Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 16:1

"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.