Mephibosheth was Saul’s grandson. He had also gone down to welcome the king back. He had not taken care of his feet. He hadn’t trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes. He hadn’t done any of those things from the day the king left Jerusalem until the day he returned safely.He came from Jerusalem to welcome the king. The king asked him,“ Mephibosheth, why didn’t you go with me?”He said,“ You are my king and master. I’m not able to walk. So I thought,‘ I’ll have a saddle put on my donkey. I’ll ride on it. Then I can go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba turned against me.He has told you lies about me. King David, you are like an angel of God. So do what you wish.
David went just beyond the top of the Mount of Olives. Ziba was waiting there to meet him. He was Mephibosheth’s manager. He had several donkeys with saddles on them. They were carrying 200 loaves of bread and 100 raisin cakes. They were also carrying 100 fig cakes and a bottle of wine. The bottle was made out of animal skin.The king asked Ziba,“ Why have you brought all these things?” Ziba answered,“ The donkeys are for the king’s family to ride on. The bread and fruit are for the people to eat. The wine will make those who get tired in the desert feel like new again.”Then the king asked,“ Where is your master’s grandson Mephibosheth?” Ziba said to him,“ He’s staying in Jerusalem. He thinks,‘ Today the Israelites will cause me to rule once again over my grandfather Saul’s kingdom.’ ”
Those bringing charges against me did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple. I wasn’t stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.They can’t prove to you any of the charges they are making against me.
“ We have found that Paul is a troublemaker. This man stirs up trouble among Jews all over the world. He is a leader of those who follow Jesus of Nazareth.He even tried to make our temple impure. So we arrested him.