2 Samuel 9:7

7 David said to him, "Don't be afraid. I will be kind to you for your father Jonathan's sake. I will give you back all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table."

2 Samuel 9:7 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 9:7

And David said unto him, fear not
He might observe a dejection in his countenance, a trembling in his limbs, and might discover signs of fear lest David should cut him off, because he was of the seed royal:

for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake;
whom he loved as his own soul, and to whom he had sworn that he would not cut off his kindness from his house for ever, and now remembering his oath was determined to observe it:

and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father;
his grandfather, such sometimes being called fathers; which David had taken to him, as crown lands, or in the right of his wife; or as being confiscated by Ishbosheth's rebellion:

and thou shall eat bread at my table continually;
he gave him an apartment in the court, a place at his table, admitted him to be a guest with him as long as he should live; which was a very great favour and high honour, and showed what an unshaken friendship he had for his father, and would maintain with him. This was the kindness of God he meant to show to him.

2 Samuel 9:7 In-Context

5 Then King David had servants bring Jonathan's son from the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.

6 Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, came before David and bowed facedown on the floor. David said, "Mephibosheth!" Mephibosheth said, "I am your servant."

7 David said to him, "Don't be afraid. I will be kind to you for your father Jonathan's sake. I will give you back all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table."

8 Mephibosheth bowed to David again and said, "You are being very kind to me, your servant! And I am no better than a dead dog!"

9 Then King David called Saul's servant Ziba. David said to him, "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family.