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.

And the king {H4428} said {H559} unto him, Why speakest {H1696} thou any more of thy matters {H1697}? I have said {H559}, Thou and Ziba {H6717} divide {H2505} the land {H7704}.

The king said to him, "Why speak any more about these matters of yours? I say: you and Tziva, divide the land."

The king replied, โ€œWhy say any more? I hereby declare that you and Ziba are to divide the land.โ€

And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I say, Thou and Ziba divide the land.

Commentary

Context of 2 Samuel 19:29

This verse occurs during a pivotal moment in King David's reign: his return to Jerusalem after the devastating rebellion led by his son Absalom. As David makes his way back, various individuals come to meet him, seeking reconciliation, forgiveness, or to clarify their loyalty. Among them is Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul, whom David had previously shown great kindness by restoring Saul's land to him and inviting him to eat at his table (2 Samuel 9:7).

During David's flight from Absalom, Mephibosheth's servant, Ziba, had appeared before David with provisions, slandering Mephibosheth by claiming he had stayed behind in Jerusalem, hoping to regain his grandfather's kingdom (2 Samuel 16:3). Based on Ziba's deceptive account, David had hastily granted all of Mephibosheth's land to Ziba (2 Samuel 16:4). Now, Mephibosheth appears, unkempt and grieving, explaining that Ziba had tricked him and prevented him from accompanying David (2 Samuel 19:26). David's response in verse 29 is a sharp interjection, cutting off Mephibosheth's further explanations.

Key Themes and Messages

  • David's Weariness and Desire for Resolution: The king's abrupt question, "Why speakest thou any more of thy matters?", suggests a deep weariness from the rebellion and the myriad disputes arising from it. He seems eager to move past the immediate challenges and establish order, even if it means a swift, perhaps imperfect, resolution.
  • Compromised Justice: David's decision to have Mephibosheth and Ziba divide the land is a compromise. While Mephibosheth is not fully restored to his previous position (having lost half his inheritance to a deceitful servant), David does not entirely condemn him, acknowledging some truth to his plea. This reflects the complexities of discerning truth, especially when dealing with conflicting testimonies and the desire for peace over prolonged litigation.
  • Consequences of Deception and Loyalty: Ziba's cunning deception is implicitly acknowledged but not fully punished, demonstrating that even loyal servants like Mephibosheth can suffer consequences due to the lies of others. Mephibosheth's evident loyalty, despite his physical infirmity, stands in contrast to Ziba's self-serving actions.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "Why speakest thou any more of thy matters?" (ืœึธืžึธึผื” ืชึฐื“ึทื‘ึตึผืจ ืขื•ึนื“ ื“ึฐึผื‘ึธืจึถื™ืšึธ - lamah tedabber 'od debareyka) conveys a sense of impatience or finality. David is not asking for more explanation; he is signaling that he has heard enough and has made his decision. The word "matters" (ื“ึฐึผื‘ึธืจึถื™ืšึธ - debareyka) can refer to words, concerns, or affairs, emphasizing that David is tired of the ongoing disputes and wants to close the case.

Practical Application

This verse offers several insights for believers today:

  1. The Difficulty of Discernment: Leaders, and indeed all individuals, face challenges in discerning the full truth when presented with conflicting accounts. It highlights the need for wisdom, patience, and often, divine guidance in making judgments.
  2. The Impact of Compromise: Sometimes, in the pursuit of peace or expediency, leaders may make decisions that are not perfect justice. While God's justice is perfect, human justice can be flawed, reflecting the brokenness of the world.
  3. Focus on What Matters: David's desire to move past "matters" suggests a king focused on the larger task of rebuilding his kingdom. Believers are similarly called to prioritize God's kingdom and purpose, not getting bogged down in every dispute or personal grievance.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Job 19:16

    I called my servant, and he gave [me] no answer; I intreated him with my mouth.

  • Job 19:17

    My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children's [sake] of mine own body.

  • Proverbs 18:13

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

  • Psalms 101:5

    Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

  • Acts 18:15

    But if it be a question of words and names, and [of] your law, look ye [to it]; for I will be no judge of such [matters].

  • Deuteronomy 19:17

    Then both the men, between whom the controversy [is], shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;

  • Deuteronomy 19:19

    Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
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