2 Samuel 9:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master 's grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master 's grandson shall always eat at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

NIV: You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table." (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

NASB: You and your sons and your servants shall cultivate the land for him, and you shall bring in the produce so that your master’s grandson will have food to eat; nevertheless Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, shall eat at my table regularly.' Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

CSB: You, your sons, and your servants are to work the ground for him, and you are to bring in the crops so your master’s grandson will have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, is always to eat at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

NLT: You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.' (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

KJV: 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.

NKJV: You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

In 2 Samuel 9:9–13, David unknowingly sets up a betrayal. He asked Saul's former servant, Ziba, if any of Saul's heirs are still alive. Ziba brings him Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son. David gives Mephibosheth Saul's land and tells Ziba and his sons to farm it. All goes well until the kingdom is in turmoil and Ziba tells David that Mephibosheth is vying for the crown. It's not true; it's Ziba's attempt to get the land for his own sons. Mephibosheth stays loyal to David, just like his father did (2 Samuel 16:1–4; 19:24–30).

In 2 Samuel 9, David keeps his promise to show kindness to Jonathan's children. Mephibosheth is Jonathan's only living son. David brings him to Jerusalem and gives him a place at the king's table as if he were David's own son. In addition, David gives full ownership of Saul's lands to Mephibosheth, telling Saul's servant Ziba that he and his sons now serve Saul's grandson as their new master. Ziba will later tell David Mephibosheth has betrayed him, but it's a lie: Ziba's attempt to keep the land for his own (2 Samuel 16:1–4; 19:24–30).

In 2 Samuel 9, David takes care of Jonathan's last son, as he promised (1 Samuel 20:14–17). David finds Jonathan's son Mephibosheth and invites him to Jerusalem. David gives Mephibosheth Saul's lands and tells Saul's former servant Ziba to farm the estate. In an attempt to keep the land for his own sons, Ziba will tell David that Mephibosheth betrayed him and is trying to regain the crown. When he can, Mephibosheth corrects the lie and rededicates himself to David (2 Samuel 16:1–4; 2 Samuel 19:24–30).