2 Samuel 9:4
New International Version
“Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”

New Living Translation
“Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.”

English Standard Version
The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”

Berean Literal Bible
And the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.”

King James Bible
And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.

New King James Version
So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”

New American Standard Bible
So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.”

NASB 1995
So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.”

NASB 1977
So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.”

Amplified Bible
So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba replied to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.”

Berean Annotated Bible
“Where is he? replied the king. And Ziba (statue) said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar (nothing) at the house of Machir (sold) son of Ammiel (my kinsman is God).

Christian Standard Bible
The king asked him, “Where is he? ” Ziba answered the king, “You’ll find him in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The king asked him, “Where is he?” Ziba answered the king, “You’ll find him in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”

American Standard Version
And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.

Contemporary English Version
"Where is he?" David asked. Ziba replied, "He lives in Lo-Debar with Machir the son of Ammiel."

English Revised Version
And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Where is he?" the king asked. Ziba replied, "He is at the home of Machir, Ammiel's son, in Lo Debar."

Good News Translation
"Where is he?" the king asked. "At the home of Machir son of Ammiel in Lodebar," Ziba answered.

International Standard Version
So David asked, "Where is he?" Ziba responded, "He's in Lo-debar at the home of Ammiel's son Makir."

NET Bible
The king asked him, "Where is he?" Ziba told the king, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.

New Heart English Bible
And the king said, "Where is he?" And Ziba said to the king, "Look, he is in the house of Makir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king said to him, Where is he? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
“Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”

World English Bible
The king said to him, “Where is he?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king says to him, “Where [is] he?” And Ziba says to the king, “Behold, he [is] in the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, in Behold-Debar.”

Berean Literal Bible
And the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith to him, 'Where is he?' and Ziba saith unto the king, 'Lo, he is in the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, in Lo-Debar.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will say to him, Where is he? And Ziba will say to the king, Behold him in the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, from Lo-Debar.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Where is he? said he. And Siba said to the king: Behold he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lodabar.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Where is he?” he said. And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.”

New American Bible
The king asked him, “Where is he?” and Ziba answered the king, “He is in the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.”

New Revised Standard Version
The king said to him, “Where is he?” Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the king said to him, Where is he? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Gammir, in Lo-debar.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The King said to him: “Where is he?” Tsiba the King said to him: “Behold, in the house of Makir, he is son of Gemil from Ludbar”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king said unto him: 'Where is he?' And Ziba said unto the king: 'Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king said, Where is he? and Siba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Amiel of Lodabar.

Additional Translations ...



Context
David and Mephibosheth
3So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family to whom I can show the kindness of God?” Ziba answered, “There is still Jonathan’s son, who is lame in both feet.” 4“Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.” 5So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.…

Cross References
“Where is he?” replied the king.

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.’”

2 Samuel 19:24-25
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. / And he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, who asked him, “Mephibosheth, why did you not go with me?”

2 Samuel 21:7-8
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. / But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons whom Rizpah daughter of Aiah had borne to Saul, as well as the five sons whom Merab daughter of Saul had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.
And Ziba said,

2 Samuel 16:1-2
When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. / “Why do you have these?” asked the king. Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”

2 Samuel 16:4
So the king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!” “I humbly bow before you,” said Ziba. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!”

2 Samuel 19:26-29
“My lord the king,” he replied, “because I am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled so that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba deceived me, / and he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. Yet my lord the king is like the angel of God, so do what is good in your eyes. / 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?” …
“Indeed, he is in Lo-debar

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 Chronicles 8:34-40
The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, and Merib-baal was the father of Micah. / The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz. / Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza. …

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.” …
at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”

2 Samuel 17:27-29
When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim. / They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, / honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.”

2 Samuel 19:30
And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Instead, since my lord the king has safely come to his own house, let Ziba take it all!”

1 Chronicles 9:39-40
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. / The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, who was the father of Micah.
1 Samuel 18:3
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

1 Samuel 23:16-18
And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, / saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.” / So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

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.

2 Kings 8:1-6
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” / So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines. / At the end of seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to the king to appeal for her house and her land. …


Treasury of Scripture

And the king said to him, Where is he? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.

Machir

2 Samuel 17:27-29
And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, …

Joshua 13:26
And from Heshbon unto Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir;

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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












“Where is he?” replied the king.

David’s question reveals his intention to honor the covenant he had made with Jonathan by seeking out Jonathan’s surviving son. Rather than treating Saul’s descendants as rivals, David acts to preserve and restore a member of Saul’s house.

2Sa 16:3 “Where is your master’s grandson?” asked the king.…
2Sa 19:24-25 Then Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down…
2Sa 21:7-8 Now the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan…

And Ziba said,

Ziba, formerly a servant in Saul’s household, knew where Mephibosheth had been living and could direct David to him.

2Sa 16:1-2 When David had gone a little beyond the summit,…
2Sa 16:4 So the king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth…
2Sa 19:26-29 “My lord the king,” he replied, “because I am lame,…

“Indeed, he is in Lo-debar

Mephibosheth had been living away from Jerusalem, in Lo-debar (“no pasture” or “no word”), a remote town east of the Jordan, far removed from the royal position into which he had been born.

2Sa 4:4 And Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame…
1Ch 8:34-40 The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, and Merib-baal…
1Sa 20:14-17 And as long as I live, treat me with the LORD’s……

at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”

Machir had given Mephibosheth refuge after the collapse of Saul’s dynasty. His later support for David shows that he remained a man of influence and loyalty during David’s reign.

2Sa 17:27-29 When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi…
2Sa 19:30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Instead,…
1Ch 9:39-40 Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. King David
The king of Israel who seeks to show kindness to the house of Saul for Jonathan's sake.

2. Ziba
A servant of Saul's household who informs David about the whereabouts of Mephibosheth.

3. Mephibosheth
The son of Jonathan, grandson of Saul, who is living in Lo-debar.

4. Lo-debar
A place of desolation and barrenness, symbolizing Mephibosheth's lowly state.

5. Machir son of Ammiel
The man who provides refuge to Mephibosheth in Lo-debar.
Teaching Points
Covenant Faithfulness
David's actions demonstrate the importance of honoring commitments and promises, reflecting God's faithfulness to His covenants.

Grace and Kindness
David's kindness to Mephibosheth, despite his lowly status, mirrors God's grace towards us, offering love and acceptance regardless of our condition.

Restoration and Redemption
Mephibosheth's move from Lo-debar to the king's table symbolizes the transformative power of God's redemption in our lives.

Hospitality and Inclusion
The account encourages believers to practice hospitality and include those who are marginalized or forgotten in society.

Trust in God's Provision
Just as Mephibosheth was provided for by David, we can trust in God's provision and care for our needs.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 9:4?

2. How does 2 Samuel 9:4 demonstrate David's commitment to honoring Jonathan's legacy?

3. What does Mephibosheth's location reveal about his circumstances and status?

4. How can we show kindness to others as David did in 2 Samuel 9?

5. What other biblical examples show God's faithfulness to His promises like in 2 Samuel 9?

6. How can we seek out and support those marginalized in our communities today?

7. What is the significance of Mephibosheth's location in 2 Samuel 9:4?

8. How does 2 Samuel 9:4 reflect David's character and leadership?

9. Why is Mephibosheth's story important in understanding God's grace?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 9?


Verse 4. - Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar. Of Lo-debar nothing is known, but it must have been east of the Jordan, near Mahanaim. Of Ammiel we read again in 2 Samuel 17:27, where we find that he was a man of wealth, who helped to supply the wants of David and his men during the rebellion of Absalom. Possibly this kindness of David towards one for whom he had feelings of loyalty, as representing a royal house to which he had remained faithful, won his heart. There was a magnanimity about it which would commend it to a man who was himself generous and true.

2 Samuel 9:4 shows David actively seeking Jonathan’s crippled son, locating him in an obscure, barren town, and learning he is dependent on a benevolent host. Every phrase highlights covenant faithfulness, royal initiative, and God’s heart for the forgotten. The verse assures us that the King’s grace tracks us down, no matter our hiding place, and invites us to participate in extending that same grace to others.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Where
אֵיפֹ֣ה (’ê·p̄ōh)
Interrogative
Strong's 375: What place?, when?, how?

is he?”
ה֑וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

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

the king.
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

And Ziba
צִיבָא֙ (ṣî·ḇā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6717: Ziba -- a servant in Saul's house

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

“Indeed,
הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

he [is]
ה֗וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

in Lo-debar
דְבָֽר׃ (ḏə·ḇār)
Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3810: Lo-debar -- 'pastureless', a place in Gilead

at the house
בֵּ֛ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Machir
מָכִ֥יר (mā·ḵîr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4353: Machir -- two Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Ammiel.”
עַמִּיאֵ֖ל (‘am·mî·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5988: Ammiel -- 'my kinsman is God', four Israelites


Additonal Resources
2 Samuel 9:4 Blue Letter Bible
2 Samuel 9:4 Bible Gateway
2 Samuel 9:4 Bible.com

2 Samuel 9:4 NIV
2 Samuel 9:4 NLT
2 Samuel 9:4 ESV
2 Samuel 9:4 NASB
2 Samuel 9:4 KJV

2 Samuel 9:4 Study Bible
2 Samuel 9:4 Biblia Paralela
2 Samuel 9:4 Chinese Bible
2 Samuel 9:4 French Bible
2 Samuel 9:4 Catholic Bible

OT History: 2 Samuel 9:4 The king said to him Where (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)

2 Samuel 9:3
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