Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 16
Charles Ellicott Commentary
2 Samuel 16
Charles Ellicott Commentary
2 Samuel 16
"And when David was a little past the top [of the ascent], behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred clusters of raisins, and a hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine." — 2 Samuel 16:1 (ASV)
Ziba ... met him. —It is evident from the sequel of the story (2 Samuel 19:24–30) that Ziba grossly slandered his master, doubtless for the purpose (as appears from 2 Samuel 16:4) of personal gain. This story was, indeed, almost too improbable to be believed; for, quite independently of his obligations to David, Mephibosheth, a helpless cripple of the house of Saul, could hardly have hoped that Absalom’s rebellion would bring the throne to him.
Yet David, apt to be hasty in his judgments, was in a state to believe any story of ingratitude and to be deeply affected by Ziba’s large contribution to his necessities. Ziba shows an entire lack of principle and could, therefore, have adhered to David’s cause only because he had the shrewdness to foresee its ultimate success.
"Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine is all that pertaineth unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I do obeisance; let me find favor in thy sight, my lord, O king." — 2 Samuel 16:4 (ASV)
I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace. —Literally, I bow myself down; let me find favour.
"And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out, and cursed still as he came." — 2 Samuel 16:5 (ASV)
Bahurim. —See Note on 2 Samuel 3:16.
Of the family of the house of Saul. —That is, “of the family,” in the larger sense of tribe. Many of the Benjamites naturally felt aggrieved when the royal house passed away from their tribe; and, although under restraint while David’s government was strong, were ever ready to show their opposition and hatred when opportunity offered, as now with Shimei, and a little later with Sheba, the son of Bichri (2 Samuel 20:1–2).
"And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left." — 2 Samuel 16:6 (ASV)
He cast stones. —The road appears to have led along the side of a narrow ravine, on the opposite side of which (see 2 Samuel 16:9, let me go over) Shimei kept along with the fugitives, out of reach, and yet easily heard, and able to annoy them with stones.
"And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Begone, begone, thou man of blood, and base fellow:" — 2 Samuel 16:7 (ASV)
Come out, come out. —Rather, Go out, go out. It is doubtful whether by the words thou bloody man, Shimei meant anything more than that he considered David responsible for the blood of the house of Saul (2 Samuel 16:8), especially in the case of Ishbosheth and of Abner, and the execution of Saul’s seven descendants at the demand of the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 21:1–9). Yet he may have known of the crime in regard to Uriah, and have wished to point his curse with the charge of shedding that innocent blood.
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