2 Samuel 9:11 And Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do all that my lord the king has commanded." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's own sons.

◄ 2 Samuel 9:11 ►

New International Version
Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.

New Living Translation
Ziba replied, “Yes, my lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons.

English Standard Version
Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons.

Berean Standard Bible
And Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all that my lord the king has commanded.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s own sons.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so will your servant do.” “As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.”

New American Standard Bible
Then Ziba said to the king, “In accordance with everything that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons.

NASB 1995
Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons.

NASB 1977
Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons.

Amplified Bible
Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do according to everything that my lord the king commands.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons.

Christian Standard Bible
Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all my lord the king commands.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table just like one of the king’s sons.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all my lord the king commands.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table just like one of the king’s sons.

American Standard Version
Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king commandeth 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.

English Revised Version
Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king commandeth his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the kings sons.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Ziba responded, "I will do everything you've commanded, Your Majesty." From then on, Mephibosheth ate at David's table as one of the king's sons.

Good News Translation
Ziba answered, "I will do everything Your Majesty commands." So Mephibosheth ate at the king's table, just like one of the king's sons.

International Standard Version
Later, Ziba told the king, "Your servant will do everything that your majesty the king commands him." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons.

Majority Standard Bible
And Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all that my lord the king has commanded.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s own sons.

NET Bible
Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do everything that my lord the king has instructed his servant to do." So Mephibosheth was a regular guest at David's table, just as though he were one of the king's sons.

New Heart English Bible
Then Ziba said to the king, "According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant shall do." So Mippibaal ate at David's table like one of the king's sons.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said Ziba to 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.

World English Bible
Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table like one of the king’s sons.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Ziba says to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant does.” “As for Mephibosheth,” [says the king,] “he is eating at my table as one of the sons of the king.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Ziba saith unto the king, 'According to all that my lord the king commandeth his servant, so doth thy servant;' as to Mephibosheth, 'he is eating at my table (saith the king) as one of the sons of the king.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Ziba will say to the king, According to all which my lord the king will command, so will thy servant do. And Mephibosheth ate at my table as one of the sons of the king.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Siba said to the king: As thou my lord the king hast commanded thy servant, so will thy servant do: and Miphiboseth shall eat at my table, as one of the sons of the king.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Ziba said to the king: “Just as my lord has ordered your servant, so will your servant do. And Mephibosheth shall eat at my table, like one of the sons of the king.”

New American Bible
Ziba answered the king, “Whatever my lord the king commands his servant, so shall your servant do.” And so Meribbaal ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do.” Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then Ziba said to the king, Whatever my lord the king commands his servant, so shall your servant do. So Mephibosheth ate bread at the king's table, as one of the king's sons.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Tsiba said to the King: “All that my Lord the King commanded his Servant, thus your Servant does.” And Maphibshath was eating bread at the table of the King like one of the sons of the King

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said Ziba unto the king: 'According to all that my lord the king commandeth his servant, so shall thy servant do; but Mephibosheth eateth at my table as one of the king's sons.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Siba said to the king, According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so will thy servant do. And Memphibosthe did eat at the table of David, as one of the sons of the king.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

David and Mephibosheth
…10You and your sons and servants are to work the ground for him and bring in the harvest, so that your master’s grandson may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, is always to eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11And Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all that my lord the king has commanded.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s own sons. 12And Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

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.

2 Samuel 19:28
For all the house of my grandfather deserves death from my lord the king, yet you have set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right, then, do I have to keep appealing to the king?”

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 23:18
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.

2 Samuel 16:3
“Where is your master’s grandson?” asked the king. And Ziba answered, “Indeed, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he has said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my grandfather.’”

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 47:12
Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food for their families.

Genesis 45:11
And there I will provide for you, because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise, you and your household and everything you own will come to destitution.’

Luke 22:29-30
And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me, / so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 22:28-30
You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials. / And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me, / so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

John 13:14-15
So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. / I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.

Treasury of Scripture

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

Ziba

2 Samuel 19:17
And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.

According

2 Samuel 16:1-4
And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine…

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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Ate Commanded Commandeth Commands David David's Eat Eateth Eating King's Mephibosheth Mephib'osheth Order Servant Table Whatever Ziba

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Ate Commanded Commandeth Commands David David's Eat Eateth Eating King's Mephibosheth Mephib'osheth Order Servant Table Whatever 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

Berean Study Bible

And Ziba said to the king
Ziba, a servant of Saul's household, is speaking to King David. The name "Ziba" in Hebrew means "statue" or "pillar," suggesting a person of standing or stability. In the historical context, Ziba represents the old guard of Saul's reign, now serving under David. His interaction with David highlights the transition of power and loyalty from Saul's house to David's. This phrase sets the stage for the fulfillment of David's covenant with Jonathan, Saul's son, to show kindness to his descendants.

Your servant will do
The phrase "Your servant" reflects a posture of humility and obedience. In Hebrew, the word for servant is "ebed," which denotes a bondservant or one who is in service to another. This reflects the biblical principle of servanthood, where true greatness is found in serving others, a theme echoed by Jesus in the New Testament. Ziba's willingness to serve underscores the importance of faithfulness and duty in the kingdom of God.

all that my lord the king has commanded
The word "commanded" in Hebrew is "tsavah," which means to give orders or to charge. This reflects the authority of the king and the expectation of obedience from his subjects. In the biblical narrative, the king's command is not just a directive but a reflection of divine order, as kings were seen as God's appointed rulers. Ziba's response indicates his recognition of David's authority and his commitment to fulfill the king's wishes, which in this context, is to care for Mephibosheth.

So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table
Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul, is brought into the king's household. The act of eating at the king's table signifies acceptance, honor, and provision. In ancient Near Eastern culture, sharing a meal was a sign of covenant and fellowship. This gesture by David is a powerful symbol of grace and restoration, as Mephibosheth, who was once in hiding and fear, is now given a place of honor.

like one of the king’s sons
This phrase highlights the theme of adoption and inclusion. Mephibosheth, though not biologically David's son, is treated with the same love and respect as David's own children. This reflects the biblical theme of God's grace, where believers are adopted into God's family and given the rights and privileges of sons and daughters. Historically, this act of kindness by David fulfills his covenant with Jonathan and demonstrates the transformative power of grace and mercy in relationships.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 11. - As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he, etc. These words are difficult, because they make David say the same thing thrice. The text is probably corrupt, as it requires the insertion of some such phrase as the "said the king" of the Authorized Version to make it intelligible. Of the many emendations proposed, the most probable is that of the LXX. and Syriac, which make this clause an observation of the historian pointing out the high honour done to Mephibosheth in placing him on an equality with David's own sons. It would then run as follows: So Mephibosheth ate at the king's table as one of the king's sons.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And Ziba
צִיבָא֙ (ṣî·ḇā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6717: Ziba -- a servant in Saul's house

said
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the king,
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

“Your servant
עַבְדּ֔וֹ (‘aḇ·dōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

will do
יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה (ya·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

all
כְּכֹל֩ (kə·ḵōl)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

that
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

my lord
אֲדֹנִ֤י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

the king
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

has commanded.”
יְצַוֶּ֜ה (yə·ṣaw·weh)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

So Mephibosheth
וּמְפִיבֹ֗שֶׁת (ū·mə·p̄î·ḇō·šeṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4648: Mephibosheth -- 'dispeller of shame'

ate
אֹכֵל֙ (’ō·ḵêl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

at
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

David’s table
שֻׁלְחָנִ֔י (šul·ḥā·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7979: A table, a meal

like one
כְּאַחַ֖ד (kə·’a·ḥaḏ)
Preposition-k | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of the king’s
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

sons.
מִבְּנֵ֥י (mib·bə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

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OT History: 2 Samuel 9:11 Then said Ziba to the king According (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)