Bible Strands
2 Samuel 16:3
“Where is your master’s grandson?” asked the king. And Ziba answered, “Indeed, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he has said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my grandfather.’”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — King David asks Ziba where his master’s grandson is while fleeing Jerusalem. Ziba answers that the grandson remains in the city, claiming the house of Israel will restore his grandfather’s kingdom to him.
The words — The phrase וְ/אַיֵּ֖ה (ve./'ai.Yeh) literally means “and where?” and initiates David’s inquiry. The term בֶּן\־ (ben-) denotes “son of” or “grandson,” identifying Mephibosheth as Saul’s heir.
The thread — David’s question echoes his earlier covenant promise to care for Saul’s grandson in 2 Samuel 9:9. Ziba’s claim later contrasts with Mephibosheth’s actual loyalty in 2 Samuel 19:24, while the deception violates the prohibition against false witness in Exodus 20:16.
Why it lands — The text demands verification of claims before transferring authority or property. Readers must examine whether professed loyalty aligns with actual conduct when power shifts.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 9:9 Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “I have given to your master’s grandson all that belonged to Saul and to all his house.
- Exodus 20:16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- 2 Samuel 19:24 Then Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely.
- Psalms 15:3 who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend,
- Psalms 88:18 You have removed my beloved and my friend; darkness is my closest companion.
- Psalms 101:5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.
- Proverbs 1:19 Such is the fate of all who are greedy, whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors.
- Proverbs 21:28 A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
- Micah 7:5 Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.
- 1 Timothy 6:9 Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.