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?

2 SAMUEL 9:1KJV
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2 Samuel 9:1 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 9:1 mean?

2 Samuel 9:1 describes King David asking if anyone from Saul’s family is still alive so that he can show kindness to them for the sake of his close friend Jonathan. David is seeking to act out of loyalty and friendship, not out of obligation or politics.

In this verse, David is speaking to those around him after he has become king over Israel. The background is that Saul, the previous king, and his son Jonathan (David’s dear friend) have died. David’s question shows he remembers his promise to Jonathan and wants to extend kindness—often understood as faithful love or mercy—to any surviving member of Saul’s household. This sets up the story of David’s care for Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 9:1

  • חֶסֶד (chesed): This word, translated as "kindness," often means steadfast love, mercy, or loyal faithfulness. It is not just ordinary kindness but a deep, covenant-based loyalty, which helps explain the depth of David’s motivation.
  • עָשָׂה (asah): The word for "shew" (to do or to show) here stresses that David wants to take real, concrete action, not just express a feeling.
  • בֵּית (beit): The word for "house" refers to Saul’s entire family or lineage, not just his immediate household, showing David’s concern extends to any relative.

Why 2 Samuel 9:1 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that David was only interested in eliminating rivals; instead, he is actively seeking to do good to Saul’s family out of loyalty to Jonathan.
  • The emphasis on "kindness" (chesed) highlights the importance of covenant loyalty and mercy in David’s character, which is a major theme in his reign.
  • This verse sets the stage for the story of Mephibosheth, showing that David’s actions are motivated by past promises and deep relationships, not just political calculation.

Where else these words appear

“Jonathan's” Hebrew H3083 · used in 73 verses

  • Judges 18:30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
  • 1 Samuel 20:28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
  • 2 Samuel 9:6 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!

“left” Hebrew H3498 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 30:36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.
  • Joshua 18:2 And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:77 Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:

“yet” Hebrew H3426 · used in 129 verses

  • Genesis 18:24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
  • 1 Samuel 21:8 And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.
  • Psalms 135:17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.