2 Samuel 9:6

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.

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?”

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
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.
KJV
Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!
WEB
Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, fell on his face, and showed respect. David said, “Mephibosheth?” He answered, “Behold, your servant!”
ASV
And Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came unto David, and fell on his face, and did obeisance. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold, thy servant!
DARBY
And Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, and fell on his face and did obeisance. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he said, Behold thy servant!
BLB
And Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, son of Saul, had come to David, and he fell on his face and bowed low. And David said, “Mephibosheth.” And he answered, “Behold, your servant!”
ÅB
Og da Mefiboset, sønn av Jonatan, Sauls sønn, kom inn til David, kastet han seg ned med ansiktet mot jorden. Og David sa: Mefiboset! Han svarte: Her er din tjener.
OTB
Mefibosjet, Jonatans sønn og Sauls barnebarn, kom til David og bøyde seg ned, kastet seg ned. Og David sa, "Mefibosjet!" Og han svarte, "Her er din tjener!"
B1930
Og da Mefiboset, sønn av Jonatan, Sauls sønn, kom inn til David, kastet han sig ned med ansiktet mot jorden. Og David sa: Mefiboset! Han svarte: Her er din tjener.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Chronicles 9:40

    The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, who was the father of Micah.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 16:4

    So the king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!” “I humbly bow before you,” said Ziba. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!”

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 19:24–30

    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.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 25:23

    When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him.

    Read in context
  • 1 Chronicles 8:34

    The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, and Merib-baal was the father of Micah.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 33:3

    But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 18:2

    And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 20:41

    When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more.

    Read in context