King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 9:7 Mean?

2 Samuel 9:7 in the King James Version says “And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.”

2 Samuel 9:7 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

5

Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

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!

7

And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

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.

Read 2 Samuel 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

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 · 26 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩1 of 26

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֨וֹ2 of 26
H0
דָוִ֜ד3 of 26

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אַל4 of 26
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּירָ֗א5 of 26

“unto him Fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

כִּ֣י6 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֨ה7 of 26

“not for I will surely”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֨ה8 of 26

“not for I will surely”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עִמְּךָ֥9 of 26
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

חֶ֙סֶד֙10 of 26

“thee kindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

בַּֽעֲבוּר֙11 of 26
H5668

properly, crossed, i.e., (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on account of, in order that

יְהֽוֹנָתָ֣ן12 of 26

“for Jonathan”

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

אָבִ֑יךָ13 of 26

“thy father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַהֲשִֽׁבֹתִ֣י14 of 26

“sake and will restore”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לְךָ֔15 of 26
H0
אֶֽת16 of 26
H853

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

כָּל17 of 26
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שְׂדֵ֖ה18 of 26

“thee all the land”

H7704

a field (as flat)

שָׁא֣וּל19 of 26

“of Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אָבִ֑יךָ20 of 26

“thy father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְאַתָּ֗ה21 of 26
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תֹּ֥אכַל22 of 26

“and thou shalt eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

לֶ֛חֶם23 of 26

“bread”

H3899

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

עַל24 of 26
H5921

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

שֻׁלְחָנִ֖י25 of 26

“at my table”

H7979

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

תָּמִֽיד׃26 of 26

“continually”

H8548

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

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 9:7 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 9:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 9:12 Samuel 9:31 Kings 2:72 Samuel 19:28Luke 1:29-30Ruth 2:11-12

Test Your Knowledge

2 Samuel 9 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Samuel 9 with CommentaryAll 2 Samuel ChaptersComplete 2 Samuel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes