2 Samuel 16:2

2 And the king said to Ziba, “Why have you brought these? ” Ziba answered, ¹“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 ²faint in the wilderness to drink. ”

2 Samuel 16:2 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 16:2

And the king said unto Ziba, what meanest thou by these?
&c.] Are they to be said, or are they presents?

and Ziba said, the asses [be] for the king's household to ride on;
for himself, his wives, and children, his courtiers, and the principal officers of his house; it being usual in those times and countries for great personages to ride on asses, see ( Judges 5:10 ) ;

and the bread and summer fruits for the young men to eat;
the king's menial servants, his guards and his soldiers:

and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink;
where no water was to be had, that their fainting spirits might be revived, and they be able whether to fight or march.

2 Samuel 16:2 In-Context

1 When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a 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, “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 faint in the wilderness to drink. ”

3 And the king said, “And where is your master’s son? ” Ziba 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. ”

5 When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually.

Cross References

• 1. 16:2 [Judg. 5:10; 10:4]
• 2. 16:2 ver. 14; ch. 17:29