And it came to pass, when he came to Jerusalem to meet the
king
Perhaps from the place where his estate was; or, as the Arabic version, when he came from Jerusalem, from whence he went a little way to meet the king, as he was coming thither; for it was said he abode at Jerusalem, ( 2 Samuel 16:3 ) ;
that the king said unto him, wherefore wentest not thou with me,
Mephibosheth?
when he departed from Jerusalem, being obliged to flee from thence because of Absalom; it is very probable David would never have asked him this question, knowing his lameness, had it not been for the suggestion of Ziba his servant, that he stayed at Jerusalem, hoping that the kingdom of his father would be restored to him, ( 2 Samuel 16:3 ) .