New English Translation
2 Samuel 19:24
24Now Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, came down to meet the king. From the day the king had left until the day he safely returned, Mephibosheth had not cared for his feet nor trimmed his mustache nor washed his clothes.
2 Samuel 19:24 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
- New International Version (NIV)Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back in safety.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. And he had not cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he returned in peace.
Context of 2 Samuel 19:24
22But David said, “What do we have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? You are like my enemy today! Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don’t you realize that today I am king over Israel?” 23The king said to Shimei, “You won’t die.” The king vowed an oath concerning this. Now Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, came down to meet the king. From the day the king had left until the day he safely returned, Mephibosheth had not cared for his feet nor trimmed his mustache nor washed his clothes. 25When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26He replied, “My lord the king, my servant deceived me! I said, ‘Let me get my donkey saddled so that I can ride on it and go with the king,’ for I am lame.
Read all of 2 Samuel 192 Samuel 19:24 word by word
וּמְפִבֹ֙שֶׁת֙ בֶּן־שָׁא֔וּל יָרַ֖ד לִקְרַ֣את הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְלֹא־עָשָׂ֨ה רַגְלָ֜יו וְלֹא־עָשָׂ֣ה שְׂפָמ֗וֹ וְאֶת־בְּגָדָיו֙ לֹ֣א כִבֵּ֔ס לְמִן־הַיּוֹם֙ לֶ֣כֶת הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ עַד־הַיּ֖וֹם אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֥א בְשָׁלֽוֹם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And Mephiboshethמְפִיבֹשֶׁתmephîybôsheth mephibôsheth · MephiboshethH4648
- the sonבֵּןbên · son: descendant/peopleH1121
- of Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
- came downיָרַדyârad · to go downH3381
- to meetקִרְאָהqir'âh · befallH7125
- the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
- and had neitherלֹאlô' lô' lôh · notH3808
- dressedעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
- his feetרֶ֫גֶלregel · footH7272
- his beardשָׂפָםώâphâm · mustacheH8222
- nor washedכָּבַסkâbas · to washH3526
- his clothesבֶּ֫גֶדbeged · garmentH899
- from the dayיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
- departedיָלַךְyâlak · to walkH3212
- he cameבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
- in peaceשָׁלוֹםshâlôm shâlôm · peace: well-beingH7965
Cross-references for 2 Samuel 19:24
- 2 Samuel 9:6When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed low with his face toward the ground. David said, “Mephibosheth?” He replied, “Yes, at your service.”
- 2 Samuel 16:3The king asked, “Where is your master’s grandson?” Ziba replied to the king, “He remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give back to me my grandfather’s kingdom.’”
- Deuteronomy 21:12you may bring her back to your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails,
- 2 Samuel 15:30As David was going up the Mount of Olives, he was weeping as he went; his head was covered and his feet were bare. All the people who were with him also had their heads covered and were weeping as they went up.
- Isaiah 15:2They went up to the temple, the people of Dibon went up to the high places to lament. Because of what happened to Nebo and Medeba, Moab wails. Every head is shaved bare, every beard is trimmed off.
- Jeremiah 41:5eighty men arrived from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria. They had shaved off their beards, torn their clothes, and cut themselves to show they were mourning. They were carrying grain offerings and incense to present at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.
- Matthew 6:16“When you fast, do not look sullen like the hypocrites, for they make their faces unattractive so that people will see them fasting. I tell you the truth, they have their reward.
- Romans 12:15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
- Hebrews 13:3Remember those in prison as though you were in prison with them, and those ill-treated as though you too felt their torment.
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 19:24
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24Neither dressed his feet - He had given the fullest proof of his sincere attachment to David and his cause; and by what he had done, amply refuted the calumnies of his servant Ziba.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 24Beard - The “moustache,” the beard of the upper lip. The fact related in this verse tends to clear Mephibosheth from the suspicion of unfaithfulness to David.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 24-30Verses 24-30 David recalls the forfeiture of Mephibosheth's estate; and he expressed joy for the king's return. A good man contentedly bears his own losses, while he sees Israel in peace, and the Son of David exalted.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 24Mephibosheth did not care for his appearance while David was away from Jerusalem. This lack of grooming was a sign of mourning and showed his loyalty to David. If Mephibosheth had planned to claim the throne (2 Samuel 16:3), he would not have kept such an unkempt appearance.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 24-3024-30. Mephibosheth ... came down to meet the king--The reception given to Mephibosheth was less creditable to David. The sincerity of that prince's grief for the misfortunes of the king cannot be doubted. He had neither dressed his feet--not taken the bath, nor trimmed his beard--The Hebrews cut off the hair on the upper lip (see on Le 13:45), and cheeks, but carefully cherished it on the chin from ear to ear. Besides dyeing it black or red colors…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Samuel 19:24
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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