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2 Samuel 16 · a question people ask

Was Ziba telling the truth about Mephibosheth?

In the text

This chapter gives only Ziba's side. Asked, "Where is your master’s son?", Ziba says, "Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem; for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore me the kingdom of my father.’" (16:3). The king doesn't send for Mephibosheth or ask anyone else. He answers at once, "Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours" (16:4). In chapter 9 he had said to Ziba, "All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s son" (9:9). Mephibosheth's side comes when David returns. He comes down to meet the king having "neither groomed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed" (19:24), and says, "my servant deceived me" (19:26) and "He has slandered your servant to my lord the king" (19:27). The king answers, "you and Ziba divide the land" (19:29). The book never says which of the two told the truth. That is chapter 19's question, and these notes leave it open here, as chapter 9's do.

The verses

“The king said, “Where is your master’s son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem; for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore me the kingdom of my father.’” Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” Ziba said, “I bow down. Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, O king.””
2 Samuel 16:3-4 · World English Bible
“Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s son.”
2 Samuel 9:9 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Samuel 16

2 Samuel 16: Let him curse

Shimei shouted that the LORD "has returned on you all the blood of Saul’s house" (16:8). David, who could have had him killed, used the same Hebrew verb in hope: "the LORD will repay me good for the cursing of me today" (16:12).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions