2 Samuel 9

David asked, “Is there still anyone left of Saul’s house to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” Now Saul’s house had a servant named Ziba, and they called him to David. The king asked him, “Are you Ziba?” He answered, “Your servant.” The king said, “Is there no one left of Saul’s house to whom I may show God’s kindness?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.” The king asked him, “Where is he?” Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel at Lo-debar.” So King David sent for him and brought him from the house of Machir son of Ammiel at Lo-debar. Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David, fell on his face and paid homage. David said, “Mephibosheth!” He answered, “Here is your servant.” David said to him, “Do not be afraid. I will surely 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.” He bowed and said, “What is your servant, that you should take notice of a dead dog like me?” The king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his whole house. You, your sons and your servants are to work the land for him and bring in its produce, so that your master’s grandson may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will always eat at my table.” Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do everything my lord the king commands his servant.” The king added, “Mephibosheth will eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.” Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. All who lived in Ziba’s house were Mephibosheth’s servants. Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table. He was lame in both feet.

Rights and attribution