2 Samuel 9:13

2 Samuel 9:13

So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.

a. NLT: And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table.

b. NIV: And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet.

c. YLT: And Mephibosheth is dwelling in Jerusalem, for at the table of the king he is eating continually, and he is lame of his two feet.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table, [even though] he was lame in both feet.

e. Septuagint: And Memphibosthe dwelt in Jerusalem, for he continually ate at the table of the king; and he was lame in both his feet.

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: Mephibosheth dwelled in Jerusalem, for he would always eat at the table of the king, and he was lame in both legs.

1. So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem

a. Mephibosheth [4648 * Mphiybosheth; or Mphibosheth] [Strong: probably from 6284 and 1322; dispeller of shame (i.e. of Baal); Mephibosheth, the name of two Israelites:--Mephibosheth.]

b. dwelt [3427 * yashab] [Strong: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle), (down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.]

c. in Jerusalem [3389 * Yruwshalaim; rarely Yruwshalayim] [Strong: a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that of 3390)); probably from (the passive participle of) 3384 and 7999; founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine:--Jerusalem.]

2. for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.

a. for he did eat [398 * 'akal] [Strong: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively):--X at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, X freely, X in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, X quite.]

b. continually [8548 * tamiyd] [Strong: from an unused root meaning to stretch; properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); ellipt. the regular (daily) sacrifice:--alway(-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, ((n-))ever(-more), perpetual.]

c. at the king’s [4428 * melek] [Strong: from 4427; a king:--king, royal.]

d. table [7979 * shulchan] [Strong: from 7971; a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal:--table.]

e. and was lame [6455 * picceach] [Strong: from 6452; lame:--lame.]

f. on both [8147 * shnayim; dual of 8145; feminine shttayim] [Strong: two; also (as ordinal) twofold:--both, couple, double, second, twain, + twelfth, + twelve, + twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.]

g. his feet [7272 *  marglah] [Strong: denominative from 7272; (plural for collective) a footpiece, i.e. (adverbially) at the foot, or (direct.) the foot itself:--feet.]

1). Unger’s Bible Dictionary: Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, and grandson of Saul. When his father and grandfather were slain at Gilboa, Mephibosheth was an infant of five years of age, living under the care of his nurse, probablt at Gibeah. When the tidings of the disaster came to the royal household the nurse fled, carrying the child upon her shoulder. In her haste she let him fall, and Mephibosheth was crippled for life in both feet (2 Samuel 4:4), about 1000 B.C. After the accident Mephibosheth seems to have found a refuge in the house of Machir, a Gadite sheik at Lo-debar, near Mahanaim, by whom he was brought up (Josepheus, Antiquties of the Jews, Book vii, 5,5). He married and was living there, when David, having conqured his enemies, had leisure to make endeavors to fulfill his oath to Jonathan by the stone Ezel, that he would not “cut off his kindness from his house forever” (1 Samuel 20:15). From Ziba he learned of the existence and whereoabouts of Mephibosheth, and brought him and his son Micah (compare 1 Chronicles 9:40) to Jerusalem. The interview was characterized by fear and reverence on the part of Jonathan’s son, and kindness and liberality on that of David. All the property of his grandfather was conveyed to Mephibosheth, and Zibawas commanded to cultivate the land in his interest. Mephibosheth took up residencein Jerusalem, and was a daily guest at the royal table 2 Samuel 9, about 984 B.C. The next mention of Mephibosheth respects his behavior upon the revolt of Absalom. Of this there are two accounts, his own (2 Samuel 19:24-30), and that of Ziba (2 Samuel 16:1-4), and they naturally differ. Ziba, because of his loyalty and kindness, was rewarded with the possessions of his master. Mephibosheth met David a few days after and told his story: that he had desired to fly with his benefactor, but was deceived by Ziba, so that he was obliged to remain behind. He had, however, done all he could to evidence his sympathy with David, having gone into the deepest mourning for his afflicted friend. From the day the king left he had allowed his beard to grow ragged, his feet to be unwashed, and his linen unchanged. David doubtless believed his story, and revoked his judgment given to Ziba so much as to have the land divided between the two…967 B.C. We hear no more of  Mephibosheth, except that the king did not suffer him to be included in the vengeance which the Gibeonites were allowed to execute upon the house of Saul (2 Samuel 21:7).