King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 16:3 Mean?

2 Samuel 16:3 in the King James Version says “And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he s... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · 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

5

And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. he came forth: or, he still came forth and cursed


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 22 words
אָמַ֔ר1 of 22

for he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ2 of 22

And the king

H4428

a king

וְאַיֵּ֖ה3 of 22
H346

where?

בֶּן4 of 22

son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲדֹנֶ֑יךָ5 of 22

And where is thy master's

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

אָמַ֔ר6 of 22

for he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

צִיבָ֜א7 of 22

And Ziba

H6717

tsiba, an israelite

אֶל8 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ9 of 22

And the king

H4428

a king

הִנֵּה֙10 of 22
H2009

lo!

יוֹשֵׁ֣ב11 of 22

Behold he abideth

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם12 of 22

at Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

כִּ֣י13 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אָמַ֔ר14 of 22

for he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַיּ֗וֹם15 of 22

To day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

יָשִׁ֤יבוּ16 of 22

restore

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לִי֙17 of 22
H0
בֵּ֣ית18 of 22

shall the house

H1004

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל19 of 22

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֵ֖ת20 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מַמְלְכ֥וּת21 of 22

me the kingdom

H4468

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

אָבִֽי׃22 of 22

of my father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application


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 16:3 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 16:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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