Topical Encyclopedia Mer'ib-ba'al, also known as Mephibosheth, is a significant figure in the Old Testament, particularly in the narrative of King David. His account is primarily found in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. Mer'ib-ba'al was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of King Saul, Israel's first king. His name, Mer'ib-ba'al, means "contender with Baal," reflecting the cultural and religious context of his time, where Baal was a prominent Canaanite deity.Lineage and Early Life Mer'ib-ba'al was born into the royal family of Israel, as the son of Jonathan, who was a close friend and covenant brother of David. His grandfather, Saul, was the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. The tragic events that befell Saul's house had a profound impact on Mer'ib-ba'al's life. After the death of Saul and Jonathan in battle against the Philistines, the young Mer'ib-ba'al was left vulnerable. Injury and Disability At the age of five, Mer'ib-ba'al suffered a life-changing injury. Upon hearing the news of Saul and Jonathan's deaths, his nurse picked him up and fled in haste, fearing for his life. In her rush, she dropped him, resulting in a crippling injury that left him lame in both feet (2 Samuel 4:4). This physical disability would shape much of his life and interactions with others. David's Kindness Despite the enmity between Saul and David, David's covenant with Jonathan led him to show kindness to Mer'ib-ba'al. After David became king, he sought out any remaining members of Saul's house to show them kindness for Jonathan's sake. Upon learning of Mer'ib-ba'al's existence, David summoned him to his court. In a remarkable act of grace, David restored to Mer'ib-ba'al all the land that had belonged to Saul and invited him to eat at the king's table regularly, treating him as one of his own sons (2 Samuel 9:7-13). Name and Identity The name Mer'ib-ba'al is used in 1 Chronicles 8:34 and 9:40, while the name Mephibosheth is more commonly used in the books of Samuel. The variation in names reflects the historical and textual complexities of the biblical narrative. The name Mephibosheth, meaning "from the mouth of shame," may have been used to avoid the association with Baal, a pagan deity. Later Life and Legacy Mer'ib-ba'al's life continued under the protection and provision of King David. However, his account also includes moments of tension and misunderstanding. During Absalom's rebellion, Mer'ib-ba'al's servant Ziba deceived David, leading to a temporary misunderstanding about Mer'ib-ba'al's loyalty (2 Samuel 16:1-4, 19:24-30). Despite these challenges, Mer'ib-ba'al remained a symbol of David's faithfulness to his covenant with Jonathan. Mer'ib-ba'al's account is a testament to the themes of loyalty, covenant faithfulness, and grace that permeate the biblical narrative. His life, marked by tragedy and redemption, serves as a reminder of the enduring kindness and mercy that can be found even amidst the complexities of human relationships and royal politics. Concordance Mer'ib-ba'al (2 Occurrences)1 Chronicles 8:34 1 Chronicles 9:40 Thesaurus Mer'ib-ba'al (2 Occurrences)Mer'ib-ba'al. Merib-baal, Mer'ib-ba'al. Meriboth . Multi-Version Concordance Mer'ib-ba'al (2 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 8:34 And ... /m/mer'ib-ba'al.htm - 6k Merib-baal (2 Occurrences) Meribbaal (2 Occurrences) Meriboth (1 Occurrence) Resources Who was Moloch/Molech? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about child sacrifice? | GotQuestions.org What is an Asherah pole? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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