This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in 2 Samuel 9, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once upon a time, there was a man named David who became the king of Israel. David wanted to show kindness to someone from the family of his best friend, Jonathan, who had passed away. David asked his servant, Ziba, if there was anyone left from Jonathan’s family, and Ziba told him that Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth who was still alive, but he was crippled and living far away.
David sent for Mephibosheth and brought him to the palace. When Mephibosheth met David, he bowed down and called himself David’s servant. But David told Mephibosheth not to be afraid, and promised to show him kindness because of his love for Jonathan. David even gave back all the land that belonged to Mephibosheth’s grandfather, King Saul.
David invited Mephibosheth to eat with him at the royal table every day, just like one of the king’s own sons. Mephibosheth was so grateful that he couldn’t believe the king would show him such kindness, since he was a crippled and worthless person in his own eyes.
Later on, David told Ziba that he was giving all the land that belonged to Saul to Ziba’s master’s grandson. Ziba and his family would farm the land and provide food for the grandson, but Mephibosheth would always eat with David. So Mephibosheth became a regular guest at the king’s table, and even Ziba and his family became Mephibosheth’s servants.
Biblical Lessons
- Kindness and compassion are important values that God wants us to show to others.
- We should not discriminate against people based on their physical abilities or social status.
- God can bring people from different backgrounds and places together in unexpected ways.
Related Stories
Must-Read Christian Books
The Pilgrim's Progress
A classic allegory of the Christian journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, saturated with Scripture.
View on Amazon
Scripture Alone
Explains and defends the authority and sufficiency of Scripture over all human traditions.
View on Amazon
The God Who Is There
Shows how the God of the Bible speaks into modern philosophical and cultural confusion.
View on Amazon
Knowing Scripture
Teaches how to interpret the Bible rightly, emphasizing its clarity and our responsibility to study it.
View on Amazon
Finally Alive
A biblical exploration of the new birth and why regeneration is at the heart of the Christian life.
View on Amazon
The Gospel for Real Life
Shows how the finished work of Christ applies to everyday struggles and assurance.
View on Amazon
Concise Theology
Short, Scripture-filled summaries of key doctrines, written with clarity and warmth.
View on Amazon
The Sovereignty of God
A strong, Scripture-based defense of God's absolute rule over all things.
View on Amazon
Spurgeon on the Christian Life
A portrait of Charles Spurgeon's Christ-centered theology and joyful piety.
View on Amazon
Morning and Evening
Devotional readings for each day that point believers to Christ and His promises.
View on Amazon
The Bruised Reed
A tender Puritan work on Christ's gentleness toward weak and struggling believers.
View on Amazon
Christ-Centered Worship
Traces historic worship patterns and shows how to shape Christ-focused services today.
View on Amazon
The Universe Next Door
Surveys competing worldviews and contrasts them with the Christian view of reality.
View on Amazon
Reformed Dogmatics (Single Volume Abridgement)
A rich, Reformed systematic theology that is deeply biblical and Christ-centered.
View on Amazon
God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment
Argues that God's glory in salvation through judgment is the central theme of Scripture.
View on Amazon
Delighting in the Trinity
A joyful, readable introduction to the triune God and why His tri-unity is good news.
View on Amazon
The Whole Christ
Deals with legalism, antinomianism, and the grace of God in union with Christ.
View on Amazon
Family Worship
A short, practical guide to leading your home in daily worship of God.
View on Amazon