Mephibosheth

Mephibosheth is the absent grandson of Saul whom Ziba falsely accuses of plotting a power grab, resulting in his entire estate being stripped away while he has no voice to defend himself.

Mephibosheth arrives visibly unkempt, having gone without grooming for the entire duration of David's exile — his disheveled state is physical evidence of his genuine grief and loyalty.

Mephibosheth is explicitly spared here because of David's prior oath to Jonathan — his exemption demonstrates that David's own covenants hold even while he enforces justice for Saul's broken one.

Mephibosheth is introduced as a parenthetical but crucial figure — Jonathan's disabled son who survived the chaos of Saul's fall and will later receive David's covenant kindness.

Mephibosheth enters the narrative prostrate and terrified, a disabled exile convinced he is about to be executed — making David's words of restoration all the more dramatic.

Mephibosheth appears here under his other name Merib-baal as Jonathan's son — the disabled prince whom David showed covenant kindness, whose inclusion in the genealogy proves the royal line continued beyond Saul's downfall.