King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 16:2 Mean?

2 Samuel 16:2 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Samuel 16:2 · KJV

Context

1

And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

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.

3

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.

4

Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king. I humbly: Heb. I do obeisance

Read 2 Samuel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Humiliation, emphasizing suffering within God's sovereignty. David's humiliation through Shimei's cursing and Ziba's deception tests his faith in God's sovereignty. His refusal to punish Shimei demonstrates trust that God controls even unjust accusations. Ahithophel's counsel and Absalom's public sin with David's concubines fulfill Nathan's prophecy (12:11-12). Theological themes include suffering within God's sovereign plan, responding to unjust accusations with faith, and the full exposure of hidden sin.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 16 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding suffering within God's sovereignty provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of suffering within God's sovereignty?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 21

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ2 of 21

“And the king”

H4428

a king

אֶל3 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

צִ֠יבָא4 of 21

“What meanest thou by these And Ziba”

H6717

tsiba, an israelite

מָה5 of 21
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אֵ֣לֶּה6 of 21
H428

these or those

לָּ֑ךְ7 of 21
H0
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר8 of 21

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

צִ֠יבָא9 of 21

“What meanest thou by these And Ziba”

H6717

tsiba, an israelite

הַֽחֲמוֹרִ֨ים10 of 21

“The asses”

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

לְבֵית11 of 21

“household”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ12 of 21

“And the king”

H4428

a king

לִרְכֹּ֗ב13 of 21

“to ride on”

H7392

to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch

וְלהַלֶּ֤חֶם14 of 21

“and the bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

וְהַקַּ֙יִץ֙15 of 21

“and summer fruit”

H7019

harvest (as the crop), whether the product (grain or fruit) or the (dry) season

לֶֽאֱכ֣וֹל16 of 21

“to eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

הַנְּעָרִ֔ים17 of 21

“for the young men”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

וְהַיַּ֕יִן18 of 21

“and the wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

לִשְׁתּ֥וֹת19 of 21

“may drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

הַיָּעֵ֖ף20 of 21

“that such as be faint”

H3287

fatigued; figuratively, exhausted

בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃21 of 21

“in the wilderness”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 16:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 16:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 17:29Judges 10:4Judges 5:101 Samuel 14:282 Samuel 15:231 Samuel 25:27

Test Your Knowledge

2 Samuel 16 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Samuel 16 with CommentaryAll 2 Samuel ChaptersComplete 2 Samuel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes