2 Samuel 16:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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."

NIV: Then the king said to Ziba, "All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours." "I humbly bow," Ziba said. "May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king."

NASB: So the king said to Ziba, 'Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.' And Ziba said, 'I prostrate myself; may I find favor in your sight, my lord, the king!'

CSB: The king said to Ziba, "All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!" "I bow before you," Ziba said. "May I find favor with you, my lord the king!"

NLT: In that case,' the king told Ziba, 'I give you everything Mephibosheth owns.' 'I bow before you,' Ziba replied. 'May I always be pleasing to you, my lord the king.'

KJV: Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.

NKJV: So the king said to Ziba, “Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” And Ziba said, “I humbly bow before you, that I may find favor in your sight, my lord, O king!”

Amid other troubles, David is saddened to be told that Saul's grandson, Mephibosheth, has betrayed him. Ziba has met David with donkeys, provisions, and this bad news: Mephibosheth has stayed in Jerusalem in hopes that the people will give him the crown, not Absalom (2 Samuel 16:1–3). David would have been justified in killing Mephibosheth as soon as he became king, to protect the crown from former king's heirs. But Mephibosheth was Jonathan's son, and David had promised to protect all his best friend's people (1 Samuel 20:14–15). When David found Mephibosheth, he gave him Saul's estate and told Saul's servant Ziba to tend it for him. He even told Mephibosheth to dine at the royal table every day (2 Samuel 9).

David makes the best judgment he can with the information he has and gives Ziba Mephibosheth's property. Ziba, his fifteen sons, and his twenty slaves certainly appreciate it (2 Samuel 9:10). Ironically, Ziba had already taken much of Mephibosheth's harvest and given it to David (2 Samuel 16:1).

Once things have calmed down, Mephibosheth will come before David unkempt, his hair and feet in bad shape, his clothes stained. David will ask him why he didn't come. Mephibosheth will say that Ziba deceived him. Mephibosheth asked him to saddle a donkey so he could go after David, but Ziba took the donkeys and left Mephibosheth behind. Mephibosheth would never betray David: he owes the king too much. David returns half of the land, but Mephibosheth only cares that David is home and safe (2 Samuel 19:24–30).

There's at least one possibility why Ziba would betray Mephibosheth. If Mephibosheth had retained the land, and David was killed, it's highly likely Absalom would have killed him—the heir of a former king—and taken the land for himself. Ziba and his large family might have been homeless. Ziba was Saul's servant, not his heir, so if he owned the land, it would have been more secure. It's not clear if this is Ziba's motivation, but it's possible.

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).