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.

◄ 2 Samuel 21:7 ►

New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
The king spared Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth, who was Saul’s grandson, because of the oath David and Jonathan had sworn before the LORD.

English Standard Version
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Saul’s son Jonathan, because of the oath of the LORD that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

New King James Version
But the king spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the LORD’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

New American Standard Bible
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath of the LORD which was between them, between David and Saul’s son Jonathan.

NASB 1995
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the oath of the LORD which was between them, between David and Saul’s son Jonathan.

NASB 1977
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the oath of the LORD which was between them, between David and Saul’s son Jonathan.

Legacy Standard Bible
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the oath of Yahweh which was between them, between David and Saul’s son Jonathan.

Amplified Bible
But the king spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the LORD’S oath that was between David and Saul’s son Jonathan.

Christian Standard Bible
David spared Mephibosheth, the son of Saul’s son Jonathan, because of the oath of the LORD that was between David and Jonathan, Saul’s son.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David spared Mephibosheth, the son of Saul’s son Jonathan, because of the oath of the LORD that was between David and Jonathan, Saul’s son.

American Standard Version
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of Jehovah's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

Contemporary English Version
David had made a promise to Jonathan with the LORD as his witness, so he spared Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul.

English Revised Version
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But the king spared Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son and Saul's grandson, because of the oath in the LORD's name between David and Jonathan, son of Saul.

Good News Translation
But because of the sacred promise that he and Jonathan had made to each other, David spared Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul.

International Standard Version
The king exempted Mephibosheth, the son of Saul's son Jonathan, because of the promise to the LORD that existed between David and Saul's son Jonathan.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
The king had mercy on Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, in light of the LORD's oath that had been taken between David and Jonathan son of Saul.

New Heart English Bible
But the king spared Mippibaal, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the LORD’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

World English Bible
But the king spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of Yahweh’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and the king has pity on Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, son of Saul, because of the oath of YHWH that [is] between them, between David and Jonathan son of Saul;

Young's Literal Translation
and the king hath pity on Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, son of Saul, because of the oath of Jehovah that is between them, between David and Jonathan son of Saul;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will spare upon Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, son of Saul, on account of the oath of Jehovah which was between them, The hard copy spelling records the following as: betwenbetween David and between Jonathan, son of Saul.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king spared Miphiboseth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the oath of the Lord, that had been between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath of the Lord which had been made between David and Jonathan, the son of Saul.

New American Bible
The king, however, spared Meribbaal, son of Jonathan, son of Saul, because of the LORD’s oath that formed a bond between David and Saul’s son Jonathan.

New Revised Standard Version
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Saul’s son Jonathan, because of the oath of the LORD that was between them, between David and Jonathan son of Saul.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King had pity on Maphibshath, son of Jonathan, son of Shaul, because of the oath of LORD JEHOVAH that was between David and Jonathan son of Shaul

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But the king spared Memphibosthe son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the oath of the Lord that was between them, even between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

David Avenges the Gibeonites
…6let seven of his male descendants be delivered to us so that we may hang them before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of the LORD.” “I will give them to you,” said the king. 7Now 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. 8But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons whom Rizpah daughter of Aiah had borne to Saul, as well as the five sons whom Merab daughter of Saul had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

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

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 20:42
And Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for the two of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘May the LORD be a witness between you and me, and between your descendants and mine forever.’” Then David got up and departed, and Jonathan went back into the city.

1 Samuel 23:18
So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

1 Samuel 24:21-22
So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.” / So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

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 Samuel 31:2
The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

2 Samuel 9:1
Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”

2 Samuel 9:7
“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.”

2 Samuel 4:4
And Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to escape, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

2 Samuel 19:28-30
For all the house of my grandfather deserves death from my lord the king, yet you have set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right, then, do I have to keep appealing to the king?” / The king replied, “Why say any more? I hereby declare that you and Ziba are to divide the land.” / And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Instead, since my lord the king has safely come to his own house, let Ziba take it all!”

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 8:33-34
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. / The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, and Merib-baal was the father of Micah.

1 Chronicles 9:39-40
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. / The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, who was the father of Micah.

Matthew 1:1
This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Treasury of Scripture

But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

Mephibosheth

2 Samuel 4:4
And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

2 Samuel 9:10
Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

2 Samuel 16:4
Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.

because

1 Samuel 18:3
Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

1 Samuel 20:8,15,17,42
Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father? …

1 Samuel 23:18
And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

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2 Samuel 21

1. The three year Gibeonite famine ceases, by hanging seven of Saul's sons.
10. Rizpah's kindness unto the dead
12. David buries the bones of Saul and Jonathan in his father's tomb
15. Four battles against the Philistines, wherein four men of David slay four giants.

Berean Study Bible

But the king spared Mephibosheth
This phrase highlights King David's decision to protect Mephibosheth. The Hebrew root for "spared" is "חָמַל" (chamal), which means to have compassion or to show mercy. David's action is a reflection of his integrity and faithfulness to his covenant with Jonathan. In a time when political expediency often led to ruthless actions, David's sparing of Mephibosheth demonstrates a commitment to righteousness and loyalty, underscoring the importance of keeping one's promises even when it is inconvenient.

the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul
This lineage is significant as it ties Mephibosheth directly to both Jonathan and Saul. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, was a close friend of David, and their relationship was marked by a deep covenantal bond. The mention of Saul here serves as a reminder of the complex history between David and Saul's family, including Saul's pursuit of David and the eventual downfall of Saul's house. Despite this, David honors his covenant with Jonathan, showing that personal relationships and divine covenants transcend political rivalries.

because of the oath of the LORD
The "oath of the LORD" refers to the solemn promise made between David and Jonathan, as recorded in 1 Samuel 20:42. The Hebrew word for "oath" is "שְׁבוּעָה" (shevu'ah), which signifies a binding promise or vow. This oath was not merely a personal agreement but was made in the presence of God, giving it a sacred and inviolable nature. David's adherence to this oath highlights the biblical principle that vows made before God are to be honored above all else, reflecting a deep reverence for divine authority and the sanctity of one's word.

that was between them, between David and Jonathan
The repetition of "between them" emphasizes the mutual nature of the covenant. It was a bilateral agreement, underscoring the depth of the friendship and loyalty between David and Jonathan. This covenant was characterized by mutual respect and love, as seen in 1 Samuel 18:3, where Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as his own soul. The strength of this bond serves as a model for godly relationships, where commitments are honored and upheld regardless of external circumstances.

the son of Saul
The final mention of Saul serves as a poignant reminder of the fallen king's legacy and the potential threat his descendants posed to David's reign. However, David's decision to spare Mephibosheth, despite his lineage, illustrates the triumph of grace and mercy over fear and retribution. It reflects the biblical theme of redemption and the possibility of reconciliation, even amidst a history of enmity. David's actions foreshadow the New Testament message of loving one's enemies and extending grace, as taught by Jesus Christ.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

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

spared
וַיַּחְמֹ֣ל (way·yaḥ·mōl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2550: To commiserate, to spare

Mephibosheth
מְפִי־ (mə·p̄î-)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4648: Mephibosheth -- 'dispeller of shame'

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

of Jonathan,
יְהוֹנָתָ֣ן (yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites

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

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

because of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the oath
שְׁבֻעַ֤ת (šə·ḇu·‘aṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7621: Something sworn, an oath

before the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

between
בֵּֽינֹתָ֔ם (bê·nō·ṯām)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

David
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

and
וּבֵ֖ין (ū·ḇên)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

Jonathan
יְהוֹנָתָ֥ן (yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites

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

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

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OT History: 2 Samuel 21:7 But the king spared Mephibosheth the son (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)