2 Samuel 19:26

24 Then Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely.

25 And he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, who asked him, “Mephibosheth, why did you not go with me?”

“My lord the king,” he replied, “because I am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled so that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba deceived me,

27 and he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. Yet my lord the king is like the angel of God, so do what is good in your eyes.

28 For all the house of my grandfather deserves death from my lord the king, yet you have set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right, then, do I have to keep appealing to the king?”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“My lord the king,” he replied, “because I am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled so that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba deceived me,
KJV
And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.
WEB
He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go with the king,’ because your servant is lame.
ASV
And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go with the king; because thy servant is lame.
DARBY
And he said, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me; for thy servant said, I will saddle me the ass, and ride thereon, and go with the king; for thy servant is lame.
BLB
And he answered, “My lord the king, my servant deceived me, for your servant said, ‘I will saddle for myself the donkey, that I may ride on it and go to the king, because your servant [is] lame.’
ÅB
Han svarte: Herre konge! Min tjener narret meg; for din tjener sa: Jeg vil ha mitt esel salt, så jeg kan ride på det og følge med kongen; for din tjener er lam.
OTB
Han svarte: "Min herre kongen, min tjener bedro meg. For din tjener sa: 'Jeg vil sale et esel for meg selv, slik at jeg kan ri på det og gå med kongen,' fordi din tjener er lam.
B1930
Han svarte: Herre konge! Min tjener narret mig; for din tjener sa: Jeg vil ha mitt asen salt, så jeg kan ride på det og følge med kongen; for din tjener er lam.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Samuel 16:2–3

    “Why do you have these?” asked the king. Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 9:3

    So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family to whom I can show the kindness of God?” Ziba answered, “There is still Jonathan’s son, who is lame in both feet.”

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 4:4

    And Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to escape, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

    Read in context