John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And he bowed himself , etc.] In token of gratitude, and as a sign of humility, and of the sense he had of his unworthiness to enjoy such a favour: and said, what [is] thy servant, that thou shouldest look on such a dead dog as I [am] ? one so mean, and base, and worthless; which he might say with respect to the infirmities of his body, the rejection of his family by the Lord, their attainder of high treason for rebellion against David, and the low circumstances he was brought into and now under; though one of the royal family, the son of a prince, and grandson of a king; such was his humility, and the sense he had of his being undeserving of any favour from the king, and says this with admiration and astonishment.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Amidst numerous affairs we are apt to forget the gratitude we owe, an 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' sworn friend, therefore he shows kindness to his son Mephibosheth. God is faithful to us; let us not be unfaithful to one another. I Providence has raised us, and our friends and their families ar brought low, we must look upon that as giving us the fairer opportunit of being kind to them.
Original Hebrew וישׁתחו7812 ויאמר559 מה4100 עבדך5650 כי3588 פנית6437 אל413 הכלב3611 המת4191 אשׁר834 כמוני׃3644
