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."

◄ 2 Samuel 9:7 ►

New International Version
“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

New Living Translation
“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!”

English Standard Version
And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.”

Berean Standard Bible
“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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”

New American Standard Bible
Then David said to him, “Do not be afraid, for I will assuredly show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you yourself shall eat at my table regularly.”

NASB 1995
David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.”

NASB 1977
And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show lovingkindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table continually.”

Amplified Bible
David said to him, “Do not be afraid, for I will certainly show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall always eat at my table.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “since I intend to show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will always eat meals at my table.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “since I intend to show you kindness because of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will always eat meals at my table.”

American Standard Version
And David said unto him, Fear not; for I will surely show 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.

Contemporary English Version
David said, "Don't be afraid. I'll be kind to you because Jonathan was your father. I'm going to give you back the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul. Besides that, you will always eat with me at my table."

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Don't be afraid," David told him, "I will certainly show you kindness for your father Jonathan's sake. I will give back to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table."

Good News Translation
"Don't be afraid," David replied. "I will be kind to you for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will give you back all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always be welcome at my table."

International Standard Version
"Don't be afraid," David reassured him, "because I'm going to show gracious love to you in memory of your father Jonathan. I'm going to restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you'll always have a place at my table!"

Majority Standard Bible
?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.?

NET Bible
David said to him, "Don't be afraid, because I will certainly extend kindness to you for the sake of Jonathan your father. You will be a regular guest at my table."

New Heart English Bible
And David said to him, "Do not be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather. You shall eat bread at my table continually."

Webster's Bible Translation
And David said to him, Fear not: for I will surely show thee kindness for the sake of Jonathan thy father, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

World English Bible
David said to him, “Don’t be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your father. You will eat bread at my table continually.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And David says to him, “Do not be afraid; for I certainly do with you kindness because of your father Jonathan, and have given back to you all the field of your father Saul, and you continually eat bread at my table.”

Young's Literal Translation
And David saith to him, 'Be not afraid; for I certainly do with thee kindness because of Jonathan thy father, and have given back to thee all the field of Saul thy father, and thou dost eat bread at my table continually.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will say to him, Thou shalt not fear, for doing, I will do with thee mercy for sake of Jonathan thy father; and I turned back to thee all the field of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread upon my table always.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And David said to him: Fear not, for I will surely shew thee mercy for Jonathan thy father's sake, and I will restore the lands of Saul thy father, and thou shalt eat bread at my table always.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And David said to him: “Do not be afraid. For I will certainly show mercy to you because of your father Jonathan. And I will restore to you all the fields of your father Saul. And you shall eat bread at my table always.”

New American Bible
“Do not be afraid,” David said to him, “I will surely be kind to you for the sake of Jonathan your father. I will restore to you all the lands of Saul your grandfather, and you shall eat at my table always.”

New Revised Standard Version
David said to him, “Do not be afraid, for 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 yourself shall eat at my table always.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And David said to him, Fear not; for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
David said to him: “Do not be afraid, because I am performing favor with you, because of Jonathan your father, and I return to you all the fields of Shaul your father, and truly you shall eat bread at my table!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And David said unto him: 'Fear not; for I will surely show 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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David said to him, Fear not, for I will surely deal mercifully with thee for the sake of Jonathan thy father, and I will restore to thee all the land of Saul the father of thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

David and Mephibosheth
…6And when Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell facedown in reverence. Then David said, “Mephibosheth!” “I am your servant,” he replied. 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.” 8Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

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 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 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.

Genesis 50:21
Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.

Ruth 2:10-12
At this, she fell on her face, bowing low to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you should take notice of me, even though I am a foreigner?” / 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. / May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge.”

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.

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

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

Luke 6:35-36
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. / Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Matthew 25:34-36
Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. / For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’

Romans 12:20
On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Treasury of Scripture

And David said to him, Fear not: for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore you all the land of Saul your father; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.

Fear not

Genesis 43:18,23
And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses…

Genesis 50:18-21
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants…

1 Samuel 12:19,20,24
And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king…

for I will

2 Samuel 9:1,3
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? …

Ruth 2:11,12
And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore…

1 Kings 2:7
But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.

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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

Berean Study Bible

Do not be afraid
This phrase is a common biblical reassurance, often spoken by God or His messengers to calm fears. In Hebrew, "al-tirah" is used, which conveys a command to cease fear. David's use of this phrase indicates a divine-like assurance, reflecting God's own promises to His people. It underscores the theme of grace and mercy, as David seeks to alleviate Mephibosheth's fears of retribution or harm, which would have been a common concern for the descendants of a former king.

David said to him
David, the anointed king of Israel, is acting here not just as a ruler but as a covenant keeper. His words are significant because they reflect his heart and his commitment to the covenant he made with Jonathan, Mephibosheth's father. David's actions are a reflection of God's faithfulness, as he honors his promise despite the potential political risks.

for I will surely show you kindness
The Hebrew word for "kindness" is "chesed," which is a rich term encompassing love, mercy, and covenant faithfulness. This is not merely a human kindness but a reflection of God's steadfast love. David's promise to show "chesed" is a powerful testament to his integrity and his desire to emulate God's character in his reign.

for the sake of your father Jonathan
This phrase highlights the covenantal relationship between David and Jonathan. It is a reminder of the deep friendship and mutual promises made between them, as recorded in 1 Samuel 20. David's actions are motivated by loyalty and love, transcending personal gain or political advantage, and instead focusing on honoring past commitments.

I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul
Restoration is a key biblical theme, often associated with God's redemptive work. The act of restoring Saul's land to Mephibosheth is significant, as it symbolizes the return of inheritance and status. In a historical context, this would have been a radical act of grace, as it was customary for new kings to seize the property of their predecessors to secure their own reign.

and you will always eat at my table
Eating at the king's table is a powerful symbol of acceptance, provision, and fellowship. In ancient Near Eastern culture, sharing a meal was an intimate act, signifying peace and alliance. David's invitation to Mephibosheth to dine at his table is an act of inclusion and honor, elevating him from a place of obscurity to one of prominence. It reflects the heart of God, who invites the marginalized and broken to His table, offering them a place of belonging and dignity.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - All the land of Saul thy father. David probably restored to Mephibosheth not only the lands at Gibeah, which Ziba had managed to hold, but Saul's estates generally. There seems, nevertheless, to have been on Ziba's part a grudge against Mephibosheth for thus getting back from the king what he had hoped to keep as his own. The privilege of being the king's friend, and eating at his table, was an honour that would be more highly prized than even the possession of the estates.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

be afraid,”
תִּירָ֗א (tî·rā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

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

David,
דָוִ֜ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

“for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

surely
עָשֹׂה֩ (‘ā·śōh)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 6213: To do, make

I will show
אֶעֱשֶׂ֨ה (’e·‘ĕ·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

you
עִמְּךָ֥ (‘im·mə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

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

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

of your father
אָבִ֔יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

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

I will restore
וַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֣י (wa·hă·ši·ḇō·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to you
לְךָ֔ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the land
שְׂדֵ֖ה (śə·ḏêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7704: Field, land

of your grandfather
אָבִ֑יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

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

and you
וְאַתָּ֗ה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

will always
תָּמִֽיד׃ (tā·mîḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 8548: Continuance, constant, ellipt, the regular, sacrifice

eat
תֹּ֥אכַל (tō·ḵal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

at
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

my table.”
שֻׁלְחָנִ֖י (šul·ḥā·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7979: A table, a meal

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OT History: 2 Samuel 9:7 David said to him Don't be afraid (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)