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Easton's Bible Dictionary
exterminator of shame; i.e., of idols.
(1) The name of Saul's son by the concubine Rizpah (q.v.), the daughter of Aiah.
He and his brother Armoni were with five others "hanged on a hill before the Lord"
by the Gibeonites, and their bodies exposed in the sun for five months ( 2
Samuel 21:8 - 10
).
(2) The son of Jonathan, and grandson of Saul ( 2
Samuel 4:4 ). He was but five years old when his father and grandfather fell
on Mount Gilboa. The child's nurse hearing of this calamity, fled with him from
Gibeah, the royal residence, and stumbling in her haste, the child was thrown
to the ground and maimed in both his feet, and ever after was unable to walk (
2
Samuel 19:26 ). He was carried to the land of Gilead, where he found a refuge
in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar, by whom he was brought
up.
Some years after this, when David had subdued all the adversaries of Israel, he
began to think of the family of Jonathan, and discovered that Mephibosheth was
residing in the house of Machir. Thither he sent royal messengers, and brought
him and his infant son to Jerusalem, where he ever afterwards resided ( 2
Samuel 9 ).
When David was a fugitive, according to the story of Ziba ( 2
Samuel 16:1 - 4
) Mephibosheth proved unfaithful to him, and was consequently deprived of half
of his estates; but according to his own story, however ( 2
Samuel 19:24 - 30
), he had remained loyal to his friend. After this incident he is only mentioned
as having been protected by David against the vengeance the Gibeonites were permitted
to execute on the house of Saul ( 2
Samuel 21:7 ). He is also called Merib-baal ( 1
Chronicles 8:34 ; 9:40
). (See ZIBA .)
Hitchcock's Dictionary of Bible Names
out of my mouth proceeds reproach
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(exterminating the idol) The name borne by two members
of the family of Saul --his son and his grandson.
(1) Sauls [sic] son by Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, his concubine. ( 2
Samuel 21:8 ) He and his brother Armoni were among the seven victims
who were surrendered by David to the Gibeonites, and by them crucified to avert
a famine from which the country was suffering.
(2) The son of Jonathan, grandson of Saul and nephew of the preceding; called
also Merib-baal. ( 1
Chronicles 8:34 ) His life seems to have been, from beginning to end, one
of trial and discomfort. When his father and grandfather were slain on Gilboa
he was an infant but five years old. At this age he met with an accident which
deprived him for life of the use of both feet. ( 2
Samuel 4:4 ) After this he is found a home with Machir ben-Ammiel a powerful
Gadite, who brought him up, and while here was married. Later on David invited
him to Jerusalem, and there treated him and his son Micha with the greatest kindness.
From this time forward he resided at Jerusalem, of Mephibosheths behavior during
the rebellion of Absalom we possess two accounts--his own, ( 2
Samuel 13:24 - 30
) and that of Ziba, ( 2
Samuel 16:1 - 4
) They are naturally at variance with each other. In consequence of the story
of Ziba, he was rewarded by the possessions of his master. Mephibosheths story
--which however, he had not the opportunity of telling until several days later,
when he met David returning to his kingdom at the western bank of Jordan --was
very different from Zibas. That David did not disbelieve it is shown by his revoking
the judgment he had previously given. That he did not entirely reverse his decision,
but allowed Ziba to retain possession of half the lands of Mephibosheth, is probably
due partly to weariness at the whole transaction, but mainly to the conciliatory
frame of mind in which he was at that moment. "Shall there any man be put to death
this day?" is the keynote of the whole proceeding.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
me-fib'-o-sheth (mephibhosheth, "idol-breaker," also
MERIB-BAAL (which see); Memphibosthe):
(1) Son of Saul by his concubine RIZPAH (which see), daughter of Aiah (2 Samuel
21:8).
See also ARMONI.
(2) Grandson of Saul, son of Jonathan, and nephew of Mephibosheth (see 1) (2 Samuel
4:4). He was 5 years old when his father and grandfather were slain. He was living
in charge of a nurse, possibly because his mother was dead. Tidings of the disaster
at Jezreel and the onsweep of the Philistines terrified the nurse. She fled with
her charge in such haste that a fall lamed the little prince in both feet for
life. His life is a series of disasters, disappointments, and anxieties. It is
a weary, broken, dispirited soul that speaks in all his utterances. The nurse
carried him to Lo-debar among the mountains of Gilead, where he was brought up
by Machir, son of Ammiel (2 Samuel 9:4). There he evidently married, for he had
a son Mica when he returned later at David's request. When David had settled his
own affairs and subdued his enemies, he turned his inquiries to Saul's household
to see whether there were any survivors to whom he might show kindness for Jonathan's
sake (2 Samuel 9:1). The search caused the appearance of Ziba, a servant of Saul's
house (2 Samuel 9:2), who had meanwhile grown prosperous by some rapid process
which can only be guessed at (2 Samuel 9:9 , 10). From him David learned about
Mephibosheth, who was sent for. His humble bearing was consistent with his chronically
broken spirit. David put Ziba's property (which had belonged to Saul) at Mephibosheth's
disposal and made Ziba steward thereof. Mephibosheth was also to be a daily guest
at David's table (2 Samuel 9:11 - 13).
Seventeen years pass, during which Mephibosheth seems to have lived in Jerusalem.
Then came Absalom's rebellion. David determined to flee, so distraught was he
by the act of his son. At the moment of flight, in great depression and need,
he was opportunely met by Ziba with food, refreshment and even means for travel.
Naturally, the king inquired for Ziba's master. The treacherous reply was made
(2 Samuel 16:1 - 4) that Mephibosheth had remained behind for his own ends, hoping
the people would give him, Saul's grandson, the kingdom. David believed this and
restored to Ziba the property lost. Not till many days after did the lame prince
get his chance to give David his own version of the story. He met David on his
return from quelling Absalom's rebellion. He had not dressed his feet, trimmed
his beard nor washed his clothes since the hour of David's departure (2 Samuel
19:24). At David's anxious request Mephibosheth told his story: his servant had
deceived him; he wanted to go with David, had even asked for his beast to be saddled;
but Ziba had left him, and had slandered him to the king. But he would not plead
his cause any more; David is "as an angel of God"; whatever he decides will be
well! (2 Samuel 19:26 , 27). Thus characteristically continued the speech of this
lame, broken, humble man, son of a proud family (2 Samuel 19:28). David wearily
settled the matter by dividing the property between the prince and his servant,
the prince expressing utmost content that Ziba should take all so long as David
remained friendly (2 Samuel 19:29 , 30). That David accepted Mephibosheth's explanation
and was drawn out in heart toward the character of the broken man is shown by
the fact that when some expiation from Saul's household was considered necessary
to turn away the famine sent by an offended deity, Mephibosheth is spared when
other members of Saul's household were sacrificed (2 Samuel 21:7). The character
of Mephibosheth well illustrates the effect of continued disaster, suspicion and
treachery upon a sensitive mind.
Henry Wallace
Tags:
befriended by david, bible commentary, bible history, bible reference, bible study, crucified by the gibeonites, define, exposed in the sun for five months, mephibosheth, merib-baal, son of jonathan, son of saul and rizpah, taken in by david with servant ziba, unable to walk
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