Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 19:25
And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
25. when he was come to Jerusalem ] If the reading is right, the meeting between David and Mephibosheth must have taken place in Jerusalem, and is introduced here out of the strictly chronological order, because of the mention of Ziba in 2Sa 19:17. “Came down” in 2Sa 19:24 must then be explained ‘came down from his house in the highlands of Benjamin near Gibeah to Jerusalem,’ not ‘came down from Jerusalem to the Jordan.’ The conclusion of 2Sa 19:30 agrees with the supposition that Mephibosheth met David in Jerusalem. This is better than rendering when Jerusalem (i.e. the inhabitants of Jerusalem) came, which is forced, or emending from Jerusalem, which is a conjecture supported by no external authority of value.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
When he was come to Jerusalem; so it is supposed, that Mephibosheth, though he went to meet the king, wanted either courage or fit opportunity to speak to the king till he came to Jerusalem, because of the great multitudes that addressed themselves to the king by the way. Though it might more reasonably be thought that he could not go from Jerusalem to meet the king, as others did, because he wanted conveniences for his journey; for Ziba had gotten all his lands and goods, 2Sa 16:4, and it is not likely that he, who would not provide him an ass to ride on, or to accompany the king at his departure, would now be hasty to furnish him with one to meet the king, to whom he knew he would complain of him. But the words may seem to be better rendered thus, when he went (for so the Hebrew verb signifies, Rth 3:7; Jon 1:3) from (which preposition is oft understood) Jerusalem; for there he was, 2Sa 16:3; and having continued there, as probably he did, (because he wanted an ass to convey him elsewhere, and knew not where to be with more safety,) he could not properly nor truly be said to have come thither to meet the king.
Wherefore wentest not thou with me, as justice and gratitude obliged thee to do?
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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, 2Sa 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, 2Sa 16:3.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(25) Wentest not thou with me?David had heard and believed the story of Mephibosheths ingratitude and treachery (2Sa. 16:3-4), and his present remonstrance is so gentle and kindly as to show that Mephibosheths appearance at once produced an impression, and suggested in Davids mind a doubt of the truth of what Ziba had told him.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
25. When he was come to Jerusalem Rather, When Jerusalem came; that is, the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Mephibosheth’s residence was in the city, (2Sa 9:13,) and at the earliest opportunity he came forth with the inhabitants of Jerusalem to meet the king, who was yet at the Jordan.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(25) And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth? (26) And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame. (27) And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes. (28) For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry anymore unto the king? (29) And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou anymore of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land. (30) And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.
It should seem that David, by this time, had discovered the treachery of Ziba; for he here confirms his original grant to Mephibosheth. Whereas, in the moment when Ziba came out to meet David, with information against Mephibosheth, he took all away from the son of Jonathan, and gave to Ziba. See 2Sa 16:1-4 . But there appears to have been so much sweetness of temper, and gentleness of mind in David at this time, that he aimed to make everyone happy; Reader! affliction is a profitable school, when JESUS himself is the Teacher. Depend upon it, that it was not without reason the wise man said; it is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting. Ecc 7:2 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Sa 19:25 And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
Ver. 25. When he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king. ] Or, When Jerusalem went to meet the king, as they did fully and wholly at his return. Mephibosheth went also; not having opportunity through Ziba’s treachery to come sooner.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Wherefore: 2Sa 16:17
Reciprocal: 2Sa 21:7 – Mephibosheth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 19:25-27. When he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king He had probably continued near Jerusalem during the kings absence, and it seems could not go to a distance from it to meet him, as others did, for want of conveniences for his journey: for Ziba had gotten possession of all his lands and goods, and it is not likely that he, who would not provide him an ass to ride on, to accompany the king at his departure, would now be forward to furnish him with one to meet the king, to whom he knew he would complain of him. My servant deceived me He had ordered an ass to be made ready for him, to carry him to David; instead of which Ziba saddled it for himself, and went with that false story mentioned 2Sa 16:3. My lord the king is as an angel of God To discern between truth and falsehood, between facts and calumnies. Do, therefore, what is good in thine eyes I submit myself entirely to thy judgment.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
19:25 And it came to pass, when {l} he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
(l) When Mephibosheth being at Jerusalem had met the King.