2 Kingdoms 9 — Greek, Translation, Interlinear & Discourse

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ εἰ ἔστιν ἔτι ὑπολελειμμένος τῷ οἴκῳ Σαουλ καὶ ποιήσω μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἔλεος ἕνεκεν Ιωναθαν

And David said, 'Is there yet anyone left to the house of Saul, that I may show him mercy for Jonathan's sake?'

New narrative episode (main narrative; opens the Mephibosheth account)καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ

The καί-initial speech-formula opens a fresh, self-contained episode in the Davidic narrative; with the throne secured, David turns from war to covenant memory. The indirect question εἰ ἔστιν ('whether there is') frames the whole chapter as a quest, and the purpose-laden coordinate clause καὶ ποιήσω … ἔλεος ('that I may do mercy') states its motive at the outset: loyalty to Jonathan grounded in their covenant (cf. 1 Kgdms 20:14–17).

Word-by-word analysis· 17 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis, episode-initial)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λέγω: 'say / speak'; the aorist εἶπεν renders the Hebrew narrative wayyiqtol וַיֹּאמֶר; the formula καὶ εἶπεν + name opens countless LXX narrative units, here introducing David's programmatic question.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliteration of Hebrew דָּוִד; indeclinable in the LXX (always Δαυιδ regardless of case); here the nominative subject of εἶπεν, the protagonist of the entire chapter.

εἰwhether / is there?interrogative particle (introducing direct/indirect question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if / whether'; in the LXX εἰ frequently introduces a direct question (rendering Hebrew interrogative הֲ), as here: 'Is there yet anyone left …?'; it marks David's inquiry as the search that drives the narrative.

ἔστινis therePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of the question (existential 'there is')→ existential present (asking whether a survivor exists)εἰμί: 'be / exist'; the accented existential ἔστιν ('there is / there exists') asks after the continued existence of any Saulide survivor; the question presupposes the near-extinction of Saul's line.

ἔτιyet / stilladverb (temporal: 'still remaining')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet'; renders Hebrew עוֹד; it signals that David expects few if any survivors — the house of Saul has been all but wiped out, so any remnant would be a remarkable survival.

ὑπολελειμμένοςleft / remainingPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · ὑπολείπωpredicate participle (with ἔστιν: periphrastic 'is left')→ resultative perfect (a survivor who remains as a settled state)ὑπολείπω (perf. mid./pass. ptcp.): 'leave behind / leave remaining'; the perfect participle stresses an abiding state — one who has been left over and still survives; renders Hebrew נִשְׁאָר ('remnant / survivor'); the same root recurs at v. 3 (ὑπολέλειπται), binding David's question to Ziba's answer.

τῷto theDativearticle (with οἴκῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

οἴκῳhouseDativedative of reference / possession ('belonging to the house')→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house / household / dynasty'; renders בַּיִת; here the dynastic 'house of Saul' — the royal line David displaced; the dative τῷ οἴκῳ Σαουλ marks the survivor as one belonging to that house.

Σαουλof Saulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'house of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliteration of Hebrew שָׁאוּל; indeclinable in the LXX; David's predecessor and Jonathan's father, whose surviving line is the object of David's search.

καὶthat / andcoordinate conjunction (with subjunctive-like future: purpose nuance)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here the paratactic καί carries a final ('so that') nuance — 'Is anyone left … that I may show mercy?'; the Hebrew coordinate clause with weqatal expresses David's purpose.

ποιήσωI may do / showFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωcoordinate main verb (purpose-laden future: 'that I may show')→ volitive future (David's resolved intention)ποιέω: 'do / make'; the idiom ποιέω ἔλεος μετά τινος ('do mercy with someone') renders עָשָׂה חֶסֶד עִם, the standard Hebrew expression for enacting covenant-loyalty; the first-person future declares David's settled intention to act.

μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (elided before vowel: accompaniment of the loyal act)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + genitive: 'with'; in the idiom ποιέω ἔλεος μετά τινος the preposition renders Hebrew עִם, marking the beneficiary of the covenant-loyalty.

αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the survivor, beneficiary of ἔλεος)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (the survivor, beneficiary of ἔλεος).

ἔλεοςmercy / lovingkindnessAccusativedirect object of ποιήσω (the covenant-loyalty to be enacted)→ object specificationἔλεος: 'mercy / lovingkindness / loyal love'; the standard LXX rendering of Hebrew חֶסֶד (hesed), covenant-faithfulness; this is the theological keyword of the chapter (vv. 1, 3, 7) — not mere pity but the loyal love owed within a covenant bond, here the sworn friendship of David and Jonathan (1 Kgdms 20:14–17).

ἕνεκενfor the sake ofpreposition + genitive (causal / benefactive: 'on account of')→ spatial or relational framingἕνεκεν: 'for the sake of / on account of'; renders Hebrew בַּעֲבוּר / לְמַעַן; it grounds David's ἔλεος not in the survivor's merit but in the memory of Jonathan — covenant-loyalty extended to the descendant for the sake of the covenant-partner.

ΙωναθανJonathangenitive object of ἕνεκεν (indeclinable: 'for Jonathan's sake')→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliteration of Hebrew יְהוֹנָתָן / יוֹנָתָן ('YHWH has given'); indeclinable in the LXX; Saul's son and David's covenant-friend, slain at Gilboa (1 Kgdms 31:2); his name is the hinge of the chapter's ἔλεος-motive.

καὶ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου Σαουλ παῖς ἦν καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Σιβα καὶ καλοῦσιν αὐτὸν πρὸς Δαυιδ καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ βασιλεύς εἰ σὺ εἶ Σιβα καὶ εἶπεν ἐγὼ δοῦλος σός

Now there was a servant of the house of Saul, and his name was Ziba; and they call him to David, and the king said to him, 'Are you Ziba?' And he said, 'I am your servant.'

Scene-setting circumstantial clause (introduces a new character: Ziba)καὶ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου Σαουλ

The fronted prepositional phrase ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου Σαουλ ('of the house of Saul') ties the new character directly to David's question of v. 1. The narrative shifts to the historic present καλοῦσιν ('they call') for vividness, then resumes the aorist for the dialogue. Ziba's terse self-identification ἐγὼ δοῦλος σός ('I am your servant') establishes the master–servant footing that governs the rest of the chapter.

Word-by-word analysis· 31 words

καὶnow / andnarrative conjunction (introducing circumstantial clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκof / frompreposition + genitive (source / membership: 'belonging to')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / out of'; here partitive-membership, 'of the house of Saul'; it links Ziba to the very dynasty whose survivor David seeks.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with οἴκου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (membership: 'of the house')→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; the recurring dynastic term; Ziba was a retainer attached to Saul's royal establishment.

Σαουλof Saulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'house of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'house of Saul').

παῖςservantNominativepredicate nominative (with ἦν: 'there was a servant')→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'child / servant / attendant'; renders Hebrew עֶבֶד / נַעַר; here the household steward of Saul's estate; παῖς and δοῦλος (below) together establish Ziba's servile status, later defined as steward of the land (v. 9, παιδάριον).

ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential / copular: 'there was')→ imperfect of background description (setting the scene)εἰμί (impf.): 'be'; the imperfect ἦν supplies circumstantial background — the existence of this servant — onto which the foreground action (the summons) is built.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of verbless naming clause ('his name was Ziba')→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the verbless naming formula ὄνομα αὐτῷ + name renders Hebrew וּשְׁמוֹ ('and his name was'), a standard LXX device for introducing a named character.

αὐτῷto him / hisDativedative of possession ('the name to him' = 'his name')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession ('the name to him' = 'his name').

ΣιβαZibapredicate of naming clause (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣιβα: transliteration of Hebrew צִיבָא (Ziba); indeclinable in the LXX; Saul's former steward, who becomes the manager of Mephibosheth's restored estate (vv. 9–10).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

καλοῦσινthey callPres Act Indic 3 Pl · καλέωmain verb (impersonal 3rd plural: 'they summon')→ historic present (vivid narration of the summons)καλέω: 'call / summon'; the impersonal third-person plural ('they call him') is a Hebraizing way of expressing a passive ('he was summoned'); the historic present heightens the immediacy of the scene.

αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of καλοῦσιν→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of καλοῦσιν.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction: 'to David')→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'to David').

ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable: destination of the summons)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable: destination of the summons).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).

αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Ziba, addressee)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Ziba, addressee).

ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject of εἶπεν (David, here named by office)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; from here the narrative often designates David by his royal title rather than his name, stressing the disparity of status between the king and the survivor of the displaced dynasty.

εἰare you?interrogative particle (introducing direct question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: introduces a direct question, 'Are you Ziba?'; cf. v. 1; the LXX renders the Hebrew interrogative with εἰ.

σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic 2nd person pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: the explicit pronoun lends emphasis — 'Is it you who are Ziba?'; identifying the right man is the prerequisite for the inquiry to proceed.

εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of the question (copula)→ present (identity)εἰμί: 'be'; the copula of identity in the king's question.

ΣιβαZibapredicate nominative (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣιβα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as predicate nominative (indeclinable).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction: Ziba's reply)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

ἐγὼINominativesubject of verbless reply ('I am your servant')→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic pronoun heads Ziba's self-identifying reply; the verbless clause ἐγὼ δοῦλος σός ('I [am] your servant') is a deferential acknowledgement of subjection to the king.

δοῦλοςservant / slaveNominativepredicate nominative (verbless: 'your servant')→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'slave / servant'; renders עֶבֶד; the deferential self-designation 'your servant' is conventional court etiquette, but it also legally places Ziba at the king's disposal — preparing for David's later command that he farm the estate (vv. 9–10).

σόςyourNominativepossessive adjective (modifying δοῦλος)→ participant prominenceσός: 'your / yours' (2 sg. possessive adjective); 'your servant' acknowledges David as Ziba's master and binds him to the king's will.

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς εἰ ὑπολέλειπται ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου Σαουλ ἔτι ἀνὴρ καὶ ποιήσω μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἔλεος θεοῦ καὶ εἶπεν Σιβα πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα ἔτι ἔστιν υἱὸς τῷ Ιωναθαν πεπληγὼς τοὺς πόδας

And the king said, 'Is there yet a man left of the house of Saul, that I may show him the mercy of God?' And Ziba said to the king, 'There is still a son of Jonathan, stricken in his feet.'

Continuation of dialogue: David presses the inquiry (echo of v. 1)καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς

David repeats his question of v. 1 almost verbatim but now to a witness who can answer; the verbal echo ὑπολέλειπται … ἔτι (cf. ὑπολελειμμένος … ἔτι, v. 1) binds question to answer. The decisive intensification is ἔλεος θεοῦ ('the mercy of God', not merely 'mercy'), framing David's loyalty as performed before God and on the divine pattern. Ziba's reply discloses the survivor (a son of Jonathan) and immediately his disability (πεπληγὼς τοὺς πόδας), the detail that frames the whole episode.

Word-by-word analysis· 32 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject of εἶπεν (David by office)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject of εἶπεν (David by office).

εἰis there?interrogative particle (direct question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: introduces David's renewed direct question, echoing v. 1.

ὑπολέλειπταιis left / remainsPerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὑπολείπωmain verb of the question (perfect: 'is there left')→ resultative perfect (a survivor remaining as an abiding state)ὑπολείπω (perf. mid./pass.): 'be left / remain'; the perfect indicative echoes the perfect participle ὑπολελειμμένος of v. 1, tightly binding David's two questions; renders Hebrew נִשְׁאַר; the survivor-language evokes the 'remnant' motif applied here to a single Saulide heir.

ἐκof / frompreposition + genitive (source / membership)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source / membership).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with οἴκου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('of the house')→ relational specificationοἴκου: meaning 'house'; it serves as genitive object of ἐκ ('of the house').

Σαουλof Saulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).

ἔτιyet / stilladverb (temporal: 'still remaining')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet'; echoes ἔτι of v. 1, reinforcing the survivor-question.

ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject of ὑπολέλειπται ('a man is left')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; renders אִישׁ; here 'anyone, a single man' of Saul's line — David broadens the search to any male heir whatsoever.

καὶthat / andcoordinate conjunction (final nuance: 'so that')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: paratactic 'and' carrying purpose force, echoing v. 1: 'that I may show him mercy.'

ποιήσωI may showFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωcoordinate main verb (purpose-laden future)→ volitive future (David's intention)ποιέω: in the idiom ποιέω ἔλεος μετά τινος ('do mercy with'); the repetition from v. 1 underscores the fixity of David's resolve.

μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (elided: beneficiary of the loyal act)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (elided: beneficiary of the loyal act).

αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the survivor)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (the survivor).

ἔλεοςmercyAccusativedirect object of ποιήσω (modified by θεοῦ)→ object specificationἔλεος: 'covenant-loyalty' (חֶסֶד); see v. 1; here qualified as ἔλεος θεοῦ (below) — heightened from human loyalty to loyalty of divine quality and answerable to God.

θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive qualifier of ἔλεος ('the mercy of God')→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; the phrase ἔλεος θεοῦ ('the mercy of God') renders חֶסֶד אֱלֹהִים — covenant-loyalty either of the kind God himself shows or sworn under God's witness (cf. the oath of 1 Kgdms 20:14, 'the loyalty of the LORD'); David presents his kindness to Mephibosheth as a sacred, God-shaped obligation, not mere royal magnanimity.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction: Ziba's answer)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

ΣιβαZibasubject of εἶπεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣιβα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of εἶπεν (indeclinable).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (David, addressee)→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. βασιλέα): 'king'; the recurrent royal designation; Ziba addresses the throne, not merely the man.

ἔτιstilladverb (temporal: 'there is still')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet'; Ziba's answering ἔτι ('there is still …') directly takes up David's twice-asked ἔτι, confirming that a survivor does indeed remain.

ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential: 'there is')→ existential present (affirming the survivor exists)εἰμί: 'be / exist'; the existential ἔστιν answers David's εἰ ἔστιν of v. 1 in the affirmative — the long-sought survivor is real.

υἱὸςsonNominativesubject of ἔστιν ('a son … exists')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; renders בֵּן; the surviving son of Jonathan — later named Mephibosheth (v. 6) — the recipient of David's ἔλεος.

τῷto / ofDativearticle (with Ιωναθαν: dative of possession)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

Ιωναθανto Jonathandative of possession (indeclinable: 'a son to Jonathan' = Jonathan's son)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: the dative τῷ Ιωναθαν renders the Hebrew possessive (לִיהוֹנָתָן, 'belonging to Jonathan'); the article τῷ marks the case of the otherwise indeclinable name; this is the very son for whose father's sake David seeks to act (v. 1).

πεπληγὼςstricken / smittenPerf Act Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · πλήσσωattributive/predicate participle (modifying υἱός: 'stricken in his feet')→ resultative perfect (an abiding condition: permanently lamed)πλήσσω (perf. act. ptcp.): 'strike / smite'; the perfect denotes a settled resultant state — he has been struck and remains disabled; the accusative of respect τοὺς πόδας ('with respect to his feet') specifies the injury; cf. 2 Kgdms 4:4, where the child was lamed by a fall at age five; the detail establishes his helplessness and total dependence on royal ἔλεος.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with πόδας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πόδαςfeetAccusativeaccusative of respect (with πεπληγώς: 'stricken as to the feet')→ object specificationπούς (acc. pl. πόδας): 'foot'; renders רֶגֶל; the accusative of respect specifies the locus of the injury; the same disability is restated as the chapter's final word (χωλὸς ἀμφοτέροις τοῖς ποσίν, v. 13), framing the narrative.

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς ποῦ οὗτος καὶ εἶπεν Σιβα πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα ἰδοὺ ἐν οἴκῳ Μαχιρ υἱοῦ Αμιηλ ἐκ τῆς Λαδαβαρ

And the king said, 'Where is he?' And Ziba said to the king, 'Behold, he is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.'

Continuation of dialogue: David asks the survivor's whereaboutsκαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς

The terse exchange ποῦ οὗτος ('Where is he?') — answered by ἰδοὺ + location — moves the narrative from the fact of the survivor to his retrieval. The presentative ἰδού ('behold') points him out; the address ἐκ τῆς Λαδαβαρ locates him in Transjordan, far from the centres of power, fittingly hidden — a survivor of the deposed house living in obscurity.

Word-by-word analysis· 21 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject of εἶπεν.

ποῦwhereinterrogative adverb (of place)→ clausal contributionποῦ: 'where?'; renders Hebrew אֵיפֹה / אַיֵּה; David's curt question presses immediately toward action — having learned the survivor exists, he wants to find him.

οὗτοςthis one / heNominativesubject of verbless question ('where [is] this one?')→ participant referenceοὗτος: demonstrative 'this (man)'; the verbless ποῦ οὗτος ('Where [is] he?') is maximally economical, conveying David's eagerness.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationβασιλέα: meaning 'king'; it serves as accusative object of πρός.

ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (directing attention)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders Hebrew הִנֵּה; a presentative marker introducing Ziba's pointing-out of the survivor's location; it lends immediacy to the disclosure.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: 'in the house')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'in the house').

οἴκῳhouseDativedative of place (locative: 'in the house of Machir')→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house / household'; here the household of Machir which gives the lame heir refuge; Machir later supports David in his flight from Absalom (2 Kgdms 17:27–29) — a loyal Transjordanian patron.

ΜαχιρMachirgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'house of Machir')→ participant identificationΜαχιρ: transliteration of Hebrew מָכִיר (Machir); indeclinable in the LXX; a wealthy man of Lo-debar who sheltered Mephibosheth and later provisioned David.

υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition to Μαχιρ ('son of Ammiel')→ relational specificationυἱός (gen. υἱοῦ): 'son'; the patronymic 'son of Ammiel' identifies Machir within his lineage, standard for naming a notable man.

ΑμιηλAmmielgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Ammiel')→ participant identificationΑμιηλ: transliteration of Hebrew עַמִּיאֵל ('my kinsman is God'); indeclinable in the LXX; Machir's father.

ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (place of origin: 'from Lo-debar')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place of origin: 'from Lo-debar').

τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with the place-name Λαδαβαρ, marking the genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΛαδαβαρLo-debargenitive object of ἐκ (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΛαδαβαρ: transliteration of Hebrew לוֹ דְבָר (Lo-debar), a town in Gilead east of the Jordan; indeclinable, with the feminine article τῆς supplying the case; its remoteness from Jerusalem underscores the survivor's obscure, marginal refuge.

καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Δαυιδ καὶ ἔλαβεν αὐτὸν ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου Μαχιρ υἱοῦ Αμιηλ ἐκ τῆς Λαδαβαρ

And King David sent and took him from the house of Machir son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.

Narrative action: David retrieves Mephibosheth (executes the search)καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Δαυιδ

The paired aorists ἀπέστειλεν … ἔλαβεν ('sent … took') translate David's resolve of vv. 1, 3 into deed; the verse repeats the full address of v. 4 (οἴκου Μαχιρ … Λαδαβαρ) verbatim, a Hebraic resumptive technique that closes the search-phase and bridges to the encounter. The royal title ὁ βασιλεύς juxtaposed with the helpless survivor heightens the asymmetry of the coming meeting.

Word-by-word analysis· 17 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (royal dispatch)→ constative aorist (single decisive act)ἀποστέλλω: 'send (off / with a commission)'; renders שָׁלַח; the king dispatches agents to fetch the survivor — royal initiative now translates intention into action.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of ἀπέστειλεν (in apposition with Δαυιδ)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the title-plus-name ὁ βασιλεὺς Δαυιδ ('King David') gives the act full official weight.

ΔαυιδDavidnominative in apposition to ὁ βασιλεύς (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative in apposition to ὁ βασιλεύς (indeclinable).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωcoordinate main verb ('took/fetched him')→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take / receive / fetch'; renders לָקַח; with ἀπέστειλεν it forms the idiomatic 'sent and took' (= 'had him brought'); the king's agents physically bring the lame heir to court.

αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν (Mephibosheth)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἔλαβεν (Mephibosheth).

ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'out of the house')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: 'out of the house').

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with οἴκου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('from the house of Machir')→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house'; the resumptive repetition of v. 4's location signals the fulfilment of the directions just given.

ΜαχιρMachirgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜαχιρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).

υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition to Μαχιρ ('son of Ammiel')→ relational specificationυἱοῦ: meaning 'son'; it serves as genitive in apposition to Μαχιρ ('son of Ammiel').

ΑμιηλAmmielgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμιηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).

ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (place of origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place of origin).

τῆςtheGenitivearticle (marking the genitive of the place-name)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΛαδαβαρLo-debargenitive object of ἐκ (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΛαδαβαρ: Lo-debar; the repeated place-name closes the geographical frame of the search; the survivor is now removed from obscurity into the king's presence.

καὶ παραγίνεται Μεμφιβοσθε υἱὸς Ιωναθαν υἱοῦ Σαουλ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα Δαυιδ καὶ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Δαυιδ Μεμφιβοσθε καὶ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ ὁ δοῦλός σου

And Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul comes to King David, and he fell on his face and did obeisance to him; and David said to him, 'Mephibosheth!' And he said, 'Behold your servant.'

Narrative climax of arrival: the survivor meets the kingκαὶ παραγίνεται Μεμφιβοσθε

The historic present παραγίνεται ('comes / arrives') foregrounds the long-awaited encounter; the full genealogy 'son of Jonathan son of Saul' formally identifies him as the legitimate Saulide heir. His prostration (ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον … προσεκύνησεν) is the posture of a subject before his sovereign — and perhaps of a man who fears a deposed dynasty's customary fate. David's single-word address (his name) and Mephibosheth's deferential ἰδοὺ ὁ δοῦλός σου set the relational frame for the grant that follows.

Word-by-word analysis· 30 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

παραγίνεταιcomes / arrivesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · παραγίνομαιmain verb (historic present: vivid arrival)→ historic present (dramatizing the decisive arrival)παραγίνομαι: 'come / arrive / be present'; renders בּוֹא; the historic present makes the arrival immediate and dramatic — the survivor now stands before the king who sought him.

ΜεμφιβοσθεMephiboshethsubject of παραγίνεται (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: LXX transliteration of Hebrew מְפִיבֹשֶׁת (Mephibosheth), son of Jonathan; indeclinable in the LXX; named here for the first time, the recipient of David's covenant-loyalty.

υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition to Μεμφιβοσθε ('son of Jonathan')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the appositional genealogy establishes Mephibosheth's pedigree and thus his legitimate claim — and the propriety of David's loyalty to Jonathan's line.

Ιωναθανof Jonathangenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Jonathan')→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Jonathan').

υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition to Ιωναθαν ('Jonathan son of Saul')→ relational specificationυἱός (gen. υἱοῦ): the second-tier patronymic traces the line one further generation back to Saul, underscoring royal descent.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction: 'to the king')→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'to the king').

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (David by office)→ object specificationβασιλέα: meaning 'king'; it serves as accusative object of πρός (David by office).

ΔαυιδDavidaccusative in apposition to βασιλέα (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative in apposition to βασιλέα (indeclinable).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔπεσενfellAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωcoordinate main verb (act of prostration)→ constative aoristπίπτω: 'fall'; renders נָפַל; the idiom ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ('fell on his face') describes full prostration — the deepest gesture of homage and self-abasement before a superior.

ἐπὶon / uponpreposition + accusative (direction of the fall)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of the fall).

πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί ('on his face')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / countenance'; renders פָּנִים; the prostration ἐπὶ πρόσωπον is the conventional posture of homage in the OT (cf. Gen 17:3; 1 Kgdms 25:23).

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his face')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his face').

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

προσεκύνησενdid obeisance / bowed downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσκυνέωcoordinate main verb (act of homage)→ constative aoristπροσκυνέω: 'do obeisance / prostrate oneself / worship'; renders הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה; here directed to the human king as a gesture of submission and honor (not divine worship); reinforces ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον as the full homage of a subject.

αὐτῷto himDativedative object of προσεκύνησεν (the one honored: David)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of προσεκύνησεν (the one honored: David).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (Mephibosheth, addressee)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (Mephibosheth, addressee).

ΔαυιδDavidsubject of εἶπεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of εἶπεν (indeclinable).

ΜεμφιβοσθεMephiboshethvocative (direct address; indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: here a vocative of direct address; David's single-word naming of the prostrate man is intimate and disarming, the prelude to reassurance.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction: Mephibosheth's reply)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (self-presentation)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / here'; in the response ἰδοὺ ὁ δοῦλός σου ('behold your servant') it functions as a deferential 'here I am at your service' — the answer of a subject placing himself at the king's disposal (cf. 1 Kgdms 3:4).

ὁtheNominativearticle (with δοῦλος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

δοῦλόςservantNominativepredicate of verbless self-presentation ('your servant')→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'slave / servant'; Mephibosheth, the legitimate dynastic rival, designates himself the king's 'servant' — a self-abasement that anticipates the 'dead dog' of v. 8 and submits him wholly to David's mercy.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying δοῦλος)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying δοῦλος).

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Δαυιδ μὴ φοβοῦ ὅτι ποιῶν ποιήσω μετὰ σοῦ ἔλεος διὰ Ιωναθαν τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ ἀποκαταστήσω σοι πάντα ἀγρὸν Σαουλ πατρὸς τοῦ πατρός σου καὶ σὺ φάγῃ ἄρτον ἐπὶ τῆς τραπέζης μου διὰ παντός

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

Climactic royal grant: David enacts his ἔλεος (the heart of the chapter)καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Δαυιδ μὴ φοβοῦ

David's reassurance μὴ φοβοῦ ('do not fear') answers the prostrate man's evident dread and opens the chapter's central speech. The causal ὅτι introduces a three-part grant: (1) covenant-loyalty pledged with the Hebraising cognate ποιῶν ποιήσω ('I will surely do'), for Jonathan's sake; (2) the restoration of all Saul's ancestral land; and (3) perpetual table-fellowship (διὰ παντός). Together these constitute full social, economic, and relational restoration of the dispossessed heir.

Word-by-word analysis· 37 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (Mephibosheth)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (Mephibosheth).

μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibitive imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative used with non-indicative moods; here with the present imperative φοβοῦ it forms a prohibition.

φοβοῦfearPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · φοβέομαιmain verb (prohibitive imperative: 'do not fear')→ present prohibitive (cease/do not continue fearing)φοβέομαι: 'fear / be afraid'; the formula μὴ φοβοῦ ('do not fear') is a standard OT word of reassurance (cf. Gen 15:1; 26:24); the present imperative addresses an ongoing dread — Mephibosheth fears the fate often dealt to a deposed dynasty's heirs; David's first word disarms that fear.

ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (grounds the reassurance)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the ground of 'do not fear' — David's pledged ἔλεος, not retribution, awaits him.

ποιῶνdoing (surely)Pres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · ποιέωcognate participle (Hebraism: intensifying ποιήσω)→ intensive (rendering the Hebrew infinitive absolute: 'I will surely do')ποιέω (pres. act. ptcp.): the construction ποιῶν ποιήσω ('doing I will do' = 'I will surely/certainly do') is the LXX's standard rendering of the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute עָשֹׂה אֶעֱשֶׂה; the cognate participle expresses the certainty and absolute reliability of David's pledged ἔλεος — covenant-loyalty guaranteed (cf. the same idiom-type at Exod 11:1, ἐκβαλεῖ … ἐκβολῇ).

ποιήσωI will showFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (cognate construction with ποιῶν)→ predictive/promissory future (David's binding pledge)ποιέω: in the idiom ποιέω ἔλεος μετά τινος ('do mercy with'); the future ποιήσω, intensified by ποιῶν, makes the loyalty a solemn promise, fulfilling the resolve of vv. 1 and 3.

μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (beneficiary of the loyal act)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (beneficiary of the loyal act).

σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά (Mephibosheth, beneficiary)→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (Mephibosheth, beneficiary).

ἔλεοςmercyAccusativedirect object of ποιήσω (the covenant-loyalty)→ object specificationἔλεος: 'covenant-loyalty / lovingkindness' (חֶסֶד); the chapter's keyword, now directly addressed to its recipient ('with you'); David's loyalty to the dead Jonathan is discharged upon the living son.

διὰfor the sake ofpreposition + accusative (causal: 'on account of')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + accusative: 'because of / for the sake of'; here equivalent to ἕνεκεν of v. 1 — the motive of David's kindness is Jonathan, not Mephibosheth's merit.

ΙωναθανJonathanaccusative object of διά (indeclinable: 'for Jonathan's sake')→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of διά (indeclinable: 'for Jonathan's sake').

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πατέρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατέραfatherAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Ιωναθαν ('Jonathan your father')→ object specificationπατήρ (acc. πατέρα): 'father'; the apposition recalls the covenant bond between David and Jonathan that grounds the whole act of ἔλεος.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your father')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship ('your father').

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second grant)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀποκαταστήσωI will restoreFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποκαθίστημιmain verb (second element of the grant: land restoration)→ promissory future (royal grant of restitution)ἀποκαθίστημι: 'restore / give back / reinstate'; renders שׁוּב (Hiphil, 'cause to return'); the double prefix ἀπο-κατα- intensifies the sense of full restitution — the confiscated ancestral estate is returned in its entirety to its rightful heir.

σοιto youDativedative indirect object (recipient of the restored land)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (recipient of the restored land).

πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀγρόν: 'all the land')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / whole'; πάντα ἀγρόν ('all the field/estate') stresses the completeness of the restitution — not a portion but the entire ancestral holding.

ἀγρὸνfield / landAccusativedirect object of ἀποκαταστήσω (the restored estate)→ object specificationἀγρός: 'field / land / estate'; renders שָׂדֶה; here the ancestral landholding of Saul — agricultural property that conferred economic standing; its restoration reverses the dispossession of the fallen house.

Σαουλof Saulgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'land of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable: 'land of Saul').

πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive in apposition to Σαουλ ('Saul, the father of your father')→ relational specificationπατήρ (gen. πατρός): 'father'; here in apposition identifying Saul as Mephibosheth's grandfather, clarifying the ancestral title to the land.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with πατρός)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive ('of your father' — defining Saul as grandfather)→ relational specificationπατήρ: the phrase πατρὸς τοῦ πατρός σου ('the father of your father') = 'your grandfather', tracing the land's title through Jonathan to Saul.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (third grant)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun: 'you yourself')→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic pronoun marks the climactic third grant — beyond loyalty and land, Mephibosheth himself will share the king's table, the highest honor.

φάγῃshall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (third element of the grant: table-fellowship)→ promissory future (perpetual privilege)ἐσθίω (fut. mid. φάγομαι, 2 sg. φάγῃ): 'eat'; renders אָכַל; eating bread at the king's table is the visible sign of restored honor and standing — Mephibosheth is treated as royalty (cf. vv. 10, 11, 13); the future expresses an enduring privilege.

ἄρτονbreadAccusativedirect object of φάγῃ ('eat bread')→ object specificationἄρτος: 'bread / food'; renders לֶחֶם; here by synecdoche for the king's provision generally; 'to eat bread at someone's table' denotes ongoing maintenance and intimate fellowship.

ἐπὶat / uponpreposition + genitive (location: 'at the table')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: 'at the table').

τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with τραπέζης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

τραπέζηςtableGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί ('at my table')→ relational specificationτράπεζα: 'table'; renders שֻׁלְחָן; the king's table is the chapter's recurring image of restored covenant standing (vv. 7, 10, 11, 13); to dine there is to belong to the royal household.

μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession ('my table')→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('my table').

διὰthrough (continually)preposition + genitive (in idiom διὰ παντός: 'continually')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + genitive: in the idiom διὰ παντός ('throughout all [time]' = 'continually / always'), renders Hebrew תָּמִיד; it makes the table-privilege permanent, not occasional.

παντόςall (time)Genitivegenitive in the adverbial idiom διὰ παντός ('continually')→ relational specificationπᾶς (gen. παντός): the substantival genitive in διὰ παντός ('continually'); the permanence of the grant signals that Mephibosheth is now a fixed member of the royal household.

καὶ προσεκύνησεν Μεμφιβοσθε καὶ εἶπεν τίς εἰμι ὁ δοῦλός σου ὅτι ἐπέβλεψας ἐπὶ τὸν κύνα τὸν τεθνηκότα τὸν ὅμοιον ἐμοί

And Mephibosheth did obeisance and said, 'Who am I, your servant, that you have looked upon the dead dog that I am?'

Response of self-abasement (counterpoint to David's grant)καὶ προσεκύνησεν Μεμφιβοσθε

Mephibosheth's renewed προσκύνησις and his rhetorical question τίς εἰμι ('Who am I?') express overwhelmed unworthiness before unearned royal favor (cf. David's own 'Who am I?' in 2 Kgdms 7:18). The self-description 'the dead dog' (τὸν κύνα τὸν τεθνηκότα) is the extreme of self-abasement — a dog being the lowest, most contemptible creature, and a dead one utterly worthless; it throws David's ἔλεος into the sharpest possible relief.

Word-by-word analysis· 20 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

προσεκύνησενdid obeisanceAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσκυνέωmain verb (renewed act of homage)→ constative aoristπροσκυνέω: 'do obeisance / prostrate oneself'; the renewed homage (cf. v. 6) now responds not to fear but to astonishing grace — gratitude and unworthiness combined.

ΜεμφιβοσθεMephiboshethsubject of προσεκύνησεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of προσεκύνησεν (indeclinable).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate of εἰμι: 'who am I?')→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative 'who?'; the question τίς εἰμι ('Who am I?') is a conventional formula of humble self-deprecation before a superior (cf. Exod 3:11; 1 Kgdms 18:18; 2 Kgdms 7:18) — Mephibosheth disclaims any worthiness for such favor.

εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of the question (copula)→ present (identity)εἰμί: 'be'; the copula of the self-deprecating question.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with δοῦλος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

δοῦλόςservantNominativenominative in apposition to the subject of εἰμι ('I, your servant')→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'servant / slave'; the appositional self-designation 'your servant' continues the deferential self-reference; the heir of the rival dynasty insists on the language of subjection.

ὅτιthatconjunction (consecutive/causal: 'that you have …')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that / because'; here introducing the ground for the astonished 'Who am I?' — that the king should regard so worthless a person.

ἐπέβλεψαςyou have looked upon / regardedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐπιβλέπωmain verb of the ὅτι-clause (the act of gracious regard)→ constative aorist (the completed act of favor)ἐπιβλέπω: 'look upon / regard / pay attention to'; renders פָּנָה / רָאָה; the compound ἐπι- conveys favorable attention — to 'look upon' the lowly is to show them grace (cf. 1 Kgdms 1:11; Luke 1:48); that a king should so regard a 'dead dog' is the marvel that prompts the question.

ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (object of regard)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (object of regard).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with κύνα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κύναdogAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (self-designation: 'the dog')→ object specificationκύων (acc. κύνα): 'dog'; renders כֶּלֶב; in the OT the dog is a byword for contempt and worthlessness (cf. 1 Kgdms 17:43; 24:15; 2 Kgdms 16:9); the self-application is the language of extreme humility.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τεθνηκότα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

τεθνηκόταdead / having diedPerf Act Ptcp Acc Masc Sg · θνῄσκωattributive participle (modifying κύνα: 'the dead dog')→ resultative perfect (the settled state of being dead)θνῄσκω (perf. act. ptcp.): 'die / be dead'; the perfect τεθνηκότα ('dead, having died') intensifies κύων to the utmost — not merely a contemptible dog but a dead one, the very emblem of worthlessness; the figure measures the distance David's grace bridges.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ὅμοιον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὅμοιονlikeAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying κύνα: 'the one like me')→ object specificationὅμοιος: 'like / similar'; with the dative ἐμοί ('like me') it draws the comparison explicit — 'the dead dog such as I am'; the apposition completes the self-abasement.

ἐμοίto meDativedative of comparison (with ὅμοιον: 'like me')→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. ἐμοί): the emphatic dative completes ὅμοιον — the contemptible 'dead dog' is identified directly with the speaker himself.

καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Σιβα τὸ παιδάριον Σαουλ καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶν τῷ Σαουλ καὶ ὅλῳ τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ δέδωκα τῷ υἱῷ τοῦ κυρίου σου

And the king called Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, 'All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's son.'

Administrative implementation of the grant: David instructs the stewardκαὶ ἐκάλεσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Σιβα

Having pledged the grant to Mephibosheth (v. 7), David now summons Ziba to enact it administratively. The fronted πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶν τῷ Σαουλ ('all that belonged to Saul') and the perfect δέδωκα ('I have given') make the conveyance legally complete and effective. The designation 'your master's son' (τῷ υἱῷ τοῦ κυρίου σου) reasserts the old feudal hierarchy: Mephibosheth, not Ziba, is the heir; Ziba is steward.

Word-by-word analysis· 28 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκάλεσενcalled / summonedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (royal summons of the steward)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call / summon'; renders קָרָא; the king calls his administrator to give effect to the grant just announced.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of ἐκάλεσεν→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject of ἐκάλεσεν.

ΣιβαZibadirect object of ἐκάλεσεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣιβα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as direct object of ἐκάλεσεν (indeclinable).

τὸtheAccusativearticle (with παιδάριον, in apposition to Σιβα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

παιδάριονservant / attendantAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Σιβα ('Ziba, the servant of Saul')→ object specificationπαιδάριον: diminutive of παῖς, 'young servant / attendant / lad'; renders נַעַר; here Saul's household steward; the term reasserts Ziba's servile role (cf. παῖς, v. 2) precisely as David assigns him his duties.

Σαουλof Saulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'Saul's servant')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'Saul's servant').

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Ziba)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Ziba).

πάνταallAccusativedirect object of δέδωκα (antecedent of ὅσα: 'all that …')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / everything'; the fronted πάντα ὅσα ('everything that') stresses the totality of the conveyance — the whole Saulide estate passes to Mephibosheth.

ὅσαas much as / whateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object clause: 'whatever belonged')→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as'; the relative ὅσα ('whatever') defines the scope of πάντα — every item of Saul's property without remainder.

ἐστὶνis / belongedPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (possessive: 'whatever is to Saul')→ present of possession ('belongs to')εἰμί: 'be'; with the dative τῷ Σαουλ it forms a possessive construction ('whatever is to/belongs to Saul'), rendering the Hebrew לְ of possession.

τῷto theDativearticle (with Σαουλ: dative of possession)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

Σαουλto Sauldative of possession (indeclinable: 'belonging to Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: the dative τῷ Σαουλ marks possession; the article supplies the case of the indeclinable name.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὅλῳall / wholeDativeattributive adjective (modifying οἴκῳ: 'all his house')→ sphere or referenceὅλος: 'whole / entire'; ὅλῳ τῷ οἴκῳ ('all his house') extends the conveyance from Saul personally to his entire household estate — nothing of the patrimony is withheld.

τῷto theDativearticle (with οἴκῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

οἴκῳhouseDativedative of possession ('to all his house')→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house / household / estate'; here the totality of Saul's household property, now transferred to his grandson.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his house')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his house').

δέδωκαI have givenPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (performative perfect: legal conveyance)→ performative/resultative perfect (the grant is hereby made and stands in force)δίδωμι (perf. δέδωκα): 'give / grant'; renders נָתַן; the perfect 'I have given' is performative-resultative — by uttering it the king effects the grant, which now stands as an accomplished, legally binding fact (cf. the perfect of conveyance in royal/deed language).

τῷto theDativearticle (with υἱῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱῷsonDativedative indirect object (recipient: 'to your master's son')→ sphere or referenceυἱός (dat. υἱῷ): 'son'; the heir — Mephibosheth — designated by his relation to Saul ('your master's son'), reasserting his rightful claim to the estate over the steward.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with κυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίουmaster / lordGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your master's [son]')→ relational specificationκύριος: here 'master / lord' in the ordinary human sense — Ziba's master, i.e. the house of Saul (NOT the Tetragrammaton); the term marks the feudal relation between steward and the Saulide household to which the heir belongs.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying κυρίου: 'your master')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (modifying κυρίου: 'your master').

καὶ ἐργᾷ αὐτῷ τὴν γῆν σὺ καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου καὶ οἱ δοῦλοί σου καὶ εἰσοίσεις τῷ υἱῷ τοῦ κυρίου σου ἄρτους καὶ ἔδεται αὐτούς καὶ Μεμφιβοσθε υἱὸς τοῦ κυρίου σου φάγεται διὰ παντὸς ἄρτον ἐπὶ τῆς τραπέζης μου καὶ τῷ Σιβα ἦσαν πεντεκαίδεκα υἱοὶ καὶ εἴκοσι δοῦλοι

And you shall till the land for him, you and your sons and your servants, and you shall bring in for your master's son loaves, and he shall eat them; but Mephibosheth, your master's son, shall eat bread continually at my table.' Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

Continuation of the command: the steward's labor and the heir's privilegeκαὶ ἐργᾷ … σὺ

David spells out the working arrangement: Ziba's whole household (himself, sons, servants) is to farm the estate and bring in its produce for the heir; yet Mephibosheth himself does not depend on field-produce but eats at the royal table διὰ παντός. The adversative force (καὶ Μεμφιβοσθε … φάγεται) sets the heir's elevated privilege over against the steward's labor. The closing narrator's note (ἦσαν πεντεκαίδεκα υἱοὶ καὶ εἴκοσι δοῦλοι) quantifies Ziba's substantial household — ample workforce for the estate.

Word-by-word analysis· 48 words

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing the command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐργᾷyou shall till / workFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἐργάζομαιmain verb (imperatival future: command to farm)→ imperatival future (a command expressed by the future)ἐργάζομαι (contracted form ἐργᾷ): 'work / till / cultivate'; renders עָבַד ('work the ground'); the future here has imperatival force ('you shall till'), assigning Ziba the labor of cultivating the restored estate for its heir.

αὐτῷfor himDativedative of advantage ('for him' = for Mephibosheth's benefit)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'for him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage ('for him' = for Mephibosheth's benefit).

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of ἐργᾷ ('till the land')→ object specificationγῆ: 'land / ground / earth'; renders אֲדָמָה / אֶרֶץ; here the agricultural estate restored to Mephibosheth, which Ziba is to cultivate.

σὺyouNominativesubject of ἐργᾷ (emphatic, expanded by the following nominatives)→ participant referenceσύ: the explicit subject pronoun heads the list of laborers (you, your sons, your servants), stressing the whole household's involvement.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱοίsonsNominativenominative (coordinate subject: 'and your sons')→ participant prominenceυἱός (nom. pl. υἱοί): 'sons'; Ziba's fifteen sons (cf. the closing note) form part of the workforce for the estate.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your sons')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship ('your sons').

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οἱtheNominativearticle (with δοῦλοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

δοῦλοίservants / slavesNominativenominative (coordinate subject: 'and your servants')→ participant prominenceδοῦλος (nom. pl. δοῦλοι): 'slaves / servants'; Ziba's twenty servants (cf. closing note) complete the labor force assigned to the estate.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your servants')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship ('your servants').

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἰσοίσειςyou shall bring inFut Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰσφέρωmain verb (imperatival future: command to deliver produce)→ imperatival futureεἰσφέρω: 'bring in / carry in'; renders בּוֹא (Hiphil, 'bring in [the harvest]'); Ziba is to deliver the estate's produce as the heir's income — the agricultural support of the household.

τῷto theDativearticle (with υἱῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱῷsonDativedative indirect object ('for your master's son')→ sphere or referenceυἱός (dat. υἱῷ): 'son'; the recurring designation of Mephibosheth as the heir for whose benefit the produce is gathered.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with κυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίουmaster / lordGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your master's [son]')→ relational specificationκύριος: 'master / lord' (human sense — Ziba's master, the house of Saul; NOT the Tetragrammaton); the repeated 'your master's son' keeps the heir's status before Ziba.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your master')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship ('your master').

ἄρτουςloaves / breadAccusativedirect object of εἰσοίσεις ('bring in loaves')→ object specificationἄρτος (acc. pl. ἄρτους): 'loaves / bread / food'; here the produce/provisions yielded by the estate, by synecdoche for its sustenance generally.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔδεταιhe shall eatFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (provision for the household: 'he shall eat them')→ predictive futureἐσθίω (fut. mid. ἔδομαι, 3 sg. ἔδεται): 'eat'; renders אָכַל; the produce delivered will provide for Mephibosheth's household (the αὐτούς points to the ἄρτους) — even as he himself dines at the royal table.

αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object of ἔδεται (the loaves/produce)→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἔδεται (the loaves/produce).

καὶbut / andcoordinate conjunction (adversative nuance: heir vs. household)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here with mild adversative force, contrasting the heir's personal privilege (eating at the king's table) with the household's reliance on the estate's produce.

ΜεμφιβοσθεMephiboshethsubject of φάγεται (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of φάγεται (indeclinable).

υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition to Μεμφιβοσθε ('your master's son')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the appositional 'your master's son' once more affirms Mephibosheth's status as the legitimate Saulide heir.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with κυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίουmaster / lordGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your master')→ relational specificationκύριος: 'master / lord' (human sense, Ziba's master; NOT the Tetragrammaton).

φάγεταιshall eatFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (the heir's perpetual privilege)→ predictive future (enduring honor)ἐσθίω (fut. mid. 3 sg. φάγεται): 'eat'; restates the grant of v. 7 — Mephibosheth eats at the royal table continually; the table-fellowship motif marks his full incorporation into the king's household.

διὰthrough (continually)preposition + genitive (idiom διὰ παντός: 'continually')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + genitive: in διὰ παντός ('continually / always'), renders תָּמִיד; the perpetuity of the privilege is restated from v. 7.

παντὸςall (time)Genitivegenitive in the adverbial idiom διὰ παντός ('continually')→ relational specificationπᾶς (gen. παντός): the substantival genitive in διὰ παντός.

ἄρτονbreadAccusativedirect object of φάγεται ('eat bread')→ object specificationἄρτος: 'bread / food'; by synecdoche for the king's full provision at table.

ἐπὶatpreposition + genitive (location: 'at the table')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: 'at the table').

τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with τραπέζης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

τραπέζηςtableGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί ('at my table')→ relational specificationτράπεζα: 'table'; the recurring image of restored covenant standing (vv. 7, 11, 13).

μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession ('my table'; David still the speaker)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('my table'; David still the speaker).

καὶnow / andnarrative conjunction (introducing narrator's parenthetical note)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here marks the shift from David's direct speech to the narrator's quantifying aside about Ziba's household.

τῷto theDativearticle (with Σιβα: dative of possession)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

Σιβαto Zibadative of possession (indeclinable: 'Ziba had …')→ participant identificationΣιβα: the dative τῷ Σιβα with ἦσαν forms the possessive idiom ('Ziba had …'); the article supplies the case of the indeclinable name.

ἦσανwere / hadImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (possessive: 'to Ziba there were …')→ imperfect of background description (narrator's note)εἰμί (impf. 3 pl. ἦσαν): 'be'; with the dative of possession ('to Ziba there were …' = 'Ziba had …'); the imperfect supplies background information about the steward's resources.

πεντεκαίδεκαfifteennumeral (attributive: 'fifteen sons')→ clausal contributionπεντεκαίδεκα: 'fifteen'; indeclinable cardinal numeral; quantifies Ziba's sons — a large household providing ample labor for the estate.

υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἦσαν ('fifteen sons')→ participant prominenceυἱός (nom. pl. υἱοί): 'sons'; the fifteen sons named here are the workforce referenced in v. 10a.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἴκοσιtwentynumeral (attributive: 'twenty servants')→ measure or countεἴκοσι: 'twenty'; indeclinable cardinal numeral; quantifies Ziba's slaves, completing the picture of a substantial estate-household.

δοῦλοιservants / slavesNominativesubject of ἦσαν (coordinate: 'and twenty servants')→ participant prominenceδοῦλος (nom. pl. δοῦλοι): 'slaves / servants'; the twenty servants complete Ziba's household labor force.

καὶ εἶπεν Σιβα πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα κατὰ πάντα ὅσα ἐντέταλται ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ δούλῳ αὐτοῦ οὕτως ποιήσει ὁ δοῦλός σου καὶ Μεμφιβοσθε ἤσθιεν ἐπὶ τῆς τραπέζης Δαυιδ καθὼς εἷς τῶν υἱῶν τοῦ βασιλέως

And Ziba said to the king, 'According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so will your servant do.' And Mephibosheth was eating at David's table as one of the king's sons.

Steward's submission + narrator's summary of the outcomeκαὶ εἶπεν Σιβα πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα

Ziba's reply is formulaic court-submission (κατὰ πάντα … οὕτως ποιήσει ὁ δοῦλός σου, 'according to all … so your servant will do'), with the deferential third-person self-reference 'your servant' and the honorific 'my lord the king' (human address). The narrator then closes the scene with the chapter's thematic refrain — Mephibosheth ἤσθιεν (imperfect, 'was eating habitually') at the king's table καθὼς εἷς τῶν υἱῶν τοῦ βασιλέως ('as one of the king's sons') — the high-water mark of his restoration: the dispossessed heir is treated as royalty.

Word-by-word analysis· 36 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (David)→ object specificationβασιλέα: meaning 'king'; it serves as accusative object of πρός (David).

κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm/standard: 'according to all')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: 'according to / in conformity with'; in κατὰ πάντα ὅσα ('according to all that') it expresses complete conformity of the servant's action to the master's command.

πάνταallAccusativeobject of κατά (antecedent of ὅσα: 'all that')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the formula κατὰ πάντα ὅσα ('according to all that') is standard for total obedience to a directive.

ὅσαas much as / whateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐντέταλται)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as'; defines the scope of πάντα — everything the king has commanded.

ἐντέταλταιhas commandedPerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of relative clause (the standing royal command)→ resultative perfect (the command stands in force)ἐντέλλομαι (perf. mid./pass.): 'command / charge / give orders'; renders צִוָּה; the perfect marks a command issued and now binding — Ziba acknowledges a standing directive he must obey.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with κύριος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κύριόςlord / masterNominativesubject of ἐντέταλται ('my lord the king')→ participant prominenceκύριος: here 'lord / master' as a human honorific — Ziba addresses David as 'my lord the king' (ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς), the conventional deferential court formula; NOT the Tetragrammaton.

μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship ('my lord')→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship ('my lord').

ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεὺςkingNominativenominative in apposition to ὁ κύριός μου ('my lord the king')→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the apposition 'my lord the king' is the standard respectful address of a subject to the monarch.

τῷto theDativearticle (with δούλῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

δούλῳservantDativedative indirect object of ἐντέταλται ('to his servant')→ sphere or referenceδοῦλος (dat. δούλῳ): 'servant / slave'; Ziba's deferential third-person self-reference ('his servant'), the court-idiom of submission.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship ('his servant')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship ('his servant').

οὕτωςthus / soadverb of manner (correlative with κατὰ πάντα: 'so')→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / so / in this way'; the correlative κατὰ πάντα … οὕτως ('according to all … so') is the standard idiom of complete compliance.

ποιήσειwill doFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (Ziba's pledge of obedience)→ promissory future (commitment to comply)ποιέω: 'do / act'; the future ποιήσει ('will do') expresses Ziba's commitment to carry out the king's command in full.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with δοῦλος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

δοῦλόςservantNominativesubject of ποιήσει ('your servant')→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'servant'; the deferential self-designation ('your servant') again replaces the first person, marking submission to the king's will.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your servant')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship ('your servant').

καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing narrator's summary)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: marks the transition from Ziba's speech to the narrator's summarizing notice about Mephibosheth's settled status.

ΜεμφιβοσθεMephiboshethsubject of ἤσθιεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἤσθιεν (indeclinable).

ἤσθιενwas eatingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (customary imperfect: habitual table-fellowship)→ customary/iterative imperfect (habitually ate)ἐσθίω (impf. ἤσθιεν): 'eat'; the imperfect denotes ongoing, habitual action — Mephibosheth 'used to eat / kept eating' at David's table; the customary imperfect realizes the perpetual privilege promised in vv. 7, 10 as an established practice.

τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with τραπέζης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

τραπέζηςtableGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί ('at David's table')→ relational specificationτράπεζα: 'table'; the recurring sign of restored covenant standing; now realized as Mephibosheth's habitual place.

Δαυιδof Davidgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'David's table')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable: 'David's table').

καθὼςas / just ascomparative conjunction ('as one of …')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθώς: 'just as / according as'; introduces the comparison that crowns the restoration — Mephibosheth is treated 'as one of the king's sons.'

εἷςoneNominativenumeral / partitive ('one of the sons')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the masculine nominative εἷς in the partitive phrase εἷς τῶν υἱῶν ('one of the sons') marks Mephibosheth's elevation to the status of a royal son — the climactic measure of David's ἔλεος.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with υἱῶν, partitive genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱῶνsonsGenitivepartitive genitive ('one of the sons')→ relational specificationυἱός (gen. pl. υἱῶν): 'sons'; the king's own sons; that the Saulide heir dines 'as one of' them signals full incorporation into the royal family — honor, not mere survival.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of possession ('the king's sons')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς (gen. βασιλέως): 'king'; 'the king's sons' = David's princes; the comparison elevates Mephibosheth to princely standing at court.

καὶ τῷ Μεμφιβοσθε υἱὸς μικρὸς καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Μιχα καὶ πᾶσα ἡ κατοίκησις τοῦ οἴκου Σιβα δοῦλοι τοῦ Μεμφιβοσθε

And Mephibosheth had a young son, and his name was Micha; and all the household of the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth.

Genealogical/administrative note (continuation of the line; the estate's staff)καὶ τῷ Μεμφιβοσθε υἱὸς μικρός

Two verbless circumstantial notes round off the account: (1) Mephibosheth has a young son, Micha — signalling that Jonathan's line continues (and through Micha the Saulide line is preserved, cf. 1 Chr 8:34–40); and (2) the whole household of Ziba serves Mephibosheth, formalizing the working arrangement of vv. 9–10. Together they confirm the durability of the restoration: an heir with descendants and a staffed estate.

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing genealogical note)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τῷto theDativearticle (with Μεμφιβοσθε: dative of possession)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

Μεμφιβοσθεto Mephiboshethdative of possession (indeclinable: 'Mephibosheth had …')→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: the dative τῷ Μεμφιβοσθε in the verbless possessive clause ('to Mephibosheth [there was] a young son' = 'Mephibosheth had a young son'); the article marks the case of the indeclinable name.

υἱὸςsonNominativesubject of verbless possessive clause ('a son')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the existence of a son shows that Jonathan's line continues in Mephibosheth — the restoration secures not just the man but the lineage.

μικρὸςsmall / youngNominativeattributive adjective (modifying υἱός: 'a young son')→ participant prominenceμικρός: 'small / little / young'; renders קָטֹן; here 'young / little' in age — a small child, underscoring that the line is freshly continuing into a new generation.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of verbless naming clause ('his name was Micha')→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the naming formula ὄνομα αὐτῷ + name (cf. v. 2) introduces the son by name.

αὐτῷto him / hisDativedative of possession ('his name')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession ('his name').

ΜιχαMichapredicate of naming clause (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΜιχα: transliteration of Hebrew מִיכָא (Micha/Mica); indeclinable in the LXX; the son of Mephibosheth, through whom the Saulide line is carried forward (cf. 1 Chr 8:34–40; 9:40–44).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing second note)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πᾶσαall / wholeNominativeattributive adjective (modifying κατοίκησις: 'all the household')→ participant prominenceπᾶς (fem. πᾶσα): 'all / whole'; πᾶσα ἡ κατοίκησις ('the whole household') stresses that Ziba's entire establishment is in Mephibosheth's service.

ἡtheNominativearticle (with κατοίκησις)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κατοίκησιςhousehold / dwellingNominativesubject of verbless clause ('all the household … were servants')→ participant prominenceκατοίκησις: 'dwelling / habitation', here by metonymy 'household / those dwelling [in the house of Ziba]'; the whole resident establishment of Ziba is meant — the labor force that serves the heir.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with οἴκου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive of relationship ('the household of the house of Ziba')→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; the phrase 'the dwelling of the house of Ziba' designates Ziba's entire domestic establishment.

Σιβαof Zibagenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'house of Ziba')→ participant identificationΣιβα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable: 'house of Ziba').

δοῦλοιservants / slavesNominativepredicate nominative (verbless: 'were servants of Mephibosheth')→ participant prominenceδοῦλος (nom. pl. δοῦλοι): 'slaves / servants'; the verbless predicate — Ziba's whole household 'are servants of Mephibosheth' — formalizes the labor arrangement of vv. 9–10 and the heir's lordship over the estate-staff.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with Μεμφιβοσθε: marking the genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

Μεμφιβοσθεof Mephiboshethgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'servants of Mephibosheth')→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: the genitive (marked by the article τοῦ) makes the heir the master of Ziba's household — the social reversal is complete: the steward's house now serves the once-hidden survivor.

καὶ Μεμφιβοσθε κατῴκει ἐν Ιερουσαλημ ὅτι ἐπὶ τῆς τραπέζης τοῦ βασιλέως διὰ παντὸς ἤσθιεν καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν χωλὸς ἀμφοτέροις τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτοῦ

And Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, because he ate continually at the king's table; and he was lame in both his feet.

Narrative closure: settled residence and the framing disabilityκαὶ Μεμφιβοσθε κατῴκει ἐν Ιερουσαλημ

The chapter's closing summary states the abiding outcome: Mephibosheth dwelt (imperfect κατῴκει, 'kept dwelling') in Jerusalem — at the royal capital, beside the king — because (ὅτι) he ate continually at the king's table. The final clause, αὐτὸς ἦν χωλὸς ἀμφοτέροις τοῖς ποσίν ('he was lame in both his feet'), forms an inclusio with πεπληγὼς τοὺς πόδας (v. 3): the very disability that made him helpless and obscure now frames a man honored at the king's table — a closing image of grace given to the powerless.

Word-by-word analysis· 22 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (closing summary)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΜεμφιβοσθεMephiboshethsubject of κατῴκει (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of κατῴκει (indeclinable).

κατῴκειdwelt / was dwellingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · κατοικέωmain verb (customary imperfect: settled residence)→ customary imperfect (ongoing, settled dwelling)κατοικέω: 'dwell / settle / reside'; renders יָשַׁב; the imperfect denotes a continuing state — Mephibosheth took up permanent residence in the capital, near the king, his restoration now a fixed reality.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: 'in Jerusalem')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'in Jerusalem').

ΙερουσαλημJerusalemdative object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name: location of residence)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: transliteration of Hebrew יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Jerusalem); indeclinable in the LXX; David's royal city — that the Saulide heir dwells there, at the seat of power, marks the completeness of his incorporation into the king's circle.

ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (grounds his residence in Jerusalem)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; explains why he dwelt in Jerusalem — his perpetual place at the king's table required his presence at court.

τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with τραπέζης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

τραπέζηςtableGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί ('at the king's table')→ relational specificationτράπεζα: 'table'; the chapter's keynote image makes its fourth and final appearance (vv. 7, 10, 11, 13), sealing table-fellowship as the enduring sign of restored covenant standing.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of possession ('the king's table')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς (gen. βασιλέως): 'king'; the royal table at which the once-hidden heir now dines as a fixed member of the household.

διὰthrough (continually)preposition + genitive (idiom διὰ παντός: 'continually')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + genitive: in διὰ παντός ('continually'), renders תָּמִיד; the third occurrence of the perpetuity-formula (vv. 7, 10, 13), underscoring the permanence of the privilege.

ἤσθιενwas eating / ateImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb of the ὅτι-clause (customary imperfect)→ customary/iterative imperfect (habitually ate)ἐσθίω (impf. ἤσθιεν): 'eat'; the customary imperfect (cf. v. 11) presents the table-fellowship as Mephibosheth's settled, habitual practice — the realized fulfilment of David's pledge.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the framing note)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

αὐτὸςheNominativesubject (emphatic / resumptive pronoun: 'he himself')→ participant referenceαὐτός: the intensive/resumptive pronoun ('he himself') foregrounds the closing characterization — the honored guest at the royal table is the very man lame in both feet.

ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copular: 'he was lame')→ imperfect of state (an abiding condition)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'be'; the imperfect of continuing state frames Mephibosheth's permanent disability as the final word — the closing inclusio with v. 3.

χωλὸςlameNominativepredicate adjective (with ἦν: 'was lame')→ participant prominenceχωλός: 'lame / crippled'; renders פִּסֵּחַ; the explicit term for lameness restates πεπληγὼς τοὺς πόδας (v. 3) and frames the whole episode by the disability that made the heir helpless and dependent on royal ἔλεος.

ἀμφοτέροιςbothDativeattributive adjective (with ποσίν: 'in both feet')→ sphere or referenceἀμφότεροι: 'both'; the dative ἀμφοτέροις τοῖς ποσίν ('in both his feet') specifies the totality of the disability — not one foot but both, complete immobility; cf. 2 Kgdms 4:4.

τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ποσίν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ποσὶνfeetDativedative of respect (with χωλός: 'lame with respect to the feet')→ sphere or referenceπούς (dat. pl. ποσίν): 'foot'; renders רֶגֶל; the dative of respect locates the lameness; this closing reference to the feet matches the accusative τοὺς πόδας of v. 3, framing the narrative with the heir's defining infirmity.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his feet')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his feet').

The Second Book of Kingdoms, Chapter 9ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΩΝ Β′ Θ′

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Translation & textual notes