2 Samuel 16:1-4

2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 Samuel 16:1 Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth (the disabled grandson of Saul, whom David had taken into his care; see ch. 2 Samuel 9:1), arrives with provisions for David and his people. Ziba implies that the gifts are entirely his idea, and that Mephibosheth himself sees David’s difficulty as an opportunity to reclaim the kingdom (Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father). Mephibosheth will later present a different version of the situation (2 Samuel 19:24). Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours. David judged too quickly, without opportunity to hear a defense from the accused Mephibosheth.