2 Samuel 19 27

2 Samuel 19:27 kjv

And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.

2 Samuel 19:27 nkjv

And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes.

2 Samuel 19:27 niv

And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever you wish.

2 Samuel 19:27 esv

He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God; do therefore what seems good to you.

2 Samuel 19:27 nlt

Ziba has slandered me by saying that I refused to come. But I know that my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is best.

2 Samuel 19 verses

2 Samuel 19 27 Meaning

2 Samuel 19:27 conveys Mephibosheth’s earnest plea and defense before King David. He accuses his servant Ziba of slandering him, while simultaneously affirming his unwavering trust and submission to David's divinely inspired wisdom and discernment, concluding with a complete surrender to David's righteous judgment. This verse encapsulates Mephibosheth's humility and loyalty, emphasizing his belief that David possesses an almost supernatural ability to perceive truth.

2 Samuel 19 27 Context

This verse is situated during David's triumphal return to Jerusalem after the defeat of Absalom’s rebellion. As David makes his way back, various individuals come to meet him, some to secure their loyalty, others to clear their names or seek pardon. Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, is among them, presenting a disheveled appearance as proof of his mourning and loyalty during David’s absence (v. 24). He confronts David about the earlier grant of all his land to Ziba (2 Sam 16:1-4), which David had made based on Ziba’s false accusation that Mephibosheth had hoped to inherit the kingdom. In 2 Samuel 19:27, Mephibosheth finally gets the opportunity to directly refute Ziba's slander, appealing to David's character and his ultimate authority as judge. David’s eventual decision to divide the land (v. 29) shows a degree of compromise, perhaps reflecting lingering doubt or simply a desire to move forward, while Mephibosheth’s immediate acceptance (v. 30) underscores his deep loyalty to David over material gain.

2 Samuel 19 27 Word analysis

• And he slandered (וַיְרַגֵּל, vayragel): This is a strong verb derived from the root רָגַל (ragal), which primarily means "to go, walk, spy." In this construct, it specifically carries the connotation of "to slander," "to calumniate," or "to go about as a talebearer." It implies a deliberate and malicious spreading of false and damaging reports, directly contradicting the truth and seeking to harm Mephibosheth's reputation and standing before the king. Ziba's false accusation was a grave offense, threatening Mephibosheth’s life and legacy.
• your servant (עַבְדֶּךָ, avdekha): Mephibosheth consistently refers to himself as David’s "servant," even though he is of royal lineage (Saul’s grandson) and David had extended immense grace to him (2 Sam 9). This term signifies deep humility, submission, and unwavering loyalty to David, completely undermining any suggestion of treasonous aspirations.
• to my lord the king (לַאדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ, ladoni hammélekh): This is a formal, respectful, and subservient form of address, emphasizing David's absolute authority and Mephibosheth's subordinate position. It underscores the profound trust Mephibosheth places in David as his ultimate arbiter and sovereign.
• but my lord the king (וַאדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ, va'adoni hammélekh): The repeated phrase sets up a stark contrast between Ziba's malicious deceit and David's elevated character and role. It directs David's attention from the false report back to his own divine discernment.
• is like an angel of God (כְּמַלְאַךְ הָאֱלֹהִים, k'malakh ha'elohim): This powerful metaphor is an acknowledgment of David's extraordinary wisdom, discernment, and capacity to perceive truth, almost as if he possesses divine insight. An "angel of God" (מַלְאַךְ, malakh, messenger) is associated with discerning good from evil (Gen 3:5), possessing great wisdom (2 Sam 14:17, 20), and having direct knowledge from the divine realm. By employing this simile, Mephibosheth asserts his confidence that David will be able to see through Ziba's deception and discern his true loyalty, regardless of outward appearances or false testimony.
• do therefore what is good in your eyes (וַעֲשֵׂה הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ, va'aseh hatov b'eynekha): This concluding statement reflects ultimate surrender, humility, and trust. Mephibosheth is not demanding a specific outcome or insisting on his own terms; rather, he places himself entirely at David's mercy, fully confident that the king, empowered by divine wisdom, will act righteously and make the most just decision. This phrase highlights Mephibosheth’s loyalty is superior to his personal entitlements or possessions.

Words-group analysis

• "And he slandered your servant to my lord the king": This clause frames the entire verse. It presents the core grievance—the grave offense committed by Ziba—and directly targets the malicious damage to Mephibosheth’s reputation and relationship with the king. It highlights the vulnerability of a subject to the unchecked word of another, and the crucial role of the king in judging truth.
• "but my lord the king is like an angel of God": This is the heart of Mephibosheth’s appeal. It strategically pivots from the accusation to an affirmation of David's unique capacity for righteous judgment. It elevates David's discernment above human fallibility, setting the stage for Mephibosheth's complete submission and trust in his king. This comparison attributes to David a nearly prophetic ability to penetrate facades and discover the truth of intentions and loyalty.
• "do therefore what is good in your eyes": This concluding phrase demonstrates profound humility and unquestioning submission to royal authority. It's a statement of trust that transcends the need for personal vindication or specific material restoration. Mephibosheth declares that his ultimate desire is for David’s will to be done, knowing that a king with divine wisdom will always act in righteousness. It signifies loyalty that values the king's well-being and honor above personal comfort.

2 Samuel 19 27 Bonus section

• The legal system of ancient Israel, as reflected here, often involved direct appeal to the king for judgment, particularly in complex cases or those involving powerful individuals. This contrasts with a fully codified court system as might exist today.
• Mephibosheth's strategy in appealing to David's character as "an angel of God" mirrors how David was flattered by the wise woman of Tekoa in 2 Samuel 14. This might suggest Mephibosheth understood what resonated with David and trusted in David’s ability to "see" his heart.
• The polemic against those who slander and bear false witness is evident in the Mosaic Law (e.g., Exod 23:1), which prescribed severe penalties for such actions. Mephibosheth's accusation implicitly calls David to uphold these foundational principles of justice in his judgment against Ziba's perceived deception.

2 Samuel 19 27 Commentary

2 Samuel 19:27 provides a poignant example of a loyal subject’s defense and an appeal to divine wisdom in a ruler. Mephibosheth, unwashed and clearly in distress, refutes Ziba’s grave slander by appealing not merely to justice, but to King David's unique, God-given discernment. His powerful declaration that David "is like an angel of God" signifies a profound belief in David's extraordinary capacity to see through deceit and understand hidden truths, a quality affirmed earlier in David’s reign (2 Sam 14:17, 20). This isn't just flattery but an acknowledgment of the king’s divine appointment and the wisdom expected of a monarch who walks with God. By finally submitting to David's ultimate judgment ("do therefore what is good in your eyes"), Mephibosheth demonstrates absolute humility and loyalty that values the king's peace and righteousness above his personal claim to land or honor. This unwavering trust and self-effacing loyalty are a powerful testimony, highlighting that genuine allegiance often expresses itself in submission to wise authority rather than insistent demands for one’s perceived rights. The verse subtly underscores that true kingship involves not just power but a discerning heart guided by heavenly wisdom, able to discern true character amidst accusation.