John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. And David said unto him, fear not , etc.] He might observe a dejection in his countenance, a trembling in his limbs, and might discover signs of fear lest David should cut him off, because he was of the seed royal: for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake ; whom he loved as his own soul, and to whom he had sworn that he would not cut off his kindness from his house for ever, and now remembering his oath was determined to observe it: and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father ; his grandfather, such sometimes being called fathers; which David had taken to him, as crown lands, or in the right of his wife; or as being confiscated by Ishbosheth’s rebellion: and thou shall eat bread at my table continually ; he gave him an apartment in the court, a place at his table, admitted him to be a guest with him as long as he should live; which was a very great favour and high honour, and showed what an unshaken friendship he had for his father, and would maintain with him. This was the kindness of God he meant to show to him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Amidst numerous affairs we are apt to forget the gratitude we owe, an the engagements we are under, not only to our friends, but to God himself. Yet persons of real godliness will have no rest till they have discharged them. And the most proper objects of kindness and charity frequently will not be found without inquiry. Jonathan was David' sworn friend, therefore he shows kindness to his son Mephibosheth. God is faithful to us; let us not be unfaithful to one another. I Providence has raised us, and our friends and their families ar brought low, we must look upon that as giving us the fairer opportunit of being kind to them.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 לו דוד1732 אל408 תירא3372 כי3588 עשׂה6213 אעשׂה6213 עמך5973 חסד2617 בעבור5668 יהונתן3083 אביך1 והשׁבתי7725 לך את853 כל3605 שׂדה7704 שׁאול7586 אביך1 ואתה859 תאכל398 לחם3899 על5921 שׁלחני7979 תמיד׃8548
