2 Samuel 9:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.

NIV: So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.

NASB: Then King David sent messengers who brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.

CSB: So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.

NLT: So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home.

KJV: Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

NKJV: Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.

Second Samuel 9:1–5 describes what happened when David hears that Jonathan has a living son. David asks Saul's former servant, Ziba, if any of Saul's male heirs are still living. Ziba doesn't mention the sons of Saul's concubine or his daughter (2 Samuel 21:8), but he does reveal that Jonathan's son Mephibosheth is still living, although he can't walk. David tells Mephibosheth he will dine at the royal table every day, and tells Ziba to farm Saul's land for his new master (2 Samuel 9:6–13).

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).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

Accessed 12/14/2025 4:08:53 AM