Single lesson
David and Mephibosheth: Showing Kindness
2 Samuel 9:1–13
In this lesson, children hear how David looks for someone from Saul’s family so he can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake. They will trace David’s actions and notice the repeated promise that Mephibosheth has a place at the king’s table.
Before you teach
David begins by asking whether anyone is left from Saul’s house so he may show kindness. Ziba, a servant of Saul’s house, tells David about Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth. David sends for him, tells him not to be afraid, restores what belonged to Saul, and says Mephibosheth will eat at the king’s table continually.
Students will be able to name two actions David takes in this passage to show kindness to Mephibosheth.
Welcome: Listen for David’s question
5 minBegin by asking children to listen for what David wants to do. Read 2 Samuel 9:1 aloud. David asks whether anyone is left of Saul’s house so he may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake. Explain that the story begins with David choosing to act with kindness.
2 Samuel 9:1
Read and explain: David asks for news
7 minRead 2 Samuel 9:2, 2 Samuel 9:3, 2 Samuel 9:4, 2 Samuel 9:5 and 2 Samuel 9:6. Explain that Ziba is a servant of Saul’s house. David asks if anyone is left so he may show “the kindness of God”. Ziba tells him about Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth, and David sends for him.
2 Samuel 9:2, 2 Samuel 9:3, 2 Samuel 9:4, 2 Samuel 9:5, 2 Samuel 9:6
Discuss: David’s words and actions
6 minRead 2 Samuel 9:7 and 2 Samuel 9:8 together. Help children notice David’s actions in the verse. He says, “Don’t be afraid”, promises kindness for Jonathan’s sake, restores the land of Saul, and says Mephibosheth will eat bread at his table continually. Mephibosheth bows down and speaks very humbly about himself.
2 Samuel 9:7, 2 Samuel 9:8
Make and respond: A place at the table
8 minAs children work on the craft, read 2 Samuel 9:9, 2 Samuel 9:10, 2 Samuel 9:11, 2 Samuel 9:12 and 2 Samuel 9:13. Explain that David tells Ziba and his household to work the land for Mephibosheth. The passage repeats that Mephibosheth will eat at the king’s table continually and says he ate there like one of the king’s sons.
2 Samuel 9:9, 2 Samuel 9:10, 2 Samuel 9:11, 2 Samuel 9:12, 2 Samuel 9:13
Closing: Retell the kindness clearly
4 minAsk children to finish two specific prompts from the passage: “David restored...” and “David gave Mephibosheth...”. Encourage answers such as the land that belonged to Saul and a continual place at the king’s table. Finish by restating the events in order from the text.
2 Samuel 9:7, 2 Samuel 9:9, 2 Samuel 9:13
Questions to explore
Why did David ask whether anyone was left of Saul’s house?
Answer with David’s own reason and include Jonathan’s name from the verse.
2 Samuel 9:1
What does David say he will do for Mephibosheth when he arrives?
Name both actions in David’s words: what he restores and where Mephibosheth will eat.
2 Samuel 9:7
What repeated words show that Mephibosheth’s place at the king’s table was ongoing?
Look for the word used in both verses about eating at the king’s table.
2 Samuel 9:10, 2 Samuel 9:13
Make, think or respond
Place at the Table Craft
What you’ll need
- paper
- pencils or markers
- scissors
- glue
Try it together
- Draw a large table on a sheet of paper.
- Add several place settings around the table and label one place with Mephibosheth’s name.
- Write a short phrase from the passage beside the table, such as “at my table continually”.
- Tell a partner one action David takes in the story to show kindness.
The craft helps children remember that David gave Mephibosheth an ongoing place at the king’s table in this passage.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, draw the table outline ahead of time and ask them to add one seat and say one action David takes from 2 Samuel 9:7.
- For older children, ask them to list David’s actions in order using 2 Samuel 9:1, 2 Samuel 9:5, 2 Samuel 9:7, 2 Samuel 9:9 and 2 Samuel 9:13 before starting the craft.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: “God, thank you for this passage. Please help us notice the kindness David showed and help us act with care towards others.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
2 Samuel 9
1 David said, “Is there yet any who is left of Saul’s house, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2 There was of Saul’s house a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” He said, “I am your servant.”
3 The king said, “Is there not yet any of Saul’s house, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “Jonathan still has a son, who is lame in his feet.”
4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”
5 Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.
6 Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, fell on his face, and showed respect. David said, “Mephibosheth?” He answered, “Behold, your servant!”
7 David said to him, “Don’t be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your father. You will eat bread at my table continually.”
8 He bowed down, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look at such a dead dog as I am?”
9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s son.
10 Till the land for him—you, your sons, and your servants. Bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have bread to eat; but Mephibosheth your master’s son will always eat bread at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table like one of the king’s sons.
12 Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. All who lived in Ziba’s house were servants to Mephibosheth.
13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. He was lame in both his feet.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.