And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
Here is, I. David's enquiry after the remains of the ruined house of Saul, Sa2 9:1. This was a great while after his accession to the throne, for it should seem that Mephibosheth, who was but five years old when Saul died, had now a son born, Sa2 9:12. David had too long forgotten his obligations to Jonathan, but now, at length, they are brought to his mind.
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.