And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.

2 SAMUEL 16:3KJV
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2 Samuel 16:3 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 16:3 mean?

2 Samuel 16:3 describes a conversation where King David asks Ziba, a servant, about the whereabouts of Mephibosheth, the son of his former master. Ziba replies that Mephibosheth stayed in Jerusalem, claiming he hopes the people of Israel will restore his grandfather Saul’s kingdom to him.

In this scene, King David is fleeing Jerusalem because his son Absalom has rebelled. Ziba, who serves Mephibosheth (Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson), meets David with supplies. When David asks about Mephibosheth, Ziba claims that Mephibosheth stayed behind, hoping to regain royal power. This statement sets up suspicion and tension, as it questions Mephibosheth’s loyalty to David.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 16:3

  • "king" (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): This word is used for David, highlighting his authority even while he is on the run.
  • "restore" (שׁוּב, shuv): This verb means "to return" or "to bring back." Ziba uses it to suggest Mephibosheth expects the kingdom to be given back to Saul’s family, revealing the political hopes or ambitions at play.
  • "kingdom" (מַמְלָכָה, mamlakhah): This term refers to the royal rule or realm. Ziba’s use of it underlines the idea of a transfer of power, which is central to the tension in this story.

Why 2 Samuel 16:3 matters

  • This verse helps explain why David later gives Mephibosheth’s property to Ziba, showing how David’s decisions are influenced by what he hears in a moment of crisis.
  • The verse highlights the complex loyalties and suspicions among those connected to Saul’s family during David’s troubled reign.
  • It sets up a later moment in the story when Mephibosheth gives his own account, inviting readers to consider issues of truth, loyalty, and the dangers of acting on incomplete information.

Where else these words appear

“kingdom” Hebrew H4468 · used in 9 verses

  • Joshua 13:12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.
  • Joshua 13:27 And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.
  • 1 Samuel 15:28 And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.

“Ziba” Hebrew H6717 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Samuel 9:2 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.
  • 2 Samuel 9:10 Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
  • 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.