II Samuel Chapter 9

The Tanach, Jewish Publication Society tr. [1917], at sacred-texts.com

II SAMUEL CHAPTER 9

1  And David said: `Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?' 2  Now there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him unto David; and the king said unto him: `Art thou Ziba?' And he said: `Thy servant is he.' 3  And the king said: `Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him?' And Ziba said unto the king: `Jonathan hath yet a son, who is lame on his feet.' 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.'

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[paragraph continues] 5  Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar. 6  And Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came unto David, and fell on his face, and prostrated himself. And David said: `Mephibosheth!' And he answered: `Behold thy servant!' 7  And David said unto him: `Fear not; for I will surely show 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  And he bowed down, and said: `What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?'

9  Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him: `All that pertained to Saul and to all his house have I given unto thy master's son. 10  And thou shalt till the land for him, thou, and thy sons, and thy servants; and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have bread to eat; but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread continually at my table.' Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11  Then said Ziba unto the king: `According to all that my lord the king commandeth his servant, so shall thy servant do; but Mephibosheth eateth at my table as one of the king's sons.' 12  Now Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. 13  But Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem; for he did eat continually at the king's table; and he was lame on both his feet.