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2 Samuel 9

2 Samuel 9:8

David and Mephibosheth · 2 Samuel 9:1–13
Read 2 Samuel 9

Translations

Modern
Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”
Traditional
And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
Literal
And he bowed low and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon a dead dog such as I?”
Latin
Qui adorans eum, dixit: Quis ego sum servus tuus, quoniam respexisti super canem mortuum similem mei?

Original

Hebrew
English
Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”

Notes

2 Samuel 9:8

a dead dog like me: Mephibosheth understood that anyone who might claim the throne could be killed as a potential threat to the king.

2 Samuel 9:1–13

David showed mercy to Mephibosheth, the disabled son of Jonathan. This account appears between reports of David’s military victories (2 Samuel 8:1–18, 10). Its placement shows that David not only achieved success in war but also cared for individuals and acted with compassion.

Theme notes and profiles

David

Events

Glossary

David Dog Furniture Kings, Books of First and Second Mephibosheth Palace Samuel, Books of First and Second Ziba

Topics

Dog: Epithet of Contempt Dogs Flattery by Mephibosheth Friendship: David and Jonathan Hospitality: David to Mephibosheth Humility: Mephibosheth Kindness: David to Mephibosheth King: Ceremonial Recognition of Prostration Kings: Approached with Greatest Reverence Kings: Exercised Great Hospitality Obsequiousness: Mephibosheth The Dog: (Dead) of the Mean