2 Samuel 9 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth

1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (1Sa 18:3; 1Sa 20:14; 1Sa 20:42) 2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” (2Sa 16:1; 2Sa 19:17; 2Sa 19:29) 3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” (1Sa 20:14; 2Sa 4:4) 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” (2Sa 17:27) 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. 6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” (2Sa 16:4; 2Sa 19:24; 2Sa 19:30; 2Sa 21:7; 1Ch 8:34; 1Ch 9:40)

2Sa 16:42Sa 19:242Sa 19:302Sa 21:71Ch 8:341Ch 9:40

7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” (2Sa 9:1; 2Sa 19:28; 1Ki 2:7; 2Ki 25:29)

2Sa 9:12Sa 19:281Ki 2:72Ki 25:29

8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” (1Sa 24:14; 2Sa 16:9) 9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson. 10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. (2Sa 9:7; 2Sa 19:17) 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s^[1] table, like one of the king’s sons. (2Sa 9:7) 12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba’s house became Mephibosheth’s servants. (1Ch 8:34) 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet. (2Sa 9:3; 2Sa 9:7)