Study Desk

After this, David defeated the Philistines,^(a) subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah^[a] from Philistine control.^[b](b)

He also defeated the Moabites, and after making them lie down on the ground, he measured them off with a cord. He measured every two cord lengths of those to be put to death and one length of those to be kept alive. So the Moabites became David's subjects and brought tribute.^(c)

David also defeated Hadadezer^(d) son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who went to restore his control at the Euphrates River.

David captured 1,700 horsemen^[c] and 20,000 foot soldiers from him, and he hamstrung all the horses^(e) and kept 100 chariots.^[d]

When the Arameans of Damascus^(f) came to assist King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 Aramean men.

Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became David's subjects and brought tribute. The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.^(g)

David took the gold shields of Hadadezer's officers and brought them to Jerusalem.^(h)

King David also took huge quantities of bronze from Betah^[e] and Berothai, Hadadezer's cities.

When King Toi of Hamath⁽ⁱ⁾ heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer,

he sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Toi and Hadadezer had fought many wars. Joram had items of silver, gold, and bronze with him.

King David also dedicated these to the Lord , along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued^(j)—

from Edom,^[f] Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Amalekites, and the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

David made a reputation for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites^[g] in the Valley of Salt.^[h](k)

He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David.^(l) The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.

So David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people.

Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was court historian;

Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was court secretary;

Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites;^(m) and David's sons were chief officials.^[i]

David asked, "Is there anyone remaining from Saul's family I can show kindness to because of Jonathan?"^(a)

There was a servant of Saul's family named Ziba. They summoned him to David, and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" "I am your servant," he replied.

So the king asked, "Is there anyone left of Saul's family that I can show the kindness of God to?" Ziba said to the king, "There is still Jonathan's son who was injured in both feet."^(b)

The king asked him, "Where is he?" Ziba answered the king, "You'll find him in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel."

So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.

Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, bowed down to the ground and paid homage. David said, "Mephibosheth!" "I am your servant," he replied.

"Don't be afraid," David said to him, "since I intend to show you kindness because of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul's fields, and you will always eat meals at my table."

Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant that you take an interest in a dead dog like me?"

Then the king summoned Saul's attendant Ziba and said to him, "I have given to your master's grandson all that belonged to Saul and his family.

You, your sons, and your servants are to work the ground for him, and you are to bring in the crops so your master's grandson will have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master's grandson, is always to eat at my table." Now Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants.

Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do all my lord the king commands." So Mephibosheth ate at David's^[a] table just like one of the king's sons.

Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica.^(c) All those living in Ziba's house were Mephibosheth's servants.

However, Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem because he always ate at the king's table. His feet had been injured.