2 Samuel 9:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he paid homage and said, "What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?"

NIV: Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?"

NASB: Again he prostrated himself, and said, 'What is your servant, that you should be concerned about a dead dog like me?'

CSB: Mephibosheth paid homage and said, "What is your servant that you take an interest in a dead dog like me?"

NLT: Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, 'Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?'

KJV: And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?

NKJV: Then he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?”

Second Samuel 9:6–8 describes the meeting between King David and Jonathan's son Mephibosheth. David wants to show kindness to his best friend's sons (1 Samuel 20:42). Saul's servant Ziba reveals one is still living. When Saul and Jonathan were killed, Mephibosheth's nurse grabbed him and fled, but she fell, and his feet were permanently injured (2 Samuel 4:4). David insists Mephibosheth dine at his own table, and tells Ziba to care for Saul's land on behalf of Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:9–13).

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 12/4/2025 4:54:56 PM