2nd Shamu'AL (2 Samuel) — 9
Daud’s Kindness to Maphibushath
1 One day king Daud asked, “Is anyone in Shaul’s family still alive anyone to whom I can show kindness for Yunathan’s sake?”
2 Daud summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Shaul’s servants, and the king asked him “Are you Ziba? “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied.
3 The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Shaul’s family? If so, I want to show 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Yunathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.”
4 “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lu-dabar Ziba told King Daud, “at the home of Makir son of Ammial.”
5 So Daud sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home.
6 His name was Maphibushath; he was Yunathan’s son and Shaul’s grandson. When he came to Daud, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. Daud said, Greetings, Maphibushath." And Maphibushath replied, “I am your servant.”
7 “King Daud said to him; Do not be afraid! “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Yunathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Shaul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!”
8 Maphibushath bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”
9 Then the king summoned Shaul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Shaul and his family.
10 You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Maphibushath, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)
11 Ziba replied, “Yes, my master the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Maphibushath ate regularly at Daud’s table, like one of the king’s own sons.
12 Maphibushath had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Maphibushath’s servants.
13 And Maphibushath who was crippled in both feet, lived in Yahushalam and ate regularly at the king’s table.