2 Samuel 9 13

2 Samuel 9:13 kjv

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

2 Samuel 9:13 nkjv

So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king's table. And he was lame in both his feet.

2 Samuel 9:13 niv

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

2 Samuel 9:13 esv

So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table. Now he was lame in both his feet.

2 Samuel 9:13 nlt

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

2 Samuel 9 verses

2 Samuel 9 13 Meaning

2 Samuel 9:13 encapsulates the resolved status of Mephibosheth following King David's demonstration of hesed (steadfast love or covenant kindness). It confirms his permanent residency in Jerusalem, signifying full reintegration and security within David's kingdom. The verse highlights his continuous participation at the king's own table, symbolizing daily, secure provision and intimate, honored fellowship with the reigning monarch. Despite this elevated status, the verse pointedly reiterates that he remained lame in both feet, emphasizing that David's generosity was unmerited by physical perfection or ability, flowing purely from the king's covenant faithfulness and grace.

2 Samuel 9 13 Context

Verse 13 concludes the immediate narrative segment regarding Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13). It solidifies the status established in the preceding verses. David, driven by his covenant promise to Jonathan, sought out any remaining heir of Saul's house. Mephibosheth, a disabled individual living in obscurity and poverty (Lo-debar), was found. Rather than eliminate him as a potential threat to his throne (a common practice among Near Eastern monarchs for consolidating power), David displayed remarkable hesed. He restored to Mephibosheth all the land of Saul and commanded Ziba, Saul's former servant, to cultivate it for him and his household. Most significantly, David invited Mephibosheth to eat at the king's table perpetually, elevating him to a position of extraordinary favor and secure provision. Verse 13 is a conclusive summary, painting a lasting picture of Mephibosheth's new life: residing in Jerusalem, enjoying daily royal provisions, and maintaining his personal dignity despite his lifelong physical challenge.

2 Samuel 9 13 Word analysis

• So (וַיֵּשֶׁב - vayyeshev): A consecutive waw indicating the result or continuation of the preceding actions. It transitions from David's decrees to Mephibosheth's new reality.
• Mephibosheth (מְפִיבֹשֶׁת - Mefivoshet): Means "Man of Shame" or "My Mouth/Speech of Shame." Ironically, his very name contrasts with the honor and security he now experiences due to David's hesed. He is Jonathan's son and Saul's grandson, the last remaining male heir of the former king, previously living in hiding.
• dwelt (יָשַׁב - yashav): This Hebrew verb signifies "to sit, remain, abide, inhabit, settle." It conveys a sense of permanent residency and stability, not merely a visit. This implies he was not just brought to Jerusalem, but securely established there as a permanent member of David's kingdom and indirectly, his royal household.
• in Jerusalem (בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם - bi-Yerushalayim): The capital city and administrative center of David's unified kingdom, also the future spiritual center of Israel. His presence here signifies close proximity to the king and protection, a stark contrast to his earlier hiding place in Lo-debar ("No pasture" or "Place of No-thing").
• for he ate continually (כִּי־שֻׁלְחַן הַמֶּלֶךְ תָּמִיד הוּא אֹכֵל - ki shulkhan hammelekh tamid hu okhel): "For at the king's table continually he eats." This clause provides the reason for his secure dwelling in Jerusalem. "Continually" (tamid) denotes consistency, regularity, and an unbroken provision. It highlights a daily, assured participation in the highest level of fellowship and sustenance available in the kingdom.
• at the king's table (שֻׁלְחַן הַמֶּלֶךְ - shulkhan ha'melekh): Eating at a king's table was a profound honor, signifying intimate fellowship, adoption into the royal family (symbolically), and guaranteed royal sustenance and protection. It removed any status as a mere dependant and placed him in the realm of family.
• and he was lame (וְהוּא פִּסֵּחַ - vehu pisse'ach): The conjunction "and" (waw) introduces a new detail or observation. "Lame" (pisse'ach) refers to someone physically impaired, specifically in their feet or legs. This detail, previously introduced in 2 Samuel 4:4, is reiterated as a permanent, defining characteristic.
• in both his feet (שְׁתֵּי רַגְלָיו - shte raglav): Emphasizes the severity and totality of his physical disability, rendering him unable to walk properly on either foot. This unhealed condition makes David's hesed even more striking, as it was extended despite Mephibosheth's physical "unworthiness" (as per some ancient cultural views) and his status as the remnant of a rival dynasty.

Words-group Analysis:

• "So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem": This phrase succinctly conveys the culmination of David's gracious actions: Mephibosheth has moved from a life of fear and hiddenness to a life of secure and prominent dwelling under royal protection in the nation's capital. This move symbolizes his transition from outcast to privileged inhabitant.
• "for he ate continually at the king's table": This explains how he "dwelt" in Jerusalem. His permanent and continuous provision from the royal table indicates full integration, security, and exceptional honor. It speaks to David's commitment to Mephibosheth's long-term well-being and elevated status, granting him privileges normally reserved for direct family. It highlights his new identity as one deeply honored and perpetually sustained by the king.
• "and he was lame in both his feet": This final observation serves as a crucial contextual detail. It signifies that David's act of grace was not conditional upon Mephibosheth's physical soundness or strength. The King's kindness encompassed Mephibosheth's weaknesses and provided for him fully, disabilities notwithstanding. It underscores that hesed operates independently of human merit or capability, and his lameness did not disqualify him from a life of royal favor and fellowship.

2 Samuel 9 13 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on Mephibosheth's lameness (introduced in 2 Sam 4:4 and reiterated here) serves to magnify David's grace. In a culture where physical blemish could often disqualify individuals from certain privileges or offices (e.g., Lev 21:18 regarding priestly service), David's unwavering acceptance of Mephibosheth highlights his covenant faithfulness overriding societal norms. The narrative symbolically draws a parallel to humanity's spiritual "lameness" or brokenness from sin. Just as Mephibosheth, entirely dependent, received a place at the king's table through unmerited favor, believers, unable to secure their own salvation, are brought into communion with God through the grace of Christ (Eph 2:8-9). This act of bringing the vulnerable and impaired into the king's presence foreshadows the inclusive nature of God's kingdom and the messianic banquet where all, irrespective of past status or present condition, are welcomed by the King.

2 Samuel 9 13 Commentary

2 Samuel 9:13 offers a poignant summary of David's radical hesed towards Mephibosheth. This verse marks the successful culmination of David's solemn covenant with Jonathan, underscoring the king's commitment to faithful love. Mephibosheth's "dwelling in Jerusalem" and "eating continually at the king's table" illustrate total inclusion, permanent security, and unceasing provision within the highest echelon of the kingdom. This act was counter-cultural, as most kings would have eradicated a potential dynastic rival, especially one linked to the previous reign.

The persistent detail of Mephibosheth being "lame in both his feet" is paramount. It reminds the reader that his restoration was not due to his strength, worthiness, or wholeness. His disability was a constant reminder of his vulnerability and dependence. This reflects divine grace that embraces individuals in their weakness, providing security and acceptance not because they are whole, but because of the boundless kindness of the One extending the favor. It is a powerful prefigurement of the gospel, where spiritual "lameness" due to sin does not disqualify one from a permanent place and provision at the table of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, through His unmerited grace. The story highlights that God's plan often works through weakness (2 Cor 12:9-10), demonstrating His glory through those whom the world might deem unfit.

• Practical Usage: This verse can comfort those who feel inadequate or "lame" due to their imperfections; God's love and acceptance are not based on human merit or ability. It calls believers to extend similar hesed to the vulnerable and forgotten. It reminds us that our fellowship with Christ is secure and continuous, a perpetual banquet despite our spiritual failings.