2 Samuel 9
David honors Jonathan’s lame son
David wants to honor Jonathan
1 Chronicles 19:1-19 1One day David asked, “Is anyone left from Saul’s family? I’d like to honor Jonathan’s memory by showing kindness to his family.”
2A man named Ziba used to work as a servant in Saul’s home. David sent for him and said, “Are you Ziba?” Ziba answered, “Yes sir I am.” 3David said, “Is there anyone left in Saul’s family? I’d like to show them some kindness after all they’ve been through.” Ziba said, “Jonathan’s son is still alive. He’s not able to walk right, though.”
4David asked, “Where is he?” Ziba said, “He lives with the family of Machir son of Ammiel. They live in Lo-debar.” [1] 5David sent for him and had him brought to Jerusalem from Machir’s house in Lo-debar. Jonathan’s son meets David
6Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, came to David and bowed low in respect. David called him by name, “Mephibosheth.” Jonathan’s son said, “Yes. I’m your servant.”
7David said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m going to show you nothing but kindness. I’ll do it in honor of your father Jonathan. I’m giving you back all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul. In addition, I’d like you to eat with me from now on.”
8Mephibosheth bowed again and said, “I don’t understand. Why would you honor me like this? I’m as worthless as a dead dog.” David restores family land to Mephibosheth
9The king called in Saul’s former servant, Ziba, and said, “I’m giving Saul’s grandson everything that had belonged to Saul and his family. 10I want you and your family and servants to work the land for him. Plant the crops and harvest them for your former master’s grandson. He will eat with me.” Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants.
11Ziba told David, “I will do everything you’ve asked me to.” From then on, Mephibosheth ate with David, as though he was another son in the family.
12Mephibosheth had a young son, Mica. Ziba’s entire household of sons and servants became Mephibosheth’s servants. 13Mephibosheth was lame in both legs. He lived in Jerusalem and always ate at the king’s table. Footnotes
19:4Exact location of Lo-debar is uncertain, but it was likely somewhere east of the Jordan River in Gilead. Machir made a list of well-known citizens of Gilead (2 Samuel 17:27). Gilead was roughly 60 miles (100 km) as the dove flies, from David’s capital, Jerusalem. That’s about a three-day trip. Lo-debar was one of many towns Israel defeated and took in the days of Moses. Lo-debar means “nothing.”
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1One day David asked, “Is anyone left from Saul’s family? I’d like to honor Jonathan’s memory by showing kindness to his family.”
2A man named Ziba used to work as a servant in Saul’s home. David sent for him and said, “Are you Ziba?” Ziba answered, “Yes sir I am.” 3David said, “Is there anyone left in Saul’s family? I’d like to show them some kindness after all they’ve been through.” Ziba said, “Jonathan’s son is still alive. He’s not able to walk right, though.”
4David asked, “Where is he?” Ziba said, “He lives with the family of Machir son of Ammiel. They live in Lo-debar.” [1] 5David sent for him and had him brought to Jerusalem from Machir’s house in Lo-debar.
7David said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m going to show you nothing but kindness. I’ll do it in honor of your father Jonathan. I’m giving you back all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul. In addition, I’d like you to eat with me from now on.”
8Mephibosheth bowed again and said, “I don’t understand. Why would you honor me like this? I’m as worthless as a dead dog.”
11Ziba told David, “I will do everything you’ve asked me to.” From then on, Mephibosheth ate with David, as though he was another son in the family.
12Mephibosheth had a young son, Mica. Ziba’s entire household of sons and servants became Mephibosheth’s servants. 13Mephibosheth was lame in both legs. He lived in Jerusalem and always ate at the king’s table.
2A man named Ziba used to work as a servant in Saul’s home. David sent for him and said, “Are you Ziba?” Ziba answered, “Yes sir I am.” 3David said, “Is there anyone left in Saul’s family? I’d like to show them some kindness after all they’ve been through.” Ziba said, “Jonathan’s son is still alive. He’s not able to walk right, though.”
4David asked, “Where is he?” Ziba said, “He lives with the family of Machir son of Ammiel. They live in Lo-debar.” [1] 5David sent for him and had him brought to Jerusalem from Machir’s house in Lo-debar.
Jonathan’s son meets David
6Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, came to David and bowed low in respect. David called him by name, “Mephibosheth.” Jonathan’s son said, “Yes. I’m your servant.”7David said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m going to show you nothing but kindness. I’ll do it in honor of your father Jonathan. I’m giving you back all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul. In addition, I’d like you to eat with me from now on.”
8Mephibosheth bowed again and said, “I don’t understand. Why would you honor me like this? I’m as worthless as a dead dog.”
David restores family land to Mephibosheth
9The king called in Saul’s former servant, Ziba, and said, “I’m giving Saul’s grandson everything that had belonged to Saul and his family. 10I want you and your family and servants to work the land for him. Plant the crops and harvest them for your former master’s grandson. He will eat with me.” Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants.11Ziba told David, “I will do everything you’ve asked me to.” From then on, Mephibosheth ate with David, as though he was another son in the family.
12Mephibosheth had a young son, Mica. Ziba’s entire household of sons and servants became Mephibosheth’s servants. 13Mephibosheth was lame in both legs. He lived in Jerusalem and always ate at the king’s table.
Footnotes
19:4
Exact location of Lo-debar is uncertain, but it was likely somewhere east of the Jordan River in Gilead. Machir made a list of well-known citizens of Gilead (2 Samuel 17:27). Gilead was roughly 60 miles (100 km) as the dove flies, from David’s capital, Jerusalem. That’s about a three-day trip. Lo-debar was one of many towns Israel defeated and took in the days of Moses. Lo-debar means “nothing.”
Discussion Questions
- Sorry, there are currently no questions for this chapter.
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David's kingdom