Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Samuel 9:1-8

"And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan`s sake? And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him unto David; and the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. 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, who is lame of his feet. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar. And Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came unto David, and fell on his face, and did obeisance. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold, thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not; for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father`s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he did obeisance, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?" — 2 Samuel 9:1-8 (ASV)

Amid numerous affairs, we tend to forget the gratitude we owe and the obligations we have, not only to our friends but to God Himself. Yet, people of true godliness will have no rest until they have fulfilled them. And the most suitable recipients of kindness and charity will often not be found without inquiry.

Jonathan was David's sworn friend; therefore, he shows kindness to his son Mephibosheth. God is faithful to us; let us not be unfaithful to one another. If Providence has raised us, and our friends and their families are brought low, we must see that as giving us a greater opportunity to be kind to them.