Only son of
Jonathan, son of
Saul, the first
king of Israel.
After Saul and Jonathan are killed in battle, Mephibosheth's nurse flees the palace with the child. In her haste, she drops him, crippling the child, possibly by breaking his back.
Years later, David brings Mephibosheth to the palace and returns to him the lands of his grandfather Saul, and allowing him to eat at David's table, equal to one of David's own sons. David did this to honor the covenant he made with Jonathan.