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Atomic Bible
2 Samuel

Chapter 9

David and Mephibosheth

David looks for someone from Saul's house to receive covenant kindness for Jonathan's sake, and Ziba leads him to Mephibosheth. David then replaces fear with welcome: he restores Saul's land to Jonathan's son and gives him a permanent place at the royal table, with Ziba assigned to serve his household.

After chapters that establish David's kingdom and victories, this scene shows how his rule makes room for remembered loyalty and public mercy. It gives a household shape to the covenant bond between David and Jonathan.

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2 Samuel 9

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vv. 1-13

David and Mephibosheth

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T1hen 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?” 3So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I can show the kindness of God?” 4“Where is he?” replied the king. 5So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.

6And when Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell facedown in reverence. 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.” 11Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. And Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all that my lord the king has commanded.” 12So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s own sons. And Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, 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.

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  1. 01vv. 1-13David and MephiboshethDavid searches Saul's house for a surviving heir so he can keep faith with Jonathan through an act of covenant kindness. Mephibosheth is brought from obscurity, receives restored land and a place at the king's table, and is settled near David under the king's protection.
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