Davidsaidto him, "Do not fear,for I will surelyshowkindnessto you for the sakeof your fatherJonathan,and will restoreto you allthe landof your grandfatherSaul;and you shall eatat my tableregularly."
Now the menwere afraid,becausethey were broughtto Joseph'shouse;and they said,"[It is] becauseof the moneythat was returnedin our sacksthe firsttimethat we are being broughtin, that he may seekoccasionagainstus and fallupon us, and takeus for slaveswith our donkeys."
He said,"Be at ease,do not be afraid.Your Godand the Godof your fatherhas givenyou treasurein your sacks;I hadyour money."Then he broughtSimeonout to them.
I also gaveyou your master'shouseand your master'swivesinto your care,and I gaveyou the houseof Israeland Judah;and if[that had been] too little,I would have addedto you many more things like these!
"For allmy father'shouseholdwas nothingbut deadmenbefore my lordthe king;yet you setyour servantamong those who ateat your own table.Whatrightdo I haveyetthat I should complainanymoreto the king?"
So the kingsaidto him, "Whydo you stillspeakof your affairs?I have decided,'You and Zibashall dividethe land.'"
The kingsaidto Barzillai,"You crossoverwith me and I will sustainyou in Jerusalemwith me."
But the kingsparedMephibosheth,the sonof Jonathanthe sonof Saul,becauseof the oathof the LORDwhichwas betweenthem, betweenDavidand Saul'ssonJonathan.
Then Davidsaid,"Is thereyetanyoneleftof the houseof Saul,that I may showhim kindnessfor Jonathan'ssake?"
"You and your sonsand your servantsshall cultivatethe landfor him, and you shall bringin [the produce] so that your master'sgrandsonmay havefood;nevertheless Mephiboshethyour master'sgrandsonshall eatat my tableregularly."Now Zibahad fifteensonsand twentyservants.
Then Zibasaidto the king,"According to allthat my lordthe kingcommandshis servantsoyour servantwill do."So Mephiboshethateat David's tableas oneof the king'ssons.
So Mephiboshethlivedin Jerusalem,for he ateat the king'stableregularly.Now he was lamein bothfeet.
The kingsaid,"Is therenot yetanyoneof the houseof Saulto whom I may showthe kindnessof God?"And Zibasaidto the king,"There is stilla sonof Jonathanwho is crippledin both feet."
"But showkindnessto the sonsof Barzillaithe Gileadite,and let them be among those who eatat your table;for they assistedme when I fledfrom Absalomyour brother.
Jehoiachin changedhis prisonclothesand hadhis mealsin the king's presenceregularlyallthe daysof his life;
Evenmy closefriendin whomI trusted,Who atemy bread,Has liftedup his heelagainstme.
So Jehoiachin changedhis prisonclothes,and hadhis mealsin the king's presenceregularlyallthe daysof his life.
"Thushas the LORDof hostssaid,Dispensetrue~justiceand practicekindnessand compassioneachto his brother;
Giveus this dayour dailybread.
that you may eatand drinkat My tablein My kingdom,and you will siton thronesjudgingthe twelvetribesof Israel.
Behold,I standat the doorand knock;ifanyonehearsMy voiceand opensthe door,I will comein to him and will dinewith him, and he with Me.
"Onlyfearthe LORDand serveHim in truthwith allyour heart;for considerwhatgreatthingsHe has donefor you.
"You shall not cutoffyour lovingkindnessfrom my houseforever,not even when the LORDcutsoffeveryoneof the enemiesof Davidfrom the faceof the earth."
"Staywith me; do not be afraid,for he whoseeksmy lifeseeksyour life,for you are safewith me."
