About 1,000 people from the family group of Benjamin came with Shimei. Ziba the servant from Saul’s family also came. Ziba brought his 15 sons and 20 servants with him. All these people hurried to the Jordan River to meet King David.
Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, [110] came down to meet King David. From the time the king had left Jerusalem until he came back in peace, Mephibosheth had not cared for his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes.
Mephibosheth answered, “My lord and king, my servant tricked me. I am crippled so I said to my servant, Ziba, ‘Go put a saddle on a donkey. Then I will ride on it and go with the king.’
You will farm the land for Mephibosheth. Your sons and servants will do this for Mephibosheth. You will harvest the crops. Then your master’s grandson (Mephibosheth) will have plenty of food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will always be able to eat at my table.”