So the king said to Ziba, "All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!" "I humbly bow before you," said Ziba. "May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!" So the king said to Ziba,This phrase refers to King David, who is in a period of turmoil due to Absalom's rebellion. Ziba is the servant of Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul. The context is David's flight from Jerusalem, where Ziba meets him with provisions. This encounter is significant as it highlights the political maneuvering during David's reign and the loyalty dynamics within the royal household. “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!”
David's declaration to Ziba is a transfer of property and status. Mephibosheth, being the son of Jonathan, had been shown kindness by David earlier (2 Samuel 9) due to David's covenant with Jonathan. This sudden transfer of Mephibosheth's estate to Ziba reflects the precarious nature of property rights and loyalty in ancient Israel. It also raises questions about Ziba's integrity, as later passages (2 Samuel 19:24-30) suggest that Ziba may have misrepresented Mephibosheth's loyalty to David. “I humbly bow before you,” said Ziba.
Ziba's response is one of submission and gratitude, typical of a servant acknowledging the favor of a king. Bowing was a common gesture of respect and acknowledgment of authority in the ancient Near East. This act can be seen as Ziba's acceptance of the king's decision and his alignment with David during a time of political uncertainty. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!”
Ziba's plea for favor is a request for continued grace and protection under David's rule. This phrase echoes the biblical theme of seeking favor from those in authority, reminiscent of Esther's plea to King Xerxes (Esther 5:2). It underscores the importance of favor and grace in relationships between subjects and rulers, a theme that is also spiritually significant in the believer's relationship with God. Persons / Places / Events 1. King DavidThe reigning king of Israel, who is dealing with the rebellion of his son Absalom. In this verse, he makes a decision regarding the property of Mephibosheth. 2. ZibaThe servant of Mephibosheth, who brings news to David and receives all of Mephibosheth's possessions as a reward. 3. MephiboshethThe son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul, who had previously been shown kindness by David. He is not present in this scene but is central to the events as his possessions are transferred to Ziba. 4. Absalom's RebellionThe broader context of this event is the rebellion led by David's son Absalom, which causes David to flee Jerusalem. Teaching Points The Danger of Hasty DecisionsDavid's quick decision to transfer Mephibosheth's property to Ziba without further investigation serves as a cautionary tale about making judgments without all the facts. The Importance of IntegrityZiba's actions remind us of the importance of integrity and honesty. His report to David may have been self-serving, highlighting the need for truthfulness in our dealings. God's Sovereignty in Human AffairsDespite human failings and manipulations, God's sovereign plan prevails. This event is part of the larger account of God's unfolding plan for Israel. The Role of ServanthoodZiba's response to David, "I humbly bow," reflects a posture of servanthood. As Christians, we are called to serve with humility, even when circumstances are challenging. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the context of Absalom's rebellion influence David's decision-making in this passage? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are making fair and informed decisions in our own lives, especially when we only have one side of a account? 3. Reflect on a time when you acted hastily. What were the consequences, and how might you approach a similar situation differently in the future? 4. How does the account of Mephibosheth and Ziba challenge us to examine our own integrity and honesty in our relationships? 5. How can we trust in God's sovereignty when human actions seem to complicate or disrupt our lives? What scriptures can we turn to for reassurance? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Samuel 9This chapter provides background on David's kindness to Mephibosheth, highlighting the contrast between David's earlier generosity and the current situation. Proverbs 18:17This verse speaks to the importance of hearing both sides of a account, which is relevant as David makes a decision based on Ziba's account alone. Matthew 7:1-2These verses caution against judging others without full knowledge, a principle that can be applied to David's hasty decision. People Abishai, Absalom, Ahithophel, Arkite, David, Gera, Hushai, Mephibosheth, Saul, Shimei, Zeruiah, ZibaPlaces Bahurim, JerusalemTopics Behold, Belonged, Belongs, Beseech, Bow, Bowed, Favor, Favour, Grace, Honour, Humbly, Mephibosheth, Mephib'osheth, Mephibosheth's, Myself, O, Obeisance, Pertained, Pertaineth, Pertains, Prostrate, Sight, Truly, Yours, ZibaDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 16:4 5485 punishment, legal aspects
8276 humility 2 Samuel 16:1-4 5524 servants, bad Library But Although Patience be a virtue of the Mind...
8. But although patience be a virtue of the mind, yet partly the mind exercises it in the mind itself, partly in the body. In itself it exercises patience, when, the body remaining unhurt and untouched, the mind is goaded by any adversities or filthinesses of things or words, to do or to say something that is not expedient or not becoming, and patiently bears all evils that it may not itself commit any evil in work or word. By this patience we bear, even while we be sound in body, that in the midst …
St. Augustine—On Patience Nob. Bahurim.
That Nob was placed in the land of Benjamin, not far from Jerusalem, whence Jerusalem also might be seen,--the words of the Chaldee paraphrast, upon Isaiah 10:32, do argue. For so he speaks; "Sennacherib came and stood in Nob, a city of the priests, before the walls of Jerusalem; and said to his army, 'Is not this the city of Jerusalem, against which I have raised my whole army, and have subdued all the provinces of it? Is it not small and weak in comparison of all the fortifications of the Gentiles, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica David and Jonathan's Son
'And David said, is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? 2. And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. 3. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. 4. And the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Godly are in Some Sense Already Blessed
I proceed now to the second aphorism or conclusion, that the godly are in some sense already blessed. The saints are blessed not only when they are apprehended by God, but while they are travellers to glory. They are blessed before they are crowned. This seems a paradox to flesh and blood. What, reproached and maligned, yet blessed! A man that looks upon the children of God with a carnal eye and sees how they are afflicted, and like the ship in the gospel which was covered with waves' (Matthew 8:24), …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Importance in Luke's History of the Story of the Birth of Christ
IT needs no proof that Luke attached the highest importance to this part of his narrative. That Jesus was indicated from the beginning as the Messiah -- though not a necessary part of his life and work, and wholly omitted by Mark and only briefly indicated in mystical language by John -- was a highly interesting and important fact in itself, and could not fail to impress the historian. The elaboration and detail of the first two chapters of the Gospel form a sufficient proof that Luke recognized …
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem? Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. T hat which often passes amongst men for resolution, and the proof of a noble, courageous spirit, is, in reality, the effect of a weak and little mind. At least, it is chiefly owing to the presence of certain circumstances, which have a greater influence upon the conduct, than any inherent principle. Thus may persons who appear to set death and danger at defiance in the hour …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Meditations for one that is Like to Die.
If thy sickness be like to increase unto death, then meditate on three things:--First, How graciously God dealeth with thee. Secondly, From what evils death will free thee. Thirdly, What good death will bring unto thee. The first sort of Meditations are, to consider God's favourable dealing with thee. 1. Meditate that God uses this chastisement of thy body but as a medicine to cure thy soul, by drawing thee, who art sick in sin, to come by repentance unto Christ, thy physician, to have thy soul healed …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety No Sorrow Like Messiah's Sorrow
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow! A lthough the Scriptures of the Old Testament, the law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophecies (Luke 24:44) , bear an harmonious testimony to MESSIAH ; it is not necessary to suppose that every single passage has an immediate and direct relation to Him. A method of exposition has frequently obtained [frequently been in vogue], of a fanciful and allegorical cast [contrivance], under the pretext …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 16:4 NIV2 Samuel 16:4 NLT2 Samuel 16:4 ESV2 Samuel 16:4 NASB2 Samuel 16:4 KJV
2 Samuel 16:4 Commentaries
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