2 Samuel 19:24-30

24 Then 1Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and 2he had neither cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor 3washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.
25 It was when he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, "4Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?"
26 So he answered, "O my lord, the king, my servant deceived me; for your servant said, 'I will saddle a donkey for myself that I may ride on it and go with the king,' 5because your servant is lame.
27 "Moreover, 6he has slandered your servant to my lord the king; but my lord the king is 7like the angel of God, therefore do what is good in your sight.
28 "For 8all my father's household was nothing but dead men before my lord the king; 9yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right do I have yet that I should complain anymore to the king?"
29 So the king said to him, "Why do you still speak of your affairs? I have decided, 'You and Ziba shall divide the land.' "
30 Mephibosheth said to the king, "Let him even take it all, since * my lord the king has come safely to his own house."

2 Samuel 19:24-30 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 19

David indulging to too much grief for the death of his son, is rebuked by Joab, and threatened with a revolt of the people from him, if he did not change his conduct, which be accordingly did, 2Sa 19:1-8; upon which the men of Israel were the first that moved for the bringing him back to Jerusalem, and the men of Judah were solicited to join with them in it, which was effected, 2Sa 19:9-15; and at Jordan, Shimei, that had cursed him, met him, and asked his pardon, and was forgiven, 2Sa 19:16-23; and when come to Jerusalem, Mephibosheth excused so well his not going out with him, that he had half his land restored to him, which had been given to his servant, 2Sa 19:24-30; and Barzillai, who had very liberally supplied the king, was allowed to return to his own city, and Chimham his son was taken to court, 2Sa 19:31-40; and a contention arose between the men of Israel and of Judah about the restoration of the king, which issued in an insurrection, as the next chapter shows, 2Sa 19:41-43.

Cross References 9

Footnotes 5

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