For: the transition word used here is a logical marker often translated “truly” or “indeed.” In this context it stresses the fact that Mephibosheth’s family members would not have expected anything other than death. It has been rendered “for though” (An American Translation, Moffatt, New American Bible, and Anchor Bible); “for indeed” (Knox); and “After all” (Contemporary English Version).
All my father’s house: this has been taken to mean “all my grandfather’s family” (New Century Version), or “all my father’s family” (Good News Translation), or “my whole family” (Contemporary English Version). All three are true, but the translation is a matter of emphasis. As a member of the family of Saul, Mephibosheth and all his relatives could not normally expect to be spared by David.
Were but men doomed to death: literally “except only men of death,” that is, “were simply condemned to die” or “could expect nothing other than to be killed.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translates “deserved only death.”
The respectful reference to my lord the king as well as the self-reference, your servant, should be translated here as in the previous verses where they are also found.
The common conjunction is correctly translated but, since there is a clear contrast between what might have been expected (execution) and what actually happened (reconciliation).
Set your servant among those who eat at your table: that is, “you included me with the people who can eat with you.” See 9.7-13 for the details of this story.
Further: the corresponding Hebrew word (ʿod) conveys the idea of repetition or habitual action. In some languages this meaning will be included in the form of the verb in the expression cry to the king. This phrase may, for example, be rendered “keep on appealing to the king” or “ask the king for anything more.”
The noun rendered right often refers to blameless behavior. Here the sense is more that of “a legal claim.” Revised English Bible translates it as “favour,” and most translations say “what right.”
Since the question asked is not for the purpose of receiving information, it may be rendered as a statement in many languages. Mephibosheth is affirming that he has no right to ask the king for anything more, since he is completely at his mercy and has already received kindness beyond his imagination.
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 .