2 Samuel 9:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king 's table. Now he was lame in both his feet.

NIV: And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet.

NASB: So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he ate at the king’s table regularly. And he was disabled in his two feet.

CSB: However, Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem because he always ate at the king’s table. His feet had been injured.

NLT: And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table.

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

NKJV: So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet.

In 2 Samuel 9:9–13, David unknowingly sets up a betrayal. He asked Saul's former servant, Ziba, if any of Saul's heirs are still alive. Ziba brings him Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son. David gives Mephibosheth Saul's land and tells Ziba and his sons to farm it. All goes well until the kingdom is in turmoil and Ziba tells David that Mephibosheth is vying for the crown. It's not true; it's Ziba's attempt to get the land for his own sons. Mephibosheth stays loyal to David, just like his father did (2 Samuel 16:1–4; 19:24–30).

In 2 Samuel 9, David keeps his promise to show kindness to Jonathan's children. Mephibosheth is Jonathan's only living son. David brings him to Jerusalem and gives him a place at the king's table as if he were David's own son. In addition, David gives full ownership of Saul's lands to Mephibosheth, telling Saul's servant Ziba that he and his sons now serve Saul's grandson as their new master. Ziba will later tell David Mephibosheth has betrayed him, but it's a lie: Ziba's attempt to keep the land for his own (2 Samuel 16:1–4; 19:24–30).

In 2 Samuel 9, David takes care of Jonathan's last son, as he promised (1 Samuel 20:14–17). David finds Jonathan's son Mephibosheth and invites him to Jerusalem. David gives Mephibosheth Saul's lands and tells Saul's former servant Ziba to farm the estate. In an attempt to keep the land for his own sons, Ziba will tell David that Mephibosheth betrayed him and is trying to regain the crown. When he can, Mephibosheth corrects the lie and rededicates himself to David (2 Samuel 16:1–4; 2 Samuel 19:24–30).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

Accessed 12/7/2025 6:57:55 AM