2 Samuel 16:2

2 et dixit rex Sibae quid sibi volunt haec responditque Siba asini domestici regis ut sedeant et panes et palatae ad vescendum pueris tuis vinum autem ut bibat si quis defecerit in deserto

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 cumque David transisset paululum montis verticem apparuit Siba puer Mifiboseth in occursum eius cum duobus asinis qui onerati erant ducentis panibus et centum alligaturis uvae passae et centum massis palatarum et utribus vini

2 et dixit rex Sibae quid sibi volunt haec responditque Siba asini domestici regis ut sedeant et panes et palatae ad vescendum pueris tuis vinum autem ut bibat si quis defecerit in deserto

3 et ait rex ubi est filius domini tui responditque Siba regi remansit in Hierusalem dicens hodie restituet mihi domus Israhel regnum patris mei

4 et ait rex Sibae tua sint omnia quae fuerunt Mifiboseth dixitque Siba adoro inveniam gratiam coram te domine mi rex

5 venit ergo rex David usque Baurim et ecce egrediebatur inde vir de cognatione domus Saul nomine Semei filius Gera procedebat egrediens et maledicebat