2 Samuel 19:26

26 Mephibosheth replied, “My lord the king, my servant Ziba deceived me. I told him, ‘Saddle my donkey so I can go with the king.’ For as you know I am crippled.

2 Samuel 19:26 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 19:26

And he answered, my lord, O king, my servant deceived me
His servant Ziba, who, instead of saddling an ass for him by his order, went off with that and another himself, ( 2 Samuel 16:1 ) ; for thy servant

said, I will saddle me an ass;
he not only determined this in his own mind, but gave orders to his servant to saddle one for him:

that I may ride thereon, and go to the king, because thy servant [is]
lame;
and could not walk afoot, being lame of both his feet, ( 2 Samuel 4:4 ) ( 2 Samuel 9:3 2 Samuel 9:13 ) .

2 Samuel 19:26 In-Context

24 Now Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, came down from Jerusalem to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the day the king left Jerusalem.

25 “Why didn’t you come with me, Mephibosheth?” the king asked him.

26 Mephibosheth replied, “My lord the king, my servant Ziba deceived me. I told him, ‘Saddle my donkey so I can go with the king.’ For as you know I am crippled.

27 Ziba has slandered me by saying that I refused to come. But I know that my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is best.

28 All my relatives and I could expect only death from you, my lord, but instead you have honored me by allowing me to eat at your own table! What more can I ask?”

Footnotes

• [a]. As in Greek, Syriac, and Latin versions; Hebrew reads I will saddle a donkey for myself.