2Sa 9:2; 16:1
Siba (Heb. Tsîbâ’, perhaps “statue” or “plantation”). Servant of King Saul (2Sa 9:2); freedman, according to Josephus. In David’s time he had a large family of 15 children and 20 servants of his own (9:10; 19:17). When David restored Saul’s former estate to Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, he put Ziba in charge of it and required her to manage it with his sons and his slaves (9:7, 9-11). As David fled from Jerusalem during Absalom’s rebellion, Ziba met him on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives and presented him with 2 donkeys laden with provisions. When he questioned him, he told him that Mephibosheth had stayed behind in the hope that Saul’s old kingdom would be restored to him. Hearing this, David immediately transferred Mephibosheth’s property to Ziba (2Sa 16:1-4). When the king returned to Judah after the victory over Absalom, Ziba, with her sons and slaves, was by the Jordan (19:17) to welcome him, but this time David also met Mephibosheth, who reaffirmed his loyalty. through its unkempt and unclean appearance, a manifestation of mourning for the escape and humiliation of the king. He declared that he intended to accompany the monarch in fleeing from him, and that he had ordered Ziba to saddle him with an ass, but she had disobeyed him, and furthermore had slandered him before the king. Apparently David was not entirely convinced of Mephibosheth’s loyalty, for in that case he would have punished Ziba. He resolved the situation by ordering that half of Saul’s former property be returned to Mephibosheth, while the other half remained in Ziba’s hands (vs 24-30). Bib.: FJ-AJ vii.5.5.
Source: Evangelical Bible Dictionary
Benjaminite, servant of the house of Saul, who informed David of the existence of Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, after his death.
David took Jonathan’s son, who was crippled, to live in Jerusalem, gave him all of Saul’s properties and made S. their steward, 2 S 9, 1-13. When Absalom’s rebellion, David had to flee; S. went out to meet him on the road, with two donkeys loaded with provisions, as an aid to those who fled with the king. David asked S. about his mistress Mephibosheth, and S. told him that he had joined Absalom’s party. The king then gave the properties of Mephibosheth to S., 2 S 16, 1-4.
Suppressed Absalom’s rebellion and dead when David returned to Jerusalem, Mephibosheth met him, who told the king that his servant S. had deceived and slandered him; the king decided that Saul’s possessions should be divided between Jonathan’s son and the servant S., 2 Sam 19, 25-31.
Digital Bible Dictionary, Grupo C Service & Design Ltda., Colombia, 2003
Source: Digital Bible Dictionary
(Heb., tsiva, a plant). Servant or slave of King Saul (2Sa 9:2); he had 15 children and 20 servants. David, eager to show kindness to the household of his late friend Jonathan, appointed Ziba to work on behalf of Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s crippled son. When David was in trouble, Ziba brought him provisions (2 Samuel 19), but she lied, saying that Mephibosheth had been disloyal to David. David therefore gave Ziba the property of his master; but later (2Sa 19:24-30), when Mephibosheth declared his innocence, David changed the decree.
Source: Hispanic World Bible Dictionary
Saul’s servant whom David asked if any of that king’s family had remained. S. explained the case of † ¢ Mephibosheth and David gave him Saul’s property, including S. with his children (2Sa 9: 1-13). Later, when David was fleeing from Jerusalem from Absalom, S. came with provisions for him and claimed that Mephibosheth had stayed in the city thinking of recovering the throne for his family. David gave S. the property of his master (2Sa 16: 1-4). Returning to the city after Absalom’s defeat, S. and his fifteen sons came with David (2Sa 19:17), but Mephibosheth explained that he had been deceived by S., for which half of his sons were returned to him. his property (2Sa 19:24-30).
Source: Christian Bible Dictionary
tip, BIOG HOMB HOAT
vet, Servant or slave of Saul. He was set free (Ant. 7:5, 5), and became the father of a large family, his own having his own servants (2 Sam. 9:10). By order of David, Ziba, his children and his servants had to serve Mephi-bosheth, Saul’s grandson, and cultivate his land (2 Sam. 9: 9-12). When Absalom’s revolt forced David to leave Jerusalem, Ziba went to meet him with two donkeys laden with provisions for the king. He told David that Mephibosheth had stayed in Jerusalem in the hope of regaining Saul’s kingdom. David then declared that Mephibosheth’s assets would go to Ziba (2 Sam. 16:1-4). After Absalom’s death, when David was going to cross the Jordan to return to Jerusalem, Ziba and his household went to welcome the king (2 Sam. 19:17). Mephibosheth, in mourning, had neglected his person during the entire time of the king’s absence. He went before him, complaining that he had been the victim of Ziba’s calumnies. David gave him half of his land, leaving the rest to Ziba (2 Sam. 24-30).
Source: New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
(Oath, or: Seven).
Well that Isaac’s servants dug, or re-dug, at Beer-sheba. (Ge 26:32, 33; compare 26:18.) These reported finding water after a peace treaty had been concluded with Abimelech, the king of Gerar, so Isaac named the well “Sibah” (which was refers to an oath made by seven things). (Ge 26:26-33) Abraham also made a covenant with Abimelech, either the same Philistine king or another with the same name or title. On this occasion Abimelech accepted seven ewe lambs from the patriarch as proof that Abraham possessed the disputed well, perhaps the same well that Isaac later called “Sheba.” Under that name (another form of Sheba) Isaac apparently retained the name “Beer-sheba,” which Abraham had originally given the place. (Ge 21:22-32; see BEER-SHEB.)
Source: Dictionary of the Bible
(heb. ṣı̂ḇā, ṣiḇā, ‘pole’). Saul’s servant (2 S. 9.2) who brought Mephibosheth to David when David wanted to honor Jonathan’s memory. When Mephibosheth was assigned a place in Ziba’s court he was appointed steward of Saul’s possessions given to Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 9). When David was expelled during Absalom’s rebellion, Ziba brought him food and also falsely accused Mephibosheth, saying that he had deserted from his side. David accepted this information without inquiring on his account, and gave the possessions to Ziba (2 Sam. 16.1–4). When David returned, Ziba hastened out to meet him (2 Sam. 19.7), but his betrayal was later exposed. David, faced with this difficult situation, divided the property between them, and Mephibosheth apparently accepted the arrangement (2 Samuel 19:24–30).
JGGN
Douglas, J. (2000). New Biblical Dictionary: First Edition. Miami: United Bible Societies.
Source: New Bible Dictionary