There are many reasons why Mephibosheth, also known as Merib-Baal (1 Chronicles 8:34; 1 Chronicles 9:40) is mentioned. First, the readers must realize that the death of Ish-bosheth does not mean the end of Saul’s line. There was another blood relative who stood ready to inherit the throne after him.1 Secondly, the fact that he was crippled means that he would not have been able to lead God’s people in battle (see 1 Samuel 8:19–20).2 Even though there was thus a legitimate heir, he was not someone who could have served in the office of king. Finally, the introduction of Mephibosheth also prepares us to understand his role later in the court history of David (2 Samuel 9:6–8, 2 Samuel 9:10–13; 2 Samuel 16:1–4; 2 Samuel 19:24–30).3
4 Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.