2 Samuel 9 6

2 Samuel 9:6 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!

2 Samuel 9:6 nkjv

Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, "Mephibosheth?" And he answered, "Here is your servant!"

2 Samuel 9:6 niv

When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, "Mephibosheth!" "At your service," he replied.

2 Samuel 9:6 esv

And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, "Mephibosheth!" And he answered, "Behold, I am your servant."

2 Samuel 9:6 nlt

His name was Mephibosheth ; he was Jonathan's son and Saul's grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, "Greetings, Mephibosheth." Mephibosheth replied, "I am your servant."

2 Samuel 9 verses

2 Samuel 9 6 Meaning

This verse describes the pivotal moment when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul, came into the presence of King David. Upon his arrival, Mephibosheth, recognizing David's royal authority and his own precarious position as a remnant of a rival dynasty, showed profound humility and reverence by falling on his face and prostrating himself. In response, King David, without preamble, immediately and personally called Mephibosheth by name, initiating a moment of significant grace and covenant fulfillment.

2 Samuel 9 6 Context

2 Samuel chapter 9 recounts King David's commitment to fulfill an oath made to his covenant brother, Jonathan. David inquired if any descendant of Saul's house remained, not with an intent to punish or exterminate as was common practice among kings dealing with rival dynasties, but to show "kindness" (Hebrew: hesed) for Jonathan's sake. Ziba, a former servant of Saul's house, revealed Mephibosheth, who was lame and living in obscurity, likely in fear of David's wrath. This verse (2 Sam 9:6) is the culmination of Mephibosheth being brought to David, initiating a dramatic encounter between the fearful, vulnerable descendant of a fallen house and the powerful, reigning monarch who surprisingly intends grace. This act of David contrasts sharply with the customary annihilation of rival royal lines in the ancient Near East, highlighting David's unique character as a "man after God's own heart" and his adherence to covenant fidelity.

2 Samuel 9 6 Word analysis

• Now when Mephibosheth: Mephibosheth (Hebrew: מְפִיבֹשֶׁת, Mĕphîḇōšéṯ) possibly means "exterminator of shame" or "my mouth is shame." He was originally named Merib-baal ("contender of Baal" or "Baal contends"), a name likely avoided in the biblical text due to its association with the Canaanite deity Baal. His presence before David signifies the physical arrival of the object of David's search, highlighting David's steadfast determination to fulfill his vow.
• the son of Jonathan: This crucial identifier links Mephibosheth directly to the covenant David made. David's act of grace is not merited by Mephibosheth, but is extended entirely through the legacy and fidelity of Jonathan.
• the son of Saul: This further emphasizes Mephibosheth's vulnerability. As a descendant of Saul, David's predecessor and enemy, Mephibosheth would logically fear execution. His lineage highlights the revolutionary nature of David's grace.
• came to David: Signifies Mephibosheth's physical arrival at David's royal court in Jerusalem. For Mephibosheth, lame and in hiding, this journey would have been fraught with anxiety, likely anticipating a grim fate.
• he fell on his face and prostrated himself: (Hebrew: וַיִּפֹּל֙ עַל־פָּנָ֔יו וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲוּ֙, vayyipol `al-panav vayyishtachavu) This double expression signifies an act of ultimate humility, complete submission, and profound reverence. It's a typical posture of petition or veneration before a superior or king, suggesting both awe and perhaps desperate appeal for mercy, reflecting his expectation of death rather than favor.
• And David said, "Mephibosheth!": This direct, personal address, delivered immediately after Mephibosheth's abject prostration, is powerful. David bypasses formality, fear, and any lingering stigma. His immediate utterance of the name shows personal recognition, concern, and the breaking of tension, signalling a radical shift from what Mephibosheth might have anticipated. This act echoes divine calls to individuals by name in Scripture, indicating personal knowledge, affirmation, and an imminent purpose.

2 Samuel 9 6 Bonus section

• The Power of a Name Call: In ancient Israel, a direct call by name from a person of authority, especially a king or God, often signifies deep personal engagement, intimacy, and a specific, benevolent intention. David's direct address cut through Mephibosheth's terror, transforming the nature of the encounter from a formal interrogation into a personal welcome. This mirrors God's calling Moses, Abraham, or even His people by name, indicating His personal knowledge and care.
• Lamedness as a Metaphor: While literal, Mephibosheth's lameness can also serve as a metaphor for spiritual brokenness or inadequacy. Just as his physical infirmity made him dependent on David's provision, humanity's spiritual "lameness" or sinfulness makes us utterly dependent on God's unmerited grace. David bringing him into the royal court, seating him at the king's table despite his disability, powerfully prefigures God bringing sinful people into His presence, forgiving their trespasses, and granting them an esteemed place.
• Contrast with Conventional Royal Practices: This scene gains even greater impact when contrasted with the prevalent practice in the ancient Near East, where new dynasties would routinely eliminate all potential rivals from the former royal family to secure their throne. David's actions directly subvert this brutal norm, showcasing an unparalleled example of hesed (steadfast love/loyal kindness) that stems from his character and covenant with Jonathan, foreshadowing aspects of God's covenant loyalty to His people.

2 Samuel 9 6 Commentary

2 Samuel 9:6 encapsulates a profound demonstration of covenant fidelity and radical grace. Mephibosheth, fearing annihilation as a relic of the previous regime and burdened by his physical disability, approaches David in the deepest humility and fear. However, David's immediate and personal address, "Mephibosheth!", shatters this expectation. This direct naming is not a question but an acknowledgement, signalling to Mephibosheth, and to all who witnessed, that David's intent was not judgment but personal recognition and the fulfillment of a solemn oath to Jonathan. David's grace is extended not on the basis of Mephibosheth's merit or position, but solely out of remembrance of the covenant. This narrative serves as a powerful biblical illustration of God's unmerited favor, inviting undeserving humanity into fellowship based on His covenant promises and not on their own worthiness, often calling us by name despite our brokenness.