Said: the verb “asked” may prove to be more natural. It may also be required that an object be provided for the verb as Good News Translation has done: “asked him” or possibly “asked Ziba.”
The kindness of God: the same keyword used in verse 1 of this chapter is found here. Wherever possible it will be a good idea to reflect this in translation. But note that in this context the term is reinforced by the addition of the words of God. These words are taken as a kind of superlative by some scholars. Anderson, for example, translates “utmost consideration.” But Revised English Bible has “the kindness that God requires.” However, it seems more likely that this expression refers to the kindness that David had promised before God that he would show. In addition to Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh follows this interpretation with “… as pledged before God” (see also 1 Sam 20.14).
A son of Jonathan: the Good News Translation wording seems to assume that Jonathan had originally had more than one son, but that all but this one had died. Although there is no evidence, it seems a reasonable assumption, since most Old Testament characters had many children. It is certainly clear that, however many children Jonathan may have had, Mephibosheth was the only one still living at this time.
Crippled in his feet: in some languages there are special terms for disability of the legs or feet as opposed to other parts of the body. In such cases the words in his feet are redundant, since the idea is included in the verb chosen. But in other languages a more general term may be used in a longer expression: “he had lameness in his feet,” “his feet were damaged,” or “his feet would not function.” Mephibosheth was first introduced in 4.4, where the reason was given for his being crippled. That he is crippled becomes important later in 19.24-30.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .