According to the Books of Samuel of the Tanakh, Mephibosheth (Bib Heb: מְפִיבֹשֶׁת, Trans: Mefivoshet, Məp̄îḇṓšeṯ ; meaning "from the mouth of shame" or "from the mouth of god Bashtu") or Merib-baal (Bib Heb: מְרִיב־בַּעַל, Trans: Meriv-Ba'al, Mərîḇ-Báʻal) is the son of Jonathan, and grandson of King Saul,.
According to the biblical narrative (2 Sam. 4:4), Mephibosheth was five years old when both his father and grandfather died at the Battle of Mount Gilboa. After the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, Mephibosheth's nurse took him and fled in panic. In her haste, the child fell, or was dropped while fleeing. After that, he was unable to walk.