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.

Why speakest

Job 19:16,17 I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I entreated him with my mouth...

Proverbs 18:13 He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.

Acts 18:15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look you to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

thou

Deuteronomy 19:17-19 Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges...

Psalm 82:2 How long will you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

Psalm 101:5 Whoever privately slanders his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that has an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.