2 Samuel 19:25

25 And he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, who asked him, “Mephibosheth, why did you not go with me?”

2 Samuel 19:25 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 19:25

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 ) .

2 Samuel 19:25 In-Context

23 So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king swore an oath to him.

24 Then Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely.

25 And he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, who asked him, “Mephibosheth, why did you not go with me?”

26 “My lord the king,” he replied, “because I am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled so that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba deceived me,

27 and he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. Yet my lord the king is like the angel of God, so do what is good in your eyes.