Jonathan

1David ran away from Naioth in Ramah. He came to Jonathan and said, "What have I done? What is my sin? How have I wronged your father? Why does he want to kill me?"

And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

NoteRamah was a town. Naioth was a place there where David had been hiding. Jonathan was King Saul's son and David's dearest friend.

2Jonathan said, "No, that cannot be! You will not die. My father tells me everything he plans, big or small. Why would he hide this from me? It is not true."

And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.

3But David promised again that it was true. He said, "Your father knows you care about me. So he says, 'Do not tell Jonathan, or he will be sad.' I promise, as surely as the LORD lives and you live: I am only one step away from death."

And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.

Note"One step away from death" is a way of saying danger is very close.

4Then Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you want, I will do it for you."

Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.

5David said, "Tomorrow is the new moon feast. I am supposed to eat with the king. Instead, let me go hide in the field until the evening of the third day.

And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.

NoteThe new moon is when the moon first shows again as a thin sliver. Each new moon started a new month. People held a special meal that day to thank God. David worked for the king, so he had a seat at that meal.

6If your father notices I am gone, tell him this. Say, 'David begged me to let him hurry home to Bethlehem. His whole family gives a gift to God there every year.'

If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

NoteBethlehem was the small town where David grew up. Giving a gift to God meant bringing an animal to be offered, then sharing a meal. Whole families did this together once a year.

7If your father says, 'Fine,' then I am safe. But if he gets very angry, you will know he plans to hurt me.

If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.

8So please be kind to me. You and I made a promise to each other before the LORD. If I have done something wrong, then kill me yourself. Why hand me over to your father?"

Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?

NoteA promise made before the LORD was very serious. David and Jonathan had made one to each other. It was meant to last their whole lives.

9Jonathan said, "Never! If I found out my father planned to hurt you, I would tell you."

And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?

10Then David asked Jonathan, "Who will bring me the news? What if your father answers you in anger?"

Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?

11Jonathan said, "Come, let us go out to the field." So the two of them went out together.

And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.

12Jonathan said to David, "I promise this before the LORD, the God of Israel. I will find out what my father thinks by tomorrow or the next day. If he means you well, I will surely send you word.

And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;

13But if my father plans to hurt you, I will tell you. I will send you away safely. If I do not, may the LORD punish me. May the LORD be with you, as he was with my father.

The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.

Note"May the LORD punish me" was a normal way to promise back then. It meant: I truly mean this.

14While I am still alive, please be kind to me, the way the LORD is kind. Do not let me be killed.

And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:

15And never stop being kind to my family. Keep being kind even after the LORD has wiped out every one of your enemies."

But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

Note"My family" means Jonathan's children and grandchildren. He is asking David to be kind to them after he is gone.

16So Jonathan made this promise with David's family. He said, "May the LORD punish anyone in David's family who breaks it."

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.

17Jonathan asked David to promise it again, because he loved him. He loved David as much as he loved himself.

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

18Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the new moon feast. People will see your seat is empty and miss you.

Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

19Wait three days. Then hurry down to the place where you hid before, when this trouble started. Wait by the stone called Ezel.

And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.

NoteEzel was the name of one big stone out in the field. Large stones made easy places to meet.

20I will shoot three arrows to the side of that stone. It will look like I am shooting at a target.

And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

21Then I will send a boy to go find the arrows. If I say, 'The arrows are on this side of you, bring them,' then come out. I promise before the LORD that you are safe.

And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.

22But if I say to the boy, 'The arrows are past you,' then you must go. That means the LORD is sending you away.

But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.

23And about the promise you and I made, the LORD is watching between us forever."

And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.

24So David hid in the field. When the new moon feast came, the king sat down to eat.

So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.

25Saul sat in his usual seat by the wall. Jonathan sat across from him, and Abner sat beside him. David's seat was empty.

And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, and David’s place was empty.

NoteAbner was the leader of Saul's army. He was also part of Saul's family.

26Saul said nothing that day. He thought something had happened to David. He thought David was not ready to join a holy meal.

Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.

NoteIsrael had rules about who could join a holy meal. Touching certain things meant waiting a day first. Saul guessed that was why David's seat was empty.

27The next day, David's seat was still empty. Saul asked his son Jonathan, "Why has Jesse's son missed the meal two days now?"

And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?

NoteJesse was David's father. Saul would not even say David's name. That showed how much he disliked him.

28Jonathan answered, "David begged me to let him go to Bethlehem.

And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:

29He said, 'Please let me go. My family is giving a gift to God in the city. My brother told me to be there. Please let me go and see my brothers.' That is why he is not at your table."

And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table.

30Then Saul got very angry at Jonathan. He said, "You son of a twisted, disobedient woman! I know you have picked Jesse's son. You are shaming yourself and the mother who gave birth to you.

Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?

NoteSaying mean things about someone's mother was a strong insult. Saul was saying Jonathan had brought shame on his whole family.

31As long as Jesse's son is alive, you will never be king. Send for him and bring him to me. He must die!"

For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.

NoteJonathan was the king's son. Usually a king's son becomes the next king. Saul was afraid David would be king instead of Jonathan.

32Jonathan answered his father, "Why should he be killed? What has he done?"

And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?

33Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him. Now Jonathan knew his father truly meant to kill David.

And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.

NoteA spear is a long stick with a sharp point. Saul had thrown one at David before too.

34Jonathan got up from the table, very angry. He ate no food that whole day. He was sad for David, because his father had shamed him.

So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.

35In the morning Jonathan went out to the field. He went at the time he had agreed on with David. A small boy went with him.

And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.

36He said to the boy, "Run and find the arrows I shoot." As the boy ran, Jonathan shot an arrow past him.

And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.

37The boy came to the spot where the arrow had landed. Jonathan called out, "Isn't the arrow farther on, past you?"

And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?

38Then Jonathan called again, "Hurry! Be quick! Do not stop!" The boy picked up the arrows and brought them back.

And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.

39The boy did not know what any of it meant. Only Jonathan and David knew the plan.

But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

40Then Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy. He said, "Take these back to the city."

And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.

NoteThe King James says Jonathan gave the boy his "artillery." In 1611 that word meant a bow and arrows, not guns.

41As soon as the boy was gone, David came out from a hiding place toward the south. He bowed low to the ground three times. Then the two friends kissed and cried together. David cried the hardest.

And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

NoteBowing with your face to the ground showed great respect. A kiss on the cheek was how friends said hello and goodbye.

42Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace. We have both promised in the LORD's name. We said the LORD would watch between us, and between our children, forever." Then David left, and Jonathan went back into the city.

And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

Note"Our children" means their families for many years to come. Their sons and grandsons would keep this promise too.

15David was at a place called the wood, in the desert of Ziph. He saw that Saul had come out to kill him.

And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.

NoteThe wood was the name of a place. It may have been a spot with trees.

16Then Jonathan, Saul's son, went to David at the wood. He helped David feel strong in God.

And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

17Jonathan said, "Do not be afraid. My father Saul will never catch you. You will be king over Israel. I will be right beside you. My father knows this too."

And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

NoteJonathan was the king's son. Usually a king's son becomes the next king. Jonathan said David should have that place instead of him.

18The two of them made a promise to each other before the LORD. David stayed at the wood. Jonathan went home.

And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

NoteThey promised to stay friends and keep each other safe. Back then a promise like this was taken very seriously.

1The Philistines fought against Israel. The Philistines were a people who lived nearby. Israel's soldiers ran away from them. Many were killed on Mount Gilboa.

Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.

NoteThe Philistines lived by the sea, right next to Israel. The two peoples fought each other for many years. Mount Gilboa is a long, low hill in northern Israel.

2The Philistines chased Saul, the king, and his sons very closely. They killed three of Saul's sons. Their names were Jonathan, Abinadab, and Melchishua.

And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchishua, Saul’s sons.

NoteSaul was the first king Israel ever had. Jonathan was his oldest son. Jonathan was also David's closest friend.

3The fighting around Saul grew worse and worse. Men shooting arrows found him and hit him. He was hurt very badly.

And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.

NoteThe King James says Saul was "sore wounded." Here "sore" means very badly hurt, not aching.

4Saul spoke to the man who carried his weapons. He said, "Take your sword and kill me. If you do not, these Philistines will kill me and hurt me first." But the man was too afraid to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

NoteAn armorbearer carried the king's shield and extra weapons. He stayed close beside the king in every battle. The King James calls the Philistines "uncircumcised." That was an Israelite word for people outside Israel. "Abuse me" means they would hurt him to shame him. Falling on his sword means Saul killed himself with it.

5The man who carried Saul's weapons saw that Saul was dead. So he fell on his own sword too. He died beside Saul.

And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.

6So Saul died that day. His three sons died. The man who carried his weapons died. All his men died with him, on that same day.

So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.

7Some Israelites lived across the valley. Others lived across the Jordan River. They saw that Israel's army had run away. They heard that Saul and his sons were dead. So they left their towns and ran. Then the Philistines came and lived in those towns.

And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

NoteThe Jordan is the main river of that land. Many Israelite families lived and farmed on the far side of it.

1Saul the king had died. David had just come back from fighting the Amalekites. He had been staying in the town of Ziklag for two days.

Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;

NoteThe Amalekites were a people who often fought against Israel. Ziklag was a small town where David and his men lived. Saul was the king of Israel before David.

2On the third day a man came from Saul's army camp. His clothes were torn and there was dirt on his head. He came to David, bowed low, and put his face to the ground.

It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

NoteLong ago, people tore their clothes to show they were very sad. They also put dirt or ashes on their heads. It was their way of saying, "Something terrible has happened." Bowing low with your face to the ground showed great respect.

3David asked him, "Where have you come from?" The man said, "I got away from Israel's camp."

And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

4David asked, "What happened? Please tell me." The man said, "Our soldiers ran away from the fight. Many of them fell and died. Saul and his son Jonathan are dead too."

And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.

5David asked the young man who told him this, "How do you know Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?"

And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?

6The young man said, "I happened to be on Mount Gilboa. Saul was there, leaning on his spear. Enemy chariots and men on horses were coming closer and closer.

And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

NoteMount Gilboa is a hill in Israel where the big battle happened. A chariot was a small cart pulled by horses. Soldiers rode in chariots to fight.

7Then Saul turned around and saw me. He called out to me. I answered, 'I am here.'

And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.

8He asked me, 'Who are you?' I told him, 'I am an Amalekite.'

And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.

9Then he said to me, 'Please stand over me and kill me. I am in great pain, but I am still alive.'

He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.

10So I stood over him and killed him. I knew he could not live after he had fallen. I took the crown off his head and the band off his arm. I brought them here to you, my master."

So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.

NoteA crown and a gold arm band were things only a king wore. Bringing them to David proved the man had really seen Saul.

11Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them. All the men who were with him tore their clothes too.

Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

12They cried and were very sad. They ate no food until evening. They grieved for Saul, for his son Jonathan, for the LORD's people, and for all Israel. So many of them had died in the battle.

And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

NoteGoing without food was a way to show deep sadness. People did this when someone they loved had died. The word LORD in capital letters is God's own special name.

13David asked the young man who told him this, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I am the son of a foreigner. I am an Amalekite."

And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.

NoteA foreigner is someone whose family came from another country.

14David said to him, "Saul was the king the LORD chose. Why were you not afraid to lift your hand and kill him?"

And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?

NoteWhen a man became king, oil was poured on his head. This showed that God had chosen him. People called such a king "the LORD's anointed." Hurting the king was seen as a very serious crime.

15Then David called one of his young men over. He said, "Go and put him to death." So the young man struck him down, and he died.

And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.

16David said to the Amalekite, "What has happened to you is your own fault. Your own mouth said you killed the king the LORD chose."

And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’s anointed.

Note"Thy blood be upon thy head" was an old way of speaking. It meant, "What happens to you is your own doing."

17Then David sang a sad song about Saul and about his son Jonathan.

And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

NoteA sad song sung when someone dies is called a lament. People sang these songs out loud so everyone could remember.

18He said the people of Judah should be taught this song. It is called the Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jasher.

(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)

NoteJudah was one of the big family groups of Israel. The Book of Jasher was an old book of songs and stories. Nobody has that book anymore. It is lost.

19"Israel, your best and finest men lie dead on your hills. See how the strong ones have fallen!

The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

Note"The mighty" means the strongest and bravest soldiers. "High places" here just means the hills where they died.

20Do not tell the news in the town of Gath. Do not say it in the streets of Ashkelon. The women of the Philistines must not be glad. The daughters of our enemies must not cheer.

Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

NoteGath and Ashkelon were towns of the Philistines. The Philistines were a people who lived near the sea and fought Israel often. "The daughters of the uncircumcised" was a way of saying the women of those enemy people.

21Mountains of Gilboa, may no dew or rain fall on you. May no grain grow in your fields for gifts to God. There a strong man's shield was thrown down and left in the dirt. It was Saul's shield, and no one rubbed it with oil anymore.

Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

NoteDew is the water that sits on grass early in the morning. Grain was grown to give to God as a gift, or offering. Soldiers rubbed oil on their leather shields to keep them smooth and shiny. A shield left in the dirt meant its owner had died.

22Jonathan's bow did not turn back from the enemies it struck. Saul's sword never came home without doing its work.

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

NoteA bow shoots arrows from far away. A sword is used up close. Saying they never "came back empty" meant these two men always won their fights.

23People loved Saul and Jonathan and were glad to be near them. In life and in death, the two of them stayed together. They were faster than eagles. They were stronger than lions.

Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24Women of Israel, cry for Saul. He gave you fine red clothes and other good things. He put gold on the clothes you wore.

Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

NoteScarlet is a bright red cloth. It cost a lot, so only rich people wore it. A king shared such gifts when his army won a battle.

25See how the strong ones have fallen right in the middle of the fight! Jonathan lies dead on your hills.

How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.

26I am very sad for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful. It meant more to me than the love of women.

I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

NoteHere "love" means the deep, loyal friendship between two close friends. David and Jonathan had promised to stand by each other always.

27See how the strong ones have fallen! The weapons of war are broken and gone."

How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

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

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?

NoteSaul was the king before David. Jonathan was Saul's son. Jonathan was David's dearest friend, and he had died in a battle.

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."

And 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.

NoteA servant was someone who worked in a family's house and did jobs for them.

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."

And 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.

NoteJonathan's son was hurt in a fall when he was little. His feet never got better.

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."

And 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.

NoteLodebar was a small town far away, across the Jordan River.

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

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

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."

Now 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!

NoteHis name is said like this: Meh-FIB-oh-sheth.

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

And 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.

NoteWhen a new king took over, the old king's family was often sent away or hurt. That is why Mephibosheth was afraid. Eating at the king's table meant living in the palace and being treated like family.

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

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

NoteDogs back then were not pets. They ran wild and ate scraps. Calling yourself a dead dog was a way of saying, "I am nobody at all."

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.

Then 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.

NoteA master is the person a servant works for. Ziba's master had been Saul.

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.

Thou 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.

NoteFifteen sons and twenty servants means Ziba had a very big household to help him farm.

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.

Then 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.

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

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

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

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

NoteJerusalem was David's city. The king's palace was there.

12Then David went and got the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan. He got them from the men of Jabesh-gilead. Those men had taken the bodies from the town square of Beth-shan. The Philistines had hung them there after they killed Saul at Mount Gilboa.

And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:

NoteThe Philistines were a people who lived near the sea. They fought against Israel again and again. Long before this they had killed Saul and hung his body up in a town so everyone would see. The men of Jabesh-gilead took it down because Saul had once saved their town.

13David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan back from that place. They also gathered the bones of the seven men who had been hanged.

And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.

14They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan in the land of Benjamin, at a town called Zelah. They laid them in the grave of Kish, Saul's father. They did everything the king had told them to do. After that, God answered the prayers for the land.

And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.

NoteA grave like this was a small cave where one family laid their dead. Being buried with your father and grandfather was a way of coming home.