2 Samuel 9:9

Verse

Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “I have given to your master’s grandson all that belonged to Saul and to all his house.

American Standard Version (1901)

Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, All that pertained to Saul and to all his house have I given unto thy master’s son.

Bible in Basic English

Then the king sent for Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, All the property of Saul and of his family I have given to your master's son.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Then the king called Siba the servant of Saul, and said to him: All that belonged to Saul, and all his house, I have given to thy master’s son.

Free Bible Version

Then the king called for Saul's servant Ziba and told him, “I have given to your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then the king called Ziba Sauls seruant, and said vnto him, I haue giue vnto thy masters sonne all that perteined to Saul and to all his house.

King James (Authorized) Version

¶ Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.

Translation for Translators

Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “Saul was your master; now I am giving to Mephibosheth everything that belonged to Saul and his family.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and his family I have given to your master's grandson.

Noah Webster Bible

Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, I have given to thy master's son all that pertained to Saul, and to all his house.

World English Bible

Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s son.

Young's Literal Translation

And the king calleth unto Ziba servant of Saul, and saith unto him, 'All that was to Saul and to all his house, I have given to the son of thy lord,

Context

David and Mephibosheth

⁸Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”⁹Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “I have given to your master’s grandson all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. ¹⁰You and your sons and servants are to work the ground for him and bring in the harvest, so that your master’s grandson may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, is always to eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

Summary

This verse showcases King David's kindness and generosity towards Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. Despite Mephibosheth's physical disability and his family's past rivalry with David, the king shows him grace by restoring to him all the land that belonged to Saul and inviting him to eat at his table regularly. This act of compassion reflects David's desire to honor his covenant with Jonathan and demonstrates the importance of extending mercy and care to those in need, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Keil-Delitzsch
John Gill
Matthew Henry

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

I have given unto thy master's son - Unless Ziba had been servant of Jonathan, this seems to refer to Micha, son of Mephibosheth, and so some understand it; but it is more likely that Mephibosheth is meant, who is called son of Saul instead of grandson. Yet it is evident enough that the produce of the land went to the support of Micha, (see Sa2 9:10), for the father was provided for at the table of David; but all the patrimony belonged to Mephibosheth.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentary

The matter is here settled concerning Mephibosheth. 1. This grant of his father's estate is confirmed to him, and Ziba called to be a witness to it (Sa2 9:9); and, it should seem, Saul had a very good estate, for his father was a mighty man of substance (Sa1 9:1), and he had fields and vineyards to bestow, Sa1 22:7. Be it ever so much, Mephibosheth is now master of it all. 2. The management of the estate is committed to Ziba, who knew what it was and how to make the most of it, in whom, having been his father's servant, he might confide, and who, having a numerous family of sons and servants, had hands sufficient to be employed about it, Sa2 9:10. Thus Mephibosheth is made very easy, having a good estate without care, and is in a fair way of being very rich, having much coming in and little occasion to spend, himself being kept at David's table. Yet he must have food to eat besides his own bread, provisions for his son and servants; and Ziba's sons and servants would come in for their share of his revenue, for which reason perhaps their number is here mentioned, fifteen sons and twenty servants, who would require nearly all there was; for as goods are increased those are increased that eat them, and what good has the owner thereof save the beholding of them with his eyes? Ecc 5:11. All that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth (Sa2 9:12), that is, they all lived upon him, and made a prey of his estate, under pretence of waiting on him and doing him service. The Jews have a saying, "He that multiplies servants multiplies thieves." Ziba is now pleased, for he loves wealth, and will have abundance. "As the king has commanded, so will thy servant do, Sa2 9:11. Let me alone with the estate: and as for Mephibosheth" (they seem to be Ziba's words), "if the king please, he need not trouble the court, he shall eat at my table, and be as well treated as one of the king's sons." But David will have him at his own table, and Mephibosheth is as well pleased with his post as Ziba with his. How unfaithful Ziba was to him we shall find afterwards, Sa2 16:3. Now because David was a type of Christ, his Lord and son, his root and offspring, let his kindness to Mephibosheth serve to illustrate the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards fallen man, which yet he was under no obligation to, as David was to Jonathan. Man was convicted of rebellion against God, and, like Saul's house, under a sentence of rejection from him, was not only brought low and impoverished, but lame and impotent, made so by the fall. The Son of God enquires after this degenerate race, that enquired not after him, comes to seek and save them. To those of them that humble themselves before him, and commit themselves to him, he restores the forfeited inheritance, he entitles them to a better paradise than that which Adam lost, and takes them into communion with himself, sets them with his children at his table, and feasts them with the dainties of heaven. Lord, what is man, that thou shouldst thus magnify him!

2 Samuel 9:9

David and Mephibosheth

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “I have given to your master’s grandson all that belonged to Saul and to all his house.

American Standard Version (1901)

Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, All that pertained to Saul and to all his house have I given unto thy master’s son.

Bible in Basic English

Then the king sent for Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, All the property of Saul and of his family I have given to your master's son.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Then the king called Siba the servant of Saul, and said to him: All that belonged to Saul, and all his house, I have given to thy master’s son.

Free Bible Version

Then the king called for Saul's servant Ziba and told him, “I have given to your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then the king called Ziba Sauls seruant, and said vnto him, I haue giue vnto thy masters sonne all that perteined to Saul and to all his house.

King James (Authorized) Version

¶ Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.

Translation for Translators

Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “Saul was your master; now I am giving to Mephibosheth everything that belonged to Saul and his family.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and his family I have given to your master's grandson.

Noah Webster Bible

Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, I have given to thy master's son all that pertained to Saul, and to all his house.

World English Bible

Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s son.

Young's Literal Translation

And the king calleth unto Ziba servant of Saul, and saith unto him, 'All that was to Saul and to all his house, I have given to the son of thy lord,

Adam Clarke
Keil-Delitzsch
John Gill
Matthew Henry

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Matthew Henry Bible Commentary

2 Samuel 9:9

Verse

Context

David and Mephibosheth

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Matthew Henry Bible Commentary

2 Samuel 9:9

David and Mephibosheth

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Matthew Henry Bible Commentary