My Name Is Ziba
Servant and Steward of King David’s Household
Dear Believers of God,
I am Ziba, once a servant in the house of Saul, later becoming steward to King David. My life, entwined with the history of Israel’s kings, offers a narrative of service, opportunism, and the enduring grace of God. As I recount my tale, I invite you to ponder the nuances of my actions and the profound lessons they bear.
My story unfolds during a turbulent period in Israel’s history, marked by the transition of royal authority from Saul to David. I was first introduced to you in the scriptures as the servant of Saul, tasked with attending to the needs of Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan. "Ziba answered the king, 'Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.' So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons." (2 Samuel 9:11, NIV)
When King David sought to show kindness to the house of Saul for Jonathan's sake, I was summoned to provide information about Saul’s remaining descendants. It was I who informed David of Mephibosheth’s existence and his condition. In response, David graciously integrated Mephibosheth into the royal household, a gesture of profound generosity that also elevated my position to that of a steward, managing the lands for Mephibosheth's benefit.
However, my journey was complicated by ambition and the volatile politics of the time. During Absalom’s rebellion against King David, a moment of profound crisis for the kingdom, I saw both opportunity and risk. "When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine." (2 Samuel 16:1, NIV)
In that encounter, I presented myself as loyal to David, offering provisions during his escape. Yet, I also seized that moment to claim that Mephibosheth had betrayed David, hoping to regain favor and perhaps enhance my own standing. My actions were driven by a complex blend of self-preservation and genuine respect for David, whom I considered God’s anointed king.
The consequences of my words were immediate and significant. Believing my report, David granted me all of Mephibosheth’s lands. However, upon his return to Jerusalem after quelling Absalom’s revolt, David faced a conflicting account from Mephibosheth, who claimed that he had been misrepresented by me. "Mephibosheth said to the king, 'My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, "I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king." But Ziba my servant betrayed me.'" (2 Samuel 19:26, NIV)
Faced with these opposing narratives, David made a decision to divide the lands between us, a resolution that neither fully vindicated nor condemned me. This outcome reflected the complexities of human judgment and the intricacies of serving within a royal court.
To you, the faithful, I offer my story as a meditation on the nature of service and loyalty. My actions, while not without fault, were taken in the shadow of greater conflicts and the struggle to discern right paths in challenging times. I learned that loyalty is multifaceted and that service to one’s king, and ultimately to God, requires integrity and truth.
Let my experiences encourage you to act with wisdom and uphold righteousness, even when circumstances tempt you to compromise. Remember, our ultimate loyalty must lie with God, and our actions should reflect His statutes and commandments.
As you walk your path, may you do so with a heart attuned to God’s will, a spirit committed to fairness, and a life marked by the grace that we, as flawed beings, so desperately need. May the lessons of my life strengthen your resolve to serve in truth and faithfulness.
In humility and hope,
Ziba, Servant of the House of King David
Very interesting take and perspective on Ziba.
David was ultimately deceived by Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth who was Saul's son. (2 Samuel 16) Likewise, Joshua and the Elders of Israel became hoodwinked by the deception of the Gibeonites. (Joshua 9:9-14) All of these things happened to them as examples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
And now, here we are, at the end of the ages, a time of which, the Prophet Daniel spoke of. It is a time when the People of God will also be deceived, those who do not have a love for the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thess 2: 1-12) So God himself will hand them over to their chosen deceptions.
Daniel foretold of those events that would unfold at the time of the end saying; those people who are discerning shall perceive in many things, yet they shall be weakened by what the days of sorrow brings upon them.
During our end times and of the spirit of antichrist and of his reign when he raises his hand to destroy some of the Holy People; for they will be given into his hands for time, times and half a time.
Daniel 11:31 And forces shall stand on his part, and they shall profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and shall take away the continual burnt-offering, and they shall set up the abomination that maketh desolate.
32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he pervert by flatteries; but the people that know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
33 And they that are wise among the people shall instruct many; yet they shall fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by spoil, many days.
34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help; but many shall join themselves unto them with flatteries.
35 And some of them that are wise shall fall, to refine them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end; because it is yet for the time appointed.
John wrote it this way in his Revelation to the Churches saying; And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Rev 13:5-7
The Lord Himself intends to refine those who are truly his own, his church, to purify them and make them white during the time of the end and he will indeed use the antichrist, the beast & the false prophet/s to bring many to their cross, to separate his sheep from the sheep (Ezekiel 34) and the goats,( Matt 25; Matt 7) the wheat from the tares (Matt 13), the separation of the wicked from the just in the parable of the dragnet (Matt 13:47-50).
Deception will indeed abound. Already is! May we guard against it, praying that Heavenly father will keep teaching and revealing to us what is the truth, His truths & what is of Him and what is not. And in loving & upholding His truths in love, guarding ourselves against all idols or in elevating anything above His truths.
God is going to allow each and every one of us to be tested & tried to see if we will hold fast to Jesus as the word & truth, to examine our motives and reveal what is in the depths of our hearts, to see if they are of the flesh, or of Him & His Holy spirit. Those who choose to elevate people, the world that is passing away, satans systems, and any institutions above Almighty God will be utterly put to shame. 1 John 4:1; 2 Peter 2
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Cor 13:5