2 Samuel 9:6

6 And when Mephibosheth ^[a] son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell facedown in reverence. Then David said, “Mephibosheth!” “I am your servant,” he replied.

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 “Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”

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

6 And when Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell facedown in reverence. Then David said, “Mephibosheth!” “I am your servant,” he replied.

7 “Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely 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 will always eat at my table.”

8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”

Footnotes

• [a] Mephibosheth is also called Merib-baal; see 1 Chronicles 8:34.