Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, August 3rd, 2025
the Week of Proper 13 / Ordinary 18
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Read the Bible

THE MESSAGE

2 Samuel 19:29

"That's enough," said the king. "Say no more. Here's my decision: You and Ziba divide the property between you."

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - David;   Mephibosheth;   Rashness;   Slander;   Ziba;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Mephibosheth;   Ziba;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Prophet;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Mephibosheth;   Ziba;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Samuel, Books of;   Ziba;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Samuel, Books of;   Ziba;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Joram;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Mephibosheth ;   Ziba ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Mephibosheth;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Zi'ba;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Mephibosheth;   Samuel, Books of;   Ziba;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
The king said to him, “Why keep on speaking about these matters of yours? I hereby declare: you and Ziba are to divide the land.”
Hebrew Names Version
The king said to him, Why speak you any more of your matters? I say, You and Tziva divide the land.
King James Version
And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
Lexham English Bible
Then the king said to him, "Why should you speak any more about the matter? I have decided: you and Ziba shall divide the land."
English Standard Version
And the king said to him, "Why speak any more of your affairs? I have decided: you and Ziba shall divide the land."
New Century Version
The king said to him, "Don't say anything more. I have decided that you and Ziba will divide the land."
New English Translation
Then the king replied to him, "Why should you continue speaking like this? You and Ziba will inherit the field together."
Amplified Bible
The king said to him, "Why speak anymore of your affairs? I have said, 'You and Ziba shall divide the land.'"
New American Standard Bible
So the king said to him, "Why do you still speak of your affairs? I have decided, 'You and Ziba shall divide the land.'"
Geneva Bible (1587)
And the king said vnto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I haue said, Thou, and Ziba deuide the landes.
Legacy Standard Bible
So the king said to him, "Why do you still speak of your affairs? I have decided, ‘You and Ziba shall divide the land.'"
Contemporary English Version
David answered, "You've said enough! I've decided to divide the property between you and Ziba."
Complete Jewish Bible
For all my father's household deserved death at the hand of my lord the king; nevertheless you placed your servant with those who eat at your own table. I deserve nothing more; so why should I come crying any more to the king?"
Darby Translation
And the king said to him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
Easy-to-Read Version
The king said to Mephibosheth, "Don't say anything more about your problems. This is what I have decided: You and Ziba will divide the land."
George Lamsa Translation
And the king said to him, You have spoken more than enough, I have already commanded that you and Ziba shall divide the fields.
Good News Translation
The king answered, "You don't have to say anything more. I have decided that you and Ziba will share Saul's property."
Literal Translation
And the king said to him, Why do you speak any more of your matters? I have said, You and Ziba share the land.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
The kynge sayde vnto him: What speakest thou yet more of thy matter? I haue sayde: Thou and Siba parte the londe betwene you.
American Standard Version
And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I say, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
Bible in Basic English
And the king said, Say nothing more about these things. I say, Let there be a division of the land between Ziba and you.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And the king said vnto him: Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I haue saide, Thou and Ziba deuide the landes betweene you.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
For all my father's house were deserving of death at the hand of my lord the king; yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet? or why should I cry any more unto the king?'
King James Version (1611)
And the king said vnto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I haue said, Thou and Ziba diuide the land.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the king said to him, Why speakest thou any longer of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Siba shall divide the land.
English Revised Version
And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I say, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
Berean Standard Bible
The king replied, "Why say any more? I hereby declare that you and Ziba are to divide the land."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Sotheli the kyng seide to hym, What spekist thou more? that that Y haue spoke is stidefast; thou and Siba depart possessyouns.
Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith to him, `Why dost thou speak any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba -- share ye the field.'
Update Bible Version
And the king said to him, Why speak anymore of your matters? I say, You and Ziba divide the land.
Webster's Bible Translation
And the king said to him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
World English Bible
The king said to him, Why speak you any more of your matters? I say, You and Ziba divide the land.
New King James Version
So the king said to him, "Why do you speak anymore of your matters? I have said, "You and Ziba divide the land."'
New Living Translation
"You've said enough," David replied. "I've decided that you and Ziba will divide your land equally between you."
New Life Bible
The king said to him, "Why speak any more of how things are with you? I have decided that you and Ziba should divide the land."
New Revised Standard
The king said to him, "Why speak any more of your affairs? I have decided: you and Ziba shall divide the land."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then the king said unto him, Wherefore shouldst thou speak any further of thine affairs? I have said - Thou and Ziba, shall share the land.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then the king said to him: Why speakest thou any more? what I have said is determined: thou and Siba divide the possessions.
Revised Standard Version
And the king said to him, "Why speak any more of your affairs? I have decided: you and Ziba shall divide the land."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
So the king said to him, "Why do you still speak of your affairs? I have decided, 'You and Ziba shall divide the land.'"

Contextual Overview

24Next Mephibosheth grandson of Saul arrived from Jerusalem to welcome the king. He hadn't combed his hair or trimmed his beard or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safe and sound. The king said, "And why didn't you come with me, Mephibosheth?" 26"My master the king," he said, "my servant betrayed me. I told him to saddle my donkey so I could ride it and go with the king, for, as you know, I am lame. And then he lied to you about me. But my master the king has been like one of God's angels: he knew what was right and did it. Wasn't everyone in my father's house doomed? But you took me in and gave me a place at your table. What more could I ever expect or ask?" 29 "That's enough," said the king. "Say no more. Here's my decision: You and Ziba divide the property between you." 30 Mephibosheth said, "Oh, let him have it all! All I care about is that my master the king is home safe and sound!"

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Why speakest: Job 19:16, Job 19:17, Proverbs 18:13, Acts 18:15

Thou: Deuteronomy 19:17-19, Psalms 82:2, Psalms 101:5

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 9:9 - I have given

Cross-References

Genesis 8:1
Then God turned his attention to Noah and all the wild animals and farm animals with him on the ship. God caused the wind to blow and the floodwaters began to go down. The underground springs were shut off, the windows of Heaven closed and the rain quit. Inch by inch the water lowered. After 150 days the worst was over.
Genesis 12:2
I'll make you a great nation and bless you. I'll make you famous; you'll be a blessing. I'll bless those who bless you; those who curse you I'll curse. All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you."
Genesis 19:23
The sun was high in the sky when Lot arrived at Zoar.
Genesis 19:31
One day the older daughter said to the younger, "Our father is getting old and there's not a man left in the country by whom we can get pregnant. Let's get our father drunk with wine and lie with him. We'll get children through our father—it's our only chance to keep our family alive."
Genesis 19:33
They got their father drunk with wine that very night. The older daughter went and lay with him. He was oblivious, knowing nothing of what she did. The next morning the older said to the younger, "Last night I slept with my father. Tonight, it's your turn. We'll get him drunk again and then you sleep with him. We'll both get a child through our father and keep our family alive." So that night they got their father drunk again and the younger went in and slept with him. Again he was oblivious, knowing nothing of what she did.
Genesis 30:22
And then God remembered Rachel. God listened to her and opened her womb. She became pregnant and had a son. She said, "God has taken away my humiliation." She named him Joseph (Add), praying, "May God add yet another son to me."
Nehemiah 13:14
Remember me, O my God, for this. Don't ever forget the devoted work I have done for The Temple of God and its worship.
Nehemiah 13:22
Then I directed the Levites to ceremonially cleanse themselves and take over as guards at the gates to keep the sanctity of the Sabbath day. Remember me also for this, my God. Treat me with mercy according to your great and steadfast love.
Psalms 25:7
Forget that I sowed wild oats; Mark me with your sign of love. Plan only the best for me, God !
Psalms 106:4
Remember me, God , when you enjoy your people; include me when you save them; I want to see your chosen succeed, celebrate with your celebrating nation, join the Hallelujahs of your pride and joy!

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And the king said unto him, why speakest thou any more of thy matters?.... Of his father's family, and the injuries done by them to David, and of the benefits and favours which he had received from David, or of his temporal affairs, of his estate, which David had given away to Ziba:

I have said, thou and Ziba divide the land; revoking his last grant to Ziba, which gave him all that belonged to Mephibosheth, 2 Samuel 16:4; he established his first decree, that Ziba should have half the profit of the land for tilling it, and the other half be given to Mephibosheth; he did not choose to punish Ziba for slandering his master, being inclined to clemency and mercy, and determined to show no severity at that time; and might be in some fear of Ziba, being a considerable man, lest he should raise a new insurrection, if he bore hard upon him; besides, he might have a large share in his affection, having made a present to him in the time of his distress, and was one of the first that came to meet him upon his return, 2 Samuel 19:17.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Unable to get to the bottom of the story, and perhaps unwilling to make an enemy of Ziba, David compromised the matter by dividing the land, thus partially revoking his hasty sentence 2 Samuel 16:4. We still see the impatient temper of David.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Samuel 19:29. I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land. — At first, David gave the land of Saul to Mephibosheth; and Ziba, his sons, and his servants, were to work that land; and to Mephibosheth, as the lord, he was to give the half of the produce. Ziba met David in his distress with provisions, and calumniated Mephibosheth: David, too slightly trusting to his misrepresentation, and supposing that Mephibosheth was actually such a traitor as Ziba represented him, made him on the spot a grant of his master's land. Now he finds that he has acted too rashly, and therefore confirms the former grant; i.e. that Ziba should cultivate the ground, and still continue to give to Mephibosheth, as the lord, the half of the produce. This was merely placing things in statu quo, and utterly annulling the gift that he had made to Ziba. But why did he leave this treacherous man any thing? Answer,

1. He was one of the domestics of Saul, and David wished to show kindness to that house.

2. He had supplied him with the necessaries of life when he was in the greatest distress; and he thinks proper to continue him in his old office, by way of remuneration.

But it was certainly too great a compensation for his services, however then important, when all the circumstances are considered.


 
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