LO DEBAR: Sig "place of no pasture" (ct v 7), or "no
word".
2Sa 9:6
MEPHIBOSHETH: The treatment of the name "Baal" is
probably an example of deliberate change, for theological reasons, by the
scribes who copied out the scriptures. With personal names that included the
word "Baal" (which could simply mean "master" or "lord"), the scribes
deliberately replaced "Baal" with "Bosheth" (which means "shame"). To them the
idol "Baal", in all his many forms, was a "shameful thing", and any passing
allusion to him was to be avoided if possible. Hence, it is likely that
Jonathan's son was actually named "Meribbaal", but later scribes made sure that
the (by then) hated name of "Baal" was replaced -- yielding "Mephibosheth" (cp
1Ch 8:34; 9:40 and 2Sa 9:6; 19:24; 21:7).
2Sa 9:7
What a blessing! To be invited to eat at the king's table.
Although we may have a limp as we walk there, it is nevertheless good to
go!
2Sa 9:8
WHAT IS YOUR SERVANT, THAT YOU SHOULD NOTICE A DEAD DOG
LIKE ME?: "If Mephibosheth was thus humbled by David's kindness, what shall
we be in the presence of our gracious Lord? The more grace we have, the less we
shall think of ourselves, for grace, like light, reveals our impurity... The
meanest objects in nature appear to the humbled mind to have a preference above
itself, because they have never contracted sin: a dog may be greedy, fierce, or
filthy, but it has no conscience to violate, no Holy Spirit to resist. A dog may
be a worthless animal, and yet by a little kindness it is soon won to love its
master, and is faithful unto death; but we forget the goodness of the Lord, and
follow not at His call. The term 'dead dog' is the most expressive of all terms
of contempt, but it is none too strong to express the self-abhorrence of
instructed believers. They do not affect mock modesty, they mean what they say,
they have weighed themselves in the balances of the sanctuary, and found out the
vanity of their nature. At best, we are but clay, animated dust... but viewed as
sinners, we are monsters indeed. Let it be published in heaven as a wonder, that
the Lord Jesus should set his heart's love upon such as we are" (CHS).
2Sa 9:13
"Mephibosheth was no great ornament to a royal table, yet he
had a continual place at David's board, because the king could see in his face
the features of the beloved Jonathan [2Sa 9:7]. Like Mephibosheth, we may cry
unto the King of Glory, 'What is Thy servant, that Thou shouldst look upon such
a dead dog as I am?' [2Sa 9:8] but still the Lord indulges us with most familiar
intercourse with Himself, because He sees in our countenances the remembrance of
His dearly-beloved Jesus. The Lord's people are dear for another's sake. Such is
the love which the Father bears to His only begotten, that for his sake He
raises his lowly brethren from poverty and banishment, to courtly companionship,
noble rank, and royal provision. Their deformity shall not rob them of their
privileges. Lameness is no bar to sonship; the cripple is as much the heir as if
he could run like Asahel [2Sa 2:18]. Our right does not limp, though our might
may. A king's table is a noble hiding-place for lame legs, and at the gospel
feast we learn to glory in infirmities, because the power of Christ resteth upon
us. Yet grievous disability may mar the persons of the best-loved saints. Here
is one feasted by David, and yet so lame in both his feet that he could not go
up with the king when he fled from the city, and was therefore maligned and
injured by his servant Ziba [2Sa 19:26,27]. Saints whose faith is weak, and
whose knowledge is slender, are great losers; they are exposed to many enemies,
and cannot follow the king whithersoever he goeth. This disease frequently
arises from falls [2Sa 4:4]. Bad nursing in their spiritual infancy often causes
converts to fall into a despondency from which they never recover, and sin in
other cases brings broken bones. Lord, help the lame to leap like an hart, and
satisfy all Thy people with the bread of Thy table!" (CHS).