[1] David asked, “Is there any person still left in Saul’s family? I want to show kindness to this person. I want to do it for Jonathan.”
[2] There was a servant named Ziba from Saul’s family. David’s servants called Ziba to David. King David said to Ziba, “Are you Ziba?” Ziba said, “Yes, I am your servant Ziba.”
[3] The king said, “Is there any person left in Saul’s family? I want to show God’s kindness to this person.” Ziba said to King David, “Jonathan has a son still living. He is crippled in both feet.”
[4] The king said to Ziba, “Where is this son?” Ziba said to the king, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”
[5] Then King David sent some of his officers to Lo Debar to bring Jonathan’s son from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.
[6] Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth came to David, and bowed with his face low to the floor. David said, “Mephibosheth?” Mephibosheth said, “Yes sir, it is I, your servant Mephibosheth.”
[7] David said to Mephibosheth, “Don’t be afraid. I will be kind to you. I will do this because of your father Jonathan. I will give back to you all of the land of your grandfather Saul. And you will always be able to eat at my table.”
[8] Mephibosheth bowed to David again. Mephibosheth said, “I am no better than a dead dog, but you are being very kind to me.”
[9] Then King David called Saul’s servant Ziba. David said to Ziba, “I have given Saul’s family and everything he owns to your master’s grandson ˻(Mephibosheth)˼.
[10] You will farm the land for Mephibosheth. Your sons and servants will do this for Mephibosheth. You will harvest the crops. Then your master’s grandson ˻(Mephibosheth)˼ will have plenty of food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will always be able to eat at my table.” Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants.
[11] Ziba said to King David, “I am your servant. I will do everything that my lord the king commands.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.
[12] Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. All the people in Ziba’s family became Mephibosheth’s servants.
[13] Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet. Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem. Every day Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table.