundance of the best provisions he enjoys. At the King"s table is plenty, and of the best. At the table of the heavenly King, spread under the gospel, are provisions the choicest and rarest, to be found nowhere else; and which nourish, not for this short earthly life, but for life eternal. The best intellectual food is here; but especially that food which quickens and nourishes the soul, in faith, and love, and hope, and holiness. Divine truth and whatever it reveals and presents the pardoning mercy and fatherly love of God, the love and sacrifice of Christ, his body and his blood, which are the real food and drink of men. Of these the believing and loving soul may partake at will, anywhere and everywhere. The King"s table is not confined to place; but especially in the house of God and at the Lord"s Supper, the table is spread, and Christians gather together to feed and feast.

3. At the King"s table is the best society. At the table of the Divine King we associate with the Father and the Son, by the Spirit; and by him also with saints and angels, "the excellent of the earth" and the excellent of heaven. The Lord fulfils his promise, "I will sup with him, and he with me". (Rev_3:20)

1. At the King"s table is gladness. The honour, the provision, the company, all tend to give pleasure.

2. There also is safety. The palace of a king is commonly the securest spot in the land. Far more assured is the safety of those who sit at the table of the heavenly King. Angels guard them; God himself is their Dwelling place and Defence.

3. The privilege of eating at the table of our King is perpetual. As in the case of Mephibosheth. If it is not continually enjoyed, it is our own fault. The privilege enjoyed by Mephibosheth would be a constant solace to him in his helplessness; and the spiritual counterpart is to Christians a constant source of comfort and support under their troubles.

III THE WORDS ARE PERFECTLY FULFILLED IN THE HEAVENLY WORLD. The future blessedness of God"s people is often compared to a feast (see Mat_8:11; Rev_2:7 Rev_19:9) It is, in fact, the continuance and the perfecting of the blessedness now enjoyed, The King himself is perfectly "manifested." "They shall see his face"; (Rev_22:4) "We shall see him as he is". (1Jn_3:2) His love and favour are so displayed as not to admit of a doubt. The provisions at his table are the same as on earth; but the guests are better able to enjoy them, their spiritual appetite and tastes being freed from all that lessens their fitness to do so. The society is the same, but those imperfect on earth are perfected in spirit and in body (Heb_12:23; Php_3:21) The security is absolute; the joy unmingled with sorrow; the feast is perpetual and without end. "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God". (Luk_14:15) Who shall partake of that bliss? All are invited by the gospel; and none will be excluded but such as exclude themselves by refusing to accept the invitation, and obtain the necessary preparation for the feast, which consists in reconciliation to the King through Jesus Christ, constant loyalty and obedience to him, and joyful partaking now of his spiritual gifts. To "eat continually at the King"s table" here is the necessary condition of our doing so hereafter, as it is also the preparation for that happiness and the evidence that we shall enjoy it. 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.