In brief
Mephibosheth is the son of Jonathan and the grandson of King Saul. Made lame in both feet at the age of five during a flight, he lives out of sight in Lo-debar. King David has him sought out for the sake of Jonathan, restores to him the land of Saul and gives him a place at his table for ever. Later, falsely accused, he welcomes David on his return with simplicity and gratitude.
What does the name Mephibosheth mean?
The meaning of the name is debated. Some link the second part of it to a word meaning "shame", but the Bible gives no direct explanation. In 1 Chronicles 8:34, he is called Merib-baal.
The story of Mephibosheth
A child made lame
2 Samuel 4:4At the death of Saul and Jonathan, the news arrives from Jezreel. Mephibosheth's nurse, who has a five-year-old in her care, takes him and flees. In her haste, the child falls and becomes lame in both feet. A son of Jonathan, he grows up far from the palace, marked in his body by this tragedy.
David seeks to show grace
2 Samuel 9:1-8Now king, David asks whether anyone is left of the house of Saul to whom he can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan. Ziba tells him of a son of Jonathan, lame in his feet, at Lo-debar. Mephibosheth bows down, trembling, and compares himself to a dead dog, but David reassures him.
A place at the king's table
2 Samuel 9:9-13David restores to Mephibosheth all the land of Saul and charges Ziba and his sons with farming it. Mephibosheth will always eat at the king's table, like one of David's sons. He lives in Jerusalem, while remaining lame in both feet.
An accusation during David's flight
2 Samuel 16:1-4When David flees from Absalom, Ziba comes to meet him with donkeys loaded with provisions. Asked about his master, he claims that Mephibosheth has stayed in Jerusalem, hoping to win back the kingdom of his grandfather. David, believing this account, gives him all that belonged to Mephibosheth.
David's return
2 Samuel 19:24-30Mephibosheth goes out to meet the king as he returns to Jerusalem. He has not cared for his feet or his beard since David left. He explains that Ziba deceived him. David divides the property between them. Mephibosheth replies that Ziba may take it all, since the king has come back in peace.
What Mephibosheth teaches us
- Grace comes looking for us where we are, as David has Mephibosheth fetched from Lo-debar.
- God receives us at his table without regard for our infirmities or our difficult pasts.
- Faithfulness to a promise, like David's to Jonathan, can bless a whole family.
- Unjust accusations can reach us, but God knows the truth and keeps us.
- True joy is finding the king again more than keeping possessions, as Mephibosheth does at David's return.
Key verses
David asks whether anyone is left of the house of Saul to whom he can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan. This question opens the story and shows that grace is born of a covenant.
David reassures Mephibosheth: he must not fear, for David will show him kindness for the sake of Jonathan, restore the land of Saul and have him eat at his table always. It is a picture of grace.
Mephibosheth answers that Ziba may take everything, since the king has come home in peace. He shows that the presence of the king matters more to him than the goods he received.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Mephibosheth in the Bible?
Mephibosheth is the son of Jonathan and the grandson of King Saul. Lame in both feet since the age of five, he is welcomed by David, who restores the land of Saul to him and has him eat at his table.
What does the name Mephibosheth mean?
The meaning of his name is debated. Some see in it a second element linked to "shame", but the Bible does not explain it directly. In 1 Chronicles 8:34, the same man bears the name Merib-baal.
Where can I find the story of Mephibosheth in the Bible?
It is found in the second book of Samuel. Chapter 4 tells of his fall, chapter 9 of his welcome by David, and chapters 16 and 19 of the accusations of Ziba and the reunion with the king.