And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
David had let Jonathan's memory slip from his mind for years, but now he stirs himself to make good his promise. Good men do not wait to be asked; they hunt out occasions to do good, especially to those in want who will not cry for help. He sought not merely to answer a petition, but to seek them out first.
AI summary
Commenting on 2 Samuel 9:1-8
And he bowed himself,.... 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?
And he bowed himself, and said, What [is] thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I [am]? (d) Meaning, a despised person.