Mephibosheth Excused
Mephibosheth comes to David in signs of long grief and explains that Ziba deceived and slandered him. He places himself under the king’s judgment, remembering the mercy already shown to Saul’s house.
T24hen Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely. 25And he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, who asked him, “Mephibosheth, why did you not go with me?” 26“My lord the king,” he replied, “because I am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled so that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba deceived me, 27and he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. 28Yet my lord the king is like the angel of God, so do what is good in your eyes. For all the house of my grandfather deserves death from my lord the king, yet you have set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right, then, do I have to keep appealing to the king?”
David cuts the matter short by dividing the land between Mephibosheth and Ziba. Mephibosheth answers that Ziba may take it all, since the king has returned safely.
29The king replied, “Why say any more? I hereby declare that you and Ziba are to divide the land.” 30And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Instead, since my lord the king has safely come to his own house, let Ziba take it all!”