2 Samuel 9

1And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?

2And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.

3And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

4And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.

5Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.

6Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!footnote a

7And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew 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.

8And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?

9Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.

10Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

11Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.

12And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.

13So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.

David and Mephibosheth

1Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”

2And there was a servant of the house of Saul named Ziba. They summoned him to David, and the king inquired, “Are you Ziba?”
“I am your servant,” he replied.

3So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I can show the kindness of God?”
Ziba answered, “There is still Jonathan’s son, who is lame in both feet.”

4“Where is he?” replied the king.
And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”

5So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar. 6And when Mephiboshethfootnote a son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell facedown in reverence.
Then David said, “Mephibosheth!”
“I am your servant,” he replied.

7“Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

8Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”

9Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “I have given to your master’s grandson all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. 10You and your sons and servants are to work the ground for him and bring in the harvest, so that your master’s grandson may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, is always to eat at my table.”
Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11And Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all that my lord the king has commanded.”
So Mephibosheth ate at David’s tablefootnote b like one of the king’s own sons. 12And Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica,footnote c and all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth. 13So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table, and he was lame in both feet.