Mephibosheth
maleUnited MonarchyMeaning: “Exterminator of shame”
The lame son of Jonathan, shown extraordinary kindness by David for his father’s sake and given a permanent place at the king’s table.
Biography
Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. He became lame in both feet at age five, when his nurse dropped him as the household fled at the news of Saul and Jonathan's deaths (2 Samuel 4:4).
Kindness for Jonathan's sake
Years later, David — remembering his covenant with Jonathan — sought out any of Saul's house to whom he could "shew the kindness of God." He found Mephibosheth, restored to him all of Saul's lands, and gave him a permanent seat at the royal table: "Mephibosheth... did eat continually at the king's table" (2 Samuel 9:7–13). His story is a moving Old Testament picture of grace shown to the undeserving for the sake of another.
Life Timeline
Shown kindness by David for Jonathan's sake; eats at the king's table
On the Bible timeline
Mephibosheth belongs to the The United Monarchy era (c. 1050 – 930 BC).
- c. 1010 – 970 BCDavid's Reign
- c. 966 BCSolomon's Temple Built
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Mephibosheth
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Mephibosheth appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
14 verses in 2 books2 Samuel13 verses
2 Samuel 4:4
And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth: or, Meribbaal
2 Samuel 9:6
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!
2 Samuel 9:10
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.
2 Samuel 9:11
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.
2 Samuel 9:12
And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
2 Samuel 9:13
So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.
2 Samuel 16:1
And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
2 Samuel 16:4
Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king. I humbly: Heb. I do obeisance
2 Samuel 19:24
And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
2 Samuel 19:25
And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
2 Samuel 19:30
And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.
2 Samuel 21:7
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
2 Samuel 21:8
But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite: Michal: or, Michal's sister brought: Heb. bare to Adriel
1 Chronicles1 verse
1 Chronicles 8:34
And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah. Meribbaal: or, Mephibosheth.2.Sam.4.4
Frequently asked about Mephibosheth
Who was Mephibosheth in the Bible?
The lame son of Jonathan, shown extraordinary kindness by David for his father’s sake and given a permanent place at the king’s table.
What does the name Mephibosheth mean?
The name Mephibosheth means “Exterminator of shame”.
Who were Mephibosheth's parents?
Mephibosheth was the child of Jonathan.
Where does Mephibosheth appear in the Bible?
Mephibosheth is mentioned 14 times across 2 books: 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Mephibosheth?
The story of Mephibosheth touches on themes of ziba, kings, gibeonites, micah — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Mephibosheth's life.
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