ZIBA, or Siba, a Servant to Saul.1 King David having resolved to shew some Kindness to some one of the Race of Saul, he ordered Ziba to come to him, and asked him, if there was any one remaining of the House of Saul, to whom he might shew some Kindness, for the sake of Jonathan. Ziba told him, that there was still one of Jonathan’s Sons left; whose Name was Mephibosheth, who was lame, and dwelt it the House of Machir, at Lodebar. David sent for him, and told him he should have the Privilege of sitting at his Table all the rest of his Life. He said moreover to Ziba, I have given Mephibosheth all that belonged to Saul; therefore make the best of his Estate, that your Master may have a sufficient Subsistance. Ziba replied, My Lord, and my King, your Servant will obey your Commands; and Mephibosheth shall be served at my Table, when he shall please to be there, as one of the King’s Sons. Now Ziba had fifteen Sons, and twenty Servants, who were all employed to attend Mephibosheth, and to make the best of his Estate. But Mephibosheth eat at the King’s Table, tho’ he dwelt with Ziba.
Some Years after,2 when David was forced to leave Jerusalem, because of the Rebellion of his Son Absalom, Ziba went out to meet David, with two Asses loaded with Provisions. The King asked him, what do you mean by these? Ziba answered, the Asses are to mount some of the King’s Officers, and the Provisions are for those that attend you. David then asked him, where is Mephibosheth? Ziba replied, he continues at Jerusalem, with this Notion, saying, the House of Israel will now restore me to the Kingdom of my Father. The King then said to Ziba, I will give you all that belongs to Mephibosheth. Ziba replied, all that I desire, my Lord, and my King, is, to have some share in your Favour.
2 Sam. xix. 17, 24.After the Defeat of Absalom, Ziba came to meet the King, with his fifteen Sons and twenty Servants, who made haste to pass over the Jordan, that they might be serviceable to the King and his People, at their passing over the Ford of the River. Mephibosheth also came to meet the King and in such a Plight as sufficiently shew’d his Trouble for the King’s Absence. For from the time of David’ Flight, he had neither washed his Feet nor trimm’d his Beard, or taken any care of his Dress. And being admitted to pay his Compliments to the King at Jerusalem, David asked him, Mephibosheth, why did you not go along with me, but stay here at Jerusalem? To which Mephibosheth replied, My Lord, and my King, my Servant Ziba deceived me: For being, as you know, lame of my Feet, I bid him prepare me an Ass, to follow you; but, instead of that, he went himself, to accuse me falsly to my Lord the King. He went on to vindicate himself, but the King interrupted him, and said, It is enough; say no more of it: What I have already determined shall obtain; do you and Ziba divide the Estate between you. David did not think proper to make a stricter Scrutiny into this Matter, perhaps out of consideration for Mephibosheth. For it is hardly to be supposed that David would have confirmed Ziba in the Possession of half Saul’s Estate, if he had thought him to have been guilty of Calumny, and Disobedience to his Master. It is therefore believed, that David made up to Mephibosheth the Moiety of his Estate that was given to Ziba.
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