OET interlinear 2 SAM 9:8

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

מֶ֣ה עַבְדֶּ֑⁠ךָ כִּ֣י פָנִ֔יתָ אֶל־הַ⁠כֶּ֥לֶב הַ⁠מֵּ֖ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּמֽוֹ⁠נִי

what? (Some words not found in UHB: and,he_bowed_down and=he/it_said what? servant_of,[is]_your that/for/because/then/when look to/towards the,dog (the),dead which/who [is]_like,me )

Mephibosheth is using the question form to express humility and to emphasize that he does not deserve such kindness. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [Your servant is not anyone important, that you should turn to a dead dog that is like me!]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

כִּ֣י פָנִ֔יתָ אֶל

(Some words not found in UHB: and,he_bowed_down and=he/it_said what? servant_of,[is]_your that/for/because/then/when look to/towards the,dog (the),dead which/who [is]_like,me )

Mephibosheth is speaking as if David would physically turn toward him. In this context, turn to represents “show regard for” or “show kindness to.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [that you should show any regard for]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

הַ⁠כֶּ֥לֶב הַ⁠מֵּ֖ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּמֽוֹ⁠נִי

(Some words not found in UHB: and,he_bowed_down and=he/it_said what? servant_of,[is]_your that/for/because/then/when look to/towards the,dog (the),dead which/who [is]_like,me )

Mephibosheth is speaking as if he were actually a dead dog. In this culture, dogs were wild, and they were considered dirty and regarded with contempt. Moreover, a dead dog would be powerless. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. If you have already translated the book of 1 Samuel, see how you translated the similar expression in [1 Samuel 24:14](../../1sa/24/14.md). Alternate translation: [someone like me who is powerless and whom people regard with contempt]