2 Samuel 9 · a question people ask
Was David's kindness only for Jonathan's sake?
The chapter gives one reason, and it is David's own: "that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake" (9:1), and "I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake" (9:7). It gives no other. It does say that Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem and ate at the king's table (9:13), and that the land of Saul was given back to him and farmed by Ziba's household (9:7, 9:9-10), but it doesn't say whether David had any further reason for keeping Saul's grandson near. Later chapters come back to the three of them. When David flees Jerusalem, Ziba meets him and says Mephibosheth stayed behind, "for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore me the kingdom of my father.’" (16:3), and the king answers, "Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours" (16:4). When David returns, Mephibosheth says, "my servant deceived me" (19:26), and "you set your servant among those who ate at your own table" (19:28), and the king says, "you and Ziba divide the land" (19:29). Those chapters will set out Ziba's words and Mephibosheth's; this answer doesn't settle between them.
The verses
“David said, “Is there yet any who is left of Saul’s house, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?””
“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.””
“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. 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.”
“So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. He was lame in both his feet.”