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David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth

24 Now Mephibosheth,[a] Saul’s grandson, came down from Jerusalem to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the day the king left Jerusalem. 25 “Why didn’t you come with me, Mephibosheth?” the king asked him.

26 Mephibosheth replied, “My lord the king, my servant Ziba deceived me. I told him, ‘Saddle my donkey[b] so I can go with the king.’ For as you know I am crippled. 27 Ziba has slandered me by saying that I refused to come. But I know that my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is best. 28 All my relatives and I could expect only death from you, my lord, but instead you have honored me by allowing me to eat at your own table! What more can I ask?”

29 “You’ve said enough,” David replied. “I’ve decided that you and Ziba will divide your land equally between you.”

30 “Give him all of it,” Mephibosheth said. “I am content just to have you safely back again, my lord the king!”

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Footnotes

  1. 19:24 Mephibosheth is another name for Merib-baal.
  2. 19:26 As in Greek, Syriac, and Latin versions; Hebrew reads I will saddle a donkey for myself.

24 Now (A)Mephibosheth the [a]son of Saul had come down to meet the king; and (B)he had not done anything for his feet, nor done anything for his mustache, nor (C)washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace. 25 Now it happened when he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, “(D)Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 So he answered, “O my lord, the king, my servant deceived me; for your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself that I may ride on it and go with the king,’ (E)because your servant is lame. 27 Moreover, (F)he has slandered your servant to my lord the king; but my lord the king is (G)like the angel of God, therefore do what is good in your sight. 28 For (H)all my father’s household was nothing but men worthy of death before my lord the king; (I)yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right do I have yet that I should [b]complain anymore to the king?” 29 So the king said to him, “Why do you still speak of your affairs? I have [c]decided, ‘You and Ziba shall divide the land.’” 30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him even take it all, since my lord the king has come in peace to his own house.”

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 19:24 Or grandson
  2. 2 Samuel 19:28 Lit cry out
  3. 2 Samuel 19:29 Lit said