2 Samuel 16:2

And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses [be] for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.

And the king {H4428} said {H559} unto Ziba {H6717}, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba {H6717} said {H559}, The asses {H2543} be for the king's {H4428} household {H1004} to ride on {H7392}; and the bread {H3899} and summer fruit {H7019} for the young men {H5288} to eat {H398}; and the wine {H3196}, that such as be faint {H3287} in the wilderness {H4057} may drink {H8354}.

The king said to Tziva, "What do you mean by these?" Tziva replied, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on; the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat; and the wine is for those who collapse in the desert to drink."

“Why do you have these?” asked the king. Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”

And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses are for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as are faint in the wilderness may drink.

Commentary

2 Samuel 16:2 finds King David in a moment of extreme vulnerability, fleeing from his rebellious son, Absalom. This verse records Ziba's explanation for the provisions he has brought to David during his flight.

Context

This exchange occurs as King David and his loyal followers are making their arduous journey out of Jerusalem, having been forced to abandon the city due to Absalom's successful coup. Just prior to this verse, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth (Saul's grandson), appears with a significant amount of supplies (asses, bread, summer fruit, and wine), presenting them as an act of loyalty to the king. David, surprised by this unexpected aid and the absence of Mephibosheth, asks Ziba for an explanation of the provisions and Mephibosheth's whereabouts, which is answered in 2 Samuel 16:1 and further detailed here in verse 2.

Key Themes

  • Provision in Crisis: The items Ziba brings—asses for transport, bread and summer fruit for food, and wine for refreshment—were vital necessities for a group of people fleeing through the wilderness. This highlights David's desperate situation and the immediate need for sustenance for his household and weary young men.
  • Deception and Opportunism: Ziba's detailed explanation of the provisions, while seemingly helpful, is part of a larger scheme. He is strategically presenting himself as a loyal servant, while simultaneously slandering his master, Mephibosheth, to gain favor and ultimately, land from the king. This narrative thread continues to reveal Ziba's true character as an opportunist seeking personal gain amid David's distress.
  • David's Vulnerability and Hasty Judgment: David's question and Ziba's response set the stage for David's immediate and regrettable decision to grant Mephibosheth's land to Ziba, as seen in 2 Samuel 16:4. This illustrates how even a wise king like David could be susceptible to deception and make poor judgments under immense pressure and emotional duress during Absalom's rebellion.

Linguistic Insights

The term "summer fruit" (Hebrew: קַיִץ, qayits) often refers to ripe figs or dates, which were common, nutritious, and easily preserved provisions in ancient Israel. Their inclusion emphasizes the practical nature of the supplies, suitable for a journey and providing quick energy. The wine is specifically for "such as be faint in the wilderness," highlighting the physical toll of their flight and the need for immediate revitalization.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a reminder of several important principles:

  • Discernment in Adversity: It underscores the challenge of making wise decisions when under pressure or in crisis. David's experience cautions us against hasty judgments based on incomplete or manipulative information.
  • Beware of Self-Serving "Help": Not all who offer aid have pure motives. This story prompts us to consider the character and intent behind gestures of goodwill, especially when they involve accusations against others.
  • God's Provision Amidst Treachery: Even when human actors are deceitful, God can use various means, even questionable ones, to ensure the basic needs of His people are met. While Ziba's heart was not pure, the provisions themselves were a tangible help to David and his household.

The full story of Ziba's deception and Mephibosheth's eventual vindication can be explored later in 2 Samuel 19:24-30.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 17:29 (5 votes)

    And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that [were] with him, to eat: for they said, The people [is] hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.

  • Judges 10:4 (4 votes)

    And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which [are] in the land of Gilead.

  • Judges 5:10 (3 votes)

    Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.

  • Judges 8:4 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Gideon came to Jordan, [and] passed over, he, and the three hundred men that [were] with him, faint, yet pursuing [them].

  • Judges 8:5 (2 votes)

    And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they [be] faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.

  • Proverbs 31:6 (2 votes)

    Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

  • Proverbs 31:7 (2 votes)

    Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.