Evening in a plain hall of cedar beams and plastered walls: a long, low wooden table set with flat loaves, olives, clay cups and a wine jar, cushions down both sides, and one place near the head of the table set and waiting; clay lamps lit.

The Book of

2 Samuel 9

The king asks whether anyone is left from his old enemy’s house. He means it as kindness.

13 verses≈ 3 min3 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–4King in HebronThe house of Saul falls
5–6JerusalemThe ark comes home
7–10A house foreverGod's promise to DavidChapter 9
11–12David's sinBathsheba and Nathan
13–20The swordAmnon, Absalom and Sheba
21–24Last wordsSongs, heroes and an altar

David and Mephibosheth

Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”

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And there was a servant of the house of Saul named Ziba.

David

They summoned him to David, and the king inquired, “Are you Ziba?”

Ziba

“I am your servant,” he replied.

David

So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I can show the kindness of God?”

Ziba

Ziba answered, “There is still Jonathan’s son, who is lame in both feet.”

David

“Where is he?” replied the king.

Ziba

And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”

Question

Quick question

David asked whether anyone was left of Saul’s house. Ziba knew of one.

Whose son did Ziba say was still alive?

Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”

Reflect

A dead dog like me

Mephibosheth came expecting death and was given land and a seat at the king’s table. What do you expect from God when you come to Him? Write down what His kindness has given you that you could never have earned.

Evening in the cedar-beamed hall: King David at the head of a long low table, his young sons seated along it, and among them the thin young Mephibosheth on a cushion, his feet hidden beneath the table, as a servant sets bread before him.

Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “I have given to your master’s grandson all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. You and your sons and servants are to work the ground for him and bring in the harvest, so that your master’s grandson may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, is always to eat at my table.”

0:25

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

And Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all that my lord the king has commanded.”

So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s own sons.

2 Samuel 9:11

Afternoon in a Jerusalem courtyard: Mephibosheth sits on a low bench with his little son Mica on his knee while two of Ziba’s servants set down baskets of grain and a jar of oil before him with a bow.

And Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth.

So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table, and he was lame in both feet.

Pray

At the King’s table

David said, “you will always eat at my table.” Thank God for His kindness, which seeks out the weak and the forgotten and gives them a place at His table. Ask for grace to keep your promises as David kept his to Jonathan, and to show that same kindness to someone overlooked this week.

You’ve experienced

2 Samuel 9

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A verse to carry with you

“Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

2 Samuel 9:7

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