2 Samuel 9

And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?

1David asked, "Is anyone still alive from King Saul's family? I want to be kind to that person, because I loved Jonathan."

2And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.

2Saul's family had a servant named Ziba. People brought him to David. The king asked, "Are you Ziba?" He said, "Yes, I am your servant."

3And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

3The king asked, "Is anyone left from Saul's family? I want to show that person the same kindness God shows." Ziba said, "Jonathan still has a son. He cannot walk."

4And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.

4The king asked, "Where is he?" Ziba said, "He is at the house of Machir son of Ammiel. That house is in the town of Lodebar."

5Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

5So King David sent men to Lodebar. They brought the young man back from Machir's house.

6Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!

6Mephibosheth was Jonathan's son and Saul's grandson. He came to David and bowed with his face to the ground. David said, "Mephibosheth." He answered, "I am here. I am your servant."

7And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

7David said, "Do not be afraid. I will be kind to you, because I loved your father Jonathan. I will give you back all the land of your grandfather Saul. And you will always eat at my table."

8And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?

8Mephibosheth bowed low and said, "Who am I? I am like a dead dog. Why would you even look at me?"

NoteCalling yourself a "dead dog" was a way of saying you were worth nothing at all. Mephibosheth is saying he did not expect the king to notice him.

9Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.

9Then the king called Ziba, who had served Saul. He said, "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family.

10Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

10You and your sons and your servants must farm the land for him. Bring in the crops, so his family has food. But Mephibosheth himself will always eat at my table." Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

11Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.

11Ziba said to the king, "I will do everything my lord the king has told me." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's own sons.

12And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.

12Mephibosheth had a little boy named Micha. Everyone who lived in Ziba's house now worked for Mephibosheth.

13So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.

13So Mephibosheth lived in the city of Jerusalem. He always ate at the king's table. He could not walk with either foot.