2 Samuel 9:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} said {H559}, Is there not {H657} yet any {H376} of the house {H1004} of Saul {H7586}, that I may shew {H6213} the kindness {H2617} of God {H430} unto him? And Ziba {H6717} said {H559} unto the king {H4428}, Jonathan {H3083} hath yet a son {H1121}, which is lame {H5223} on his feet {H7272}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king said, "Is there anyone still alive from the family of Sha'ul, to whom I can show God's grace?"Tziva said to the king, "There is still Y'honatan's son with the lame legs."

Berean Standard Bible

So 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.”

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 9:3 marks a profound moment in King David's reign, revealing his exceptional character and unwavering commitment to covenant. Having established his kingdom, David actively seeks out any surviving member of Saul's house, not for political gain or obligation, but to extend a radical, undeserved kindness—a kindness that mirrors the steadfast love and faithfulness of God Himself. This inquiry, prompted by a deep sense of loyalty to his covenant with Jonathan, leads to the discovery of Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, who is introduced as physically vulnerable, "lame on his feet."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the pivotal response to King David's inquiry in [2 Samuel 9:1](/2_samuel/9-1 "2 Samuel 9:1 - David's Inquiry for Saul's Household"), where he explicitly asks, "Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?" The immediate narrative flow establishes David's proactive search, driven by a covenant made with Jonathan, Saul's son, in [1 Samuel 20:14-17](/1_samuel/20-14 "1 Samuel 20:14-17 - Jonathan's Request for Kindness to His Descendants"). Jonathan had specifically asked David to show "the kindness of the LORD" to his descendants forever. The revelation of Mephibosheth's existence and his physical condition ("lame on his feet") echoes an earlier, tragic detail from [2 Samuel 4:4](/2_samuel/4-4 "2 Samuel 4:4 - Mephibosheth's Injury"), where it is explained that he became lame as a child while fleeing after the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. This prior mention underscores his vulnerability and the dire circumstances from which David seeks to rescue him, setting the stage for an extraordinary act of grace.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, it was common practice for a new king to eliminate all potential rivals from the previous dynasty to secure his throne and prevent future uprisings. This often involved the systematic execution of all male heirs. David, however, defies this ruthless custom. His actions are not only counter-cultural but also deeply theological, rooted in his understanding of covenant. The concept of "kindness" (Hebrew: *ḥesed*) was a cornerstone of relationships, particularly covenantal ones, signifying loyalty, steadfast love, and faithfulness. For someone to be "lame on his feet" in this culture meant not only physical disability but often social marginalization and economic disadvantage, as physical prowess was often linked to status and ability to work. Mephibosheth's condition makes him an unlikely recipient of royal favor, highlighting the radical nature of David's intended kindness.

* **Key Themes:** David's question and Ziba's answer in this verse contribute significantly to several major themes within 2 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. **Covenant Loyalty (Hesed)** is paramount, as David's actions are a direct fulfillment of his oath to Jonathan, demonstrating a faithfulness that mirrors God's own covenantal commitment to His people, as seen in [Psalm 89:28](/psalm/89-28 "Psalm 89:28 - God's Covenant Faithfulness"). The phrase "show the kindness of God" introduces the theme of **Divine Kindness (Hesed Elohim)**, indicating that David's grace is not merely human benevolence but a reflection of God's own character of enduring love and mercy, an attribute often celebrated throughout the Psalms, such as in [Psalm 136](/psalm/136 "Psalm 136 - God's Enduring Mercy"). Furthermore, the mention of Mephibosheth being "lame on his feet" establishes the theme of **Grace for the Vulnerable and Undeserving**, highlighting David's compassion for someone who, by societal standards and political expediency, would be overlooked or even eliminated. This act also embodies **Remembrance and Restoration**, as David actively seeks to remember and restore a member of a fallen house, reversing the typical consequences of dynastic change.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kindness (Hebrew, _ḥesed_):** This rich Hebrew term, often translated as "steadfast love," "mercy," "loyalty," or "faithfulness," denotes a commitment that goes beyond mere benevolence. It describes a loyal, enduring love that is rooted in a covenant relationship. When paired with "God" (Elohim), as in *ḥesed Elohim*, it refers to the divine attribute of covenant faithfulness—God's unwavering commitment to His promises and His people. David's desire to show *ḥesed Elohim* indicates his intention to act in a way that reflects God's own character and covenantal loyalty, demonstrating an extraordinary, undeserved favor.
* **Lame (Hebrew, _piṣṣēaḥ_):** This word describes a person who is physically impaired, specifically in their feet or legs, making walking difficult or impossible. In ancient societies, physical disabilities like lameness often led to social ostracization, economic hardship, and a diminished status. Mephibosheth's lameness, explicitly mentioned here and earlier in [2 Samuel 4:4](/2_samuel/4-4 "2 Samuel 4:4 - Mephibosheth's Injury"), underscores his vulnerability, helplessness, and inability to pose any physical threat or contribute significantly to society in a conventional sense. It heightens the grace of David's action, as he extends favor to one who is utterly dependent and seemingly without merit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king said, [Is] there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him?":** This opening clause reveals David's proactive and intentional search. His question is not a casual inquiry but a deliberate pursuit, driven by a deep moral and spiritual imperative. The phrase "kindness of God" (Hebrew: *ḥesed Elohim*) is crucial, indicating that David's motivation transcends mere human generosity or political maneuvering. He desires to manifest a divine quality of steadfast love and covenant faithfulness, reflecting God's own character. This sets the tone for an act of extraordinary grace, seeking to extend favor to the very dynasty he replaced, in stark contrast to typical ancient Near Eastern royal practices.
* **"And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, [which is] lame on [his] feet.":** Ziba, a servant from Saul's household, provides the critical information David seeks. His response is direct and to the point, identifying Jonathan's son as the sole surviving heir of Saul's direct line. The immediate mention of Mephibosheth's physical condition—"lame on his feet"—is significant. It highlights his vulnerability and disadvantaged state, emphasizing that he is not a threat to David's throne. This detail further underscores the radical nature of David's impending act of grace, as he chooses to bless not a powerful ally, but a physically impaired and politically insignificant individual.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Contrast** is evident in David's actions compared to the expected behavior of a conquering king in the ancient Near East. Instead of eradicating the previous dynasty, David actively seeks to show kindness, highlighting his unique character and adherence to covenant. **Irony** is present in the fact that the only surviving heir of Saul's house is "lame on his feet," seemingly incapable of posing a threat or fulfilling a royal role, yet it is precisely this vulnerability that makes him a recipient of extraordinary grace. This physical infirmity also serves as **Symbolism**, representing Mephibosheth's utter dependence and lack of self-sufficiency, mirroring humanity's spiritual lameness and dependence on God's unmerited favor. The narrative also uses **Foreshadowing**, as David's act of seeking out and restoring Mephibosheth foreshadows the greater divine restoration offered through Christ to those who are spiritually "lame" and helpless.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's quest to show "the kindness of God" to Saul's house is a profound theological statement, demonstrating that true kingship, as modeled by David, is not merely about power and conquest but about covenant faithfulness and divine mercy. His actions reflect the very character of God, who is rich in *ḥesed*—steadfast love and loyalty to His promises. This narrative illustrates that God's grace often extends to the undeserving and the vulnerable, transforming their circumstances from destitution to restoration. It is a powerful reminder that our acts of kindness, particularly those that are inconvenient or counter-intuitive, can be tangible expressions of God's own heart in the world.

* [Psalm 23:6](/psalm/23-6 "Psalm 23:6 - God's Enduring Goodness and Mercy") - "Surely goodness and mercy [ḥesed] shall follow me all the days of my life."
* [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires: Justice, Mercy, Humility") - "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy [ḥesed], and to walk humbly with thy God?"
* [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated While We Were Still Sinners") - "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's commitment to his covenant with Jonathan, even years later and in a position of unchallenged power, provides a powerful example of integrity and faithfulness. In a world often driven by self-interest and expediency, David's proactive search for someone to whom he could show "the kindness of God" challenges us to consider how we might extend radical grace to those around us. This is not about mere charity, but about embodying God's own steadfast love and loyalty, especially towards those who are vulnerable, marginalized, or seemingly undeserving. Just as Mephibosheth was "lame on his feet" and utterly dependent, we too are often spiritually "lame," unable to help ourselves, and entirely reliant on God's unmerited favor. This passage calls us to remember our own reception of grace and to become conduits of that same divine kindness to others, fulfilling our promises and actively seeking opportunities to bless those who have no claim on our generosity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What promises or commitments have I made that I might need to revisit and fulfill, even if it's inconvenient?**
* **Who are the "lame on their feet" in my life or community—those who are vulnerable, overlooked, or seemingly without merit—to whom I can extend God's kindness?**
* **How can my actions more fully reflect "the kindness of God" (ḥesed Elohim) in my daily interactions and relationships?**
* **In what ways does David's proactive search for Mephibosheth inspire me to seek out opportunities to show grace, rather than waiting for needs to be presented?**

### FAQ
**Who was Ziba, and why was he significant in this narrative?**

Answer: Ziba was a servant of Saul's household, and his significance lies in his knowledge of Saul's surviving family members. When David inquired about any remaining members of Saul's house, it was Ziba who informed the king about Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, who was "lame on his feet." Ziba later plays a more complex and controversial role in David's life during Absalom's rebellion, as described in [2 Samuel 16:1-4](/2_samuel/16-1 "2 Samuel 16:1-4 - Ziba's Deception of David") and [2 Samuel 19:24-30](/2_samuel/19-24 "2 Samuel 19:24-30 - David's Reinstatement and Ziba's Accusations"). His initial role here is crucial for connecting David's desire for kindness with Mephibosheth's existence.

**Why was Mephibosheth "lame on his feet," and what was the significance of this condition?**

Answer: Mephibosheth became lame as a young child, at the age of five, when news arrived of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan at the Battle of Gilboa. His nurse, in her haste to flee, dropped him, causing a permanent injury to his feet, as detailed in [2 Samuel 4:4](/2_samuel/4-4 "2 Samuel 4:4 - Mephibosheth's Injury"). In ancient society, lameness was a significant disability, often leading to social marginalization and a diminished capacity for work or self-sufficiency. The significance of his condition in this narrative is twofold: it underscores his vulnerability and utter dependence, making him a non-threat to David's throne, and it highlights the extraordinary, unmerited nature of David's kindness, which extends to one who is physically and politically disadvantaged.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's radical act of seeking out Mephibosheth to show him "the kindness of God" (Hebrew: *ḥesed Elohim*) serves as a profound Old Testament foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate demonstration of divine grace. Just as Mephibosheth, a descendant of a rival king, was "lame on his feet" and utterly helpless, unable to approach the king on his own, so too is humanity spiritually lame and alienated from God due to sin, as described in [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned"). We are not merely undeserving but are, in our natural state, enemies of God, yet Christ, the greater King, actively sought us out, not to condemn but to save, as declared in [Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost"). The "kindness of God" that David sought to manifest finds its supreme embodiment in Jesus Christ, whose death on the cross for sinners, while we were still weak and ungodly, is the ultimate expression of God's *ḥesed* ([Romans 5:6-8](/romans/5-6 "Romans 5:6-8 - Christ Died for the Ungodly")). Through Christ, those who are spiritually "lame" and outcast are not only invited to the King's table but are adopted into His family, receiving an inheritance and a place of honor that was utterly unmerited, echoing Mephibosheth's restoration to David's table in [2 Samuel 9:7](/2_samuel/9-7 "2 Samuel 9:7 - Mephibosheth Restored to David's Table"). This divine *ḥesed* in Christ transforms our spiritual destitution into a glorious, eternal communion with God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Titus 3:3

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.

Titus 3:4

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

1 Samuel 20:14

And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:

1 Samuel 20:17

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

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.

Matthew 5:44

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;