2 Samuel 21:7

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the Lord’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

Literal

And the king had pity on Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul, because of the oath of YHWH that was between them, between David and between Jonathan son of Saul.

Latin

Pepercitque rex Miphiboseth filio Jonathæ filii Saul, propter jusjurandum Domini quod fuerat inter David et inter Jonathan filium Saul.

Original

Hebrew

English

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.

Notes

2 Samuel 21:7

the oath: See 1 Samuel 20:14–15. Unlike Saul, David kept his promise even as he faced the dangerous consequences of Saul breaking an oath.

2 Samuel 21:1–24:25

The final chapters of 2 Samuel form a coda (a concluding section). This section brings together and summarizes the main themes from earlier chapters.

These chapters are thematic, not chronological (arranged by topic, not by time). Because of this, not all the events happened at the end of David’s reign (for example, 2 Samuel 22:1).

The material is arranged using a common Hebrew literary pattern called a chiasm (a mirror-like structure). In a chiasm, the first and last sections match, and the middle section is the focus.

The structure of this chiasm is as follows:

A: Saul’s sin against the Gibeonites and the punishment that affected the whole community (2 Samuel 21:1–14)
- B: David’s warriors and their heroic deeds (2 Samuel 21:15–22)
  - C: David’s Psalm (2 Samuel 22:1–51)
  - C′: David’s Psalm (2 Samuel 23:1–7)
- B′: David’s warriors and their heroic deeds (2 Samuel 23:8–39)
A′: David’s sin involving the census and the punishment that affected the whole community (2 Samuel 24:1–25)

A chiasm draws attention to the center section. Here, the center is David’s hymns. These hymns do not focus on David himself. Instead, they focus on David’s God.

Theme notes and profiles

David

Events

Reign of Davidc. 1055 BC

Related verses

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 20:15
…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.”
1 Samuel 23:18
So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.
1 Samuel 18:3
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.
2 Samuel 9:10
You and your sons and servants are to work the ground for him and bring in the harvest, so that your master’s grandson may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, is always to eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
1 Samuel 20:8
Therefore show kindness to your servant, for you have brought me into a covenant with you before the LORD. If there is iniquity in me, then kill me yourself; why should you bring me to your father?”
1 Samuel 20:17
And Jonathan had David reaffirm his vow out of love for him, for Jonathan loved David as he loved 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.
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 19:25
And he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, who asked him, “Mephibosheth, why did you not go with me?”
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.”

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Jonathan: Eldest son of King Saul and friend of David Mephibosheth: Son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Glossary

Adriel Armoni Avenger of Blood Barzillai Criminal Law and Punishment Gibeon, Gibeonites Impalement Mephibosheth Rephaim Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Covenant: Jonathan and David David: Consigns Seven Sons of Saul to the Gibeonites to be Killed to Atone for Saul's Persecution of the Gibeonites David: King of Israel: Death and Burial of Saul and his Sons Gibeon: A City of the Hivites: Seven Sons of Saul Killed At, to Avenge the Inhabitants of Gibeonites: Effected the Destruction of the Remnant of Saul's House Mephibosheth: Son of Jonathan: David Entertains Him at his Table Oath: David Swears to Saul Oaths: The Jews: Generally Respected the Obligation of Saul: King of Israel: Kills the Gibeonites; Crime Avenged by the Death of Seven of his Sons

2 Samuel 21:7

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Glossary?

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Translations

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Glossary

Topics