2 Samuel 9:6

Authorized King James Version

Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַ֠יָּבֹא
was come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
מְפִיבֹ֔שֶׁת
Mephibosheth
mephibosheth, the name of two israelites
#3
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
יְהֽוֹנָתָ֤ן
of Jonathan
jehonathan, the name of four israelites
#5
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#6
שָׁאוּל֙
of Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#7
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#8
דָּוִד֙
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#9
וַיִּפֹּ֥ל
he fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#10
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
פָּנָ֖יו
on his face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#12
וַיִּשְׁתָּ֑חוּ
and did reverence
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#13
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר
And he answered
to say (used with great latitude)
#14
דָּוִד֙
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#15
מְפִיבֹ֔שֶׁת
Mephibosheth
mephibosheth, the name of two israelites
#16
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר
And he answered
to say (used with great latitude)
#17
הִנֵּ֥ה
lo!
#18
עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃
Behold thy servant
a servant

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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