2 Samuel 9:3
New International Version
The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”

New Living Translation
The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.”

English Standard Version
And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.”

Berean Standard Bible
So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I can show the kindness of God?” Ziba answered, “There is still Jonathan’s son, who is lame in both feet.”

King James Bible
And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

New King James Version
Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.”

New American Standard Bible
Then the king said, “Is there no one remaining of the house of Saul to whom I could show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan, one who is disabled in both feet.”

NASB 1995
The king said, “Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.”

NASB 1977
And the king said, “Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And the king said, “Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the lovingkindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.”

Amplified Bible
And the king said, “Is there no longer anyone left of the house (family) of Saul to whom I may show the goodness and graciousness of God?” Ziba replied to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan, [one] whose feet are crippled.”

Christian Standard Bible
So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family that I can show the kindness of God to? ” Ziba said to the king, “There is still Jonathan’s son who was injured in both feet.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family that I can show the kindness of God to?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still Jonathan’s son who was injured in both feet.”

American Standard Version
And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, who is lame of his feet.

Contemporary English Version
David asked, "Are any of Saul's family still alive? If there are, I want to be kind to them." Ziba answered, "One of Jonathan's sons is still alive, but he can't walk."

English Revised Version
And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David asked, "Is there someone left in Saul's family to whom I can show God's kindness?" "Jonathan has a son who is disabled," Ziba answered.

Good News Translation
The king asked him, "Is there anyone left of Saul's family to whom I can show loyalty and kindness, as I promised God I would?" Ziba answered, "There is still one of Jonathan's sons. He is crippled."

International Standard Version
At this the king asked, "Isn't there still someone left from Saul's household to whom I may show God's gracious love?" "There's Jonathan's son. He has maimed feet, " Ziba answered.

Majority Standard Bible
So the king asked, ?Is there anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I can show the kindness of God?? Ziba answered, ?There is still Jonathan?s son, who is lame in both feet.?

NET Bible
The king asked, "Is there not someone left from Saul's family, that I may extend God's kindness to him?" Ziba said to the king, "One of Jonathan's sons is left; both of his feet are crippled."

New Heart English Bible
The king said, "Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?" Ziba said to the king, "Jonathan has yet a son, who is lame of his feet."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him? and Ziba said to the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, who is lame in his feet.

World English Bible
The king said, “Is there not yet any of Saul’s house, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “Jonathan still has a son, who is lame in his feet.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king says, “Is there not yet a man of the house of Saul, and I do with him the kindness of God?” And Ziba says to the king, “Jonathan has yet a son—lame.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith, 'Is there not yet a man to the house of Saul, and I do with him the kindness of God?' And Ziba saith unto the king, 'Jonathan hath yet a son -- lame.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will say, Is there not yet a man to the house of Saul? and I will do with him the mercy of God. And Ziba will say to the king, Yet a son to Jonathan, smitten of the feet.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king said: Is there any one left of the house of Saul, that I may shew the mercy of God unto him? And Siba said to the king: There is a son of Jonathan left, who is lame of his feet.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the king said, “Could there be anyone alive from the house of Saul, so that I may show the mercy of God to him?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is left alive a son of Jonathan, with disabled feet.”

New American Bible
Then the king asked, “Is there any survivor of Saul’s house to whom I may show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still Jonathan’s son, the one whose feet are crippled.”

New Revised Standard Version
The king said, “Is there anyone remaining of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?” Ziba said to the king, “There remains a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the king said to him, Is there any one still left of the house of Saul, that I may show kindness to him for the sake of God? And Ziba said to the king, There is yet a son left to Jonathan, who is lame in his feet.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King said to him: “Is there yet a man from the household of Shaul? I shall do kindness for him for the sake of God.” And Tsiba said to the King: “A son is raised up to Jonathan, and his feet are maimed”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king said: 'Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him?' And Ziba said unto the king: 'Jonathan hath yet a son, who is lame on his feet.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king said, Is there yet a man left of the house of Saul, that I may act towards him with the mercy of God? and Siba said to the king, There is yet a son of Jonathan, lame of his feet.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David and Mephibosheth
2And there was a servant of Saul’s family named Ziba. They summoned him to David, and the king inquired, “Are you Ziba?” “I am your servant,” he replied. 3So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family to whom I can show the kindness of God?” Ziba answered, “There is still Jonathan’s son, who is lame in both feet.” 4“Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”…

Cross References
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.

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 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 23:16-18
And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, / saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.” / So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

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 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.

Genesis 24:49
Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; but if not, let me know, so that I may go elsewhere.”

Genesis 47:29
When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise to show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt,

Ruth 2:20
Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers.”

Proverbs 19:22
The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Luke 6:36
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

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 14:12-14
Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid. / 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.”


Treasury of Scripture

And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him? And Ziba said to the king, Jonathan has yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

the kindness of God.

Deuteronomy 4:37
And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;

Deuteronomy 10:15
Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.

1 Samuel 20:14-17
And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: …

yet a son

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 19:26
And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.

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Crippled Damaged Feet Friend God's House Jonathan Kindness Lame Saul Saul's Shew Show Ziba
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Crippled Damaged Feet Friend God's House Jonathan Kindness Lame Saul Saul's Shew Show Ziba
2 Samuel 9
1. David by Ziba sends for Mephibosheth
7. For Jonathan's sake he restores to him all that was Saul's
9. He makes Ziba his farmer














The king asked
This phrase introduces King David, who is the central figure in this narrative. David's inquiry reflects his desire to fulfill a covenant promise he made to Jonathan, Saul's son, as seen in 1 Samuel 20:14-17. The Hebrew root for "asked" (שָׁאַל, sha'al) implies a seeking or inquiring, often with a sense of earnestness or intent. David's question is not merely a casual inquiry but a deliberate act of loyalty and kindness, reflecting his heart after God.

Is there not still someone of the house of Saul
David's question reveals his commitment to the house of Saul, despite Saul's previous attempts on his life. The phrase "house of Saul" refers to the family lineage of Israel's first king. Historically, it was common for new dynasties to eliminate the previous king's family to secure their throne. However, David's approach is counter-cultural and demonstrates his integrity and faithfulness to God’s anointed.

to whom I can show the kindness of God
The "kindness of God" (חֶסֶד, chesed) is a profound Hebrew term often translated as loving-kindness, mercy, or steadfast love. It signifies covenant loyalty and faithfulness. David's desire to show "the kindness of God" indicates his understanding of divine grace and mercy, which transcends human enmity and rivalry. This act of kindness is a reflection of God's own character, as David seeks to emulate divine compassion and faithfulness.

Ziba answered
Ziba, a servant of Saul's household, plays a crucial role in this narrative. His response to David's inquiry is pivotal in connecting David to Jonathan's son. The name "Ziba" (צִיבָא) may mean "statue" or "post," suggesting a position of standing or support. Ziba's role as a servant who provides information highlights the importance of servanthood and the impact of seemingly minor characters in the unfolding of God's plans.

There is still Jonathan’s son
This phrase introduces Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, David's beloved friend. The mention of "Jonathan’s son" evokes the deep bond and covenant between David and Jonathan. It is a reminder of the enduring nature of their friendship and the promises made, which transcend even death. The historical context of Jonathan's loyalty to David, despite his father Saul's animosity, underscores the theme of covenant faithfulness.

who is lame in both feet
The physical condition of Mephibosheth is noted here, emphasizing his vulnerability and need. In the ancient Near Eastern context, physical disabilities often resulted in marginalization. However, David's willingness to extend kindness to Mephibosheth, despite his lameness, reflects the heart of God, who values and uplifts the marginalized and broken. This detail also serves to highlight the grace of God, which is extended to all, regardless of their status or condition.

Verse 3. - The kindness of God. That is, extraordinary kindness. The devout mind of the Orientals saw in everything that was more than common a manifestation of God, and thus the epithet "of God" came to be applied to anything that was very great (comp. Genesis 30:8, margin; Genesis 35:5; Psalm 65:9; Jonah 3:3, margin). David would show Saul's seed kindness as wonderful as are God's dealings with man.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

asked,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Is there anyone
אִישׁ֙ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

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

family
לְבֵ֣ית (lə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

to whom
עִמּ֖וֹ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

I can show
וְאֶעֱשֶׂ֥ה (wə·’e·‘ĕ·śeh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

the kindness
חֶ֣סֶד (ḥe·seḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

of God?”
אֱלֹהִ֑ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

Ziba
צִיבָא֙ (ṣî·ḇā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6717: Ziba -- a servant in Saul's house

answered,
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“There is
ע֛וֹד (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

still
ע֥וֹד (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

Jonathan’s
לִיהוֹנָתָ֖ן (lî·hō·w·nā·ṯān)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites

son,
בֵּ֥ן (bên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

[who is] lame
נְכֵ֥ה (nə·ḵêh)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5223: Smitten, stricken

in both feet.”
רַגְלָֽיִם׃ (raḡ·lā·yim)
Noun - fd
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda


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OT History: 2 Samuel 9:3 The king said Is there not yet (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 9:2
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