2 Samuel 16:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine.

NASB: Now when David had gone on a little beyond the summit, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a team of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a jug of wine.

CSB: When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, was right there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred bunches of summer fruit, and a clay jar of wine.

NLT: When David had gone a little beyond the summit of the Mount of Olives, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, was waiting there for him. He had two donkeys loaded with 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins, 100 bunches of summer fruit, and a wineskin full of wine.

KJV: And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

NKJV: When David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.

David is fleeing with a large group from Jerusalem to escape Absalom's attempted coup. On top of the Mount of Olives, Ziba appears, leading two donkeys and bringing food and wine.

Mephibosheth is Saul's grandson and Jonathan's son. Jonathan was the natural choice to replace Saul as king, but he fully submitted his right to his good friend David. At that time, if a king was succeeded by a man from another family, the new king often killed all the old king's heirs. Jonathan and David made a vow that when David became king, Jonathan would serve David, and David would not harm Jonathan or his heirs (1 Samuel 20:14–15).

After David became king in Jerusalem, he remembered his vow with Jonathan and asked if any of Saul's heirs were still alive. Ziba, Saul's former servant, arrived and told him that Jonathan had a son, Mephibosheth, who had injured feet. David gave Mephibosheth Saul's estate and made Ziba the manager. But Mephibosheth was to eat at David's table as an honored guest (2 Samuel 9).

Ziba is leading at least two donkeys and a great amount of food and wine for the king and his people. The donkeys can carry those struggling to keep up. The food will keep up the soldiers' strength. And the wine, a significant amount, will revive those who become faint while traveling under the hot desert sun. The list of supplies is similar, but smaller in volume than, the food supplies Abigail brought to David in 1 Samuel 25:18.

Ziba also comes with news about Mephibosheth. He says Saul's heir has stayed in Jerusalem in hopes the people will return his grandfather's throne (2 Samuel 16:3). When David finally sees Mephibosheth again, unkempt and dirty, he tells David he wanted to follow, but he couldn't saddle or mount a donkey on his own, and Ziba deserted him (2 Samuel 19:24–27).

Second Samuel 16:1–4 describes how David runs from his son and meets Saul's family. Absalom is taking Jerusalem. David and those loyal to him are fleeing. On the Mount of Olives, Ziba, Saul's grandson's servant, appears with provisions. He claims Mephibosheth has stayed in Jerusalem in hopes he can reclaim his family's kingdom, an assertion Mephibosheth later denies (2 Samuel 19:24–30). Shortly after, David meets Shimei, another relative of Saul's, who curses him and throws rocks (2 Samuel 16:5–8). Whether Ziba is lying or not, it's clear Saul's family is eager to take advantage of David's plight.

David flees and Absalom takes Jerusalem. Absalom arrives with his supporters while David and his servants race to the Jordan River (2 Samuel 15). Mephibosheth's servant Ziba brings David donkeys, provisions, and news that Mephibosheth has also betrayed David. Shimei, Saul's relative, throws stones and curses at David and his people. David's former counselor Ahithophel convinces Absalom to have sex with David's concubines. But David's friend Hushai has infiltrated Absalom's council and will prove to be an exceptionally good spy (2 Samuel 17:1–22).

In 2 Samuel 16, leadership in Jerusalem changes hands. Because of David's sin (2 Samuel 11), God predicts death and controversy in David's life. That starts with assault and murder within David's own family (2 Samuel 12—14). The murderer, David's son Absalom, took four years to gain the people's trust and declare himself king (2 Samuel 15:1–11). He won over David's counselor, but David has his servants, warriors, two priests, and an old friend: the last three stay as spies (2 Samuel 15:13–37). As Absalom takes the throne, David meets two Benjamites: one helpful and one horrible. Soon, Absalom will plan an attack, but the priests and David's friend send word and save David's people (2 Samuel 17:1–22).