Who was Micah the son of Mephibosheth in the Bible?

Micah, also called Mica, was the son of Mephibosheth and the great-grandson of King Saul. He is listed in the genealogical records of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:34-35, 9:40-41).

Why is Micah mentioned in the Bible's genealogies?

Micah's inclusion shows the continuation of King Saul's lineage through his son Jonathan, despite Saul's downfall. This preserves the family record of the tribe of Benjamin, which was important for Israel's tribal history and inheritance.

What happened to Micah in the Bible?

The Bible does not record specific events in Micah's life. His significance is solely genealogical, establishing him as a descendant who had sons, continuing the family line (2 Samuel 9:12, 1 Chronicles 8:35).

Micah

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleSon

Micah (or Mica), the son of Mephibosheth and grandson of Jonathan, is mentioned in the genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin (1Ch.8.34,35; 9.40,41; 2Sa.9.12).

Micah

Biography

Micah, also called Mica, was the son of Mephibosheth (Merib-baal) and the grandson of Jonathan, making him a great-grandson of King Saul. His genealogy appears in 2 Samuel 9:12, 1 Chronicles 8:34-35, and 1 Chronicles 9:40-41. Through Micah, the line of Saul and Jonathan continued into subsequent generations, producing a substantial family. The Chronicles genealogies trace his descendants through several generations, listing sons including Pithon, Melech, Tarea (Tahrea), and Ahaz. Micah's father Mephibosheth had been taken in by David and given a permanent place at the royal table in fulfillment of David's covenant with Jonathan. As Mephibosheth's son, Micah grew up in the unusual position of belonging to the displaced royal house while living under the protection and provision of David's court.

Significance

Micah's existence and flourishing lineage testify to the enduring power of covenant loyalty. David's promise to Jonathan to show kindness to his descendants (1 Samuel 20:14-15) bore fruit not only in Mephibosheth's restoration but in the preservation of Jonathan's line through Micah and beyond. The detailed genealogical records of Micah's descendants demonstrate that God honored David's faithfulness by sustaining Saul's family rather than allowing it to perish. Micah's story also illustrates the biblical theme of grace triumphing over political rivalry, as the house of the supplanted king lived peacefully alongside the new dynasty. His lineage within Benjamin's tribal records ensured that Jonathan's legacy endured as a testimony to friendship, loyalty, and divine providence.

Verse Appearances (5)

2Sam

2Sam 9:12

1Chr

1Chr 8:34 1Chr 8:35 1Chr 9:40 1Chr 9:41

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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