2 Samuel 9:1
New International Version
David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

New Living Translation
One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

English Standard Version
And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Berean Standard Bible
Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

New American Standard Bible
Then David said, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul, so that I could show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

NASB 1995
Then David said, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

NASB 1977
Then David said, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then David said, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him lovingkindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Amplified Bible
And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house (family) of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Christian Standard Bible
David asked, “Is there anyone remaining from the family of Saul I can show kindness to for Jonathan’s sake? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David asked, “Is there anyone remaining from Saul’s family I can show kindness to because of Jonathan?”

American Standard Version
And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

Contemporary English Version
One day, David thought, "I wonder if any of Saul's family are still alive. If they are, I will be kind to them, because I made a promise to Jonathan."

English Revised 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?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David asked, "Is there anyone left in Saul's family to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?"

Good News Translation
One day David asked, "Is there anyone left of Saul's family? If there is, I would like to show him kindness for Jonathan's sake."

International Standard Version
Later on, David asked, "Is there anyone left alive from Saul's household to whom I can show gracious love in memory of Jonathan?"

Majority Standard Bible
Then David asked, ?Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan??

NET Bible
Then David asked, "Is anyone still left from the family of Saul, so that I may extend kindness to him for the sake of Jonathan?"

New Heart English Bible
David said, "Is there yet any who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

World English Bible
David said, “Is there yet any who is left of Saul’s house, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David says, “Is there yet any left of the house of Saul, and I do with him kindness because of Jonathan?”

Young's Literal Translation
And David saith, 'Is there yet any left to the house of Saul, and I do with him kindness because of Jonathan?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will say, Is there yet any which was left to the house of Saul? and I will do with him mercy for sake of Jonathan.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David said: Is there any one, think you, left of the house of Saul, that I may shew kindness to him for Jonathan's sake?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And David said, “Do you think that there could be anyone left from the house of Saul, so that I might show mercy to him because of Jonathan?”

New American Bible
David asked, “Is there any survivor of Saul’s house to whom I may show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”

New Revised Standard Version
David asked, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
AND David said, Is there yet any one left of the house of Saul, that I may show kindness to him for Jonathan's sake?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David said: “Is there now a man who is left from those of the house of Shaul? I shall do kindness for him because of Jonathan”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David said: 'Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David said, Is there yet any one left in the house of Saul, that I may deal kindly with him for Jonathan's sake?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David and Mephibosheth
1Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?” 2And there was a servant of Saul’s family named Ziba. They summoned him to David, and the king inquired, “Are you Ziba?” “I am your servant,” he replied.…

Cross References
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 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.

1 Samuel 23:18
So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

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.

1 Samuel 24:21-22
So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.” / So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

1 Samuel 9:1
Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin.

1 Samuel 31:2
The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

2 Samuel 21:7
Now the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul.

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.

Genesis 21:23
Now, therefore, swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or descendants. Show to me and to the country in which you reside the same kindness that I have shown to you.”

Genesis 24:49
Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; but if not, let me know, so that I may go elsewhere.”

Genesis 47:29
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,

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.”

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


Treasury of Scripture

And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

shew him

2 Samuel 1:26
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

1 Samuel 18:1-4
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul…

1 Samuel 20:14-17,42
And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: …

Jump to Previous
David Family Friend House Jonathan Jonathan's Kindness Sake Saul Saul's Shew Show
Jump to Next
David Family Friend House Jonathan Jonathan's Kindness Sake Saul Saul's Shew Show
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














Then David asked
The phrase begins with "Then," indicating a continuation of events. David, now established as king, is reflecting on his past promises and relationships. The Hebrew root for "asked" (שָׁאַל, sha'al) implies a seeking or inquiring, suggesting David's proactive desire to fulfill a covenantal promise. This reflects a heart aligned with God's own, as David seeks to act with integrity and loyalty.

Is there anyone still left
David's inquiry about "anyone still left" from Saul's house shows his concern for the remnants of Saul's lineage. Historically, it was common for new kings to eliminate the previous dynasty to secure their throne. However, David's question reveals a counter-cultural approach, driven by grace rather than vengeance. This reflects the biblical theme of God's remnant, where God preserves a faithful group despite widespread unfaithfulness.

of the house of Saul
The "house of Saul" refers to the family and descendants of King Saul, Israel's first king. Saul's reign ended tragically, and his house was largely decimated. David's inquiry about Saul's house is significant because it demonstrates his respect for Saul's anointed position, despite Saul's pursuit of David. This respect for God's anointed is a recurring theme in David's life, highlighting his reverence for God's sovereignty.

to whom I can show kindness
The Hebrew word for "kindness" is חֶסֶד (chesed), a rich term often translated as loving-kindness, mercy, or steadfast love. It is a covenantal term, reflecting God's loyal love and faithfulness. David's desire to show "kindness" is not merely an act of charity but a fulfillment of his covenant with Jonathan, Saul's son. This mirrors God's covenantal faithfulness to His people, emphasizing the importance of keeping one's promises.

for Jonathan’s sake
Jonathan, Saul's son and David's dear friend, had a covenantal relationship with David, as seen in 1 Samuel 18:3. Their bond was marked by mutual respect and love, transcending political rivalry. David's motivation "for Jonathan’s sake" underscores the power of covenantal love and loyalty. It serves as a reminder of the enduring nature of true friendship and the impact of godly relationships. David's actions here are a testament to honoring commitments, reflecting the faithfulness God desires from His people.

Verse 1. - Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul? As Mephibosheth was five years old at his father's death (2 Samuel 4:4), but now had a son (ver. 12), a sufficient time must have elapsed for him to grow up and marry; so that probably the events of this chapter occurred seventeen or eighteen years after the battle of Gilboa. As David was king at Hebron for seven years and a half, he had been king now of all Israel for about nine years. But during this long period he had been engaged in a weary struggle, which had left him little repose, and during which it might have been dangerous to draw the house of Saul out of obscurity. But he was at last firmly established on the throne, and had peace all around; and the time was come to act upon the promise made to Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:14, 15), and which we may be sure David had never forgotten.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then David
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

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

“Is there
יֶשׁ־ (yeš-)
Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

anyone left
נוֹתַ֖ר (nō·w·ṯar)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3498: To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve

from the house
לְבֵ֣ית (lə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Saul
שָׁא֑וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

to whom
עִמּוֹ֙ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

I can show
וְאֶעֱשֶׂ֤ה (wə·’e·‘ĕ·śeh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

kindness
חֶ֔סֶד (ḥe·seḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

for the sake
בַּעֲב֖וּר (ba·‘ă·ḇūr)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5668: Crossed, transit, on account of, in order that

of Jonathan?”
יְהוֹנָתָֽן׃ (yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites


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OT History: 2 Samuel 9:1 David said Is there yet any who (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 8:18
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