2 Samuel 4:4
New International Version
(Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became disabled. His name was Mephibosheth.)

New Living Translation
(Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.)

English Standard Version
Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel; and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened, as she made haste to flee, that he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

New American Standard Bible
Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was disabled in both feet. He was five years old when the news of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse picked him up and fled. But it happened that in her hurry to flee, he fell and could no longer walk. And his name was Mephibosheth.

NASB 1995
Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the report of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened that in her hurry to flee, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

NASB 1977
Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the report of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened that in her hurry to flee, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the report of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened that in her hurry to flee, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

Amplified Bible
Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son whose feet were crippled. He was five years old when the news [of the deaths] of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. And the boy’s nurse picked him up and fled; but it happened that while she was hurrying to flee, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

Christian Standard Bible
Saul’s son Jonathan had a son whose feet were crippled. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nanny picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to flee, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Saul’s son Jonathan had a son whose feet were crippled. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. The one who had nursed him picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to flee, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

American Standard Version
Now 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.

Contemporary English Version
Saul's son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who had not been able to walk since he was five years old. It happened when someone from Jezreel told his nurse that Saul and Jonathan had died. She hurried off with the boy in her arms, but he fell and injured his legs.

English Revised Version
Now 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In addition, Saul's son Jonathan had a son who was crippled. When the boy was five years old, the news about [the death of] Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled [to Gittaim]. She was in a hurry when she left, and he fell [from her arms] and became disabled. His name was Mephibosheth.)

Good News Translation
Another descendant of Saul was Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, who was five years old when Saul and Jonathan were killed. When the news about their death came from the city of Jezreel, his nurse picked him up and fled; but she was in such a hurry that she dropped him, and he became crippled.

International Standard Version
Meanwhile, Saul's son Jonathan had a son whose feet were crippled. When he was five years old, news had arrived about Saul and Jonathan from Jezreel, and his nurse picked him up to flee, but in her hurry to leave, he happened to fall and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Now Saul's son Jonathan had a son who was crippled in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan arrived from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but in her haste to get away, he fell and was injured. Mephibosheth was his name.

New Heart English Bible
Now Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son whose feet were crippled. He was five years old when the news came of Saul and Jonathan from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened as she was hurrying to get away that he fell and was injured. And his name was Mippibaal.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news came about Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel; and his nurse picked him up and fled. As she hurried to flee, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And to Jonathan son of Saul [is] a son—lame; he was a son of five years at the coming in of the rumor of [the death of] Saul and Jonathan, out of Jezreel, and his nurse lifts him up, and flees, and it comes to pass in her hastening to flee, that he falls, and becomes lame, and his name [is] Mephibosheth.

Young's Literal Translation
And to Jonathan son of Saul is a son -- lame; he was a son of five years at the coming in of the rumour of the death of Saul and Jonathan, out of Jezreel, and his nurse lifteth him up, and fleeth, and it cometh to pass in her hasting to flee, that he falleth, and becometh lame, and his name is Mephibosheth.

Smith's Literal Translation
And to Jonathan, Saul's son, a son smitten in the feet: he was the son of five years in the news coming of Saul and Jonathan from Jezreel, and his nurse will lift him up and flee: and it will be in her springing up to flee, and he will fall, and he will be lame: and his name Mephibosheth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jonathan the son of Saul bad a son that was lame of his feet: for he was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan from Jezrahel. And his nurse took him up and fled: and as she made haste to flee, he fell and became lame: and his name was Miphiboseth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son with disabled feet. For he was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan arrived from Jezreel. And so, his nurse, taking him up, fled. And while she was hurrying, so that she might flee, he fell and was made lame. And he was called Mephibosheth.

New American Bible
(Jonathan, son of Saul, had a son with crippled feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel; his nurse took him and fled, but in their hasty flight, he fell and became lame. His name was Meribbaal.)

New Revised Standard Version
Saul’s son Jonathan had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled; and, in her haste to flee, it happened that he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled; and, as she made haste to flee, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yonathan son of Shaul had a son and he was lame in his legs, and he was a son of five years when the news of Shaul and of Yonathan had come from Yizrael, and his Nurse took him and she fled, and as she ran to escape, he fell, and became lame, and his name was Maphibshath
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jonathan Saul's son had a son lame of his feet, five years old, and he was in the way when the news of Saul and Jonathan his son came from Jezrael, and his nurse took him up, and fled; and it came to pass as he hasted and retreated, that he fell, and was lamed. And his name was Memphibosthe.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Murder of Ish-bosheth
3because the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have lived there as foreigners to this day. 4And 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. 5Now Rechab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, set out and arrived at the house of Ish-bosheth in the heat of the day, while the king was taking his midday nap.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 9:3-13
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.” / “Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.” / So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar. ...

2 Samuel 19:24-30
Then Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely. / And he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, who asked him, “Mephibosheth, why did you not go with me?” / “My lord the king,” he replied, “because I am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled so that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba deceived me, ...

1 Samuel 31:2
The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

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 Chronicles 8:34
The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, and Merib-baal was the father of Micah.

1 Chronicles 9:40
The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, who was the father of Micah.

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 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 1:4
“What was the outcome?” David asked. “Please tell me.” “The troops fled from the battle,” he replied. “Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.”

2 Samuel 2:8
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim,

2 Samuel 3:1
Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

2 Samuel 5:4
David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.

2 Samuel 9:1
Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”

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.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

Jonathan

2 Samuel 9:3
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.

when the tidings

1 Samuel 29:1,11
Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel…

1 Samuel 31:1-10
Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa…

Mephibosheth

1 Chronicles 8:34
And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah.

1 Chronicles 9:40
And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal: and Meribbaal begat Micah.

Meribbaal

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Feet Fell Five Fled Flee Haste Jezreel Jonathan Lame Mephibosheth News Nurse Saul Saul's Tidings
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Feet Fell Five Fled Flee Haste Jezreel Jonathan Lame Mephibosheth News Nurse Saul Saul's Tidings
2 Samuel 4
1. The Israelites being troubled at the death of Abner
2. Baanah and Rechab slay Ish-Bosheth, and bring his head to Hebron
9. David causes them to be slain, and Ish-Bosheth's head to be buried.














Now Saul’s son Jonathan
This phrase introduces us to Jonathan, the beloved friend of David and son of King Saul. Jonathan's loyalty to David, despite his father Saul's animosity, is a testament to his noble character. The Hebrew root for Jonathan, "Yehonatan," means "Yahweh has given," reflecting the divine favor and covenantal friendship he shared with David. Jonathan's legacy is significant in the narrative of David's rise to kingship, as it underscores themes of loyalty, friendship, and divine providence.

had a son whose feet were crippled
The mention of Jonathan's son being crippled is both literal and symbolic. In the ancient Near Eastern context, physical disabilities often carried social stigma and were seen as a disadvantage. The Hebrew word for "crippled" here is "piseah," which indicates lameness or being unable to walk properly. This detail foreshadows the challenges Mephibosheth will face and sets the stage for David's later acts of kindness, highlighting themes of grace and mercy.

He was five years old
The age of Mephibosheth at the time of the incident is significant. At five years old, he was still a child, vulnerable and dependent on others for care. This detail emphasizes the suddenness and tragedy of the events that led to his disability. It also serves to evoke compassion from the reader, as we consider the innocence and helplessness of a child caught in the turmoil of political upheaval.

when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel
The "report" refers to the news of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan in battle, which came from Jezreel, a significant location in Israel's history. Jezreel was a site of many battles and symbolized the shifting tides of power. The Hebrew root for "report" is "shema," meaning to hear or listen, indicating the impact of this devastating news. This moment marks a turning point in Israel's monarchy and sets the stage for David's eventual rise to power.

His nurse picked him up and fled
The nurse's actions reflect the urgency and fear that gripped the household upon hearing the news. In the ancient world, the death of a king often led to political instability and danger for the royal family. The Hebrew word for "fled" is "barach," meaning to escape or run away, highlighting the desperate attempt to protect the young prince from potential harm.

but in her haste to flee, he fell and became lame
This phrase captures the tragic accident that resulted in Mephibosheth's lifelong disability. The nurse's haste, driven by fear, inadvertently led to the child's fall. The Hebrew word for "fell" is "naphal," which can also mean to be cast down or to fail. This incident is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the unforeseen consequences of our actions.

His name was Mephibosheth
The name Mephibosheth means "dispeller of shame" or "from the mouth of shame" in Hebrew. This name is prophetic, as Mephibosheth's account is one of redemption and restoration. Despite his physical limitations and the loss of his royal status, he later finds favor with King David, who honors his covenant with Jonathan by showing kindness to Mephibosheth. This act of grace reflects the biblical theme of God's mercy and the restoration of dignity to those who are marginalized or forgotten.

(4) A son that was lame.--The reason for the introduction here of this account of Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, is to show that, he being physically in capacitated for the throne, the house of Saul became practically extinct with the death of Ish-bosheth. There were other descendants, but either illegitimate or of the female line (2Samuel 21:8-9), and hence there was none other of his house to claim the throne.

Verse 4. - Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son. This is mentioned to show that Saul's lineage virtually became extinct on Ishbosheth's death. Mephibosheth, the heir, was a cripple, and physically incapable of reigning. Saul had, indeed, sons by a concubine, and grandchildren by his daughter Merab (2 Samuel 21:8). But throughout the history there is no hint that any of these were regarded as the representatives of Saul's house. (For the name Mephibosheth, see note on 2 Samuel 2:8.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

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

had a son [who was]
בֵּ֖ן (bên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

lame in
נְכֵ֣ה (nə·ḵêh)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5223: Smitten, stricken

[his] feet.
רַגְלָ֑יִם (raḡ·lā·yim)
Noun - fd
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

He was
הָיָ֡ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

five
חָמֵ֣שׁ (ḥā·mêš)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 2568: Five

years old
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

when the report
שְׁמֻעַת֩ (šə·mu·‘aṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8052: Something heard, an announcement

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

and Jonathan
וִיהֽוֹנָתָ֜ן (wî·hō·w·nā·ṯān)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites

came
בְּבֹ֣א (bə·ḇō)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

from Jezreel.
מִֽיִּזְרְעֶ֗אל (mî·yiz·rə·‘el)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3157: Jezreel -- 'God sows', two Israelites, also two cities in Israel, also a valley in Northern Israel

His nurse
אֹֽמַנְתּוֹ֙ (’ō·man·tōw)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 539: To confirm, support

picked him up
וַתִּשָּׂאֵ֤הוּ (wat·tiś·śā·’ê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

and fled,
וַתָּנֹ֔ס (wat·tā·nōs)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

but as she was hurrying
בְּחָפְזָ֥הּ (bə·ḥā·p̄ə·zāh)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2648: To start up suddenly, to hasten away, to fear

to escape,
לָנ֛וּס (lā·nūs)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

he fell
וַיִּפֹּ֥ל (way·yip·pōl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

and became lame.
וַיִּפָּסֵ֖חַ (way·yip·pā·sê·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6452: To hop, skip over, to hesitate, to limp, to dance

His name
וּשְׁמ֥וֹ (ū·šə·mōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

was Mephibosheth.
מְפִיבֹֽשֶׁת׃ (mə·p̄î·ḇō·šeṯ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4648: Mephibosheth -- 'dispeller of shame'


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OT History: 2 Samuel 4:4 Now Jonathan Saul's son had a son (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 4:3
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