2 Samuel 19:28 kjv
For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
2 Samuel 19:28 nkjv
For all my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king. Yet you set your servant among those who eat at your own table. Therefore what right have I still to cry out anymore to the king?"
2 Samuel 19:28 niv
All my grandfather's descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?"
2 Samuel 19:28 esv
For all my father's house were but men doomed to death before my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right have I, then, to cry to the king?"
2 Samuel 19:28 nlt
All my relatives and I could expect only death from you, my lord, but instead you have honored me by allowing me to eat at your own table! What more can I ask?"
2 Samuel 19 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 20:14-15 | "Show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die... nor cut off your steadfast love from my house forever." | Jonathan's plea for kindness to his offspring. |
| 1 Sam 20:42 | "Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us... saying, ‘The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’" | David and Jonathan's eternal covenant. |
| 2 Sam 9:1 | "And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?”" | David seeks to fulfill his covenant. |
| 2 Sam 9:3 | "...that I may show him the steadfast love of God?" | David's motive is God-like kindness. |
| 2 Sam 9:7 | "...I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan... and you shall eat bread at my table always." | David's initial promise and elevation of Mephibosheth. |
| 2 Sam 9:11 | "...Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's sons." | Mephibosheth's high honor and status. |
| 1 Ki 2:7 | "But show steadfast love to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table..." | Table fellowship as a sign of enduring royal favor. |
| Ps 113:7-8 | "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people." | God's elevating the lowly. |
| Gen 32:10 | "I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant..." | Jacob's humble admission of unworthiness before God. |
| Lk 17:10 | "So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’" | Christian humility before a sovereign master. |
| Rom 5:8 | "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." | Unmerited divine grace despite unworthiness. |
| Eph 2:4-5 | "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—" | God's mercy giving life to the spiritually 'dead.' |
| Col 2:13 | "And you, who were dead in your trespasses... God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses..." | From spiritual death to life and forgiveness. |
| Titus 3:4-5 | "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy..." | Salvation by God's mercy, not human merit. |
| Rom 9:15-16 | "For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy...” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy." | God's sovereign prerogative in showing mercy. |
| Job 40:4-5 | "Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand over my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further." | Job's humble silence before God's majesty. |
| Phil 3:7-8 | "But whatever gain I had, I count as loss for the sake of Christ... I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." | The incomparable value of grace overriding past status/claims. |
| Mt 8:11 | "I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven." | Eschatological fellowship in God's kingdom. |
| Rev 19:9 | "Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” | Future joyful communion with Christ. |
| 1 Tim 1:12-14 | "...though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent aggressor. But I received mercy..." | Paul's recognition of God's transformative mercy. |
| Ps 40:2 | "He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure." | God's salvation and firm establishment. |
| Is 61:10 | "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness..." | Being arrayed in God's righteousness, a divine honor. |
2 Samuel 19 verses
2 Samuel 19 28 Meaning
Mephibosheth acknowledges that his entire paternal family, as descendants of the former king Saul, were legally condemned and subject to death before King David's ascension. Yet, by an extraordinary act of grace, David not only spared him but elevated him to a place of immense honor and provision, allowing him to dine regularly at the royal table. This profound act of unmerited favor so completely superseded any rightful expectation that Mephibosheth expressed having no further claim, complaint, or just cause to appeal to the king. His statement reflects deep gratitude, humility, and complete acceptance of David's authority and previous benevolence.
2 Samuel 19 28 Context
This verse is spoken by Mephibosheth as he meets King David, who is returning to Jerusalem after defeating Absalom's rebellion. Previously, when David fled Jerusalem, Mephibosheth's servant, Ziba, falsely accused him of remaining behind to potentially claim the kingdom for Saul's house. In his distress, David swiftly granted all of Mephibosheth's land to Ziba. Now, Mephibosheth approaches David, his unkempt appearance indicating sincere mourning during David's absence, demonstrating his loyalty. When David questions his absence, Mephibosheth tearfully explains Ziba's deceit and his own lameness. David cuts short Mephibosheth's explanation, reaffirming a previous decision to divide the land. Mephibosheth's response in 2 Samuel 19:28 is not an argument for justice concerning the land but a profound statement of gratitude, acknowledging that David's past grace (bringing him into the royal household despite his lineage and disability) vastly outweighs any present grievance. In the historical context of ancient Near Eastern kingships, new monarchs commonly executed members of the previous dynasty to eliminate threats. David's act of sparing and honoring Mephibosheth was an extraordinary display of kindness rooted in his covenant with Jonathan.
2 Samuel 19 28 Word analysis
For all my father’s house (כִּי כָּל בֵּית אָבִי, ki kol beit avi): "Ki" here conveys the reason or basis of Mephibosheth's thought. "Beit avi" refers to the household or lineage of Saul. This phrase grounds his current standing in his lineage as descendants of the former royal family, establishing their historical vulnerability.
were but dead men (מֵתִים, metim): Literally "dead ones" or "doomed to death." This signifies their rightful status as condemned or legally liable for execution under a new dynasty. It is a humble acknowledgement of their perilous, subordinate position relative to the new king's authority.
before my lord the king (לִפְנֵי אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ, lifnei adoni ha-melekh): "Lifnei" means "in the presence of" or "subject to the authority of." This phrase underscores David's absolute power to determine their fate—life or death, judgment or grace—and highlights Mephibosheth's posture of complete submission.
yet didst thou set (וְתָשֶׂם, ve-tasem): "Ve" (and/yet) acts as a strong contrasting conjunction. "Tasem" means "to place" or "to set." This active verb emphasizes David's deliberate, sovereign, and profoundly gracious act. It was not accidental but a willed elevation.
thy servant (אֶת עַבְדְּךָ, et avdekha): Mephibosheth refers to himself as "your servant," emphasizing humility and acknowledging his subordinate, dependent status, which is striking given his royal ancestry. This affirms his loyalty and discredits Ziba's accusation.
among them that did eat at thine own table (בְּאֹכְלֵי שֻׁלְחָנֶךָ, be'okhlei shulkhanekha): "B'okhlei" (among those who eat) and "shulkhanekha" (your table). This phrase signifies the highest honor, protection, and intimate inclusion into the king's inner circle. It reverses his status from a potential "dead man" to an honored member of the royal household, a privilege extended regardless of his lameness.
What right (וּמַה צֶּדֶק, u-mah tzedeq): "U-mah" (and what) introduces a rhetorical question demanding no answer. "Tzedeq" typically means "justice," "righteousness," or "a rightful claim/cause." Mephibosheth questions: "What just cause do I still have?" indicating he possesses no legitimate ground for complaint.
therefore have I yet to cry any more (עוֹד לִי לִצְעֹק, od li lits'oq): "Od li" means "still for me," suggesting any remaining possibility of grievance. "Lits'oq" means "to cry out," often used for a plea or protest seeking justice. His question expresses that any further appeal would be ungrateful and unnecessary given the overwhelming kindness already bestowed.
unto the king (אֶל הַמֶּלֶךְ, el ha-melekh): Reaffirms David as the ultimate arbiter and recipient of any complaint, underscoring Mephibosheth's submission.
Words-group Analysis
- "For all my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king": This opening segment establishes the baseline of Mephibosheth's utter powerlessness and legal vulnerability under the new Davidic reign. It magnifies the extent of the subsequent grace.
- "yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table": This phrase highlights the profound, unmerited elevation and honor bestowed by David. It presents a stark contrast to his initial status as a "dead man," signifying inclusion, provision, and intimacy in the royal court.
- "What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?": This rhetorical question is the climax of Mephibosheth's humble and grateful response. It signifies complete contentment and submission, acknowledging that David's immense prior kindness utterly eclipses any outstanding personal grievance, even the partial loss of his inheritance.
2 Samuel 19 28 Bonus section
This passage is rich in its typological implications, often viewed as David embodying characteristics of the King of kings, Jesus Christ. Mephibosheth, as a crippled descendant of a deposed king, represented a lineage under judgment, much like humanity dead in sin due to Adam's fall. David's unmerited favor, based on the covenant with Jonathan, mirrors God's grace extended to humanity through the new covenant sealed by Christ's sacrifice. Bringing Mephibosheth to his own table is a poignant picture of spiritual adoption and communion with God in Christ, where believers, once spiritually "dead" and estranged, are brought into intimate fellowship with the Father. Mephibosheth's response—that he had no right to cry further—serves as an exemplary posture of profound humility and complete surrender to a King whose benevolence so far surpasses any personal claim or earthly injustice. It encourages believers to similarly find their ultimate satisfaction and peace in the grace received from God, rather than focusing on earthly rights or grievances.
2 Samuel 19 28 Commentary
2 Samuel 19:28 offers a powerful illustration of grace, demonstrating Mephibosheth's profound gratitude and ultimate contentment in the face of unmerited favor. Born into a condemned royal line, he was legally entitled to nothing but punishment from the new king, David. Yet, David, fulfilling his covenant with Jonathan, not only spared Mephibosheth but welcomed him to eat consistently at the royal table, signifying protection, provision, and high honor within David's own family. This extraordinary act of grace was overwhelming. Mephibosheth's subsequent rhetorical question reveals that, given such a lavish display of kindness, any complaint he might have about the management of his property is insignificant. His focus is entirely on the king's goodness, which far outweighs any personal slight. The verse thus models humility, loyalty, and a perspective that values covenantal kindness above material possessions or strict justice, providing an earthly shadow of God's redemptive grace toward undeserving humanity.