2 Samuel 19:25 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

When he was come to Jerusalem; so it is supposed, that Mephibosheth, though he went to meet the king, wanted either courage or fit opportunity to speak to the king till he came to Jerusalem, because of the great multitudes that addressed themselves to the king by the way. Though it might more reasonably be thought that he could not go from Jerusalem to meet the king, as others did, because he wanted conveniences for his journey; for Ziba had gotten all his lands and goods, 2 Samuel 16:4, and it is not likely that he, who would not provide him an ass to ride on, or to accompany the king at his departure, would now be hasty to furnish him with one to meet the king, to whom he knew he would complain of him. But the words may seem to be better rendered thus, when he went (for so the Hebrew verb signifies, Ruth 3:7 Jonah 1:3) from (which preposition is oft understood) Jerusalem; for there he was, 2 Samuel 16:3; and having continued there, as probably he did, (because he wanted an ass to convey him elsewhere, and knew not where to be with more safety,) he could not properly nor truly be said to have come thither to meet the king. Wherefore wentest not thou with me, as justice and gratitude obliged thee to do?