Bible Strands
2 Samuel 9:7
“Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David speaks to Mephibosheth, grandson of Saul and son of Jonathan, immediately after Mephibosheth bows in reverence upon entering the royal court.
The words — אַל־תִּירָא ('al-tira) = "do not be afraid" [H408/H3372]; עֲשֹׂה אֶעֱשֶׂה ('aseh e'eseh) = "I will certainly do" [H6213]. The Hebrew uses a verbal construct that emphasizes the certainty and completeness of David's promised action.
The thread — The initiative to show covenant kindness originates in David's prior inquiry in 2 Samuel 9:1 and 9:3, and the theme of royal favor toward a fallen house echoes in 2 Samuel 19:28.
Why it lands — The text commands a fearful recipient to trust a king's unconditional promise, grounding security in a prior covenant rather than personal merit.
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 unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
Cross-references
- 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?”
- 2 Samuel 9:3 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.”
- 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 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.
- Ruth 2:11 Boaz replied, “I have been made fully aware of all you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth, and how you came to a people you did not know before.
- Luke 1:29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
- Luke 22:30 so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
- Genesis 50:18 His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”
- 2 Kings 25:29 So Jehoiachin changed out of his prison clothes, and he dined regularly at the king’s table for the rest of his life.
- Psalms 41:9 Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.