9 ¹ David asked, 'Is any member of Saul's family left, to whom I can show true kindness for Jonathan's sake?' 9 ² There was a servant of Saul's family named Ziba; and he was summoned to David. The king asked, 'Are you Ziba?', and he answered, 'Your servant, sir.' 9 ³ So the king said, 'Is no member of Saul's family still alive to whom I may show the kindness that God requires?' 'Yes,' said Ziba, 'there is a son of Jonathan still alive; he is a cripple, lame in both feet.' 9 ⁴ 'Where is he?' said the king, and Ziba answered, 'He is staying with Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.'

9 ⁵ So the king sent and fetched him from Lo-debar, from the house of Machir son of Ammiel, 9 ⁶ and when Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan and Saul's grandson, entered David's presence, he prostrated himself and did obeisance. David said to him, 'Mephibosheth', and he answered, 'Your servant, sir.' 9 ⁷ Then David said, 'Do not be afraid; I mean to show you kindness for your father Jonathan's sake, and I will give you back the whole estate of your grandfather Saul; you shall have a place for yourself at my table.' 9 ⁸ So Mephibosheth prostrated himself again and said, 'Who am I that you should spare a thought for a dead dog like me?'

9 ⁹ Then David summoned Saul's servant Ziba to his presence and said to him, 'I assign to your master's grandson all the property that belonged to Saul and his family. 9 ¹⁰ You and your sons and your slaves must cultivate the land and bring in the harvest to provide for your master's household, but Mephibosheth your master's grandson shall have a place at my table.' This man Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty slaves. 9 ¹¹ Then Ziba answered the king, 'I will do all that your majesty commands.' So Mephibosheth took his place in the royal household like one of the king's sons. 9 ¹² He had a young son, named Mica; and the members of Ziba's household were all Mephibosheth's servants, 9 ¹³ while Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem and had his regular place at the king's table, crippled as he was in both feet.