2 Samuel 9 7

2 Samuel 9:7 kjv

And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

2 Samuel 9:7 nkjv

So David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually."

2 Samuel 9:7 niv

"Don't be afraid," David said to him, "for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table."

2 Samuel 9:7 esv

And David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always."

2 Samuel 9:7 nlt

"Don't be afraid!" David said. "I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king's table!"

2 Samuel 9 verses

2 Samuel 9 7 Meaning

David, in his capacity as king, unilaterally initiated an act of profound kindness and restoration toward Mephibosheth, a descendant of his predecessor, Saul. This kindness was not earned but extended freely out of his covenant loyalty and deep love for Jonathan, Mephibosheth's father. The verse signifies total restoration, encompassing both his ancestral land (property rights and inheritance) and granting him a permanent, honored place at the king's own table, assuring security, provision, and royal favor forever.

2 Samuel 9 7 Context

The immediate context of 2 Samuel 9:7 flows from David's desire, as stated in 2 Samuel 9:1, to show "kindness for Jonathan’s sake" to any remaining member of Saul's house. This follows David's full consolidation of the kingdom after years of conflict, establishing Jerusalem as his capital and securing his rule (2 Sam 5, 8). Historically, victorious kings would typically eradicate all male heirs of a previous dynasty to prevent future rebellions. David's action here stands in stark contrast to such common ancient Near Eastern practices, demonstrating remarkable faithfulness to an oath made with Jonathan (1 Sam 20) even when under no political compulsion. Mephibosheth, as the lame son of Jonathan, and grandson of Saul, represented a living connection to the overthrown dynasty, inherently vulnerable and potentially perceived as a threat. David's declaration not only defies custom but also embodies the deeper principles of covenant loyalty and grace, mirroring God's own hesed towards His people.

2 Samuel 9 7 Word analysis

• And David said to him (וַיֹּ֤אמֶר ל֙וֹ דָוִד֙ - vayyōmer lô Dāwiḏ): Signifies the king's direct address and initiative. David is the sovereign bestower of grace, reflecting God's proactive nature in extending His kindness.
• Fear not (אַל־תִּירָ֗א - ʾal-tîrāʾ): This is a common biblical expression (often a divine address, e.g., to Abraham, Moses, Gideon, or disciples), serving as an assurance to someone facing a powerful figure or potentially dangerous situation. Mephibosheth would naturally fear for his life, expecting punishment or death as a descendant of Saul. This command instantly dissipates his fear.
• for I will surely show you kindness (כִּי־עָשֹׂה אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־עִמְּךָ֙ חֶ֔סֶד - kî-ʿāśōh ʾeʿeśeh-ʿimməḵā ḥesed):
  • "surely show you" (ʿāśōh ʾeʿeśeh): This is an infinitive absolute construction in Hebrew, used for emphasis, intensity, and certainty. David is not merely promising, but emphasizing his strong, unwavering resolve to act with profound kindness.
  • "kindness" (חֶ֔סֶד - ḥesed): A rich theological term often translated as "steadfast love," "covenant loyalty," "mercy," or "grace." It's loyalty based on relationship and often involves acts of undeserved favor that go beyond the requirements of justice. David is acting out of this principle, echoing God's own hesed. It highlights the unconditional nature of David's grace to Mephibosheth.
• for Jonathan your father's sake (בַּעֲב֤וּר יֽוֹנָתָן֙ אָבִ֔יךָ - baʿăḇûr Yônāṯān ʾāבִ֔יךָ): This clarifies the motivation. Mephibosheth's kindness is not due to his own merit, actions, or status, but solely because of the covenantal relationship David had with Jonathan. This is a profound foreshadowing of God's grace to humanity, not on our merit, but "for Christ's sake" (Eph 4:32). Jonathan acts as the "mediator" or "substitute" on whose behalf grace is given.
• and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father (וְאֵֽת־כָּל־שְׂדֵ֣ה שָׁא֗וּל אָבִ֙יךָ֙ אָשִׁ֣יב לָ֔ךְ - wəʾēṯ-kāl-śədēh Šāʾûl ʾāḇîḵā ʾāšîḇ lāḵ):
  • "restore" (ʾāšîḇ): To bring back, give back. This indicates an overturning of the normal legal confiscation of a defeated monarch's property. It signifies full reversal of forfeiture and restoration of Mephibosheth's inheritance.
  • "all the land of Saul your father": Not just a small parcel, but the entirety of his ancestral estate. This is a substantial restoration of economic and social standing.
• and you shall eat bread at my table always (וְאַתָּ֛ה תֹּֽאכַל־לֶ֥חֶם עַל־שֻׁלְחָנִ֖י תָּמִֽיד - wəʾattâ tōʾḵal-leḥem ʿal-šulḥānî tāmîḏ):
  • "eat bread at my table": This is an extraordinary gesture of fellowship and honor. It signifies adoption into the king's household, permanent security, sustenance, and intimate access. Eating together in the ancient world implied profound solidarity and peace. It means Mephibosheth would live as a royal son, not merely a vassal.
  • "always" (tāmîḏ): This indicates permanence and ongoing provision. It underscores the security and continuous nature of David's kindness and Mephibosheth's elevated status. His place at the table is not temporary but assured for life.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Fear not, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake": This initial clause encapsulates the source and nature of David's act: It's an act of pure, unmerited grace (ḥesed), stemming from an unbreakable covenant, not from the recipient's worth. This perfectly mirrors God's grace extended to sinners for Christ's sake.
• "and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat bread at my table always": These two subsequent clauses describe the tangible manifestations of David's grace. Restoration of lost inheritance and permanent, honored fellowship are the direct consequences of this undeserved kindness, mirroring the spiritual restoration, inheritance, and communion believers receive in Christ.

2 Samuel 9 7 Bonus section

The story of Mephibosheth stands out because it powerfully subverts ancient Near Eastern kingship conventions. Typically, when a new dynasty ascended, the remaining male heirs of the previous ruling house were executed to prevent challenges to the throne. David's choice to not only spare Mephibosheth but elevate him demonstrates his unique character, governed by fidelity to covenant over political pragmatism. This unique display of grace, stemming from a covenant oath, serves as a poignant type or foreshadowing of God's greater redemptive plan. Humanity, crippled by sin and alienated from God's kingdom (like Mephibosheth, lame and in distant Lo-Debar), cannot earn restoration. However, God, out of His rich mercy and faithfulness to His Son's sacrifice (for Christ's sake), brings believers into His presence, restores their spiritual inheritance, and grants them a permanent place at His heavenly table. This narrative therefore offers rich insights into the unmerited nature of salvation and the profound security found in Christ.

2 Samuel 9 7 Commentary

2 Samuel 9:7 presents a powerful display of grace that goes against the prevailing cultural norms of the ancient world. David, the sovereign king, was not obligated by law or custom to extend kindness to Mephibosheth; in fact, political wisdom would have dictated his elimination. Yet, motivated by the hesed of his covenant with Jonathan, David sought out the one who had every reason to fear him. The verse underscores several profound theological truths: it's proactive, originating solely from the giver's will; it's unmerited, given for another's sake (Jonathan), not the recipient's own worth; and it's transformative, resulting in the full restoration of what was lost (land/inheritance) and inclusion into intimate, secure fellowship (eating at the king's table). Mephibosheth, a cripple and a descendant of a rival dynasty, personifies humanity's fallen state—vulnerable, alienated, and with a past connection that might warrant judgment. David's royal hesed thus foreshadows the greater kindness of God the King, who, for Christ's sake, finds humanity dead in trespasses and offers complete spiritual restoration (our lost inheritance in Eden) and intimate fellowship at His own table (eternal communion). This act defines the very nature of divine grace.