Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 16:2
And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses [be] 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 be faint in the wilderness may drink.
2. the wilderness ] See note on ch. 2Sa 15:23.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 2. The asses be for the king’s household] This is the Eastern method of speaking when any thing is presented to a great man: “This and this is for the slaves of the servants of your majesty,” when at the same time the presents are intended for the sovereign himself, and are so understood. It is a high Eastern compliment: These presents are not worthy of your acceptance; they are only fit for the slaves of your slaves.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
For the kings household to ride on; for the king and his wives and children were all on foot; not that he had not or could not procure asses for them at Jerusalem, but because he chose it as best becoming that state of penitence and humiliation in which they were.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. The asses be for the king’shousehold to ride onThe royal fugitives were moving on foot,not from inability to procure conveyances, but as being suitable totheir present state of humiliation and penitence.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the king said unto Ziba, what meanest thou by these?…. Are they to be said, or are they presents?
and Ziba said, the asses [be] for the king’s household to ride on; for himself, his wives, and children, his courtiers, and the principal officers of his house; it being usual in those times and countries for great personages to ride on asses, see Jud 5:10;
and the bread and summer fruits for the young men to eat; the king’s menial servants, his guards and his soldiers:
and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink; where no water was to be had, that their fainting spirits might be revived, and they be able whether to fight or march.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2Sa 16:2. The asses be for the king’s household to ride on The asses are for the king’s household, for carriage; for the carrying their baggage. Houbigant.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
(2) And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be 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 be faint in the wilderness may drink. (3) 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, Today shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father. (4) 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.
It appears from every part of the history, that Mephibosheth was a man of no ambition. What a cruel, unfaithful wretch was this man, to slander poor Mephibosheth, on this occasion, to David.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Sa 16:2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses [be] 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 be faint in the wilderness may drink.
Ver. 2. What meanest thou by these? ] Is it thy master’s doing, or thine own?
For the young men to eat.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
What meanest: Gen 21:29, Gen 33:8, Eze 37:18, The asses. This is the eastern mode of speaking when presenting anything to a great man: “This is for the slaves of the servants of your majesty;” when at the same time the presents are intended for the sovereign himself, and it is so understood. 2Sa 15:1, 2Sa 19:26, Jdg 5:10, Jdg 10:4
for the young: 1Sa 25:27
that such: 2Sa 15:23, 2Sa 17:29, Jdg 8:4, Jdg 8:5, 1Sa 14:28, Pro 31:6, Pro 31:7
Reciprocal: Num 16:15 – I have not 1Sa 16:20 – an ass laden 2Sa 15:28 – General 2Sa 17:28 – beds Amo 8:2 – A basket Mat 21:5 – sitting Joh 12:15 – sitting
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 16:2. The asses be for the kings household to ride on Or, rather, some of his household, for they could not all ride on two asses, unless by turns, relieving each other, which perhaps Ziba intended; for he seems to have been very considerate in adapting his present to the wants of David and those that were with him. It appears, the king, and his wives and children, were all on foot: not because he had not, or could not procure, asses for them at Jerusalem; but because he chose they should go in this manner, as best becoming that state of penitence and humiliation in which they were.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
16:2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The {b} asses [be] 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 be faint in the wilderness may drink.
(b) Commonly there are no viler traitors than they, who under the pretence of friendship accuse others.