2Sa 9:9-10 | KD | STEP | David then summoned Ziba the servant of Saul, told him of the restoration of Saul’s possessions to his son Mephibosheth, and ordered him, with his sons and servants, to cultivate the land for the son of his lord. The words, “that thy master’s son may have food to eat,” are not at variance with the next clause, “Mephibosheth shall eat bread alway at my table,” as bread is a general expression, including all the necessaries of life. Although Mephibosheth himself ate daily as a guest at the king’s table, he had to make provision as a royal prince for the maintenance of his own family and servants, as he had children according to and 1Ch 8:34. Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants ( ), with whom he had probably been living in Gibeah, Saul’s native place, and may perhaps have hitherto farmed Saul’s land.

‏ 2 Samuel 9:9-10

David then summoned Ziba the servant of Saul, told him of the restoration of Saul’s possessions to his son Mephibosheth, and ordered him, with his sons and servants, to cultivate the land for the son of his lord. The words, “that thy master’s son may have food to eat,” are not at variance with the next clause, “Mephibosheth shall eat bread alway at my table,” as bread is a general expression, including all the necessaries of life. Although Mephibosheth himself ate daily as a guest at the king’s table, he had to make provision as a royal prince for the maintenance of his own family and servants, as he had children according to 2Sa 9:12 and 1Ch 8:34. Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants (2Sa 9:10), with whom he had probably been living in Gibeah, Saul’s native place, and may perhaps have hitherto farmed Saul’s land.