*2 Samuel 9:1-13
King David honors his covenant with Jonathan by welcoming Jonathan’s disabled son Mephibosheth into the palace and restoring his inheritance.
- David’s Inquiry:
- David, now firmly established as king over all Israel, recalls his covenant with Jonathan, Saul’s son, and seeks to fulfill any remaining obligations to his friend’s family.
- He inquires if there are any survivors from the house of Saul to whom he can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake.
- Ziba’s Report:
- Ziba, a servant of Saul’s household, informs David of Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, who is crippled in both feet.
- Mephibosheth resides in the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.
- David’s Summons:
- David sends for Mephibosheth and brings him to the royal court.
- Despite Mephibosheth’s apprehension and likely expecting retribution due to his lineage, David assures him not to fear, as he intends to show him kindness for the sake of Jonathan.
- David’s Restoration of Inheritance:
- David, in an act of generosity, restores to Mephibosheth all the land that belonged to Saul’s family.
- He also promises that Mephibosheth will always eat at his table, enjoying the privileges of a member of the royal court.
- Mephibosheth’s Humility:
- Overwhelmed by David’s grace, Mephibosheth expresses his unworthiness, likening himself to a dead dog.
- He acknowledges David’s kindness and pledges his loyalty and service to the king.
- Conclusion:
- Mephibosheth is welcomed into David’s court, where he resides, eating at the king’s table like one of his own sons.
- This narrative highlights David’s commitment to honoring his promises, his compassion towards the vulnerable, and his desire to extend grace and mercy even to those from a rival lineage.
9:1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? 9:2 And 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.
9:3 And 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.
9:4 And 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 Lodebar.
9:5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.
9:6 Now 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! 9:7 And 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.
9:8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? 9:9 Then 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.
9:10 Thou 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.
9:11 Then 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.
9:12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
9:13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.