David Looks for Saul's Family
Study note
David remembered his covenant of friendship with Jonathan and wanted to honor it. In the ancient world, it was common for a new king to wipe out the previous king's family to prevent any rival claims to the throne. David did the opposite. He asked if anyone from Saul's family was still alive so he could show them God's kindness. A servant named Ziba told David about Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son who was crippled in both feet. Mephibosheth was living in a remote place called Lo-debar, far from the royal court.
1 One day David asked, "Is anyone from Saul's family still alive? I want to show them kindness because of my friendship with Jonathan." 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?
2 A former servant of Saul's household named Ziba was summoned before David. "Are you Ziba?" the king asked. "Yes, I am at your service," he replied. 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.
3 The king continued, "Is there no one left from Saul's family that I can bless with God's kindness?" Ziba told the king, "Jonathan still has a living son. Both his feet are crippled." 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.
4 "Where does he live?" the king asked. Ziba explained, "He is staying with Machir son of Ammiel in the town of Lo-debar." 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 Lo-debar.
David Honors Mephibosheth
Study note
David sent for Mephibosheth, who came before the king in fear. A grandson of a fallen king approaching the new king was a dangerous situation. But David spoke kindly to him, telling him not to be afraid. He restored all of Saul's land to Mephibosheth and invited him to eat at the royal table for the rest of his life. Mephibosheth was so overwhelmed that he called himself a dead dog, an expression meaning he felt completely worthless.
5 King David immediately sent people to bring Mephibosheth from Machir's home in Lo-debar. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.
6 When Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul through Jonathan, arrived before David, he dropped to the ground, bowing low. David greeted him, "Mephibosheth!" He answered, "I am here to serve you." 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!
7 David told him, "You have nothing to fear. I intend to be very kind to you because of your father Jonathan. I am giving you back all the property that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and from now on you will eat every meal at my table." 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.
8 Mephibosheth bowed again and said, "Why would you bother with someone as worthless as me?" And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
Ziba Appointed to Serve Mephibosheth
Study note
David ordered Ziba, who had been Saul's servant, to farm the land for Mephibosheth and bring in the harvest for him. Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants, so there was a large workforce to manage the property. Mephibosheth moved to Jerusalem and ate at the king's table like one of David's own sons. He also had a young son named Micha. This beautiful act of mercy and loyalty showed David at his best.
9 David called Ziba. He told him, "I have given Mephibosheth all that once was Saul's and his family's." 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.
10 "You, your sons, and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the harvest so his household will have food. But Mephibosheth himself will always eat at my own table." Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 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.
11 Ziba answered, "I will do everything my lord the king commands." From then on, Mephibosheth ate at David's table as if he were one of the king's own sons. 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.
12 Mephibosheth had a little boy named Micha. Everyone living in Ziba's household worked for Mephibosheth. And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
13 Mephibosheth made his home in Jerusalem because he ate at the king's table regularly. He remained crippled in both feet. So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.