II Samuel 16
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Two hundred loaves of bread - The word loaf gives us a false idea of the ancient Jewish bread; it was thin cakes, not yeasted and raised like ours. Bunches of raisins - See on Sa1 25:18 (note). Summer fruits - These were probably pumpions, cucumbers, or watermelons. The two latter are extensively used in those countries to refresh travelers in the burning heat of the summer. Mr. Harmer supposes they are called summer fruits on this very account. A bottle of wine - A goat's skin full of wine; this I have already shown was the general bottle in the Eastern countries; see on Sa1 25:18 (note).
Open source ↗ZIBA, BY FALSE SUGGESTIONS, CLAIMS HIS MASTER'S INHERITANCE. (Sa2 16:1-4) Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him--This crafty man, anticipating the certain failure of Absalom's conspiracy, took steps to prepare for his future advancement on the restoration of the king. a bottle of wine--a large goatskin vessel. Its size made the supply of wine proportioned to the rest of his present.
Open source ↗And when David was a little past the top of the hill,.... Of the mount of Olives, the ascent of which he is said to go up by, and to come to the top of it, Sa2 15:30, behold, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, met him; of whom see Sa2 9:2; with a couple of asses saddled: and so fit to ride on, but for the present he used them to another purpose: and upon them two hundred loaves of bread; an hundred on each ass very probably: and an hundred bunches of raisins; or dried grapes, as the Targum: and an hundred of summer fruits: not in number, but in weight, as apples, pears, plums, apricots, &c. so the Targum, an hundred pounds of figs: and a bottle of wine: a cask or flagon of wine; for a bottle, such as is in use with us, would have signified nothing in such a company.
Open source ↗Ziba's faithless conduct towards Mephibosheth. - Sa2 16:1. When David had gone a little over the height (of the Mount of Olives: הראשׁ points back to Sa2 15:32), Mephibosheth's servant Ziba came to meet him, with a couple of asses saddled, and laden with two hundred loaves, a hundred raisin-cakes, a hundred date or fig-cakes, and a skin of wine. The word קיץ corresponds to the Greek ὀπώρα, as the lxx have rendered it in Jer 40:10, Jer 40:12, and is used to signify summer fruits, both here and in Amo 8:1 (Symm.). The early translators rendered it lumps of figs in the present passage (παλάθαι; cf. Ges. Thes. p. 1209). The Septuagint only has ἑκατὸν φοίνικες. The latter is certainly the more correct, as the dried lumps of figs or fig-cakes were called דּבלים (Sa1 25:18); and even at the present day ripe dates, pressed together in lumps like cakes, are used in journeys through the desert, as a satisfying and refreshing food (vid., Winer, bibl. Realwrterbuch, i. 253). Sa2 16:2 When the king asked him, "What are these for thee?" i.e., what art thou going to do with them? Ziba replied, "The asses are for the king's family to ride upon (to ride upon in turn), the bread and summer fruits for the young men (the king's servants) to eat, and the wine for those that are faint in the desert to drink" (see at Sa2 15:23). The Chethib ולהלחם is evidently a copyist's error for והלּחם. Sa2 16:3 To the further question put by the king, "Where is thy lord (Mephibosheth)? Ziba replied, "Behold, he sits (is staying) in Jerusalem; for he said, To-day will the house of Israel restore the kingship (government) of my father." The "kingship of my father," inasmuch as the throne would have passed to Jonathan if he had outlived Saul. It is obvious enough, apart altogether from Sa2 19:25., the…
Open source ↗We read before how kind David was to Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, how he prudently entrusted his servant Ziba with the management of his estate, while he generously entertained him at his own table, Sa2 9:10. This matter was well settled; but, it seems, Ziba is not content to be manager, he longs to be master, of Mephibosheth's estate. Now, he thinks, is his time to make himself so; if he can procure a grant of it from the crown, whether David or Absalom get the better it is all one to him, he hopes he shall secure his prey, which he promises himself by fishing in troubled waters. In order hereunto, 1. He made David a handsome present of provisions, which was the more welcome because it came seasonably (Sa2 16:1), and with this he designed to incline him to himself; for a man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men, Pro 18:16. Nay, Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth, Pro 17:8. David inferred from this that Ziba was a very discreet and generous man, and well affected to him, when, in all, he designed nothing but to make his own market and to get Mephibosheth's estate settled upon himself. Shall the prospect of advantage in this world make men generous to the rich? and shall not the belief of an abundant recompence in the resurrection of the just make us charitable to the poor? Luk 14:14. Ziba was very considerate in the present he brought to David; it was what would do him some good in his present distress, Sa2 16:2. Observe, The wine was intended for those that were faint, not for the king's own drinking, or the courtiers; it seems, they did not commonly use it, but it was for cordials for those that were ready to perish, Pro 31:6. Blessed art thou, O land! when thy princes use wine for strength, as David did, and not for drunkenness, as…
Open source ↗16:1 Ziba: See study note on 9:11; see also 9:1-13; 19:24-30. • As Saul’s grandson (16:3), Mephibosheth was a potential rival for the throne.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse מְעַט (mᵉʻaṭ, H4592) — a little or few (often adverbial or compar.) עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… צִיבָא (Tsîybâʼ, H6717) — Tsiba, an Israelite נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… מְפִיבֹשֶׁת (Mᵉphîybôsheth, H4648) — Mephibosheth, the name of two Israelites קִרְאָה (qirʼâh, H7125) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite) צֶמֶד (tsemed, H6776) — hence, an acre (i.e. day's task for a yoke of cattle to plough) חֲמוֹר (chămôwr, H2543) — a male ass (from its dun red) חָבַשׁ (châbash, H2280) — to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle); figuratively, to stop, to rule מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) צַמּוּק (tsammûwq, H6778) — a cake of dried grapes
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) צִיבָא (Tsîybâʼ, H6717) — Tsiba, an Israelite חֲמוֹר (chămôwr, H2543) — a male ass (from its dun red) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) רָכַב (râkab, H7392) — to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or… לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) קַיִץ (qayits, H7019) — harvest (as the crop), whether the product (grain or fruit) or the (dry) season נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication יָעֵף (yâʻêph, H3287) — fatigued; figuratively, exhausted מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… צִיבָא (Tsîybâʼ, H6717) — Tsiba, an Israelite יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… מַמְלָכוּת (mamlâkûwth, H4468) — {dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)} אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king צִיבָא (Tsîybâʼ, H6717) — Tsiba, an Israelite מְפִיבֹשֶׁת (Mᵉphîybôsheth, H4648) — Mephibosheth, the name of two Israelites שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… חֵן (chên, H2580) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּחֻרִים (Bachurîym, H980) — Bachurim, a place in Palestine יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… שִׁמְעִי (Shimʻîy, H8096) — Shimi, the name of twenty Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… גֵּרָא (Gêrâʼ, H1617) — Gera, the name of six Israelites קָלַל (qâlal, H7043) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively…
Open source ↗סָקַל (çâqal, H5619) — properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if… אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant יָמִין (yâmîyn, H3225) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more… שְׂמֹאול (sᵉmôʼwl, H8040) — properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שִׁמְעִי (Shimʻîy, H8096) — Shimi, the name of twenty Israelites קָלַל (qâlal, H7043) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בְּלִיַּעַל (bᵉlîyaʻal, H1100) — without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מְלוּכָה (mᵉlûwkâh, H4410) — something ruled, i.e. a realm יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), אֲבִישָׁלוֹם (ʼĂbîyshâlôwm, H53) — Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲבִישַׁי (ʼĂbîyshay, H52) — Abishai, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… צְרוּיָה (Tsᵉrûwyâh, H6870) — Tserujah, an Israelitess מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill כֶּלֶב (keleb, H3611) — a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute קָלַל (qâlal, H7043) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively… אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… צְרוּיָה (Tsᵉrûwyâh, H6870) — Tserujah, an Israelitess קָלַל (qâlal, H7043) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲבִישַׁי (ʼĂbîyshay, H52) — Abishai, an Israelite עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… מֵעֶה (mêʻeh, H4578) — used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively,… בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… בֶּן־יְמִינִי (Ben-yᵉmîynîy, H1145) — a Benjaminite, or descendent of Benjamin יָנַח (yânach, H3240) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay קָלַל (qâlal, H7043) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) עֳנִי (ʻŏnîy, H6040) — depression, i.e. misery שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… קְלָלָה (qᵉlâlâh, H7045) — vilification יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb שִׁמְעִי (Shimʻîy, H8096) — Shimi, the name of twenty Israelites הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) צֵלָע (tsêlâʻ, H6763) — a rib (as curved), literally (of the body) or figuratively (of a door, i.e. leaf); hence,… עֻמָּה (ʻummâh, H5980) — conjunction, i.e. society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix),… קָלַל (qâlal, H7043) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively… סָקַל (çâqal, H5619) — properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if… אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone עָפַר (ʻâphar, H6080) — to be dust עָפָר (ʻâphâr, H6083) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) עָיֵף (ʻâyêph, H5889) — languid נָפַשׁ (nâphash, H5314) — to breathe; passively, to be breathed upon , i.e. (figuratively) refreshed (as if by a…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She loaded them on donkeys
When David came to the summit, where he used to worship God, Hushai the Archite was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.
Then you will go on from there until you come to the Oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.
But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went.
As for me, I will stay in Mizpah to represent you before the Chaldeans who come to us. As for you, gather wine grapes, summer fruit, and oil, place them in your storage jars, and live in the cities you have taken.”
This is what the Lord GOD showed me: I saw a basket of summer fruit.
Barzillai was quite old, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king while he stayed in Mahanaim.
And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and one young goat, and sent them to Saul with his son David.
they all returned from all the places to which they had been banished and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah. And they gathered an abundance of wine grapes and summer fruit.
And their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen—abundant supplies of flour, fig cakes and raisin cakes, wine and oil, oxen and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.