2 Samuel 16:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when David {H1732} was a little {H4592} past {H5674} the top {H7218} of the hill, behold, Ziba {H6717} the servant {H5288} of Mephibosheth {H4648} met {H7125} him, with a couple {H6776} of asses {H2543} saddled {H2280}, and upon them two hundred {H3967} loaves of bread {H3899}, and an hundred {H3967} bunches of raisins {H6778}, and an hundred {H3967} of summer fruits {H7019}, and a bottle {H5035} of wine {H3196}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When David had gone a little past the summit, there was Tziva, the servant of M'fivoshet, who met him with a pair of donkeys saddled and on them 200 loaves of bread, 100 bunches of raisins, 100 pieces of summer fruit and a skin of wine.

Berean Standard Bible

When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.

American Standard Version

And when David was a little past the top of the ascent, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred clusters of raisins, and a hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
As King David, in profound distress, flees Jerusalem from his rebellious son Absalom, he encounters Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, just beyond the summit of the Mount of Olives. Ziba appears with a significant supply of provisions—asses laden with bread, raisins, summer fruits, and wine—ostensibly as a loyal gesture to the king. This seemingly providential meeting provides immediate relief for David and his weary company, yet it subtly introduces a complex subplot of apparent loyalty, underlying deception, and the king's vulnerability in a time of crisis.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the deeply poignant scene of David's sorrowful ascent of the [Mount of Olives](/2_samuel/15-30 "2 Samuel 15:30 - David's Ascent of the Mount of Olives"), weeping and barefoot, as he departs Jerusalem. His chief counselor, Ahithophel, has defected to Absalom, and David has just prayed for Ahithophel's counsel to be turned into foolishness, dispatching Hushai to infiltrate Absalom's camp and thwart his plans ([2 Samuel 15:31-37](/2_samuel/15-31-37 "2 Samuel 15:31-37 - David's Prayer and Hushai's Mission")). The appearance of Ziba with substantial provisions offers a stark contrast to David's personal destitution and sets the stage for a critical subplot involving Mephibosheth, which will be resolved only much later in the narrative ([2 Samuel 19:24-30](/2_samuel/19-24-30 "2 Samuel 19:24-30 - Mephibosheth's Vindication")). The encounter is strategically placed to highlight David's vulnerable state and the complex web of loyalties and betrayals unfolding around him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's flight from Absalom represents a significant political and personal crisis for the king and the nation. The "hill" mentioned is universally understood to be the Mount of Olives, a prominent landmark directly east of Jerusalem, which served as a natural barrier and a gateway to the wilderness and the Jordan Valley. David's journey over this mount signifies his exile from his capital and throne. The provisions brought by Ziba—bread, raisins, summer fruits, and wine—were typical, practical supplies for travel and sustenance in ancient Israel. Their quantity (200 loaves, 100 bunches of raisins, 100 summer fruits, a bottle of wine) indicates a substantial offering, far more than a casual gift, suggesting either a genuine act of devotion or a calculated attempt to gain favor. The role of a servant like Ziba, managing a master's estate and representing his interests, was common, but his actions here reveal the potential for manipulation within such relationships.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in the book of [2 Samuel](/2_samuel/1 "2 Samuel - The Reign of King David"). Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Providence amidst Human Deception**. While the provisions offer timely relief for David, the narrative later reveals Ziba's true, self-serving motives, highlighting how God can provide for His people even through flawed or deceitful human instruments. Secondly, it emphasizes **David's Vulnerability and Discernment**. In his profound distress and flight, David is susceptible to Ziba's manipulative narrative, illustrating the challenges of leadership and judgment during times of extreme pressure. This episode also deepens the theme of **Loyalty and Treachery**, contrasting Ziba's feigned allegiance with the later-revealed loyalty of Mephibosheth, and fitting into the broader narrative of Absalom's rebellion, which is itself an act of profound treachery against his father. Finally, it is a moment in David's journey of **Exile and Restoration**, marking his physical departure from Jerusalem as a prelude to his eventual return and re-establishment of his kingship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ziba (Hebrew, _Tsîybâʼ_):** The name "Ziba" (H6717, _Tsîybâʼ_) means "station" or "standing," which ironically foreshadows his opportunistic positioning in this narrative. As the servant of Mephibosheth, Ziba was entrusted with managing the estate of Jonathan's son. His sudden appearance at this critical juncture, offering substantial provisions, is a calculated move designed to exploit David's vulnerability and gain personal advantage, ultimately leading to a false accusation against his master.
* **asses (Hebrew, _chămôwr_):** The mention of "asses" (H2543, _chămôwr_) is significant as these animals were the primary mode of transport for goods and people in ancient Israel. Ziba brings a "couple" (H6776, _tsemed_, meaning a yoke or pair) of asses, indicating a substantial capacity for carrying the provisions. The term _chămôwr_ specifically refers to a male ass, often known for its strength and reliability, underscoring the practicality and readiness of the aid Ziba presents.
* **saddled (Hebrew, _châbash_):** The detail that the asses were "saddled" (H2280, _châbash_) implies a state of immediate readiness for travel. The root meaning of _châbash_—"to wrap firmly" or "bind up"—highlights the secure preparation of the animals for their task. This seemingly minor detail reinforces the impression that Ziba's appearance was either meticulously planned or executed with great efficiency, adding to the deceptive facade of his timely and well-prepared act of loyalty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when David was a little past the top [of the hill]":** This clause establishes the immediate spatial and temporal context. David has completed the arduous and emotionally draining ascent of the Mount of Olives, a place of significant sorrow for him. Being "past the top" indicates he is moving away from Jerusalem, physically distancing himself from the seat of his power and the source of his current anguish. This moment signifies a transition from the immediate vicinity of his fallen kingdom into the uncertainty of exile.
* **"behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him":** The interjection "behold" (Hebrew, _hinnēh_) signals a sudden, unexpected, and significant event. The appearance of Ziba, a figure known to David through his connection to Mephibosheth (Jonathan's son, whom David had shown great kindness), immediately introduces a new element into David's desperate flight. His identity as Mephibosheth's servant adds a layer of complexity, as David would naturally associate him with the loyal house of Jonathan.
* **"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.":** This detailed inventory highlights the generosity and practicality of Ziba's offering. The provisions are not merely symbolic; they are substantial and vital for a fleeing company. "Bread" (staple food), "raisins" (concentrated energy), "summer fruits" (seasonal, refreshing), and "wine" (for hydration and morale) collectively represent a comprehensive supply. This impressive display of resources is designed to convey loyalty and support, yet it later proves to be part of Ziba's calculated deception to gain personal advantage.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Juxtaposition** by contrasting David's weeping, barefoot, and vulnerable state with Ziba's well-provisioned and seemingly well-intentioned arrival. This creates an immediate sense of relief for the reader, only to be complicated by later revelations. The use of "behold" functions as a **Dramatic Marker**, drawing immediate attention to Ziba's sudden appearance and signaling its importance in the unfolding narrative. Furthermore, the entire encounter serves as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**. Ziba's appearance and his generous gifts, coupled with his identity as Mephibosheth's servant, subtly hint at the deeper, more complex motivations that will be revealed later in the story, ultimately exposing his **Irony** as an apparent benefactor who is, in fact, a deceiver. The Mount of Olives itself carries **Symbolism** as a place of sorrow, transition, and later, for Christ, of agony and betrayal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This encounter in 2 Samuel 16:1, while seemingly a straightforward act of provision, serves as a profound theological lesson on the complexities of human motivation and the necessity of spiritual discernment, especially in times of crisis. While God often provides for His people, sometimes miraculously and sometimes through human agents, this verse cautions that not every seemingly helpful gesture is born of pure motives. David, in his profound distress and vulnerability, is quick to accept Ziba's narrative, underscoring how emotional duress can impair judgment. This highlights the ongoing tension between divine providence and human deception, reminding believers to "test the spirits" ([1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")) and to look beyond superficial appearances. The narrative implicitly teaches that true loyalty is proven not by outward display but by consistent character and action.

* [Proverbs 14:15](/proverbs/14-15 "Proverbs 14:15 - The Simple and the Prudent")
* [Proverbs 12:22](/proverbs/12-22 "Proverbs 12:22 - Lying Lips")
* [Psalm 41:9](/psalms/41-9 "Psalm 41:9 - Betrayal by a Friend")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Ziba's encounter with David offers a timeless lesson on the critical importance of discernment, particularly when we are at our most vulnerable. David, heartbroken and fleeing for his life, was in no position to thoroughly vet Ziba's claims or motives. His immediate relief at the sight of provisions likely overshadowed any critical questioning. In our own lives, when we face overwhelming challenges, grief, or personal crises, we too can become susceptible to deceptive appearances or manipulative individuals who offer seemingly timely "help." This verse challenges us to cultivate a spirit of wisdom and careful consideration, even when circumstances press us to act quickly. It reminds us that true provision often comes from God, but the channels through which it flows can sometimes be tainted by human sin and self-interest. We are called to pray for discernment, to seek counsel, and to rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal truth, even when it's uncomfortable, so that we do not fall prey to those who would exploit our weakness for their own gain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do moments of personal crisis or extreme vulnerability affect our ability to discern truth from deception?**
* **In what ways might we, like David, be tempted to accept apparent help without fully examining the motives behind it?**
* **What practical steps can we take to cultivate greater discernment in our relationships and decisions, especially during difficult times?**
* **How does this account challenge our assumptions about who is truly loyal or trustworthy?**

### FAQ

**Who was Ziba, and what was his relationship to Mephibosheth?**

Answer: Ziba was a servant from the house of Saul. After David became king and sought to show kindness to Saul's family for Jonathan's sake, he discovered Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son. David restored all of Saul's land to Mephibosheth and appointed Ziba, along with his sons and servants, to cultivate the land and bring in its produce for Mephibosheth's sustenance ([2 Samuel 9:9-10](/2_samuel/9-9-10 "2 Samuel 9:9-10 - Ziba Appointed to Mephibosheth's Service")). Ziba was therefore Mephibosheth's chief steward and manager of his estate.

**What was the significance of the "hill" David was passing?**

Answer: The "hill" David was passing is identified as the [Mount of Olives](/2_samuel/15-30 "2 Samuel 15:30 - David's Ascent of the Mount of Olives"), a significant geographical landmark directly east of Jerusalem. David had just ascended it weeping and barefoot, a powerful symbol of his humiliation and grief as he fled his rebellious son. Passing "a little past the top" signifies his complete departure from the city and his entry into the wilderness towards the Jordan River. This location is also symbolically significant, as it would later be a place of profound suffering and betrayal for Jesus Christ ([Luke 22:39-44](/luke/22-39-44 "Luke 22:39-44 - Jesus in Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives")).

**Why did Ziba bring these provisions to David?**

Answer: On the surface, Ziba presented his actions as an act of loyalty and provision for the fleeing king. When David asked where Mephibosheth was, Ziba falsely claimed that Mephibosheth had stayed in Jerusalem, hoping that the house of Israel would restore the kingdom to him ([2 Samuel 16:2-3](/2_samuel/16-2-3 "2 Samuel 16:2-3 - Ziba's False Accusation")). Ziba's true motive, however, was revealed later in the narrative: he used this opportunity to slander Mephibosheth and gain favor with David, hoping to inherit Mephibosheth's land and wealth for himself ([2 Samuel 19:24-30](/2_samuel/19-24-30 "2 Samuel 19:24-30 - Mephibosheth's Vindication and Ziba's Deception")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The poignant scene of David's flight over the Mount of Olives, weeping and betrayed, finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. David's experience of apparent abandonment and the deceptive provision from Ziba foreshadows the ultimate betrayal and suffering of Jesus Christ. Just as David ascended the [Mount of Olives](/2_samuel/15-30 "2 Samuel 15:30 - David's Ascent of the Mount of Olives") in sorrow, so too did Jesus go to the Garden of Gethsemane on the same mount, where He faced immense anguish and was ultimately betrayed by one of His own disciples, Judas Iscariot ([Luke 22:39-48](/luke/22-39-48 "Luke 22:39-48 - Jesus' Agony and Betrayal in Gethsemane")). While Ziba offered deceptive provision for personal gain, Jesus, the true King, offers Himself as the ultimate, unfailing provision, the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") and the [Living Water](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus, the Living Water"), not for His own benefit, but for the eternal sustenance of His people. David's vulnerability to Ziba's lies highlights the fallenness of human nature and the need for perfect discernment, which is found perfectly in Christ, who was never deceived by outward appearances or false loyalty. Ultimately, Christ's journey through suffering and betrayal leads not to a temporary restoration of an earthly kingdom, but to an eternal reign and the true, unadulterated provision of salvation and abundant life for all who trust in Him ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 25:18

¶ Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched [corn], and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid [them] on asses.

2 Samuel 15:32

And it came to pass, that [when] David was come to the top [of the mount], where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:

1 Samuel 16:20

And Jesse took an ass [laden] with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent [them] by David his son unto Saul.

Jeremiah 40:12

Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.

Jeremiah 40:10

As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put [them] in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.

1 Chronicles 12:40

Moreover they that were nigh them, [even] unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, [and] meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for [there was] joy in Israel.

1 Samuel 17:17

And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched [corn], and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;