2 Samuel 19:24-30

New International Reader's Version

²⁴ Mephibosheth was Saul’s grandson. He had also gone down to welcome the king back. He had not taken care of his feet. He hadn’t trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes. He hadn’t done any of those things from the day the king left Jerusalem until the day he returned safely. ²⁵ He came from Jerusalem to welcome the king. The king asked him, “Mephibosheth, why didn’t you go with me?”

²⁶ He said, “You are my king and master. I’m not able to walk. So I thought, ‘I’ll have a saddle put on my donkey. I’ll ride on it. Then I can go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba turned against me. ²⁷ He has told you lies about me. King David, you are like an angel of God. So do what you wish. ²⁸ You should have put all the members of my grandfather’s family to death, including me. Instead, you always provided what I needed. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to you?”

²⁹ The king said to him, “You don’t have to say anything else. I order you and Ziba to divide up Saul’s land between you.”

³⁰ Mephibosheth said to the king, “I’m happy that you have returned home safely. So just let Ziba have everything.”