Annotations upon the remaining historicall part of the Old Testament. The second part. to wit, the books of Joshua, Judges, the two books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, and the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther : wherein first, all such passages in the text are explained as were thought likely to be questioned by any reader of ordinary capacity : secondly, in many clauses those things are discovered which are needfull and usefull to be known ... and thirdly, many places that might at first seem to contradict one another are reconciled ... / by Arthur Jackson.

CHAP. IX.

Vers. 1. ANd David said is there yet any left of the house of Saul? &c.] Thus David began now to call to mind the covenant he made with Jonathan, 1. Sam. 20.14, 15. And thou shalt not onely while yet I live shew me the kind∣nesse of the Lord that I die not. But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindnesse from my house for••ever, no not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David. It may seem strange indeed, that David did not long ago think of this, or that now thinking of it, he should know nothing of Mephibosheth Jonathans sonne; but for the first of these we may ascribe it to the continuall warres wherewith he had been

hitherto encumbred, and besides, we know that in the sacred History all things are not set down in the very same order wherein they were done: and for the second, we must consider, first, that David having lived as an exile both from the court and kingdome of Israel a long time, might happely know nothing of this child of Jona∣thans when he came to the crown: secondly, that the friends of Saul might pur∣posely conceal him for fear of David: thirdly, that David was not through jea∣lousie and fear inquisitive after Sauls posterity: and fourthly, that there is no cause why we should be so solicitous to clear David from being too remisse in taking care of performing the covenant which he had made with Jonathan. However obser∣vable it is, that when he enquired whether there were any left of Sauls family he expressed the reason, That I may shew him kindnesse for Jonathans sake: for doubt∣lesse this was added purposely, that his courtiers might not forbear to deal plain∣ly with him, for fear he should enquire after them with an ill intent.

Vers. 3. Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindnesse of God unto him?] That is, that great kindnesse that in the presence of God I promised to Jonathan; or the kindnesse which God sheweth to the fatherlesse and afflicted, yea to his very enemies, and which he likewise requires, that we should shew to them that are in distresse and misery, that we may be like herein to God. All this may be comprehended in this expression; and it was indeed in the very same tearms challenged from David when Jonathan made a covenant with him, 1. Sam. 20.14, 15. And thou shalt not onely while yet I live▪ shew me the kindnesse of the Lord that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindnesse from my house for ever▪ &c.

Vers. 4. Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the sonne of Ammiel in Lo∣debar.] A place beyond Jordan, see chap. 17.27. so farre from Jerusalem he was perhaps purposely removed, that he might be the better concealed from David.

Vers. 6. Now when Mephibosheth the sonne of Jonathan, &c.] Who is also called Merib-baal, 1. Chron. 8.34.

Vers. 7. I will surely shew thee kindnesse, for Jonathan thy fathers sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father, &c.] This land of Sauls had been hitherto it seems in Davids hands, either by way of confiscation, because of Ishbo∣sheths rebellion, or by title of succession, as crown lands belonging to the king of Israel, or by right of inheritance, because David had married Sauls daughter, ac∣cording to the law, Num. 27.8. If a man die and have no sonne, then ye shall cause his inheritance to passe to his daughter.

Vers. 10. And thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy masters sonne may have food to eat, &c.] That is, that Mephibosheth thy master Sauls sonne may have where∣with to nourish and provide for his sonne, and the rest of his family. Many Expo∣sitours hold, that by his masters sonne in these words is meant Micha, mentioned vers. 12. the sonne of Mephibosheth, who was now Ziba's master; and so they take the drift of Davids words to be this; that with the fruits of the land he should nou∣rish Micha his master Mephibosheths sonne, and that Mephibosheth himself should live with him in his Court, and eat at his table; but because in the verse immedi∣ately before this by his masters sonne is meant Mephibosheth, I have given to thy masters sonne all that pertaineth to Saul, and to all his house: and so likewise in the

words immediately following, But Mephibosheth thy masters sonne shall eat bread alway at my table; I cannot think that in these words between, he should not mean the same by his masters sonne; onely indeed it is plain by these words▪ that thy masters sonne may have food to eat, is onely meant, that he might have food in his house for his family to eat; for the next words shew, that himself was to be continu∣ally at Davids table, But Mephibosheth thy masters sonne shall eat bread alway at my table.

Vers. 12. And Mephibosheth had a young sonne, whose name was Micha.] Mephi∣bosheth was but five years old, when Saul and Jonathan were slain, chap. 4.4. and now he had a young sonne: so long it was after Sauls death, ere David began to think of requiting the love which Jonathan had shewn to him.