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2 Samuel 9 · a question people ask

Who was Machir, and why was Mephibosheth living with him?

In the text

The chapter says only that Mephibosheth was "in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar" (9:4), and that David "brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar" (9:5). It doesn't say how he came there or why. Machir is named once more. When David flees from Absalom and comes to Mahanaim, "Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar" is one of three men who brought beds and food (17:27-28) "for David and for the people who were with him to eat" (17:29). The Bible tells nothing else about him. He is not the Machir the son of Manasseh of Genesis 50:23.

The verses

“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.” Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.”
2 Samuel 9:4-5 · World English Bible
“When David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, brought beds, basins, earthen vessels, wheat, barley, meal, parched grain, beans, lentils, roasted grain, honey, butter, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and for the people who were with him to eat; for they said, “The people are hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness.””
2 Samuel 17:27-29 · World English Bible
“Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees.”
Genesis 50:23 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Samuel 9

2 Samuel 9: At the king's table

In 1 Samuel 20, David's place at Saul's table was empty (1 Samuel 20:27). In 2 Samuel 9, Jonathan's lame son "ate continually at the king’s table" (9:13), because David asked for anyone left of Saul's house, to show him kindness "for Jonathan’s sake" (9:1).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions