Question 1

Who is Ziba in this passage and what does he bring to David?

Accepted Answer

Ziba is the servant who manages the estate of Mephibosheth, the lame grandson of Saul. As David flees from Absalom, Ziba meets him with two donkeys already saddled. On them are two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a quantity of summer fruits, and a container of wine. Ziba explains that the donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is for those who grow faint in the wilderness so they can be refreshed.

Question 2

Why did Ziba lie about Mephibosheth staying in Jerusalem?

Accepted Answer

The passage shows Ziba using David’s hard situation as a chance to grab Mephibosheth’s property. By saying Mephibosheth stayed in Jerusalem hoping that the kingdom of Saul would be given back to him, Ziba paints his master as disloyal and ambitious. This story makes Mephibosheth look like a traitor to David. Ziba’s goal is to turn David’s favor away from Mephibosheth and toward himself so that David will hand over the lands and goods that Ziba has been managing but wants to own.

Question 3

Why did David believe Ziba and give him Mephibosheth’s estate?

Accepted Answer

David is on the run, under pressure, and in need of supplies. Ziba meets him with generous provisions and a story that makes sense on the surface: that Mephibosheth stayed back to seek Saul’s throne. Without time or calmness to investigate, David assumes the report is true. He pronounces a quick judgment, saying that everything belonging to Mephibosheth now belongs to Ziba. Later it becomes clear this was a rash decision. The story warns how easily leaders can be misled if they act on one side of a story, especially in a crisis.

Question 4

What does this passage teach about false accusation and flattery?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows how a person can use gifts and flattering words to cover selfish plans. Ziba comes with donkeys, food, and wine that are truly helpful to David and his men. But behind this kindness is a false accusation meant to destroy Mephibosheth’s good name and steal his inheritance. David’s quick trust in Ziba’s words shows how flattery and apparent loyalty can cloud judgment. The story reminds us to be careful when someone gains from speaking badly of another, and to hear both sides before making decisions about people.

Question 5

What was happening in David’s life when he met Ziba with the donkeys?

Accepted Answer

At this moment, David is leaving Jerusalem because his son Absalom has turned the hearts of many in Israel and has claimed the throne. David and his followers are going out of the city, heading into the wilderness. They are likely tired, unsettled, and unsure what will happen next. On the way, just after passing the top of the hill, Ziba appears with supplies. So this meeting happens in a time of political upheaval and personal pain for David, when he is more vulnerable to quick judgments and eager offers of help.

Question 6

Who is Mephibosheth and why does his name matter in this story?

Accepted Answer

Mephibosheth is the lame son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul. Earlier, David had shown him kindness because of his love for Jonathan, restoring Saul’s land to him and having him eat at the king’s table. In this passage, Mephibosheth is not present. Ziba speaks for him and claims he stayed in Jerusalem hoping to gain his grandfather’s kingdom. That claim is false and harms Mephibosheth’s reputation. His name matters here because David’s earlier mercy toward him is suddenly overturned on the word of a servant with hidden motives.

Question 7

What does this passage show about God’s care in the middle of David’s trouble?

Accepted Answer

Even though Ziba’s heart is crooked, the supplies he brings still meet real needs. David and his people need animals to ride, bread and fruit to eat, and drink to revive those who feel weak in the wilderness. The story hints that God can use even people with wrong motives to provide help for his servants. At the same time, the passage does not excuse Ziba’s deceit or David’s hasty judgment. Both truths sit together: God quietly provides in hard times, and people remain responsible for their choices and words.

Question 8

Why is David’s decision about Mephibosheth’s property seen as hasty?

Accepted Answer

David hears only Ziba’s side of the story and decides right away that Mephibosheth has betrayed him. Without sending to check the claim or asking Mephibosheth himself, David announces that all that belongs to Mephibosheth now belongs to Ziba. Later in the wider story, Mephibosheth explains that he was actually left behind by Ziba and remained loyal in his heart. This shows that David’s earlier ruling was rushed. The passage warns readers about judging quickly on limited information, especially when someone stands to gain from the accusation.

Question 9

How can this story about David and Ziba speak to choices we make today?

Accepted Answer

This story pushes us to slow down before we decide about people. David is tired, in danger, and grateful for help, so he is more ready to trust Ziba’s words without checking them. Today, we can also be swayed by kindness, gifts, or persuasive stories, especially in stressful moments. The passage suggests we should be careful of one-sided reports, ask questions, and notice when someone benefits from tearing another down. It also encourages those who are wronged to remember that God sees the truth, even when others are misled for a time.

2 Samuel 16:1

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.

David and Ziba

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2 Samuel 16:1

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.

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David and Ziba

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