Chapter 9

Miphiboseth a lame son of Jonathas is piously relieved by David: ℣.9 giving to his use the particular inheritance of Saul.

1. 1

   And David said: Is there any think you that is remaining of the house of Saul, that I may do mercy with him for Jonathas' sake?

2. 2

   And there was of the house of Saul a servant named Siba, whom when the king had called unto him, he said to him: Art thou Siba? And he answered: I am so thy servant.

3. 3

   And the king said: Is there any remaining of the house of Saul, that I may do with him the mercy of God? And Siba said to the king: There is yet living a son of Jonathas, lame of his feet.

4. 4

   Where is he? Quoth he. And Siba said to the king: Behold he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lodabar.

5. 5

   King David therefore sent, and took him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodabar.

6. 6

   And when Miphiboseth the son of Jonathas the son of Saul was come to David, he fell on his face, and adored. And David said: Miphiboseth? Who answered: Here I am thy servant.

7. 7

   And David said to him: Fear not, because doing I will do mercy on thee for Jonathas thy father, and I will restore the lands of Saul thy father, and thou shalt eat bread upon my table always.

8. 8

   Who adoring him, said: Who am I thy servant, that thou hast respect upon a dead dog like unto me?

9. 9

   The king therefore called Siba the servant of Saul, and said to him: All things whatsoever were Saul's, and all his house, I have given to thy master's son.

10. 10

    Till for him therefore the land, thou and thy sons, and thy servants: and thou shalt bring in meats for thy master's son, that he may be maintained: and Miphiboseth the son of thy Lord shall eat always bread upon my table. And Siba had fifteen sons, and twenty servants.

11. 11

    And Siba said to the king: As thou my lord king hast commanded thy servant, so will thy servant do: and Miphiboseth shall eat upon my table, as one of the sons of the king.

12. 12

    And Miphiboseth had a little son called Micha: and all the kindred of the house of Siba served Miphiboseth.

13. 13

    Moreover Miphiboseth dwelt in Jerusalem: because he did eat always of the king's table: and he was lame on both feet.