David Meets Mephibosheth: 9:1–13 The story of David’s first encounter with Mephibosheth is told without editorial comment. It can be read as a charming picture of life at court, emphasizing David’s kindness and sense of responsibility. However, it can also be read as a further example of David’s political opportunism, using Saul’s family to bolster his own position within the country.

There has been a long delay between David’s promise to care for Jonathan’s family (1 Sam. 20:14–16) and the events of this chapter. Mephibosheth was five years old at the time of Jonathan’s death (4:4), and now he has a young son of his own (v. 12). Mauchline (1 and 2 Samuel, p. 244) suggests that these events took place early in David’s reign and the reference to Mica is a later addition, but Mephibosheth app…