John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:2
And the king said unto Ziba, what meanest thou by these ?.... Are they to be said, or are they presents? and Ziba said, the asses be for the king's household to ride on ; for himself, his wives, and children, his courtiers, and the principal officers of his house; it being usual in those times and countries for great personages to ride on asses, see Judges 5:10 , and the bread and summer fruits for the young men to eat ; the king's menial servants, his guards and his soldiers: ... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:1-4
We read before how kind David was to Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, how he prudently entrusted his servant Ziba with the management of his estate, while he generously entertained him at his own table, 2 Sam. 9:10. This matter was well settled; but, it seems, Ziba is not content to be manager, he longs to be master, of Mephibosheth's estate. Now, he thinks, is his time to make himself so; if he can procure a grant of it from the crown, whether David or Absalom get the better it is all one to... read more