2 Samuel 16 3

2 Samuel 16:3 kjv

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 16:3 nkjv

Then the king said, "And where is your master's son?" And Ziba said to the king, "Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.' "

2 Samuel 16:3 niv

The king then asked, "Where is your master's grandson?" Ziba said to him, "He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, 'Today the Israelites will restore to me my grandfather's kingdom.'?"

2 Samuel 16:3 esv

And the king said, "And where is your master's son?" Ziba said to the king, "Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.'"

2 Samuel 16:3 nlt

"And where is Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson?" the king asked him. "He stayed in Jerusalem," Ziba replied. "He said, 'Today I will get back the kingdom of my grandfather Saul.'"

2 Samuel 16 verses

2 Samuel 16 3 Meaning

Second Samuel 16:3 recounts the deceptive accusation made by Ziba against Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, to King David. In response to David's query about Mephibosheth's whereabouts, Ziba claims Mephibosheth remained in Jerusalem, expecting that the house of Israel would restore the kingdom of his father (Saul) to him, effectively making him the king. This statement by Ziba is a deliberate fabrication designed to slander Mephibosheth and gain David's favor and Mephibosheth's inheritance.

2 Samuel 16 3 Context

The events of 2 Samuel 16 occur during a tumultuous period in David's reign. His son Absalom has led a rebellion, forcing King David to flee Jerusalem with his loyal followers. In this vulnerable state, as David journeyed out of the city, he was met by Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant. Ziba had come prepared with provisions – donkeys, bread, cakes of raisins, and wine – appearing to be a loyal supporter providing aid. David, appreciating the gesture, inquires about Ziba's master, Mephibosheth. David had previously shown immense kindness to Mephibosheth, restoring all of Saul's land to him and guaranteeing him a place at the king's table (2 Sam 9). This deep-seated kindness makes David's inquiry and subsequent hasty judgment understandable within his emotional distress and perceived betrayal. Ziba, seeing an opportunity, exploits David's crisis and concern to gain personal advantage and land. His false accusation is carefully crafted to appeal to David's deepest fears during a rebellion – that those associated with the former dynasty might seek to regain power.

2 Samuel 16 3 Word analysis

• And the king said: Refers to David, the reigning monarch, who is currently in a vulnerable position, fleeing Jerusalem. His query about Mephibosheth reveals his continuing concern and sense of responsibility for Jonathan's son, despite the chaos around him.
• And where is your master's son?: David's direct question, using "master" to refer to Saul and thus "master's son" (ben adonayikh in Hebrew, literally "son of your lord") referring to Mephibosheth. It demonstrates David's genuine interest in Mephibosheth's well-being and possibly his whereabouts amidst the rebellion. David's relationship with Mephibosheth was governed by an oath of kindness to Jonathan's house (2 Sam 9:1, 7).
• And Ziba said to the king: Ziba, previously introduced as Saul's servant, now Mephibosheth's manager, seizes this opportune moment. His response is a calculated lie, taking advantage of David's desperate circumstances.
• Indeed, he remains at Jerusalem: The Hebrew term here is yosheb (יושב), meaning 'he is sitting' or 'he remains/dwells.' Ziba implies a deliberate decision by Mephibosheth not to accompany David, suggesting disloyalty or passive waiting rather than being unable to move, which Mephibosheth later explains was due to his lameness and Ziba's abandonment (2 Sam 19:26). Ziba twists a physical impediment into an act of calculated disloyalty.
• for he said: This introduces the core of Ziba's deception – a direct quote falsely attributed to Mephibosheth. It's a manufactured confession that aims to destroy Mephibosheth's credibility and loyalty in David's eyes.
• "Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.": This is the carefully constructed lie.
  • Today: (Hebrew hayyom) - Implies immediate expectation, an opportune moment coinciding with David's flight. It paints Mephibosheth as an opportunist seeking advantage from the rebellion.
  • the house of Israel: (Hebrew bayit Yisrael) - Refers to the collective nation or the general populace of Israel, suggesting popular support for Mephibosheth's alleged ambition. Ziba makes it sound as if the whole nation would prefer the former dynasty.
  • will restore the kingdom: (Hebrew yashibu hammelekha) - The verb yashibu (from shuv) means to return or restore. This phrase implies a full reversal of David's kingship, handing power back to the former dynastic line. It directly targets David's vulnerability as his kingdom is in flux.
  • of my father: Refers to Saul, making the claim one of ancestral right to the throne. This resonates deeply in a culture where dynastic succession was foundational to kingship and legitimacy.
  • to me: Mephibosheth is portrayed as personally ambitious, directly seeking the throne. This accusation serves to eliminate him as a competitor in David's mind, making it easier for Ziba to claim his land.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "where is your master's son?" / "he remains at Jerusalem": This exchange highlights the immediate shift from genuine concern from David to Ziba's opportunistic deception. Ziba cleverly uses the factual location ("at Jerusalem") but spins the reason ("he remains") to imply active choice and disloyalty.
  • "for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.'": This full quotation is a perfect storm of political slander. It's concise, paints Mephibosheth as actively seeking the throne at the most critical time for David, invokes national sentiment ("house of Israel"), and frames it as a dynastic restoration ("kingdom of my father"), making the lie potent and convincing to a king in crisis.

2 Samuel 16 3 Bonus section

The Hebrew word bayit (בַּיִת) used in "house of Israel" (bayit Yisrael) fundamentally means "house" or "household," but it frequently extends to signify a "dynasty" or "lineage." Thus, Ziba's phrasing "kingdom of my father" linked with "house of Israel" cleverly suggests a dynastic claim supported by a national movement, a particularly volatile notion for David who was just recently established as king over all Israel (2 Sam 5:1-5) and had previously faced challenges from Saul's house. Ziba plays on this latent fear, giving his fabricated claim maximum impact. The entire scene serves as a stark warning about judging by appearance and word-of-mouth during times of crisis. David's hasty decision in verse 4, granting Ziba Mephibosheth's inheritance without due investigation, is a direct consequence of his susceptibility to Ziba's skillfully woven tale and foreshadows the further complexities of justice David will face throughout his life and reign. The eventual partial vindication of Mephibosheth (2 Sam 19:24-30) highlights that while deceit may temporarily succeed, divine justice often reveals the truth in due course.

2 Samuel 16 3 Commentary

Ziba's utterance in 2 Samuel 16:3 is a prime example of malicious slander born of opportunism and greed. Understanding David's flight and distress, Ziba masterfully crafts a narrative that turns Mephibosheth's helplessness into a calculated betrayal. He weaponizes truth – Mephibosheth was indeed in Jerusalem – but perverts the motive entirely. The supposed ambition ("restore the kingdom of my father") taps into David's legitimate concerns about loyalty during a rebellion. This false report, delivered at a moment of acute vulnerability, proves highly effective, demonstrating the destructive power of a cunning tongue when a listener is unprepared or compromised. The speed of David's subsequent judgment (granting Ziba all of Mephibosheth's possessions in the next verse) tragically illustrates how quickly a lie can take root and yield harmful consequences for the innocent, all fueled by selfish gain. It underscores the Biblical warnings against gossip, false witness, and the love of money, revealing that unchecked desires can lead to severe injustices and heartbreak.