Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 9:3
And the king said, [Is] there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, [which is] lame on [his] feet.
3. the kindness of God ] A reference to Jonathan’s words in 1Sa 20:14. “The kindness of God” means kindness or mercy such as God shews to men, unfailing, unsought, unlimited. Cp. Luk 6:36.
lame on his feet ] See ch. 2Sa 4:4.
Machir the son of Ammiel ] A man of wealth and position, to judge from the welcome which he gave David in his flight from Absalom (ch. 2Sa 17:27-29). He may have taken charge of Mephibosheth at Jonathan’s death. It may be inferred from his name that he belonged to the tribe of Manasseh (Num 32:39-40).
Lo-debar ] A town on the E. of the Jordan in the neighbourhood of Mahanaim, possibly the same as the Debir of Jos 13:26. Its site is not determined.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 3. That I may show the kindness of God unto him?] That is, the utmost, the highest degrees of kindness; as the hail of God, is very great hail, the mountains of God, exceeding high mountains: besides, this kindness was according to the covenant of God made between him and the family of Jonathan.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The kindness of God; either, first, That kindness which I owe him for Gods sake, and by virtue of my oath given to him about it, 1Sa 20:14,15. But that oath seems only to oblige him to Jonathans posterity, and not to any other of Sauls house. Or, secondly, Great and eminent kindness.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the king said, [is] there not yet any of the house of Saul; that is, remaining or living:
that I may show the kindness of God unto him? great kindness, some large favour or benefit; for the word God added to things, as to trees, mountains, c. serves to set forth the excellency of them and this kindness is in imitation of God, or such as he had sworn in the presence of God to show; and that is expressed in the same language, 1Sa 20:14;
and Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son; a son still living;
[which is] lame on [his] feet; on both his feet, as the Targum; of which occasion, [See comments on 2Sa 4:4].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
3. Lame See 2Sa 4:4.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And the king said, “Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” And Ziba said to the king, “Jonathan has yet a son, who is lame of his feet.” ’
He must therefore have been greatly relieved when the reason that he had been summoned turned out to be in order for David to show mercy to Saul’s descendants. For David questioned him about them in order to show ‘the kindness of God’ towards them. To David the ‘kindness of God’ was the highest form of unmerited kindness that it was possible to show, for he knew from experience what the kindness of God was like because God had shown His kindness towards him.. It might on the other hand mean a kindness wrought in the heart by God, but either way the thought is similar. Alternately in Hebrew idiom it can be seen as simply indicating ‘great kindness’ (in the same way as ‘the mountains of God’ could mean ‘great mountains’).
Note David’s awareness of the fact that Ziba would have been loth to answer his next question had he not indicated his intention to show mercy. It was not a wise thing to appear to be on terms with, or even familiar with, the household of the previous dynasty. It was no doubt the assurance of David that made him reply, ‘Jonathan has yet a son’ but he immediately hurried on to say ‘he is lame in both his feet’. That at least indicated that he was less likely to pose a threat to David.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
2Sa 9:3. That I may shew the kindness of God unto him That is, “That I may treat him with a benignity resembling that of Almighty God;” who continues his kindness even to the descendants of those who love him.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Sa 9:3 And the king said, [Is] there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, [which is] lame on [his] feet.
Ver. 3. The kindness of God. ] A God-like kindness, – compare 3Jn 1:6 , – or that which Jonathan bound me in the presence of God to show to him and his. 1Sa 20:14-15
Which is lame on his feet.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
any = a man. Hebrew. ‘ish. App-14.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4. lame. Compare 2Sa 4:4.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the kindness of God: That is, the highest degree of kindness; as the hail of God is very great hail; the mountains of God exceeding high mountains; besides which, this kindness was according to the covenant of God made between him and Jonathan. Deu 4:37, Deu 10:15, 1Sa 20:14-17, Mat 5:44, Mat 5:45, Luk 6:36, Tit 3:3, Tit 3:4
yet a son: 2Sa 4:4, 2Sa 19:26
Reciprocal: 2Sa 2:6 – I also 2Sa 9:7 – for I will 2Sa 9:13 – was lame
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
9:3 And the king said, [Is] there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the {b} kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, [which is] lame on [his] feet.
(b) Such mercy as shall be acceptable to God.