2 Samuel 19:25

25 “Why didn’t you come with me, Mephibosheth?” the king asked him.

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 Then, turning to Shimei, David vowed, “Your life will be spared.”

24 Now Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, came down from Jerusalem to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the day the king left Jerusalem.

25 “Why didn’t you come with me, Mephibosheth?” the king asked him.

26 Mephibosheth replied, “My lord the king, my servant Ziba deceived me. I told him, ‘Saddle my donkey so I can go with the king.’ For as you know I am crippled.

27 Ziba has slandered me by saying that I refused to come. But I know that my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is best.