Bible Strands
2 Samuel 16:4
So the king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!” “I humbly bow before you,” said Ziba. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David speaks to Ziba at Bahurim immediately after Ziba reports that Mephibosheth remained in Jerusalem to reclaim Saul’s throne.
The words — The Hebrew כֹּל (kol, “all”) and הִנֵּה (hi.nnēh, “here!” or “behold!”) frame David’s abrupt command transferring Mephibosheth’s entire estate to Ziba.
The thread — This pattern of granting everything based on a single report parallels the warnings in Proverbs 18:13 and Proverbs 18:17 against answering before hearing, while Ziba’s request to “find favor” aligns with Exodus 23:8’s caution against accepting bribes that twist judgment.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to recognize that swift, one-sided decisions permanently displace rightful heirs and expose leaders to manipulation.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 18:13 He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.
- Proverbs 18:17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
- Exodus 23:8 Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.
- Deuteronomy 19:15 A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- Proverbs 19:2 Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
- 2 Samuel 14:4 When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell facedown in homage and said, “Help me, O king!”
- 2 Samuel 14:10 “If anyone speaks to you,” said the king, “bring him to me, and he will not trouble you again!”
- 2 Samuel 14:22 Joab fell facedown in homage and blessed the king. “Today,” said Joab, “your servant knows that he has found favor in your eyes, my lord the king, because the king has granted his request.”