A commentary upon the whole Old Testament, added to that of the same author upon the whole New Testament published many years before, to make a compleat work upon the whole Bible. Vols. 2-4. Wherein the divers translations and expositions, literall and mysticall, of all the most famous commentators both ancient and modern are propounded, examined, and judged of, for the more full satisfaction of the studious reader in all things, and many most genuine notions inserted for edification in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. A work, the like unto which hath never yet been published by any man, yet very necessary, nor only for students in divinity; but also for every Christian that loveth the knowledge of divine things, or humane, whereof this comment is also full. Consisting of IV parts. I Upon the Pentateuch, or five books of Moses. II Upon the historical part, from Joshua to Esther. III Upon Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Solomons Song. IV Upon all the prophets both great and small. By John Mayer, doctor of divinity.

CHAP. IX.

DAvid now beginneth to remember his Covenant with Janathan the son of Saul, and therefore enquireth whether any of his posterity were yet * 1.1

living, that hee might shew him kindnesse for his fathers sake, and then, he is certified of Mephibosheth, one lame of his feet, that dwelt with Machir in Lodebar. It was not through any neglect of his friend, that David thought not upon shewing kindnesse to Jonathans sonne hitherto, but because he was taken up with other weighty affaires of the Common-wealth. But now ha∣ving a time of freedome he enquired after some of Sauls race, yet intending par∣ticularly Jonathans, for the posterity of Jonathan was Sauls. Wherefore Joseph. going according to the meaning, saith, that hee asked after some of Jonathans * 1.2 posterity. There was an oath indeed taken by David to Saul, as well as to Jonathan, but that was forced, this free, that not to root out Sauls posterity, * 1.3 this to doe good to Jonathans, yet in doing good to Jonathans sonne hee did it unto Sauls. How Mepibosheth came to bee lame, see before 1 Sam: 4. 4. This Lodebar where Mephibosheth lived was a City, as saith Adrichom. in Gilead in the Tribe of Gad on the other side of Jordan, where Ishbosheth his uncle had raigned, wherefore he was first brought to this place for his greater safety, and Machir seemeth to have beene a man of note of Manasseh, to whose protection hee had committed himselfe. This Mephibosheth is called Meribbaal 1 Chr: 8. 34. but as Martyr saith, his name was happily turned to Mephibosheth for some defor∣mity * 1.4 that happened to his face. Zibah Sauls servant, of whom David enquired for him, seemeth to have beene no Israelite, but a stranger, because hee was a perpetuall servant to him, and his, otherwise David could not justly have ap∣pointed him to serve Mephibosheth. The kindnesse shewed by David to Me∣phibosheth was in restoring Sauls land unto him, which fell unto David by the Rebellion of Ishbosheth against him, and setting him at his owne Table as one of his owne sonnes continually. Hee feared that he was sent for to bee put to death, as the childe of Saul Davids enemy, wherefore hee bade him not to feare and made him these gracious promises for his fathers sake. Thus good fa∣thers [Note.] provide better, that it may goe well with their children after them by their goodnesse, then they that leave them great riches.

Mephibosheth hearing Davids offer of so great kindnesse, humbleth himselfe * 1.5 as most unworthy, and saying, that he was a dead dogge. But how could hee justly, saith Martyr, speake thus of himselfe, seeing hee was a man, and that an Hebrew, and of a Kingly stocke? and Answ: that hee meant in comparison of David with whom hee heard hee should sit at Table, and of the benefits be∣stowed now upon him by David. For he came both of a rejected stocke, and was lame. Yet hee saith, that some in detracting from themselves unreason∣ably doe sinne through pride, their end being, that they may by others bee praised. The same phrase was used before by David unto Saul, 1 Sam: 24. 14. see also, 2 Sam: 3. 8. 2 Sam: 16. 9. Hereby was meant a man most execrable, for a dogge was an uncleane creature, and being dead was good for nothing, therefore when the Jewes would set forth a prophane and execrable person, they used to doe it by this phrase, Mat: 7. 6.

Then David told Zibah, that hee had given his masters sonne all that had * 1.6 beene Sauls, wherefore hee commanded him to till the Land for him, and to bring him the fruits, that hee might have food to eate, and yet hee saith, that hee should eate at his Table continually, as one of his owne sonnes. Wherein there may seeme to bee a contradiction: for if hee did eate alwayes at the Kings Table, what need was there to bring him the fruits, that hee might have food? Answ: Some say, that by his masters sonne here spoken of, Michah the sonne * 1.7 of Mephibosheth was meant, for Mephibosheth afterwards calleth Ziba his ser∣vant. David then, say they, would have him nourished with these fruits, and Mephibosheth to live with him. But it is plaine, that Mephibosheth was meant by his masters sonne, for hee was not yet his master, till David had made him so, and appointed him to serve him, as hee had before served Saul, his Grand∣father. And wherefore hee speaketh of his having food, the meaning was, that hee should have the revenue arising of the Land for the maintenance of his wife and children and family, and for his other occasions, so Josephus and * 1.8 Comestor. Thus Ziba and all his house consisting of 15 sonnes and 20 servants

served Mephibosheth, and hee did eate continually at the Kings Table. Touch∣ing * 1.9 Ziba who being a servant had servants, it was a thing, saith Martyr, not un∣usuall for some servants to have servants, viz: for those, that were called or∣dinarii, * 1.10 but the mediastini had none. Some have held, that hee eate bread at Zibas table, meate being brought from the Kings table thither, and that out of a mistaking of the last words, v: 11. holding them to bee the words of Ziba, because it is not expressed, that the King spake them. To avoid which the Vulgar Latin rendereth it, at thy table. And Zibasaid, According to all that my Lord the King hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant doe. And Mephibo∣sheth shall eate at thy table as one of the Kinge sonnes. But both Hebrew, Chald: and Sept: have it, at my table. It is an ecclipt: speech, these words being left to bee understood, then said the King. So Lyra, and Vatablus, and Josephus, and * 1.11 Theodoret conclude, that he lived with the King.

Mystically by Mephibosheth understand the contemptible in this world, and unable to manage secular affaires: for such Christ typified by David vouch∣safeth to shew grace unto, and to set them at his heavenly table, being the sons of grace, as hee was of Jonathan, signifying grace, or the gift of a Dove, the embleme of grace.

Notes

• * 1.1

  V. 1. 2.
• * 1.2

  Josephus.
• * 1.3

  1 Sam. 24 21. Sam: 23. 18.
• * 1.4

  Peter Martyr.
• * 1.5

  V. 8.
• * 1.6

  V. 9, 10.
• * 1.7

  Tostatus. Lyra, Dionys. Cajetan. 2 Sam: 19. 26.
• * 1.8

  Joseph. Comestor Scholast. histor.
• * 1.9

  V. 13.
• * 1.10

  Sa.
• * 1.11

  Lyra. Vatablus. Iosephus. Theodoret. The Mystery.