I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land— He first gave the whole in property to Mephibotheth, and afterwards to Ziba: and yet, I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land, must refer to some former determination of David with respect to the estate. But no such determination is to be found, except that original one, ch. 2 Samuel 9:10 in which the estate was divided between Mephibosheth and Ziba, the whole to Mephibotheth in property; and to Ziba, for taking care of it, sufficient to maintain himself and family out of the profits it produced: so that this was in reality confirming the original grant, and restoring Mephibosheth to the possession of the whole, upon the same terms on which the possession was at first granted him. It was certainly a revocation of the grant to Ziba, who therefore could claim no part of the estate by that grant, nor by any other; for there was no other than that by which he was allowed a proper maintenance out of it: so that, if David was too hasty in giving Mephibosheth's estate to Ziba, he did, upon being undeceived, immediately restore it to Mephibosheth, and thereby discovered his great regard to truth and equity, and the firmness of his affection and friendship to Jonathan and his family: and though he confirmed the original grant, thereby leaving to Ziba and his family a maintenance out of the estate, it was out of respect even to Saul, of whose house Ziba was, and as a recompense for that seasonable supply which he brought him when he was forced, by the unnatural rebellion of Absalom his son, to abandon the capital. Houbigant interprets the passage in the same manner. Dr. Delaney is of opinion, that the 37th Psalm was written by David for Mephibosheth's consolation under Ziba's calumny.
REFLECTIONS.—David now enters Jerusalem in triumph, and there Mephibosheth comes to congratulate him, who, during the king's exile, had spent his time in mourning, neglecting his person, and neither trimming nor dressing himself for so long a time. David, who, from Ziba's misrepresentation, suspected Mephibosheth not only of great ingratitude, but of base designs, is surprised, in answer to his inquiry why he had not followed him, to find how blameless he was, and how vilely he had been imposed upon; yet Mephibosheth is so sensible of David's goodness in his past favours towards him, and so rejoiced in his present return, that he presumes not to controvert the royal grant to Ziba, but refers the matter wholly to the king's wisdom. David hereupon settles the estate on the former footing; not punishing Ziba as he deserved, because that was a day of mercy, or in return for the real service done him, though with so wicked a purpose; and thus Mephibosheth is again reinstated in his inheritance. Note; (1.) In times of public distress, we are called to weeping and mourning. (2.) Wicked servants do their masters unutterable injuries. (3.) A good man sits loose to his own interest, compared with the interests of God's church and people.