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.

Then said {H559} the king {H4428} to Ziba {H6717}, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth {H4648}. And Ziba {H6717} said {H559}, I humbly {H7812} beseech thee that I may find {H4672} grace {H2580} in thy sight {H5869}, my lord {H113}, O king {H4428}.

The king said to Tziva, "Everything that belongs to M'fivoshet is now yours." Tziva answered, "I bow down before you; may I find favor in your sight, my lord, king."

So the king said to Ziba, โ€œAll that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!โ€ โ€œI humbly bow before you,โ€ said Ziba. โ€œMay I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!โ€

Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine is all that pertaineth unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I do obeisance; let me find favor in thy sight, my lord, O king.

Commentary

2 Samuel 16:4 captures a pivotal moment during King David's flight from his son Absalom, revealing David's vulnerability and the cunning deception of Ziba.

Context

This verse immediately follows Ziba's manipulative report to King David. As David was fleeing Jerusalem due to Absalom's rebellion, Ziba, a servant of Mephibosheth (Saul's grandson), met David with provisions. When asked about Mephibosheth, Ziba falsely claimed that Mephibosheth had remained in Jerusalem, hoping to seize the kingdom now that David was in distress (2 Samuel 16:1-3). Distraught and likely feeling betrayed by those close to him, David, without investigating, rashly granted Ziba all of Mephibosheth's property. Ziba's response, "I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king," is a conventional expression of gratitude, masking his deceitful intentions.

Key Themes

  • Deception and Slander: Ziba's actions are a clear example of opportunism and false accusation, taking advantage of David's crisis for personal gain. He slanders Mephibosheth, whom David had previously shown great kindness (2 Samuel 9:7).
  • Hasty Judgment: David's swift decision to disinherit Mephibosheth without inquiry highlights the danger of making important judgments under duress or based on unverified reports. His emotional state made him susceptible to Ziba's lie.
  • Loss and Restoration of Inheritance: Mephibosheth temporarily loses everything due to Ziba's treachery. Later, when David returns to Jerusalem, Mephibosheth clarifies the situation (2 Samuel 19:24-30), and David partially restores his inheritance.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "find grace in thy sight" (Hebrew: ืžึธืฆึธื ื—ึตืŸ ื‘ึผึฐืขึตื™ื ึถื™ืšึธ, matsa chen b'eynecha) is a common biblical idiom expressing a desire to gain favor, approval, or acceptance from a superior. Ziba's use of it here is outwardly respectful and humble, serving to solidify his ill-gotten gains and confirm David's hasty decree.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a cautionary tale:

  • Verify Information: It underscores the importance of seeking full information and verifying claims before making significant decisions, especially when emotions are high or circumstances are challenging.
  • Beware of Slander: It reminds us of the destructive power of false accusations and the ease with which people can be misled by appearances or self-serving narratives.
  • Trust in God's Justice: While human justice may be flawed or delayed, the larger narrative of David's kingdom often shows God's ultimate justice prevailing, even when individuals suffer temporary injustice.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 18:13

    ยถ He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.

  • Proverbs 18:17

    ยถ [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

  • Proverbs 19:2

    ยถ Also, [that] the soul [be] without knowledge, [it is] not good; and he that hasteth with [his] feet sinneth.

  • Deuteronomy 19:15

    One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

  • Exodus 23:8

    And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.

  • 2 Samuel 14:10

    And the king said, Whosoever saith [ought] unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.

  • 2 Samuel 14:11

    Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, [As] the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.
โ† Back