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














So the king asked,
This phrase refers to King David, who is now firmly established as the ruler of Israel. His inquiry reflects his desire to fulfill a covenant promise he made to Jonathan, Saul's son, as seen in 1 Samuel 20:14-17. David's kingship is characterized by justice and kindness, aligning with the biblical ideal of a godly ruler.

“Is there anyone left of the house of Saul
The house of Saul refers to the family and descendants of Saul, the first king of Israel. After Saul's death, his house was largely decimated due to the conflict between Saul and David. This inquiry shows David's willingness to extend grace and mercy, contrasting with the common practice of eliminating rival dynasties to secure one's throne.

to whom I can show the kindness of God?”
The "kindness of God" refers to the Hebrew word "chesed," which denotes steadfast love, mercy, and covenant faithfulness. David's desire to show this kindness reflects God's own character and foreshadows the New Testament teaching of grace. This act of kindness is a type of Christ's redemptive work, where grace is extended to those who are undeserving.

Ziba answered,
Ziba is a servant from Saul's household. His role here is significant as he becomes the intermediary who connects David with the remaining member of Saul's family. Ziba's knowledge of Jonathan's son indicates his continued service and loyalty to Saul's house.

“There is still Jonathan’s son,
Jonathan was Saul's son and David's close friend. The mention of Jonathan's son highlights the enduring bond between David and Jonathan, despite the enmity between David and Saul. This connection underscores the theme of covenant loyalty and friendship.

who is lame in both feet.”
This detail about Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth, is significant. His lameness is a result of an accident when he was five years old, as described in 2 Samuel 4:4. In the ancient Near Eastern context, physical disabilities often led to marginalization. David's willingness to honor and care for Mephibosheth despite his disability reflects God's inclusive love and foreshadows the gospel's message of grace to all, regardless of status or condition.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King David
The second king of Israel, known for his heart after God and his desire to show kindness to the house of Saul, despite Saul's previous attempts to kill him.

2. Ziba
A servant of Saul's household who informs David about the existence of Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth.

3. Jonathan
The son of King Saul and a close friend of David, who had made a covenant with David to show kindness to each other's families.

4. Mephibosheth
The son of Jonathan, described as "lame in both feet," representing vulnerability and need.

5. House of Saul
The former royal family of Israel, now largely fallen from power, with remaining members living in obscurity or fear.
Teaching Points
Covenant Faithfulness
David's inquiry about Saul's descendants demonstrates his commitment to the covenant he made with Jonathan. This teaches us the importance of honoring our promises and commitments, even when it is not convenient.

God’s Kindness
David's desire to show "God’s kindness" reflects the biblical principle of hesed, or steadfast love. As believers, we are called to reflect God's kindness in our interactions with others, especially those who may not expect it.

Compassion for the Vulnerable
Mephibosheth's physical condition highlights the need for compassion towards those who are vulnerable or marginalized. We are reminded to extend grace and support to those in need.

Reconciliation and Forgiveness
David's actions towards the house of Saul illustrate the power of reconciliation and forgiveness. Despite Saul's enmity, David chooses to act with grace, setting an example for us to follow in our relationships.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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