2 Samuel 16:1-4

David and Ziba

1 When David had passed a little beyond ¹the summit, ²Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, ³a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine.

2 And the king said to Ziba, "Why have you brought these?" Ziba answered, ⁴"The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who ⁵faint in the wilderness to drink."

3 And the king said, "And where is your master's son?"⁶Ziba said to the king, "Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.'"

4 Then the king said to Ziba, "Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours." And Ziba said, "I pay homage; let me ever find favor in your sight, 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.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Samuel 15:30, 32
• 2. See 2 Samuel 9:2-13
• 3. [1 Samuel 25:18]
• 4. [Judges 5:10; Judges 10:4]
• 5. ver. 14; 2 Samuel 17:29
• 6. 2 Samuel 19:26, 27