Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 17:2

"A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren." — Proverbs 17:2 (ASV)

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame.... — This was strikingly exhibited in the case of Ziba, who by his timely aid to David (2 Samuel 16:0), first gained all the property of his master, Mephibosheth (i.e., the "man of shame"), and was later confirmed in the possession of half of it. Slaves, especially those "born in the house," often rose to a position of great trust. (Genesis 39:4–6.) Eliezer would have been Abraham’s heir had not Isaac been born (Genesis 15:3).