Mephibosheth

=toc= = Name and Person =

Literal meaning of name means “from the mouth of shame” or “from the mouth of (the deity) Boshet” in Hebrew. This may indicate two different people in the house of Saul. First is son of Saul by his concubine Rizpah (2 Sam. 21:8) together with his brother Armoni and five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab, he was ritually executed to end a famine. Second is Saul’s grandson, the son of Jonathan. [i

= First appearance. =

The first mention of Mephibosheth comes up right before assassination of Ish-bosheth in chapter 4. The section is usually in bracket for English translation because it is often considered as an insertion from elsewhere. Mephibosheth was not killed even though he was Saul's grandson because he was lame in both feet. Mephibosheth was not considered as a threat, and that is the reason why only Mephibosheth survived. [ii

=The Recipient of the King’s Kindness=

Later, in chapter 9, Mephibosheth reappears. David asks his servants if there is anyone left in house that he may keep the oath made with Jonathan, one that David will show kindness to Jonathan’s family. Politically, it would be a wise idea to get rid of Mephibosheth to secure the throne, but David was true to his dear friend. So Mephbosheth was treated very nicely. [iii

=During the Rebellion and Aftermath.=

Then, in chapter 16, as David was running away from Absalom’s rebellion, Ziba said that Mephibosheth declared Saul’s kingdom shall be restored on that day. Later, Absalom’s rebellion ends, and David returns to Jerusalem in chapter 19. When David saw Mephibosheth, he asked why Mephibosheth did not come with him. Mephibosheth replied that Ziba deceived him. After hearing Mephibosheth’s story, David changed his order for Ziba having everything in Saul’s house. Upon this compromise, one could observe David is not completely sure about Mephibosheth’s innocence. Nevertheless, Mephibosheth showed his gratitude for David’s safe return. [iv

[i //The Anchor Bible Dictionary//, 1일 ed. (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 697. [ii Mary J Evans, //1 and 2 Samuel// (Peabody, Mass: Hendrickson Publishers, 2000), 153. [iii William McKane, //I & II Samuel: Introduction and Commentary// (London: S.C.M. Press, 1963), 225; Hans Wilhelm Hertzberg, //I & II Samuel, a Commentary// (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1964), 299-301. [iv R. P Gordon, //I & II Samuel: A Commentary// (Grand Rapids, Mich: Regency Reference Library, 1988), 291; Hertzberg, //I & II Samuel, a Commentary//, 366-7. = =

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