2 Samuel 16:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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."

NIV: The king asked Ziba, "Why have you brought these?" Ziba answered, "The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness."

NASB: And the king said to Ziba, 'Why do you have these?' And Ziba said, '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, for whoever is weary in the wilderness to drink.'

CSB: 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 to drink who become exhausted in the wilderness."

NLT: What are these for?' the king asked Ziba. Ziba replied, 'The donkeys are for the king’s people to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is for those who become exhausted in the wilderness.'

KJV: And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.

NKJV: And the king said to Ziba, “What do you mean to do with these?” So Ziba said, “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 are faint in the wilderness to drink.”

It would have been no more than a few hours between when David learned his son Absalom was marching toward Jerusalem and David's arrival at the Mount of Olives. David's loyal servants had precious little time to gather provisions or visit the stables (2 Samuel 15:1–14). When Ziba meets them with a couple of donkeys and bread, dried fruit, and wine, he must be a welcome sight (2 Samuel 16:1).

Ziba is generous, but he brings an ulterior motive. David charged him with taking care of King Saul's estate on behalf of Jonathan's son Mephibosheth. Jonathan had made a covenant with David: Jonathan would support David as king and serve him, and David would protect Jonathan and his heirs from political violence (1 Samuel 20:14–15). When David became king, Jonathan was already dead, but he found his friend's son who was lame and couldn't tend the property. David gave Ziba that responsibility (2 Samuel 9).

David asks Ziba where Mephibosheth is. Ziba says he stayed in Jerusalem in hopes that he could regain his grandfather's throne. David doesn't stop to corroborate Ziba's claim; it's been a long day filled with many betrayals. David assumes Ziba is telling the truth and gives Ziba all of Mephibosheth's property (2 Samuel 16:3–4).

After Absalom is dead and David returns to Jerusalem, David meets with Mephibosheth. The man is in a sorry state; he was so afraid for David that he didn't take care of himself at all. He says Ziba refused to saddle a donkey for him and left him behind. David restores half of his property to him, but Mephibosheth is only glad David is back (2 Samuel 19:24–30).

The emphasis of David's question is unclear. He may be asking, "Why have you brought these?" as in, why would someone from Saul's estate be so helpful? Or he may mean, "Why have you brought these?" meaning, why didn't Mephibosheth bring the supplies? On the surface, the latter seems more reasonable since David's question is clearer in 2 Samuel 16:3. But the literal Hebrew interpretation is more like "What is the purpose of these things?" and supports the former.

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).