Mephibosheth
Jonathan’s Son Shown Kindness by David
Name Information
- Meaning: "From the mouth of shame" (or “dispeller of shame”)
- Language of Origin: Hebrew
- Gender Usage: Masculine
Mephibosheth, the disabled son of Jonathan, received unexpected kindness from David, who restored Saul’s land to him and seated him at the king’s table.
⏰ United Kingdom (David’s reign)
Roles
- Royal Descendant
Relationships
- Father: Jonathan
- Grandfather: Saul
- Son: Micah (2 Samuel 9:12)
Story
In childhood, Mephibosheth was injured and became lame (2 Samuel 4:4).
David sought to show kindness to Saul’s house and restored Mephibosheth’s inheritance, granting him a permanent place at the king’s table (2 Samuel 9).
During Absalom’s revolt, Ziba slandered Mephibosheth; the matter was revisited when David returned (2 Samuel 16; 19).
Spiritual Significance
- Recipient of David’s covenant kindness for Jonathan’s sake (2 Samuel 9:1, 7).
- A figure in the tensions during Absalom’s revolt, later vindicated before David (2 Samuel 16; 19).
What We Can Learn
- God honors covenant faithfulness.
- Kindness to the vulnerable reflects God’s heart.
- Let truth, not slander, shape judgments.
Memory Verses
Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan.
— 2 Samuel 9:7
Key Passages
- 2 Samuel 4:4
- 2 Samuel 9
- 2 Samuel 16:1–4
- 2 Samuel 19:24–30
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