(9) В¶ Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. (10) Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. (11) Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons. (12) And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. (13) So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.
If we spiritualize those words of David to Ziba, in reference to the poor exiled sinner brought home, and fed, and sustained, and nourished by the Lord Jesus, the language is sweet; but not more sweet than true. See! saith the Lord Jesus, I have supplied all thy need; washed thee from thy sins, clothed thee with my robe of righteousness; all that pertained to thy first father, Adam, in a state of innocency, I have restored to thee; thou shalt have food enough to eat; and above all, thou shalt eat at my table. Blessed Jesus! give us grace to believe in thee, and to depend upon thee; for surely the kindness of David to Mephibosheth is but a faint resemblance of thy love to us, who not only didst love us to give us of thy bounty, but so loved us as to give thyself for us, an offering, and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet swelling savor! Ephesians 5:2.