Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ZIBA

(Heb. ṣîḇāʾ)

A steward of the household of Saul. Out of David’s desire to do kindness to the house of Saul for Jonathan’s sake (1 Sam. 20:14-17, 42), David queries Ziba, who brings Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth to the king’s attention (2 Sam. 9:1-4). After elevating Mephibosheth to the king’s dole, David bestows upon him a royal grant of all Saul’s former land holdings. David then places Ziba, his 15 sons, and his 20 servants (2 Sam. 19:17[MT 18]) at the disposal of Mephibosheth to manage and work this estate (9:9-10).

When David evacuates Jerusalem during the attempted coup of Absalom, Ziba arrives with transport for David and provisions for his entourage. Ziba’s actions raise questions in David’s mind regarding the whereabouts and motives of Mephibosheth. When Ziba implicates Mephibosheth in a treasonous effort to restore the house of Saul to the throne, David transfers all Mephibosheth’s land holdings to Ziba (2 Sam. 16:1-4).

Following the death of Absalom, Ziba with his sons and servants assist the king in crossing the Jordan on his return to Jerusalem. When Mephibosheth also arrives, an impromptu legal hearing is held at which he charges Ziba with deceit and slander. David divides the former land holdings of Saul between Ziba and Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 19:24-30[25-31]).

John D. Fortner

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ZIBA

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)