King David initiates an active search for any remaining members of Saul's family, hoping to extend a profound act of kindness toward them. He directs his inquiry to Ziba, a servant of Saul's household. David's question is rhetorical; he asks if there is truly no one left, expressing complete confidence that another survivor from Saul's family must still be alive and waiting to receive this grace [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. Furthermore, David is not merely looking for any survivor, but specifically for a capable individual who is fit to be appointed to an official position [מלבי״ם].
The commentators offer various perspectives on the exact nature and motivation behind David's intended gesture. One approach suggests that associating God with the act is meant to amplify its scale, indicating an immense and extraordinary generosity [מצודת דוד, חומת אנך]. Another perspective focuses on the motivation, explaining that this kindness is rooted in the sacred oath sworn in the past between David and Jonathan [רד״ק]. Building on this, the specific association with divine justice implies that David viewed this act not merely as a favor, but as a binding legal obligation stemming from that prior commitment [חומת אנך]. It represents a stable, genuine kindness driven solely by a deep devotion to God [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Additionally, by framing his request broadly without explicitly mentioning Jonathan's name at first, David intentionally widens the scope of his benevolence to include anyone from Saul's entire household, rather than limiting it strictly to Jonathan's direct descendants [מלבי״ם].
In response, Ziba reveals that Jonathan indeed has a surviving son, but immediately adds that the man is crippled. He was severely injured and broken in a fall, leaving him permanently lame in both feet [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. Highlighting the son's physical disability is not a minor detail. First, it explains why the son had remained completely anonymous and hidden from the public eye up until this point [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Furthermore, it serves as a direct, practical answer to David's initial request for a capable official. Ziba clarifies that while Jonathan does have a living heir, the son's physical limitations make him entirely unsuited for the type of leadership role that David originally intended to bestow [מלבי״ם].