Another Kindness

I have always liked the story of Mephibosheth in 2 Sam. 9. Once again, the word for "kindness" is חֶסֶד hesed.

And David said unto him: 'Fear not; for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.' And he bowed down, and said: 'What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?' And thou shalt till the land for him, thou, and thy sons, and thy servants; and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have bread to eat; but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread continually at my table.' Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then said Ziba unto the king: 'According to all that my lord the king commandeth his servant, so shall thy servant do; but Mephibosheth eateth at my table as one of the king's sons.' Now Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. But Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem; for he did eat continually at the king's table; and he was lame on both his feet. JPS

I like this story but I have always wondered about a detail. Does it literally say that Mephibosheth bowed down. Other translations say, "did homage", "obeisance" "prostrated himself" and so on.