2 Samuel 9:1-8

Contemporary English Version

David Is Kind to Mephibosheth

9 ^(A) One day, David thought, “I wonder if any of Saul's family are still alive. If they are, I will be kind to them, because I made a promise to Jonathan.” ² David called in Ziba, one of the servants of Saul's family. David said, “So you are Ziba.”

“Yes, Your Majesty, I am.”

^3 (B) David asked, “Are any of Saul's family still alive? If there are, I want to be kind to them.”

Ziba answered, “One of Jonathan's sons is still alive, but he can't walk.”

⁴ “Where is he?” David asked.

Ziba replied, “He lives in Lo-Debar with Machir the son of Ammiel.”

^5-6 David sent some servants to bring Jonathan's son from Lo-Debar. His name was Mephibosheth,^[a] and he was the grandson of Saul. He came to David and knelt down.

David asked, “Are you Mephibosheth?”

“Yes, I am, Your Majesty.”

⁷ David said, “Don't be afraid. I'll be kind to you because Jonathan was your father. I'm going to give you back the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul. Besides that, you will always eat with me at my table.”

⁸ Mephibosheth knelt down again and said, “Why should you care about me? I'm worth no more than a dead dog.”