A man of the tribe of Benjamin during Israel's united kingdom, son of Saul and Rizpah, mentioned only in 2 Samuel 21:8.
About Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 21:8)
The son of Rizpah, who was the concubine of King Saul. He was one of the seven descendants of Saul who David hung in order to appease the Gibeonites. Saul had broken the ancient treaty with them. Long before, the people of Israel had promised not to harm the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 21:8). But Saul attacked them anyway. Because of this, God sent a famine that lasted three years (Joshua 9:3–27).
To make peace, David allowed the Gibeonites to choose seven men from Saul’s family to be killed. Mephibosheth, son of Rizpah, was one of them.
After they were killed, Rizpah stayed by their bodies for many months. She kept animals and birds away, day and night. Her act of love and grief moved David. So he gave these men a proper burial. He also gathered the bones of Saul and Jonathan and buried them with honor in their family tomb (2 Samuel 21:10–14).
Family Relationships
- Parents
- Saul (Son of Kish), Rizpah
- Sibling
- Armoni
- Half-siblings 6
- Jonathan, Abinadab (Son of Saul), Malchi-shua, Merab, Michal, Ish-bosheth
- Niece/Nephew
- Mephibosheth
Key References
But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons whom Rizpah daughter of Aiah had borne to Saul, as well as the five sons whom Merab daughter of Saul had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.
All Scripture References (1)
2 Samuel (1)
But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons whom Rizpah daughter of Aiah had borne to Saul, as well as the five sons whom Merab daughter of Saul had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.