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2 Samuel 16:3

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 16:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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 will the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 will the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
2 Samuel 16:3 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And when David was a little past the top [of the ascent], behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred clusters of raisins, and a hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
2And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses are 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 are faint in the wilderness may drink.
3And 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 will the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
4Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine is all that pertaineth unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I do obeisance; let me find favor in thy sight, my lord, O king.
5And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out, and cursed still as he came.
6And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
← 2 Samuel 16:22 Samuel 16:4 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the king said, and where [is] thy master’s son? etc.] The son of Saul, who was Ziba’s master, meaning Mephibosheth: and Ziba said unto the king, behold, he abideth at Jerusalem; as there was reason for it, since he was lame of both his feet, (<100913>2 Samuel 9:13), though he could have rode upon an ass, and followed the king, as he proposed to do; but his servant deceived him, and carried off the asses to serve a purpose for himself, (see <101926>2 Samuel 19:26); for he said, today shall the house of Israel restore unto me the kingdom of my father; his father Saul; which was far from his thoughts; and a most wicked suggestion of his servant to blacken his character, and get his estate…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“To-day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father--Such a hope might not unnaturally arise at this period of civil distraction, that the family of David would destroy themselves by their mutual broils, and the people reinstate the old dynasty. There was an air of plausibility in Ziba's story. Many, on whom the king had conferred favors, were now deserting him. No wonder, therefore, that in the excitement of momentary feeling, believing, on the report of a slanderer, Mephibosheth to be among the number, he pronounced a rash and unrighteous judgment by which a great injury was inflicted on the character and interests of a devoted friend.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thy master’s son - Meaning Saul’s grandson 2 Samuel 9:6. David asks the question, evidently hurt at the apparent ingratitude of Mephibosheth. It is impossible to say whether Mephibosheth was quite guiltless or not. If Psalms 116:0 was composed by David, and after the quelling of Absalom’s rebellion, 2 Samuel 16:11 may contain David’s confession of his present hasty judgment 2 Samuel 16:4 in the matter. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:3-4 Ziba was lying to David for his own gain; Mephibosheth later set the record straight (19:24-30).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“where is: Sa2 9:9, Sa2 9:10; Psa 88:18; Mic 7:5 day: Sa2 19:24-30; Exo 20:16; Deu 19:18, Deu 19:19; Psa 15:3, Psa 101:5; Pro 1:19, Pro 21:28; Ti1 6:9, Ti1 6:10; Jde 1:11 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 16:4”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification