2 Samuel 19:24-30
New Living Translation
David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
24 Now Mephibosheth,[a] Saul’s grandson, came down from Jerusalem to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the day the king left Jerusalem. 25 “Why didn’t you come with me, Mephibosheth?” the king asked him.
26 Mephibosheth replied, “My lord the king, my servant Ziba deceived me. I told him, ‘Saddle my donkey[b] so I can go with the king.’ For as you know I am crippled. 27 Ziba has slandered me by saying that I refused to come. But I know that my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is best. 28 All my relatives and I could expect only death from you, my lord, but instead you have honored me by allowing me to eat at your own table! What more can I ask?”
29 “You’ve said enough,” David replied. “I’ve decided that you and Ziba will divide your land equally between you.”
30 “Give him all of it,” Mephibosheth said. “I am content just to have you safely back again, my lord the king!”
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2 Samuel 19:24-30
New English Translation
24 Now Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson,[a] came down to meet the king. From the day the king had left until the day he safely[b] returned, Mephibosheth[c] had not cared for his feet[d] nor trimmed[e] his mustache nor washed his clothes.
25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 He replied, “My lord the king, my servant deceived me! I[f] said, ‘Let me get my donkey saddled so that I can ride on it and go with the king,’ for I[g] am lame. 27 But my servant[h] has slandered me[i] to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like an angel of God. Do whatever seems appropriate to you. 28 After all, there was no one in the entire house of my grandfather[j] who did not deserve death from my lord the king. But instead you allowed me to eat at your own table![k] What further claim do I have to ask[l] the king for anything?”
29 Then the king replied to him, “Why should you continue speaking like this? You and Ziba will inherit the field together.” 30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him have[m] the whole thing! My lord the king has returned safely[n] to his house!”
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- 2 Samuel 19:24 tn Heb “son.”
- 2 Samuel 19:24 tn Heb “in peace.” So also in v. 31.
- 2 Samuel 19:24 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Mephibosheth) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- 2 Samuel 19:24 tn Heb “done his feet.”
- 2 Samuel 19:24 tn Heb “done.”
- 2 Samuel 19:26 tn Heb “your servant.”
- 2 Samuel 19:26 tn Heb “your servant.”
- 2 Samuel 19:27 tn Heb “and he”; the referent (the servant) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- 2 Samuel 19:27 tn Heb “your servant.”
- 2 Samuel 19:28 tn Heb “father.”
- 2 Samuel 19:28 tn Heb “and you placed your servant among those who eat at your table.”
- 2 Samuel 19:28 tn Heb “to cry out to.”
- 2 Samuel 19:30 tn Heb “take.”
- 2 Samuel 19:30 tn Heb “in peace.”
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