1David asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2There was a servant from Saul’s household named Ziba, and they called him to David. The king asked him, “Are you Ziba?” He replied, “I am your servant.”
3The king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba told the king, “Jonathan still has a son who is crippled in his feet.”
4The king asked him, “Where is he?” Ziba answered the king, “He is at the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”
5So King David sent for him and brought him from the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.
6Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul, came to David. He bowed down with his face to the ground as a sign of respect. David said, “Mephibosheth!” He answered, “Yes, your servant!”
7David said to him, “Don’t be afraid, because I will certainly show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will give you back all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul. You will always eat at my table.”
8Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “Who am I, your servant, that you would notice someone as worthless as me?”
9Then the king called for Ziba, Saul’s servant, and told him, “I am giving everything that belonged to Saul and his entire family to your master’s son.
10You, your sons, and your servants must farm the land for him. Bring in the harvest so that your master’s son will have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s son, will always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do everything my lord the king commands.” So Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table, just like one of the king’s own sons.
12Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. Everyone who lived in Ziba’s house became servants to Mephibosheth.
13So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table. He was crippled in both his feet.