Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
So you, your sons, and your servants will work the land for him and bring in the harvest, so that your master's son will have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master's son, will always eat at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
King David is instructing Ziba to manage Mephibosheth's inherited land while ensuring Mephibosheth has a permanent place of honor at the royal table.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of David's restoration of Saul's grandson Mephibosheth, who was disabled and had been living in exile. David was fulfilling his covenant promise to his friend Jonathan (Saul's son) to show kindness to his descendants. Ziba was a former servant of Saul's household who David appointed to manage the land that belonged to Mephibosheth's inheritance.
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