Ziba; a crafty man, who, being persuaded that God would in due time appear for the righteous cause of so good a king, and scatter the cloud which was now upon him, takes this occasion to make way for his future advancement. A bottle; a large bottle or vessel proportionable to the other provisions. read more
CRITICAL AND EXPOSITORY NOTES.—2 Samuel 16:1. “Met him.” “Ziba had therefore gone on in advance of the army (as Hushai did) in order more easily to secure David’s attention after the first disorder was over.” (Erdmann.) “Bunches of raisins,” i.e., raisin cakes. “Summer fruits,” probably fig-cakes, as in 1 Samuel 25:18. “A bottle,” a skin.2 Samuel 16:2. “The asses,” etc. “The manner of Ziba’s trick was this (2 Samuel 19:26). Mephibosheth, learning of David’s flight, had ordered asses saddled for... read more
Chapter 16And when David was a little past the top of the hill, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys that were loaded down with bread, raisins, summer fruits, a bottle of wine. David said, What do you mean by all these things? And Ziba [lied to him,] he said, The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on; the bread and the summer fruit are for the young men to eat; and the wine, so that those that are faint in the wilderness may drink. The king said, And... read more
2 Samuel 16:3 . Where is thy master’s son? Ziba had been servant to Jonathan. Here is another sad case superinduced by a civil war. Mephibosheth, a prince at the mercy of a covetous and a lying servant, a traitor who by accusing his master of high treason, obtained the grant of Saul’s estates. We should always hear the other party. 2 Samuel 16:7 . Shimei cursed David. See on Genesis 9:25. 2 Samuel 16:11 . Let him curse, for the Lord hath bidden him; spoken subjunctively, it may be... read more
2 Samuel 16:1-14And when David was a little past the top of the hill.Impatience and submissionMephibosheth, it will be recollected, was the only son of Jonathan. Now, when David was a little past the top of the hill where he had worshipped God, he met Ziba coming towards him with two asses, laden with cakes of raisins and summer fruits, a skin-bottle of wine, and two hundred loaves of bread. Probably, when David first saw Ziba, he thought that Mephibosheth had sent this timely contribution, and... read more
2Sa 16:1 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. Ver. 1. Met him with a couple of asses saddled. ] His master Mephibosheth could not get him to saddle one ass for him to go along with David, 2Sa 19:26 for he had a design by false accusation, to wrest his land from... read more
little past: 2 Samuel 15:30, 2 Samuel 15:32 Ziba: 2 Samuel 9:2, 2 Samuel 9:9-2 Kings : with a couple: 2 Samuel 17:27-Joel :, 2 Samuel 19:32, 1 Samuel 17:17, 1 Samuel 17:18, 1 Samuel 25:18, 1 Chronicles 12:40, Proverbs 18:16, Proverbs 29:4, Proverbs 29:5 summer: These were probably pumpkins, cucumbers, or water-melons; the two latter being extensively used in the East to refresh travellers in the burning heat of the summer; and probably, as Mr. Harmer supposes, called summer fruits on this... read more
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.Bottle — A large bottle, or vessel proportionable to the other provisions. read more
ZIBA’S HYPOCRISY AND SLANDER, 2 Samuel 16:1-4. 1. Two hundred loaves Ziba’s load very much resembled that of Abigail. Compare 1 Samuel 25:18. Summer fruits Fruits which were adapted only to immediate consumption, and not easily preserved for winter use. Harmer supposes that cucumbers are intended, and are so called from their adaptation to allay the summer heats. read more
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Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 16:1-23
1 Samuel 16:1-Numbers : . 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 16:5-2 Chronicles : . 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... read more