2 Samuel 9:6

6 Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, and fell on his face and did obeisance. David said, "Mephibosheth!" He answered, "I am your servant."

2 Samuel 9:6 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 9:6

Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul,
&c.] For that was his name, though sometimes called Meribbaal, ( 1 Chronicles 8:34 ) ; and this was his relation to Jonathan and Saul, the son of the one, and grandson of the other:

was come unto David;
to his court and palace in Jerusalem, being thither brought; for he could not go of himself, being lame:

he fell on his face, and did reverence;
to him as a king, in a civil way, and in the best manner he could, considering that he was lame on his feet:

and David said, Mephibosheth;
is it he? having learnt what his name was, this he expressed with great vehemency and affection, as glad that he had found one of Jonathan's posterity: and

he answered, behold thy servant!
he answered to his name, and owned his subjection to David, and was ready to take the oath of allegiance to him, and give him homage, and serve him in what way he could.

2 Samuel 9:6 In-Context

4 The king said to him, "Where is he?" Ziba said to the king, "He is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar."
5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.
6 Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, and fell on his face and did obeisance. David said, "Mephibosheth!" He answered, "I am your servant."
7 David said to him, "Do not be afraid, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan; I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you yourself shall eat at my table always."
8 He did obeisance and said, "What is your servant, that you should look upon a dead dog such as I?"

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or [Merib-baal]+!: See 4.4 note
  • [b]. Or [Merib-baal]+!: See 4.4 note
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.