2 Samuel 9:2

WEB

There was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" He said, "Your servant is he."

KJV

And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.

Commentary

And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba,.... Or there was a servant that belonged to Saul's family; not that any of Saul's family was a servant; and this servant the Jews commonly say w as a Canaanitish servant, and who upon the death of his master was not made free, but became the inheritance and possession of his children after him, Lev 25:46 ; though Josephus (n) says he was made free by Saul: and when they had called him unto David; who it seems was now at court, or in Jerusalem, on some account or another; or was in David's service, in some inferior post or another; however, having been a quondam servant of Saul, it was thought he could give the best intelligence of his family, and whether any were living, and therefore was sent for; and when he was come into the king's presence: the king said unto him, art thou Ziba? for he had been told before by some of his courtiers what his name was: and he said, thy servant is he; or my name is Ziba, and I am at thy command. (n) Ut supra, (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 5.) sect. 5.