In basketball, a game-winning shot at the buzzer gets a lot of attention; but in a one-point game,

every point matters. A mostly unnoticed hustle play early in the game might also result in a one-

point difference, but few remember it.

Ziba was a servant of former King Saul’s family. David summoned him to inquire if there was

anybody left of that family. Ziba reported that the injured son of Jonathan, named

Mephibosheth, was still around. David had Mephibosheth brought to him and said this:

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “since I intend to show you kindness because of

your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will

always eat meals at my table.” (2 Samuel 9:7 HCSB)

This act of kindness by David is the key point of this passage (the game-winning shot), but

today I want to talk about Ziba. David assigned Ziba and Ziba’s sons and servants to work

Mephibosheth’s new fields. We can infer that Ziba and his family ended up in a better position

because of this kindness toward Mephibosheth, but I can’t help wondering if Ziba was OK with

all of this.

Maybe he was fully happy for Mephibosheth in this moment. Or maybe he was a little resentful

that within this beautiful act of redemption toward Mephibosheth, he and his sons got to work

more fields. In later chapters there is indeed some drama between Ziba and Mephibosheth that

David must sort out, but today let’s focus on Ziba’s initial response.

Have you ever felt a pang of envy or even resentment toward somebody who receives a

blessing you had been praying to receive yourself? They got the promotion, or the healed

relationship, or the healed body. Even if you’re genuinely happy for them, you can’t help

wondering why you did not receive the same. It can be hard to accept. I think Ziba gives us an

example of the right response we should have to God, which in my analogy would be the

unnoticed hustle play:

Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all my lord the king commands.” (2 Samuel 9:11 HCSB)

What will be my response to my King? Will I do what He asks, including to just be patient, or will

I get distracted by what He’s done for somebody else? Will I keep my focus on my relationship

with Him instead of His relationship with somebody else?



He wants a relationship with us, and He sees us. Let’s return His gaze.

By Mark Stuart