Immerse: Kingdoms Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 160
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IMMERSE
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KINGDOMS
2S
| 8:15–9:13
So David reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his
people. Joab son of Zerui ah was commander of the army. Jehoshaphat son
of Ahilud was the royal historian. Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech
son of Abiathar were the priests. Seraiah was the court secretary. Benaiah
son of Jehoiada was captain of the king’s bodyguard. And David’s sons
served as priestly leaders.
One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to
whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” He summoned a man
named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the
king asked.
“Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied.
The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so,
I want to show God’s kindness to them.”
Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in
both feet.”
“Where is he?” the king asked.
“In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.”
So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. His name
was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he
came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said,
“Greetings, Mephibosheth.”
Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.”
“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because
of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that
once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at
the king’s table!”
Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”
Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given
your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his fam
ily. You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibos heth, your master’s
grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty
servants.)
Ziba replied, “Yes, my lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all
that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibos heth ate
regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons.
Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the
members of Ziba’s household were Mephibos heth’s servants. And Me
phibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate
regularly at the king’s table.