A few years later, King David was sitting on his throne and for several minutes he let his mind wander back over the struggles of the last few years. It had taken him all that time to consolidate his kingdom, then conqueror Jerusalem and bring the Ark of the Covenant into the city, but it had certainly been worth it. Perhaps, the only disappointment had come when David wanted to start building a Temple for the Ark right away, but God said that it would be David's son, not David himself, who would get that honor. Of course, if that was the biggest disappointment, David knew that he had much to be thankful for.

Then the king's mind traveled even further back in time-to a time before he was king. He remembered standing in an open field and saying goodbye to his best friend-it was the last time, he remembered, that he'd seen Jonathan alive, and the memory stirred him-awakening something that had been neglected during all the years of struggle.

He called for his secretary, asking, "Do you know if there is anyone left in Saul's family whom I can show kindness too, for the sake of Jonathan?"

The secretary scowled, "Why would you want to show kindness to Saul's family, your majesty?" he asked, "after all they did to keep the throne of Israel for themselves."

David cock a brow toward his secretary, saying, "Because I made an oath of everlasting friendship with my best friend, who happens to be Saul's son; I've got to honor the oath that I made in the sight of God or I will have committed a great sin. So I ask again, Do you know of anyone from the house of Saul, whom I can show kindness too?"

The secretary considered the question for several minutes, "Well, I don't know, your majesty, but I do know that Saul's servant Ziba still lives, so maybe he would know."

David's face lit up with joy, "Perfect," he murmured, "Bring Ziba to me at once!"

Ziba appeared several days later, and David posed his question to him, "Is there anyone in Saul's family that's still alive? I want to show kindness to them, for Jonathan's sake?"

"Yes, my lord, there is," Ziba was pleased to answer, "Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth, is still alive-but I'm afraid that the boy cannot walk-he's crippled in both feet from an accident when he was young."

David's face glowed with happiness at the thought of being able to help his best friend's own son. He said, "Where is he? Can he be brought here or shall I go to him?"

"He's at a home in Lo Debar-the house of Makir son of Ammiel, your majesty, and he can come here, although someone will have to fetch him."

"Then bring him up." the King replied.

A few days later, two strong men lowered the crippled son of Jonathan to the floor in front of the the throne of King David. Mephibosheth looked down at the fine carpets spreading across the Throne Room, ashamed that he wasn't able to stand up in the presence of the king.

David came down from his throne and sat cross-legged in front of the boy, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. Finally, Mephibosheth raised his head to look at David with astonished eyes.

"I don't understand, sir-your majesty-why did you invite me here? I'm nothing."

David smiled reassuringly, noting that the boy looked very much like his father, "My son," he spoke quietly, "I would never consider the son of my best friend to be nothing-no, you are very dear to me because I loved your father."

Mephibosheth's eyes widen, "You knew my father, sir-your majesty?"

"Indeed, I did, my son, but beyond that, your father and I swore an oath of everlasting friendship with each other, and that's why I've called you here-what is it that you need, my son?"

"But I couldn't ask you for anything, my king-God has blessed me with my life, and what else could a crippled man ask for?"

David smiled at Mephibosheth's humbleness, "Even so, my son, I want to give you something else-because I made an oath with your father."

The king continued, "I will restore to you all the lands that belonged to your grandfather, Saul, and you, my son, will always eat at my table."

Mephibosheth opened his mouth to protest, but David had already turned his attention back to Ziba, who was standing near the door.

"I want you and your sons and your servants to serve your master's grandson-I've given Mephibosheth all the land that once belonged to his grandfather, and I want you and your sons and your servants to farm the land and bring in the crops, so that your master's grandson will be provided for-and Mephibosheth will always eat at my table."

Ziba bowed deeply, "Yes, your majesty, as you wish." Then he went out.

Mephibosheth looked amazed, "I don't understand, your majesty-you don't have to do any of this! Why are you helping a dog like me?"

David, once again, laid a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder. He said, "No, Mephibosheth, I do have to do all this-I made an oath with your father before God-it would be dishonorable for me to not do all these things for you."

A/N Thanks to all my readers and reviewers! I'm glad you enjoyed this one!