Mephibosheth מְפִיבֹשֶׁת
Son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul.
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
"Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news came about Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel; and his nurse picked him up and fled. As she hurried to flee, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth."
- 2 Samuel 9:6
"Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, and fell on his face, and showed respect. David said, “Mephibosheth.” He answered, “Behold, your servant!”"
- 2 Samuel 9:10
"Till the land for him, you, your sons, and your servants. Bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have bread to eat; but Mephibosheth your master’s son will always eat bread at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants."
- 2 Samuel 9:11
"Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table, like one of the king’s sons."
- 2 Samuel 9:12
"Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. All that lived in Ziba’s house were servants to Mephibosheth."
1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 8:34
"The son of Jonathan was Merib Baal. Merib Baal became the father of Micah."
- 1 Chronicles 9:40
"The son of Jonathan was Merib Baal. Merib Baal became the father of Micah."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | מְפִיבֹשֶׁת | H4648G |
| Named | Hebrew | מְרִיב בַּ֫עַל | H4807 |
| Spelled | Hebrew | מְרִי בַעַל | H4810 |