Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
2 Samuel 16:1-4
The Arrival Of Ziba, Servant Of Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 16:1).
We must recognise that at the precise time when Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, arrived with his provisions, David was not thinking straightly. Had he been he would have realised that the likelihood that Mephibosheth really thought that Absalom would establish him on the throne was nil. All knew that Absalom would not have gone to all the trouble that he had gone to in order to see someone else put on the throne. Rather he was himself claiming the throne as a son of David. Nor would it have been likely that Mephibosheth would seriously have expected that Israel would agree to a total cripple like himself taking the throne. They had never considered it before, even immediately after Ishbosheth's death, why should they then consider it now, especially when they had available Absalom the darling of the people? And this was especially so as all knew that any king at this time would need to be a capable warrior.
But it is being made clear to us by this that Absalom's rebellion had shaken David's confidence to such an extent that he just did not know what to believe. He was beginning to feel that he could believe anything about anyone. Thus when Ziba told him that that was what Mephibosheth had said he actually appears to have believed it, with the result that he assured Ziba that from now on all that pertained to the traitor Mephibosheth would be his. Ziba obsequiously expressed his gratitude, but he above all must have known that if Mephibosheth survived he would have an account to give. Possibly he hoped that Mephibosheth would be slaughtered during the civil war, or by Absalom because he saw him as a threat. Then he would be in the clear. But it was undoubtedly the most unlikely of arguments. It only succeeded because David's mind was in a whirl, and also on other things. (He did have rather a lot to think about).
Analysis.
a And when David was a little past the top of the ascent, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of (or ‘a string of') asses saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred clusters of raisins, and a hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine (2 Samuel 16:1).
b And the king said to Ziba, “What is your intention concerning these?” And Ziba said, “The asses are for the king's household to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine is so that such as are faint in the wilderness may drink.” (2 Samuel 16:2).
c And the king said, “And where is your master's son?” And Ziba said to the king, “See, he remains at Jerusalem; for he said, ‘Today will the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.' ” (2 Samuel 16:3).
b Then the king said to Ziba, “Look, all that pertains to Mephibosheth is yours” (2 Samuel 16:4 a).
a And Ziba said, “I do obeisance. Let me find favour in your sight, my lord, O king” (2 Samuel 16:4 b). '
Note that in ‘a' Ziba meets David with asses and provisions and in the parallel he makes obeisance to David. In ‘b' David learns that the provisions are a gift for him and in the parallel he gives Ziba all that pertains to Mephibosheth. Central in ‘c' is the charge that Mephibosheth has behaved treacherously.
‘ And when David was a little past the top of the ascent, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a team of (or ‘a string of') asses saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred clusters of raisins, and a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine.'
As David's caravan including his household continued forward down the other side of the Mount of Olives, they were met by Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth who had brought a team of asses laden with provisions suitable for wilderness travelling. These included bread, raisins and figs together with some wine (compare 1 Samuel 30:11).
“A team of asses.” This would normally indicate two, but here, considering their purpose, possibly indicates a string of asses tied together. The verbal stem signifies ‘tied or yoked together'.
‘ And the king said to Ziba, “What is your intention concerning these?” And Ziba said, “The asses are for the king's household to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine is so that such as are faint in the wilderness may drink.” '
While David's party would hardly have been suffering from a scarcity of food at this initial stage of the flight, (they had just left a well stocked palace), it would be the thought behind the gift that moved David's heart most. It came at a time when he was glad to have friends. But what puzzled him was the absence of Mephibosheth.
‘ And the king said, “And where is your master's son?” And Ziba said to the king, “Look, he remains at Jerusalem; for he said, ‘Today will the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.' ” '
So he asked Ziba where his master was. Ziba's reply was that Mephibosheth had remained in Jerusalem on the grounds that he was expecting that Israel would now set him on the throne of his father. After all, as the son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth was theoretically the heir apparent to Saul.
At any other time David would undoubtedly have been deeply suspicious at such a claim, but at a time like this, when he was being betrayed by his own son, and his head was in a whirl with grief, nothing surprised him, and he appears to have taken Ziba's words literally. He should in fact have realised that:
1). It was not really likely that Mephibosheth had any such expectation, both because Israel had never considered him before, even on the death of Ishbosheth, and because David should have known that Mephibosheth could hardly really have believed that Absalom intended to hand over the throne. He would in fact have known that Mephibosheth had no popular support, nor saw himself as having any.
2). If he had been rebelling Mephibosheth would hardly have allowed Ziba to come away and declare his intentions to David in this way, nor would Ziba, if he was leaving surreptitiously, have dared to leave his family behind at Mephibosheth's mercy. The appearance of Ziba alone should have wreaked with suspicion. If what he said was true it would mean that he had deserted Mephibosheth leaving behind him all those whom he held dear to suffer under Mephibosheth's wrath.
‘ Then the king said to Ziba, “Look, all that pertains to Mephibosheth is yours.” And Ziba said, “I do obeisance. Let me find favour in your sight, my lord, O king.” '
But the king was not at this time himself, for he already felt himself to be a man betrayed by his own flesh and blood, and a man in that state sees betrayers everywhere. That explains why he was seemingly able to believe anything, and was grateful for any proof of friendship shown by anyone. He therefore believed Ziba's words and granted to him all that he had previously put at Mephibosheth's disposal. Understandably Ziba then made obeisance to David and expressed gratitude for his favour.
Ziba coming in this way loaded with provisions was especially welcome because just as the presence of the Ark of God (suitably covered) had confirmed to him that he had YHWH with Him, and that YHWH knew all that was happening, so did the coming of Ziba with earthly sustenance confirm to him that YHWH would provide food for him and his men in the wilderness.
Ziba did not, however, himself go with David. He returned back to his sons and presumably to Mephibosheth, no doubt making some excuse to him for his absence (2 Samuel 19:17). He was playing both sides off against each other. By remaining with Mephibosheth he was ensuring that he was safe if Absalom succeeded, but meanwhile he had secured his future if David triumphed. When he knew, in fact, that David was returning in triumph he again forsook Mephibosheth and with his sons went, along with Shimei and a thousand Benjaminites, to welcome David back. He was so successful in this that it is clear that in the end David was not sure who was his friend, Ziba or Mephibosheth (he had after all just been betrayed by his own son. How could he be sure of Mephibosheth?), with the result that he shared their property between them.
There is an interesting irony in the fact that having just sent Hushai to deceive Absalom, David was now in his turn totally deceived by Ziba. Perhaps there is intended to be a warning here of the fact that what we do to others will be done to us. Furthermore by his deceit Ziba sought to turn David against Mephibosheth, a Saulide who was in fact loyal to him, while this will immediately be followed by the description of a further Saulide (Shimei) who was certainly not loyal to him. The whole affair was a hotch potch of deceit, betrayal and hatred typical of a civil war, a time when no one could be trusted as they all manoeuvred to ensure their own positions.