2 Samuel 9

1 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?

One day David asked, “Is there anyone who is a descendant of Saul to whom I can be kind?” He asked this because he wanted to honor Jonathan.

2 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].

[They told him that] there was [in Jerusalem] a man named Ziba who had been a servant of Saul’s family. So [David sent messengers to summon Ziba. When he arrived], the king asked him, “Are you Ziba?” He replied, “Yes, your majesty, I am.”

3 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.

The king asked him, “Is there anyone in Saul’s family to whom I can be kind, [as I promised Jonathan that I would do]?” Ziba replied, “Yes, there is one son of Jonathan who is still [alive]. His feet are crippled.”

4 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 Lo-debar.

The king asked him, “Where is he?” Ziba replied, “He is [living] in the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, in Lo-Debar [city east of the Jordan River].”

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

So King David sent [messengers] to bring Mephibosheth [to Jerusalem].

6 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!

When Mephibosheth came to David, he knelt down with his face on the ground, to show respect. Then David said, “Mephibosheth!” He replied, “Yes, your majesty, how may I serve you?”

7 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.

David said to him, “Do not be afraid; I will be kind to you because Jonathan your father [was my loyal friend]. I will give back to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul. And [I want] you to always eat with me at my house [MTY].”

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

Mephibosheth bowed [in front of David again] and said, “Sir, I am [as worthless as] [MET] a dead dog; I do not deserve [RHQ] that you be kind to me!”

9 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.

Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “Saul was your master; now I am giving to Mephibosheth everything that belonged to Saul and his family.

10 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.

You and your 15 sons and your 20 servants must till/plow the land for Mephibosheth’s [family], and [plant crops] and harvest them, in order that they will have food to eat. But Mephibosheth will eat food with me at my house.”

11 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.

Ziba replied to the king, “Your majesty, I will do everything that you have commanded me to do.” So [after that], Mephibosheth always ate at the king’s table, as though he were one of the king’s sons.

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

Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. All of Ziba’s family became servants of Mephibosheth.

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

And Mephibosheth, who was still crippled in both of his feet, started to live in Jerusalem, and he always ate (at the king’s table/with the king).