When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?”

2 Samuel 19:25

For Meditation

Ziba is riding high. He has more than he bargained for. The entire property of his master has been given to him by a royal declaration. King David is not returning to the throne again, and there was no way Absalom will listen to the man who called himself “a dog” before David. Case closed. 

Swindlers are the worst of fools. They rejoice in their craftiness for a season only to come to face their unraveling from the only wise God. Most of the time, their experience is not beautiful. 

Absalom lost the battle with his father and met his demise on the battlefield (18:10-15). King David returned to Jerusalem. Those who had gambled against him now trembled and hid their faces. How could they face the king they betrayed? Some went to prostrate before him, pleading for mercy (19:18-20). And Ziba also went with the Benjamites “to do whatever [David] wished” (18). 

What was he thinking? How did he feel? 

Satan has lost the battle, and our resurrected Jesus will come back to reign with His people. Those who bet their future against Him will tremble and hide from Him. Every knee will bow to Him, and every tongue will confess Him as Lord to God the Father’s glory (Phil. 2:11). 

Ziba represents the people of the world. Earthly wealth is all they run after. He will later retain the land by the magnanimous ruling of king David and the selflessness of Mephibosheth (29-30). But for what gain? He will be left out on his own and away from the king’s presence, while Mephibosheth will retain his permanent seat at the king’s table.

Which of the two men is secure in the end? So, why slander a brother or sister for a favor?

As Jesus said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” (Mk. 8:36).

So, where is your heart, and how do you stand with Jesus? (Jn. 1:12-13; Rm. 10:9-10, 13). 

Shalom