Mephibosheth מְפִיבֹשֶׁת
Son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul.
Who is Mephibosheth in the Bible?
Mephibosheth, also known as Merib-baal, was the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul (2 Samuel 4:4). He became lame in both feet as a child when he fell during the chaos following his father and grandfather's deaths at Mount Gilboa (2 Samuel 4:4). Years later, King David sought out Mephibosheth to show him kindness for the sake of his father Jonathan, restoring to him all of Saul's land and granting him a permanent place at the royal table (2 Samuel 9:6-13). His story illustrates David's loyalty to his covenant with Jonathan and demonstrates the theme of God's grace extended to those who might otherwise have been forgotten or eliminated as threats to the kingdom.
Biography
Mephibosheth, also known as Merib-baal, was the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul (1Ch.8.34; 9.40). He was five years old when his father and grandfather died in battle at Mount Gilboa (2Sa.4.4). During the panic following their deaths, Mephibosheth's nurse picked him up to flee, but he fell and became lame in both feet (2Sa.4.4). Years later, when David had established his kingdom, he sought to show kindness to Mephibosheth for the sake of his father Jonathan (2Sa.9.6). David restored to him all the land that had belonged to Saul and allowed him to eat at the king's table regularly (2Sa.9.6,10,11,13). Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica (2Sa.9.12). During Absalom's rebellion, Mephibosheth's servant Ziba falsely accused him of disloyalty to David (2Sa.16.1,4). After Absalom's death, Mephibosheth met David and explained that Ziba had deceived him (2Sa.19.24,25). David divided Saul's land between Mephibosheth and Ziba (2Sa.19.30). Later, when the Gibeonites demanded seven of Saul's descendants to avenge Saul's attempt to annihilate them, David spared Mephibosheth because of his oath to Jonathan (2Sa.21.7).
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books2 Samuel 5 verses
- 2 Samuel 4:4
"And Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to escape, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth."
- 2 Samuel 9:6
"And when Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell facedown in reverence. Then David said, “Mephibosheth!” “I am your servant,” he replied."
- 2 Samuel 9:10
"You and your sons and servants are to work the ground for him and bring in the harvest, so that your master’s grandson may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, is always to eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants."
- 2 Samuel 9:11
"And Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all that my lord the king has commanded.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s own sons."
- 2 Samuel 9:12
"And Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth."
1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 8:34
"The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, and Merib-baal was the father of Micah."
- 1 Chronicles 9:40
"The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, who was the father of Micah."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | מְפִיבֹשֶׁת |
| Named | Hebrew | מְרִיב בַּ֫עַל |
| Spelled | Hebrew | מְרִי בַעַל |