Bible Strands
2 Samuel 19:24
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator describes Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, descending to Jerusalem to encounter King David upon the king’s return. The account occurs immediately after David swears to spare Shimei and before David questions Mephibosheth’s absence during the flight.
The words — The Hebrew יָרַ֖ד (yaRad) translates literally as “he went down,” marking Mephibosheth’s physical descent to Jerusalem. The phrase וְ/לֹא־ עָשָׂ֨ה (ve-lo-'aSa) reads “and he did not,” introducing the list of neglected grooming practices.
The thread — This narrative echoes David’s own barefoot mourning in 2 Samuel 15:30 and contrasts with Ziba’s earlier claim that Mephibosheth remained in Jerusalem out of political calculation in 2 Samuel 16:3. The meeting also recalls the initial covenant encounter in 2 Samuel 9:6.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to observe the physical evidence of Mephibosheth’s loyalty through his untrimmed appearance. It places the burden of proof on the narrator’s description rather than on Mephibosheth’s defense, demanding a direct assessment of the king’s subsequent judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 9:6 And when Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell facedown in reverence. Then David said, “Mephibosheth!” “I am your servant,” he replied.
- 2 Samuel 15:30 But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went.
- 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.’”
- Isaiah 15:2 Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off.
- Jeremiah 41:5 eighty men who had shaved off their beards, torn their garments, and cut themselves came from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria, carrying grain offerings and frankincense for the house of the LORD.
- Matthew 6:16 When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.
- Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
- Hebrews 13:3 Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them.