2 Samuel 16:2

_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._ The asses be for the king's household to ride on. The royal fugitives were moving on foot, not from inability to procure conveyances, but as being suitable to their present state of humiliation and penitence....

1-4 Ziba belied Mephibosheth. Great men ought always to be jealous of flatterers, and to be careful that they hear both sides....

Verse 2 Samuel 16:2. _THE ASSES_ BE _FOR THE KING'S HOUSEHOLD_] This is the Eastern method of speaking when any thing is presented to a great man: "This and this is for the slaves of the servants of your majesty," when at the same time the presents are intended for the sovereign himself, and are so understood. It is a high Eastern compliment: These presents are not worthy of your acceptance; they are only fit for the slaves of your slaves....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 16:1 ZIBA THE SERVANT OF MEPHIBOSHETH. It is the misfortune of troubled times like those in which David found himself, that unscrupulous men use them for selfish purposes. For those in danger have no time for careful examination, nor are their minds sufficiently calm for impartial judgment, but they act on first impressions, and catch at every straw. Ziba's present would naturally raise everybody's spirits, and be taken as a good omen; for it showed that David had adherents in unlikely quarters, when thus a servant of the house of Saul of his own accord brought so timely an offering. The asses saddled for riding contradict the idea that Ziba met David by chance as he was bringing the produce of the farm for the use of Mephibosheth's household. More probably the asses had been saddled for Mephibosheth's own use, and

AND THE KING SAID UNTO ZIBA, WHAT MEANEST THOU BY THESE?.... 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....

6. THE SORROWS AND TESTINGS OF THE KING CHAPTER 16 _ 1. Lying Ziba (2 Samuel 16:1)_ 2. Shimei curses and stones David (2 Samuel 16:5) 3. Absalom enters Jerusalem (2 Samuel 16:15) 4. Ahitophel's wicked counsel (2 Samuel 16:20) Ziba in great craftiness meets the exiled king with provisions and acts as the false accuser of Mephibosheth. And David hastily puts all that belongs to Mephibosheth into his hands. Strange that David could believe in the falsehood of Ziba. How could one who was a helpless cripple aspire to possess a kingdom? Mephibosheth had been deceived ...

Soon after passing the summit of the Mt. of Olives David is met by Ziba, the servant of Meri-baal (2 Samuel 4:4), with a present of two asses laden with provisions. Ziba, representing that Meri-baal has turned traitor, obtains a grant of his property. 2 SAMUEL 16:5. At Bahurim, somewhere on the way to the Jordan, Shimei, a kinsman of Saul, follows David, uttering curses and throwing stones. David refuses to retaliate, feeling that his sufferings may move Yahweh to pity him. 2 SAMUEL 16:14. It is probable that the name of some place has dropped out. 1 Samuel 16:15 to...

_the wilderness_ See note on ch. 2 Samuel 15:23....

THE ASSES BE FOR THE KING'S HOUSEHOLD TO RIDE ON— _The asses are for the king's household, for carriage;_ for the carrying their baggage. Houbigant....

2. The Role of Absalom in Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 16:1-23. _The People Divided._ 2 Samuel 16:1-14 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 a hundred bunches of raisins, and a hundred summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. 2 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. 3 And the king said, And where _is_ thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, Today shall the h