2 Samuel 9

King James Version

Full text for 2 Samuel Chapter 9

1¶ 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?

2And [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].

3And 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.

4And 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.

5Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

6Now 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!

7And 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.

8And he bowed himself, 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, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.

10Thou 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.

11Then 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.

12And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name [was] Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba [were] servants unto Mephibosheth.

13So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King David, desiring to show kindness for Jonathan's sake, inquires if any of Saul's house remains. He learns of Mephibosheth, Jonathan's lame son, living in Lodebar. David restores all of Saul's land to Mephibosheth and invites him to eat at the king's table continually, demonstrating profound loyalty and grace.

Medium Summary

King David initiates a search for any remaining members of Saul's household, driven by his covenant loyalty to Jonathan. He summons Ziba, a former servant of Saul, who reveals that Jonathan has a son named Mephibosheth, who is lame in his feet and residing in Lodebar. David dispatches messengers to bring Mephibosheth to Jerusalem. Upon Mephibosheth's arrival, he prostrates himself before the king, but David reassures him, promising kindness for his father Jonathan's sake. David then restores all the land that belonged to Saul to Mephibosheth and decrees that he shall eat at the king's table perpetually. Furthermore, David appoints Ziba and his household to manage Mephibosheth's land, ensuring his provision and status.

Long Summary

The chapter opens with King David's deliberate inquiry concerning any survivors from the house of Saul, motivated by his desire to extend kindness for the sake of his covenant with Jonathan. A servant named Ziba, formerly of Saul's household, is brought before David and questioned. Ziba informs the king that Jonathan has a son, Mephibosheth, who is lame in both his feet and currently resides in Lodebar, at the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel. David promptly sends for Mephibosheth, bringing him from Lodebar to Jerusalem. Upon his arrival, Mephibosheth demonstrates profound reverence by falling on his face before the king. David immediately reassures him, instructing him not to fear, and declares his intention to show him kindness specifically for Jonathan his father's sake. The king then restores to Mephibosheth all the land that had belonged to Saul, his grandfather. Furthermore, David extends the extraordinary privilege of eating continually at the king's own table. Mephibosheth, overwhelmed by this unexpected grace, humbly responds by questioning his own worth, comparing himself to a "dead dog." Subsequently, David summons Ziba again and formally assigns to him, his fifteen sons, and his twenty servants the responsibility of tilling Mephibosheth's restored land. Their duty is to bring in the fruits of the land, ensuring that Mephibosheth has food to eat. David reiterates that Mephibosheth himself shall always eat at the king's table, clarifying that he would be treated "as one of the king's sons." The chapter concludes by noting that Mephibosheth had a young son named Micha, and that all who dwelt in Ziba's house were now servants to Mephibosheth, who continued to dwell in Jerusalem and eat at the king's table, despite his lameness.

Core Concepts

  • Covenant LoyaltyDavid's primary motivation to seek out Saul's descendants stems from his oath and kindness promised to Jonathan, his friend.
  • Royal Kindness and GraceDavid extends extraordinary favor to Mephibosheth, a potential dynastic threat, by restoring his inheritance and granting him a permanent place at the royal table.
  • Mephibosheth's HumilityDespite being a grandson of Saul and heir to his land, Mephibosheth expresses extreme unworthiness, referring to himself as a "dead dog" before the king.
  • Restoration of InheritanceDavid restores all the land that had belonged to Saul to Mephibosheth, reversing the typical consequences for a defeated royal house and demonstrating his commitment.
  • Provision and StatusMephibosheth is not only given land but also guaranteed daily sustenance and elevated status by eating continually at the king's table, "as one of the king's sons."
  • Ziba's RoleZiba, a former servant of Saul, is tasked with managing Mephibosheth's restored land and ensuring its produce, becoming a key administrator in this arrangement.