David was kind to Mephibosheth

1One day David asked, “Is there anyone who is a descendant of Saul to whom I can be kind?” He asked this because he wanted to honor Jonathan.

2They told him that there was in Jerusalem a man named Ziba who had been a servant of Saul’s family. So David sent messengers to summon Ziba. When he arrived, the king asked him, “Are you Ziba?” He replied, “Yes, your majesty, I am.”

3The king asked him, “Is there anyone in Saul’s family to whom I can be kind, as I promised Jonathan that I would do?” Ziba replied, “Yes, there is one son of Jonathan who is still alive. His feet are crippled.”

4The king asked him, “Where is he?” Ziba replied, “He is living in the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, in Lo-Debar city east of the Jordan River.”

5So King David sent messengers to bring Mephibosheth to Jerusalem.

6When Mephibosheth came to David, he knelt down with his face on the ground, to show respect. Then David said, “Mephibosheth!” He replied, “Yes, your majesty, how may I serve you?”

7David said to him, “Do not be afraid; I will be kind to you because Jonathan your father was my loyal friend. I will give back to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul. And I want you to always eat with me at my house [MTY].”

8Mephibosheth bowed in front of David again and said, “Sir, I am as worthless as [MET] a dead dog; I do not deserve [RHQ] that you be kind to me!”

9Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “Saul was your master; now I am giving to Mephibosheth everything that belonged to Saul and his family.

10You and your 15 sons and your 20 servants must till/plow the land for Mephibosheth’s family, and plant crops and harvest them, in order that they will have food to eat. But Mephibosheth will eat food with me at my house.”

11Ziba replied to the king, “Your majesty, I will do everything that you have commanded me to do.” So after that, Mephibosheth always ate at the king’s table, as though he were one of the king’s sons.

12Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. All of Ziba’s family became servants of Mephibosheth.

13And Mephibosheth, who was still crippled in both of his feet, started to live in Jerusalem, and he always ate ◄at the king’s table/with the king►.