2 Samuel 19 17

2 Samuel 19:17 kjv

And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.

2 Samuel 19:17 nkjv

There were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over the Jordan before the king.

2 Samuel 19:17 niv

With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba, the steward of Saul's household, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was.

2 Samuel 19:17 esv

And with him were a thousand men from Benjamin. And Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, with his fifteen sons and his twenty servants, rushed down to the Jordan before the king,

2 Samuel 19:17 nlt

A thousand other men from the tribe of Benjamin were with him, including Ziba, the chief servant of the house of Saul, and Ziba's fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed down to the Jordan to meet the king.

2 Samuel 19 verses

2 Samuel 19 17 Meaning

This verse details the swift arrival of Ziba, a servant of Saul's house, accompanied by his household and a thousand men from the tribe of Benjamin, to meet King David at the Jordan River as David returned to Jerusalem following the defeat of Absalom's rebellion. Their rapid approach underscores an urgent desire to re-establish loyalty and gain favor with the restored king.

2 Samuel 19 17 Context

Following the collapse of Absalom's rebellion, King David was returning from exile in Mahanaim to Jerusalem. This period was marked by reconciliation, but also by renewed political maneuvering and competition for influence. Different groups approached David at the Jordan River, each with their own motives. Ziba's early and sizable demonstration of support, occurring before Mephibosheth’s later appearance (2 Sam 19:24), is significant. It highlights the tribal tensions, particularly from Saul's tribe of Benjamin, and Ziba's eagerness to solidify the land grant David had given him based on his earlier false testimony against Mephibosheth. The Jordan River itself served as a natural and symbolic boundary for David's reentry into the heart of his kingdom.

2 Samuel 19 17 Word analysis

• And there were: wāhāyāh (וְהָיָה), literally "and it was" or "and there came to be," signifying the ongoing progression of events as David makes his return. It connects this arrival to the wider narrative flow.
• a thousand men of Benjamin: ʾelef ʾîš Binyāmîn (אֶלֶף אִישׁ בִּנְיָמִן). The number "a thousand" denotes a significant military-capable contingent, not merely a symbolic gesture. As Benjamin was the tribe of Saul, David's predecessor and adversary, their early appearance indicates a crucial shift in loyalty or a calculated move to reconcile with the Davidic dynasty after many years of tension and the recent failed rebellion, which would have put pressure on all tribes.
• with him: Implies these Benjamite men accompanied Ziba or aligned themselves with his contingent, suggesting a strategic alliance, or perhaps Ziba had organized their arrival.
• Ziba: Ṣîbāʾ (צִיבָא). His name may relate to "station" or "standing." A key figure earlier in 2 Samuel 16 where he gained land by slandering Mephibosheth. His character is marked by cunning and opportunism. His rapid presence here shows his drive to consolidate his gains and perhaps further influence the king.
• the servant of the house of Saul: This phrase emphasizes his previous role and association. While a "servant," he had significant administrative responsibility and insight into Saul's affairs, particularly regarding his grandson Mephibosheth. His knowledge made him a formidable and deceptive player.
• and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants: This detailed enumeration highlights Ziba’s considerable personal resources, wealth, and power base. A large family unit meant influence, and servants provided labor and, potentially, armed support. This large entourage enhanced his apparent commitment and capability for service.
• with him: Reiterates the cohesion and collective display of Ziba's assembled retinue.
• and they hurried: wayəmahărû (וַיְמַהֲרוּ), "they made haste" or "they rushed." This strong verb emphasizes their alacrity and determination to be among the very first to greet the king. It suggests calculated ambition rather than passive observation.
• and arrived at the Jordan before the king: wayyaʿabrû haYarēn liḵnê hamməleḵ (וַיַּעַבְרוּ הַיַּרְדֵּן לִפְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ), literally "and they crossed over the Jordan before the king." Meeting David at this transitional boundary, before David fully crossed and entered the territory, symbolized their eagerness and immediate acknowledgment of his restored authority. This location underscores a critical moment for re-establishing allegiance and presenting themselves to David proactively.

2 Samuel 19 17 Bonus section

• The rush to the Jordan by various factions signifies a period of "scramble for spoils" and influence following the rebellion's collapse. Those who were perceived as earliest supporters often hoped for greater rewards or pardons.
• Ziba's actions exemplify how external displays of loyalty or religious zeal can mask self-serving and manipulative motives, a recurrent theme in scripture. This foreshadows the ongoing challenges David faced in discerning genuine allegiance from opportunistic flattery.
• The large contingent of Ziba, coupled with the thousand men of Benjamin, paints a picture of David's fragile power during his return. He relied on displays of support, even if opportunistic, to re-establish control and project unity across the tribal lands.
• The text doesn't explicitly state the motivation of the Benjamite men. It could be genuine repentance, seeking David's mercy, or simply political pragmatism to align with the victorious king and avoid punishment or marginalization. Their connection to Ziba could suggest they were also drawn by prospects of material gain.

2 Samuel 19 17 Commentary

This concise verse captures the essence of political expediency and the turbulent post-rebellion environment in David's kingdom. Ziba, a master of self-interest, marshaled not only his considerable personal retinue but also secured the significant support of a thousand Benjamite men. Their collective "hurried" arrival at the Jordan demonstrates a keen desire to be seen as first in demonstrating loyalty to David. This act, coming before David's actual entry, was a calculated display designed to secure favor and, in Ziba's case, likely to reinforce the land settlement he had fraudulently obtained (2 Sam 16:4). The involvement of Benjamin's men highlights the tribe's cautious reintegration into the kingdom's stable structure under David, likely an attempt to show renewed fealty after a period of instability and association with the house of Saul's residual influence. The Jordan acted as a vital point of intersection, where old allegiances were challenged and new ones forged or reaffirmed.