2 Samuel 19:24 Then Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely.

Bible > 2 Samuel > Chapter 19 > Verse 24

◄ 2 Samuel 19:24 ►

New International Version
Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.

New Living Translation
Now Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, came down from Jerusalem to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the day the king left Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back in safety.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely.

King James Bible
And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.

New King James Version
Now Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. And he had not cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he returned in peace.

New American Standard Bible
Then Mephibosheth the grandson of Saul came down to meet the king; but he had neither tended to his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes since the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.

NASB 1995
Then Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.

NASB 1977
Then Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Mephibosheth the son of Saul had come down to meet the king; and he had not done anything for his feet, nor done anything for his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.

Amplified Bible
Then Mephibosheth the [grand]son of Saul came down to meet the king, but he had not cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned in peace and safety.

Christian Standard Bible
Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.

American Standard Version
And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.

English Revised Version
And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, went to meet the king. He had not tended to his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until he came home safely.

Good News Translation
Then Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, came down to meet the king. He had not washed his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes from the time the king left Jerusalem until he returned victorious.

International Standard Version
Meanwhile, Saul's grandson Mephibosheth also went out to greet the king. He had not taken care of his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Mephibosheth, Saul?s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely.

NET Bible
Now Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, came down to meet the king. From the day the king had left until the day he safely returned, Mephibosheth had not cared for his feet nor trimmed his mustache nor washed his clothes.

New Heart English Bible
Now Mippibaal son of Jonathan son of Saul came down to meet the king, and he had neither cared for his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back safely.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.

World English Bible
Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither groomed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Mephibosheth son of Saul has come down to meet the king—and he did not prepare his feet, nor did he prepare his upper lip, indeed, he did not wash his garments, even from the day of the going away of the king, until the day that he came in peace—

Young's Literal Translation
And Mephibosheth son of Saul hath come down to meet the king -- and he prepared not his feet, nor did he prepare his upper lip, yea, his garments he washed not, even from the day of the going away of the king, till the day that he came in peace --

Smith's Literal Translation
And Mephibosheth son of Saul, came down to the meeting of the king, and he did not his feet, and he did not his beard, and his garments he washed not from the day the king went till the day in which he came in peace.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Miphiboseth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and he had neither washed his feet, nor trimmed his beard: nor washed his garments from the day that the king went out, until the day of his return in peace.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Mephibosheth, the son of Saul, descended to meet the king, with unwashed his feet and uncut beard. And he had not washed his garments from the day that the king had departed, until the day of his return in peace.

New American Bible
Meribbaal, son of Saul, also went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet nor trimmed his mustache nor washed his clothes from the day the king left until he returned safely.

New Revised Standard Version
Mephibosheth grandson of Saul came down to meet the king; he had not taken care of his feet, or trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes, from the day the king left until the day he came back in safety.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came down to meet the king, and he had neither trimmed his beard nor changed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day the king came again in peace.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Maphibshath, son of Jonathan, son of Shaul, went down to the meeting of the King and had not trimmed his beard and he had not changed his garments from the day that the King left and until the day that the King came in peace

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Memphibosthe the son of Saul's son went down to meet the king, and had not dressed his feet, nor pared his nails, nor shaved himself, neither had he washed his garments, from the day that the king departed, until the day when he arrived in peace.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Mephibosheth Excused
24Then Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely. 25And he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, who asked him, “Mephibosheth, why did you not go with me?”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Samuel 9:6-13
And when Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell facedown in reverence. Then David said, “Mephibosheth!” “I am your servant,” he replied. / “Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” / Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?” ...

2 Samuel 16:1-4
When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. / “Why do you have these?” asked the king. Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.” / “Where is your master’s grandson?” asked the king. And Ziba answered, “Indeed, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he has said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my grandfather.’” ...

2 Samuel 21:7
Now the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul.

1 Samuel 20:14-17
And as long as I live, treat me with the LORD’s loving devotion, that I may not die, / and do not ever cut off your loving devotion from my household—not even when the LORD cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.” / So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.” ...

1 Samuel 18:3
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

1 Samuel 9:1-2
Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. / And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.

1 Kings 2:7
But show loving devotion to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, because they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.

1 Chronicles 8:34
The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, and Merib-baal was the father of Micah.

1 Chronicles 9:40
The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, who was the father of Micah.

2 Kings 9:30-37
Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window. / And as Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, O Zimri, murderer of your master?” / He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” And two or three eunuchs looked down at him. ...

Matthew 5:3-12
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. / Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. / Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ...

Matthew 25:34-40
Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. / For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ ...

Luke 6:20-23
Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. / Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. / Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. ...

Luke 14:13-14
But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, / and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

John 13:14-15
So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. / I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.

Treasury of Scripture

And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.

Mephibosheth

2 Samuel 9:6
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 16:3
And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.

Deuteronomy 21:12
Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;

2 Samuel 15:30
And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

Isaiah 15:2
He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.

Jeremiah 41:5
That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.

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2 Samuel 19

1. Joab causes the king to cease his mourning
9. The Israelites are earnest to bring the king back
11. David sends to the priest to incite them of Judah
18. Shimei is pardoned
24. Mephibosheth excused
32. Barzillai dismissed, and Chimham his son taken into the king's family
41. The Israelites expostulate with Judah for bringing home the king without them

Berean Study Bible

Then Mephibosheth
Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul, represents a figure of loyalty and humility. His name, which can mean "dispeller of shame," is significant in the context of his relationship with King David. Despite his physical disability, Mephibosheth's actions demonstrate a heart aligned with David, reflecting the covenantal bond between David and Jonathan. His account is a testament to God's faithfulness in honoring promises across generations.

Saul’s grandson
This phrase emphasizes Mephibosheth's lineage, connecting him to the former king of Israel, Saul. It highlights the political and personal complexities of David's reign, as he navigates relationships with Saul's descendants. The mention of Saul serves as a reminder of the past enmity and the grace David extends to Mephibosheth, showcasing the transformative power of forgiveness and reconciliation.

went down to meet the king
The act of going down to meet King David is symbolic of Mephibosheth's submission and respect. In ancient Near Eastern culture, meeting a king was a significant act of allegiance and honor. This gesture underscores Mephibosheth's loyalty to David, despite the political turmoil and personal risk involved. It reflects a heart posture of humility and devotion, aligning with the biblical principle of honoring those in authority.

He had not cared for his feet
The neglect of his feet signifies mourning and distress. In the Hebrew context, personal grooming was often set aside during times of grief or waiting. Mephibosheth's unkempt state is a physical manifestation of his sorrow over David's absence and the kingdom's instability. It serves as a poignant reminder of the deep emotional and spiritual connection between Mephibosheth and David, illustrating the cost of loyalty and the depth of his concern for the king's well-being.

trimmed his mustache
In ancient Israel, grooming practices were culturally significant. The mustache, a symbol of dignity and status, when left untrimmed, indicated a period of mourning or distress. Mephibosheth's neglect of his appearance is a deliberate act of solidarity with David, expressing his inner turmoil and longing for the king's return. This detail enriches the narrative, highlighting the personal sacrifices made in the name of loyalty and love.

or washed his clothes
Washing clothes was a basic act of cleanliness and ritual purity in the Hebrew tradition. Mephibosheth's choice to remain in unwashed garments symbolizes his ongoing lament and anticipation for David's safe return. It reflects a heart that is steadfast in its devotion, willing to endure discomfort as an expression of faithfulness. This act of self-denial is a powerful testament to the enduring nature of covenantal relationships.

from the day the king left until the day he returned safely
This time frame marks a period of uncertainty and hope. Mephibosheth's actions during this interval demonstrate unwavering faith and patience. The phrase encapsulates the tension between absence and presence, loss and restoration. It serves as a metaphor for the Christian journey, where believers are called to remain faithful during times of waiting, trusting in God's promise of eventual deliverance and reconciliation.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(24) Came down to meet.--The obvious meaning of this is that Mephibosheth came down from the high land of Jerusalem to meet the king in the Jordan valley, and in this case the following verse should be translated, "And it came to pass when Jerusalem" (meaning its inhabitants, with Mephibosheth among them) "was come to meet the king." Some writers, however, prefer to keep 2Samuel 19:25 as it is, and to suppose that during the rebellion Mephibosheth had taken refuge on his ancestral estate near the heights of Gibeah, and that he came thence to Jerusalem to meet David. In either case the signs of deep mourning used by Mephibosheth "from the day the king departed" were an evidence of his loyalty. The word for beard is used only for the moustache.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 24. - Mephibosheth. The meeting of David and Mephibosheth possibly took place at Jerusalem (see on ver. 25), and, if so, the order of events is not chronological. Ziba certainly came to the Jordan fords, and the narrative may have been introduced here to complete the account of his doings. In neglecting his person and his dress, Mephibosheth was showing signs of heartfelt sorrow, and as he thus mourned during Absalom's tenure of power, it exposed him to the usurper's displeasure, and was a public avowal that his sympathies were with David. And his treatment was unjust; but David was in a strait. Ziba had been actively useful to him in his flight, and had also aided greatly in his recall. It was, probably, even owing to his influence that Shimei came with a thousand men of Benjamin. He deserved, therefore, a reward, but not at his master's cost. His beard; Hebrew, the upper lip (see Leviticus 13:45; Ezekiel 24:17, 22).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then Mephibosheth,
וּמְפִבֹ֙שֶׁת֙ (ū·mə·p̄i·ḇō·šeṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4648: Mephibosheth -- 'dispeller of shame'

Saul’s
שָׁא֔וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

grandson,
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

went down
יָרַ֖ד (yā·raḏ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

to meet
לִקְרַ֣את (liq·raṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way

the king.
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

He had not
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

cared
עָשָׂ֨ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

for his feet
רַגְלָ֜יו (raḡ·lāw)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

[or]
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

trimmed
עָשָׂ֣ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

his mustache
שְׂפָמ֗וֹ (śə·p̄ā·mōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8222: The beard

[or]
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

washed
כִבֵּ֔ס (ḵib·bês)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3526: To trample, to wash

his clothes
בְּגָדָיו֙ (bə·ḡā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

from
לְמִן־ (lə·min-)
Preposition-l
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the day
הַיּוֹם֙ (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

the king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

had left
לֶ֣כֶת (le·ḵeṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the day
הַיּ֖וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

he returned
בָּ֥א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

safely.
בְשָׁלֽוֹם׃ (ḇə·šā·lō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

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OT History: 2 Samuel 19:24 Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)