8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?"
8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
8 And he paid homage and said, "What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?"
8 Shuffling and stammering, not looking him in the eye, Mephibosheth said, "Who am I that you pay attention to a stray dog like me?"
8 Then he bowed himself, and said, "What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?"
8 Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, "Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 9:8
Commentary on 2 Samuel 9:1-8
(Read 2 Samuel 9:1-8)
Amidst numerous affairs we are apt to forget the gratitude we owe, and the engagements we are under, not only to our friends, but to God himself. Yet persons of real godliness will have no rest till they have discharged them. And the most proper objects of kindness and charity, frequently will not be found without inquiry. Jonathan was David's sworn friend, therefore he shows kindness to his son Mephibosheth. God is faithful to us; let us not be unfaithful to one another. If Providence has raised us, and our friends and their families are brought low, we must look upon that as giving us the fairer opportunity of being kind to them.