Day 143 – 2 Samuel 16:1-4

Scripture Review

2 Samuel 16:1-4

David has just gone over the top of Mount Olivet, weeping and fleeing from Absalom.

"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 an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine."

(2 Samuel 16:1)

Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, meets David at the top of the hill. He comes with two saddled donkeys, two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred bunches of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. These are practical supplies for people heading toward the wilderness.

"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."

(2 Samuel 16:2)

David asks, "What meanest thou by these?" He wants to know why Ziba has brought all these supplies. Ziba gives a good answer. The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on. The bread and fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is for those who become faint in the wilderness.

"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, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father."

(2 Samuel 16:3)

David asks another question, "And where is thy master's son?" He is asking about Mephibosheth. If Ziba is here with the supplies, where is the man David had shown such kindness to? Ziba answers that Mephibosheth has stayed in Jerusalem because he thinks the house of Israel will restore Saul's kingdom to him. He is saying Mephibosheth has turned against David and is hoping to profit from Absalom's rebellion.

If that were true, it would be deep ungratefulness. David had taken a lame man from Lo-debar, restored his inheritance, and gave him a place at the table. For Mephibosheth to betray David now would cut deeply. But this is only Ziba's report. David has not heard Mephibosheth speak. He has not examined the matter. He has not called witnesses. He is tired, burdened, betrayed by Absalom, betrayed by Ahithophel, and now he hears that Mephibosheth may have betrayed him too.

"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."

(2 Samuel 16:4)

David makes a quick decision. He gives Ziba everything that belonged to Mephibosheth. David transfers land, possessions, inheritance based on Ziba's word. And Ziba answers with humility, but his humility benefits him. He asks to find grace in David's sight, but he has just received another man's property.

This is where I see David's weakness in the moment. He had shown mercy to Mephibosheth, but now he judges him without hearing him. Pressure can make a man hasty. Grief can cloud judgment. Betrayal can make a heart more ready to believe another betrayal. To me David needed to slow down and hear both sides.