161 When David was a little past the top of the ascent, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, and one hundred clusters of raisins, and one hundred summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. 2 The king said to Ziba, What do you mean by these? Ziba said, The donkeys 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. 3 The king said, “Where is your master’s son?”

Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem; for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore me the kingdom of my father.’” 4 Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that pertains to Mephibosheth is yours.”

Ziba said, “I do obeisance. Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, O king.”

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:1-4

Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:1-4

(Read 2 Samuel 16:1-4)

Ziba belied Mephibosheth. Great men ought always to be jealous of flatterers, and to be careful that they hear both sides.