Bible Strands
2 Samuel 19:29
The king replied, “Why say any more? I hereby declare that you and Ziba are to divide the land.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David addresses Mephibosheth upon his return to Jerusalem, responding directly to Mephibosheth’s statement that his family’s guilt leaves him no standing to continue his appeal.
The words — לָּמָה תְדַבֵּר עוֹד דְּבָרֶיךָ (lāmāh teḏabbēr ʿōd dᵊḇārêḵā) literally renders “why do you still speak your words,” marking David’s rejection of further debate. אָמַרְתִּי (ʾāmarṯî) means “I say” or “I declare,” functioning as the formal introduction to his binding ruling.
The thread — David’s dismissal of ongoing speech mirrors Deuteronomy 19:17’s expectation that disputes be resolved through established judicial standing rather than continued pleading. The tension between David’s decree and Mephibosheth’s subsequent surrender of rights in 2 Samuel 19:30 reflects the same dynamic seen in Job 19:16 and Psalm 82:2 regarding appeals before unjust or absolute authority.
Why it lands — It records a monarch unilaterally settling a property dispute without legal procedure, requiring the reader to confront how sovereign power operates independently of established judicial norms.
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 unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 19:17 both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time.
- Job 19:16 I call for my servant, but he does not answer, though I implore him with my own mouth.
- Psalms 82:2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
- 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 18:13 He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.
- Acts 18:15 But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”