While some commentators feel that the mention of Mephibosheth’s son is premature at this point, it may be that this information is presented here in order to stress David’s long-term commitment to Jonathan’s descendants.

A young son: the adjective young is a kind of diminutive that is used in various contexts of age, size, or importance. The two Hebrew words are used together to mean “younger son” (Gen 27.15, 42) or “youngest son” (Gen 9.24). Here the son in question was probably not older than ten or twelve years. Compare “little lad” in 1 Sam 20.35.

All who dwelt in Ziba’s house: that is, all the members of Ziba’s household—his family and in all likelihood his twenty servants mentioned in verse 10.

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 .