Background and Context:
Ziba was a servant of the house of Saul, specifically serving Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. The narrative of Ziba's deception and provision is found in 2 Samuel 16:1-4 and 2 Samuel 19:24-30. This account occurs during the tumultuous period of King David's reign when his son Absalom rebelled against him, forcing David to flee Jerusalem.

Ziba's Deception:
As David fled from Absalom, Ziba met him with provisions. The Berean Standard Bible records, "When David had gone a little beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs, and a skin of wine" (2 Samuel 16:1). Ziba presented these supplies to David, claiming that Mephibosheth had stayed in Jerusalem, hoping to reclaim his grandfather Saul's throne. Ziba said to David, "Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my grandfather'" (2 Samuel 16:3).

David, without further inquiry, accepted Ziba's account and granted him all of Mephibosheth's possessions, saying, "All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours" (2 Samuel 16:4). This decision was made in haste, influenced by the urgency of the situation and the apparent loyalty Ziba showed by bringing provisions.

Provision and Loyalty:
Ziba's actions can be seen as both opportunistic and supportive. By providing for David and his men during a critical time, Ziba demonstrated a form of loyalty to the king. The provisions he brought were significant, offering sustenance and support to David's weary company. This act of provision, however, was marred by the deception regarding Mephibosheth's intentions.

The Truth Revealed:
The truth about Ziba's deception is later revealed when David returns to Jerusalem after Absalom's defeat. Mephibosheth comes to meet the king, having not cared for his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes since the day David left (2 Samuel 19:24). Mephibosheth explains to David that Ziba deceived him, stating, "My lord the king, my servant deceived me. For I said, 'I will saddle a donkey for myself so that I may ride on it and go with the king,' because your servant is lame" (2 Samuel 19:26).

David, faced with conflicting accounts, decides to divide the land between Ziba and Mephibosheth, saying, "You and Ziba shall divide the land" (2 Samuel 19:29). Mephibosheth, however, expresses his loyalty to David by saying, "Let him take it all, since my lord the king has come safely to his own house" (2 Samuel 19:30).

Theological and Moral Implications:
Ziba's actions raise questions about loyalty, deception, and the complexities of human motives. His provision for David was a tangible act of support, yet it was accompanied by deceit. This narrative highlights the importance of discernment and the potential consequences of hasty judgments. David's initial acceptance of Ziba's account without further investigation serves as a cautionary tale about the need for wisdom and patience in leadership. The account also underscores the theme of divine justice, as the truth eventually comes to light, and the integrity of Mephibosheth is revealed.