ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on 2 Sam 9:1-13. In 2 Sam 9:1-13, on three occasions, David Fickling uses esed to describe his intentions towards Mephibosheth. He seeks to honour covenantal commitments to Mephibosheth's father Jonathan and Hanun's father Nahash. David seeks to show Mephibosheth the love of God which he himself has been granted. It is significant that David addresses Mephibosheth by name. Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he always ate at the king's table. It is to the effect that even the blind and the lame men could successfully defend Jerusalem against any enemy. The repeated reminder of Mephibosheth's lameness is to be understood in terms of Deuteronomic covenant cursing. The story of David and Mephibosheth ought to be well known and celebrated. It is a significant story of hope, hospitality, and friendship in Samuel's account of Davidic kingship.
