King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 9:10 Mean?

2 Samuel 9:10 in the King James Version says “Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that th... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 9:10 · KJV


Context

8

And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?

9

Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.

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.

11

Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.

12

And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Kindness to Mephibosheth, emphasizing covenant faithfulness, grace. David's kindness to Mephibosheth illustrates chesed (חֶסֶד, covenant faithfulness/loyal love). This grace shown to Jonathan's crippled son demonstrates covenant loyalty transcending political expedience. The narrative foreshadows God's grace toward spiritually crippled humanity. Cross-references to David and Jonathan's covenant (1 Samuel 18:3, 20:14-17) and New Testament grace themes enrich understanding.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 9 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding covenant faithfulness, grace provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of covenant faithfulness, grace?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וְעָבַ֣דְתָּ1 of 27

shall till

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

לּ֣וֹ2 of 27
H0
אֶֽת3 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאֲדָמָ֡ה4 of 27

the land

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אַתָּה֩5 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בָּנִ֖ים6 of 27

Thou therefore and thy sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עֲבָדִֽים׃7 of 27

and thy servants

H5650

a servant

וְהֵבֵ֗אתָ8 of 27

for him and thou shalt bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְהָיָ֨ה9 of 27
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בָּנִ֖ים10 of 27

Thou therefore and thy sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָ11 of 27

in the fruits that thy master's

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

לֶ֖חֶם12 of 27

bread

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

יֹאכַ֥ל13 of 27

shall eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וּמְפִיבֹ֙שֶׁת֙14 of 27

but Mephibosheth

H4648

mephibosheth, the name of two israelites

בָּנִ֖ים15 of 27

Thou therefore and thy sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָ16 of 27

in the fruits that thy master's

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

יֹאכַ֥ל17 of 27

shall eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

תָּמִ֛יד18 of 27

alway

H8548

properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re

לֶ֖חֶם19 of 27

bread

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

עַל20 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שֻׁלְחָנִ֑י21 of 27

at my table

H7979

a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal

וּלְצִיבָ֗א22 of 27

Now Ziba

H6717

tsiba, an israelite

חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה23 of 27

had fifteen

H2568

five

עָשָׂ֛ר24 of 27
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

בָּנִ֖ים25 of 27

Thou therefore and thy sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים26 of 27

and twenty

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

עֲבָדִֽים׃27 of 27

and thy servants

H5650

a servant


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 9:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 9:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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