2 Samuel 16:1-4

Ziba Helps David

1 When David had gone a little beyond the summit,^[a] Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant,^[b] was right there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins, 100 [bunches] of summer fruit,^[c] and a skin of wine.

2 The king said to Ziba, "Why do you have these?" Ziba answered, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is for those who become exhausted to drink in the desert."

3 "Where is your master's son?" the king asked. "Why, he's staying in Jerusalem," Ziba replied to the king, "for he said, 'Today, the house of Israel will restore my father's kingdom to me.' "

4 The king said to Ziba, "All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!"^[d] "I bow [before you]," Ziba said. "May you look favorably on me, my lord the king!"

2 Samuel 16:1-4 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 16

In this chapter is an account of Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, getting his inheritance by misrepresentation of him, and by presents to David, 2Sa 16:1-4; and of Shimei's cursing David as he passed along, which David bore patiently, and would not suffer others to avenge it on him, 2Sa 16:5-14; and of Hushai's offer of his service to Absalom, who admitted him to be of his privy council, 2Sa 16:15-19; and of the counsel which Ahithophel gave, 2Sa 15:20-23.

Footnotes

• [a]. Mount of Olives
• [b]. 2 Sm 9:1-13
• [c]. Probably dates or figs
• [d]. 2 Sm 19:24-30