And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.
The king asked Ziba, 'What do you mean by bringing all this?' Ziba replied, 'The donkeys are for the king's family to ride on, the bread and summer fruit are for your young men to eat, and the wine is for anyone who gets weak and thirsty in the wilderness.'
Ziba is explaining to King David that he brought supplies - donkeys for transportation, food for the men, and wine to refresh those who become exhausted in the desert.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative, King David is fleeing from his son Absalom, who has led a rebellion to seize the throne, forcing David and his loyal followers to escape Jerusalem in haste. As they journey through the wilderness, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, meets them with donkeys carrying provisions like bread, fruit, and wine, presenting these as support for David's household and his weary men. This encounter highlights themes of loyalty and survival during a time of political upheaval in ancient Israel.
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