2 Samuel 9:4
New International Version
“Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”

New Living Translation
“Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.”

English Standard Version
The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”

King James Bible
And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.

New King James Version
So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”

New American Standard Bible
So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.”

NASB 1995
So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.”

NASB 1977
So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.”

Amplified Bible
So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba replied to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.”

Christian Standard Bible
The king asked him, “Where is he? ” Ziba answered the king, “You’ll find him in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The king asked him, “Where is he?” Ziba answered the king, “You’ll find him in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”

American Standard Version
And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.

Contemporary English Version
"Where is he?" David asked. Ziba replied, "He lives in Lo-Debar with Machir the son of Ammiel."

English Revised Version
And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Where is he?" the king asked. Ziba replied, "He is at the home of Machir, Ammiel's son, in Lo Debar."

Good News Translation
"Where is he?" the king asked. "At the home of Machir son of Ammiel in Lodebar," Ziba answered.

International Standard Version
So David asked, "Where is he?" Ziba responded, "He's in Lo-debar at the home of Ammiel's son Makir."

Majority Standard Bible
“Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”

NET Bible
The king asked him, "Where is he?" Ziba told the king, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.

New Heart English Bible
And the king said, "Where is he?" And Ziba said to the king, "Look, he is in the house of Makir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king said to him, Where is he? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.

World English Bible
The king said to him, “Where is he?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king says to him, “Where [is] he?” And Ziba says to the king, “Behold, he [is] in the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, in Behold-Debar.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith to him, 'Where is he?' and Ziba saith unto the king, 'Lo, he is in the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, in Lo-Debar.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will say to him, Where is he? And Ziba will say to the king, Behold him in the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, from Lo-Debar.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Where is he? said he. And Siba said to the king: Behold he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lodabar.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Where is he?” he said. And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.”

New American Bible
The king asked him, “Where is he?” and Ziba answered the king, “He is in the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.”

New Revised Standard Version
The king said to him, “Where is he?” Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the king said to him, Where is he? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Gammir, in Lo-debar.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The King said to him: “Where is he?” Tsiba the King said to him: “Behold, in the house of Makir, he is son of Gemil from Ludbar”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king said unto him: 'Where is he?' And Ziba said unto the king: 'Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king said, Where is he? and Siba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Amiel of Lodabar.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David and Mephibosheth
3So 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.” 4“Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.” 5So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.…

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 16:1-4
When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. / “Why do you have these?” asked the king. Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.” / “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.’” ...

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 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.

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.

2 Kings 8:1-6
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” / So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines. / At the end of seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to the king to appeal for her house and her land. ...

Genesis 47:29-31
When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise to show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, / but when I lie down with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me with them.” Joseph answered, “I will do as you have requested.” / “Swear to me,” Jacob said. So Joseph swore to him, and Israel bowed in worship at the head of his bed.

Ruth 2:20
Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers.”

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 25:34-40
Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. / For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ ...

Luke 6:36
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 14:12-14
Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid. / But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, / and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”


Treasury of Scripture

And the king said to him, Where is he? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.

Machir

2 Samuel 17:27-29
And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, …

Joshua 13:26
And from Heshbon unto Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir;

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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














Where is he?
This phrase reflects King David's earnest desire to show kindness to the house of Saul for Jonathan's sake. The Hebrew root for "where" (אֵיפֹה, 'eiphah) indicates a search or inquiry, suggesting David's proactive approach in seeking out Mephibosheth. This reflects the heart of God, who seeks out the lost and desires to extend grace and mercy.

the king replied
David, as king, represents authority and power. His willingness to inquire about Mephibosheth, a potential rival from the house of Saul, demonstrates humility and a commitment to covenant loyalty. This mirrors the divine kingship of God, who, despite His sovereignty, reaches out to humanity with love and compassion.

And Ziba answered
Ziba, a servant of Saul's household, plays a crucial role as a messenger. His response to the king's inquiry shows the importance of servanthood and obedience. In a broader sense, it highlights how God uses individuals to fulfill His purposes and convey His messages of grace.

Indeed, he is in Lo-debar
Lo-debar, meaning "no pasture" or "no word," was a place of desolation and obscurity. Mephibosheth's residence there symbolizes his fallen state and separation from the royal court. This setting underscores the theme of redemption, as God often calls individuals from places of barrenness into His abundance and blessing.

at the house of Machir son of Ammiel
Machir, whose name means "sold" or "bartered," was a man of influence and provision. His willingness to shelter Mephibosheth reflects the biblical principle of hospitality and support for those in need. Ammiel, meaning "people of God," further emphasizes the divine orchestration in providing refuge and care for Mephibosheth. This illustrates how God places people in our lives to support and guide us according to His divine plan.

Verse 4. - Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar. Of Lo-debar nothing is known, but it must have been east of the Jordan, near Mahanaim. Of Ammiel we read again in 2 Samuel 17:27, where we find that he was a man of wealth, who helped to supply the wants of David and his men during the rebellion of Absalom. Possibly this kindness of David towards one for whom he had feelings of loyalty, as representing a royal house to which he had remained faithful, won his heart. There was a magnanimity about it which would commend it to a man who was himself generous and true.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Where
אֵיפֹ֣ה (’ê·p̄ōh)
Interrogative
Strong's 375: What place?, when?, how?

is he?”
ה֑וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

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

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

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

“Indeed,
הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

he [is]
ה֗וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

in Lo-debar
דְבָֽר׃ (ḏə·ḇār)
Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3810: Lo-debar -- 'pastureless', a place in Gilead

at the house
בֵּ֛ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Machir
מָכִ֥יר (mā·ḵîr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4353: Machir -- two Israelites

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

of Ammiel.”
עַמִּיאֵ֖ל (‘am·mî·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5988: Ammiel -- 'my kinsman is God', four Israelites


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OT History: 2 Samuel 9:4 The king said to him Where (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 9:3
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