Bible Strands
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?”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David initiates an inquiry after his accession to the throne, seeking a surviving member of Saul’s former royal line to inquire about.
The words — The Hebrew phrase נוֹתַר (no.Tar) literally means “he is left,” emphasizing survival after a dynasty’s fall, while יֶשׁ (yesh) functions as an existential marker translating to “there is.”
The thread — This inquiry echoes the covenant loyalty established in 1 Samuel 20:42 between David and Jonathan, and parallels New Testament commands to extend mercy to the marginalized in Mark 9:41 and Matthew 25:40.
Why it lands — The text demands a practical assessment of who remains from a fallen house and requires the reader to decide whether to act on loyalty when no political advantage exists.
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 David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?
Cross-references
- 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.
- Mark 9:41 Indeed, if anyone gives you even a cup of water because you bear the name of Christ, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.
- Matthew 25:40 And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
- 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.
- 2 Samuel 1:26 I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.
- 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.
- Matthew 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”
- Proverbs 27:10 Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
- John 19:26 When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.”
- 1 Samuel 20:14 And as long as I live, treat me with the LORD’s loving devotion, that I may not die,