Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Mephibosheth was five years old at Saul‘s death. He may have been thirteen at David‘s accession to the throne of Israel. In the eighth year of David‘s reign over all Israel he would have been twenty-one. His having a son at this time indicates that we are about the 10th year of David‘s reign.

Micha - Or Micah; who, as far as we know, was Mephibosheth‘s only son, and had a numerous posterity (marginal references).

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible

MEPHIBOSHETH ESTABLISHED AT KING DAVID'S COURT

"And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica (Micah). And all who dwelt in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servants. So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem; for he ate always at the king's table. Now he was lame in both his feet."

"So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem" (2 Samuel 9:13). The word "so" in this passage is significant. It means "in this manner," carrying the thought of impressive stability and magnificence, a picture that was enhanced by the addition of the whole household of Ziba. It must have taken a considerably large palace to accommodate such a large household.

"The offspring of Mephibosheth became leading men in the tribe of Benjamin until the Captivity (1 Chronicles 8:35-40; 9:40-44)."[11]

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha,.... What his age was is not said from him sprung a progeny of several generations, 1 Chronicles 8:34,

and all that dwelt in the house Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth; his sons and his servants.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micah — Whether born before or after his residence in Jerusalem, cannot be ascertained. But through him the name and memory of the excellent Jonathan was preserved (see 1 Chronicles 8:34, 1 Chronicles 8:35; 1 Chronicles 9:40, 1 Chronicles 9:41).

John Trapp Complete Commentary

2 Samuel 9:12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name [was] Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba [were] servants unto Mephibosheth.

Ver. 12. And Mephibosheth had a younq son.] It was no small while, therefore, ere poor Mephibosheth was thought upon - see 2 Samuel 9:1; twenty years at least.

Were servants unto Mephibosheth.] He was master of the house, and Ziba but steward; till, by his false and foolish calumnies, he had wormed out his master.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Mephibosheth had a young son; either, first, Before he was discovered and brought to the king; and then David seems guilty of a great error in forgetting his dear Jonathan so long; although his long and continued wars, both civil and foreign, might afford him some excuse, as filling his mind and time with business of another nature. Or, secondly, After that time; for there is nothing here which determines when this son was born. Whose name was

Micha; who also had other children and grandchildren, to keep up the name and memory of worthy and famous Jonathan. See 1 Chronicles 8:34,35 9:40,41.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

12.Micha — Called Micah in 1 Chronicles 8:35, where it appears that the posterity of Jonathan continued through many generations.

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

‘And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth.’

We now learn that Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. He would be very much a youngster, but he would not be lame, and could well have turned out in the future, as a Saulide, to be a threat to David’s dynasty. Thus David’s act of kindness was not simply based on Mephibosheth’s incapacity. It was based on his total confidence in YHWH. Mica would apparently be maintained on the Saulide estates watched over by his mother, and Ziba. He would himself later bear four sons and his son’s sons would become skilled fighting men and archers, and would themselves be very fruitful, developing into a large family (1 Chronicles 8:34-40). But there is never any hint of disloyalty. David’s confidence had not been displaced.

The mention of this son is probably deliberately intended as in contrast to Michal’s barrenness. God’s blessing on Mephibosheth is to be seen as not only including Saul’s lands and a place at the king’s table, but also as including a fruitful wife. Unlike Michal he was being given all that a person could desire because his attitude was right.

Meanwhile we learn that Ziba and his family served Mephibosheth. It was only later that ambition would drive him to be disloyal to Mephibosheth. It was not Mephibosheth’s loyalty that would be in question, but Ziba’s.

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Mephibosheth. Note the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis (App-6) in this verse: being repeated at the beginning of the next verse.

was = he was.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.

Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micah. Whether born before or after his residence in Jerusalem cannot be ascertained. But through him the name and memory of the excellent Jonathan was preserved (see the notes at 1 Chronicles 8:34-35; 1 Chronicles 9:40-41).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

son

1 Chronicles 8:8,34-40; 9:40-44

Micah

servants.

Micah 7:5,6