King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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].
Complete Jewish Bible:
In Sha'ul's household there had been a servant named Tziva, and they summoned him to David. The king asked him, "Are you Tziva?" and he answered, "At your service."
Berean Standard Bible:
And there was a servant of Saul’s family named Ziba. They summoned him to David, and the king inquired, “Are you Ziba?” “I am your servant,” he replied.
American Standard Version:
And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him unto David; and the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And there was of the house{H1004} of Saul{H7586} a servant{H5650} whose name{H8034} was Ziba{H6717}. And when they had called{H7121} him unto David{H1732}, the king{H4428} said{H559} unto him, Art thou Ziba{H6717}? And he said{H559}, Thy servant{H5650} is he.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Samuel 19:17
- And [there were] a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
2 Samuel 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.
2 Samuel 16:4
- 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.
Genesis 39:6
- And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was [a] goodly [person], and well favoured.
Genesis 24:2
- And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
2 Samuel 19:27
- And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king [is] as an angel of God: do therefore [what is] good in thine eyes.
2 Samuel 19:29
- And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Samuel 9:2
2 Samuel 9:2 is a part of the narrative that deals with King David's desire to show kindness to any remaining members of Saul's household, as a means of honoring his covenant with Saul's son Jonathan. The historical context is set after David has secured his reign over Israel and Judah, following a turbulent period of conflict and the eventual downfall of Saul's dynasty.
In this verse, David inquires about any surviving members of Saul's family to whom he might extend his loyalty and benevolence. Ziba, a servant from Saul's house, is brought before David. The king's question, "Art thou Ziba?" and Ziba's response, "Thy servant [is he]," reflects a formal acknowledgment of identity and a posture of servitude and respect toward the king. This interaction is the beginning of a significant moment in the narrative, as it leads to the revelation of Jonathan's surviving son, Mephibosheth, and David's subsequent act of restoring Saul's land to him and inviting him to eat at the king's table regularly.
The themes present in this verse include covenant loyalty, the importance of honoring past commitments, and the transition of power from one dynasty to another. David's actions exemplify his character as a man who values faithfulness and seeks to rule with mercy and justice, contrasting with the typical ancient Near Eastern practice of eliminating potential claimants to the throne from a previous royal line. This moment in the narrative underscores the complexity of political transitions and the ways in which personal relationships and commitments can shape the exercise of kingship in ancient Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H7586
There are 335 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאוּל
Transliteration: Shâʼûwl
Pronunciation: shaw-ool'
Description: passive participle of שָׁאַל; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites; Saul, Shaul. - Strong's Number: H5650
There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶבֶד
Transliteration: ʻebed
Pronunciation: eh'-bed
Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. - Strong's Number: H8034
There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁם
Transliteration: shêm
Pronunciation: shame
Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. - Strong's Number: H6717
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צִיבָא
Transliteration: Tsîybâʼ
Pronunciation: tsee-baw'
Description: from the same as צוֹבָא; station; Tsiba, an Israelite; Ziba. - Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. - Strong's Number: H1732
There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּוִד
Transliteration: Dâvid
Pronunciation: daw-veed'
Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.