Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine [are] all that [pertained] unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee [that] I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.
Ver. 4. Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth.] Thus poor Mephibosheth is condemned and punished causa inaudita, before he was heard speak for himself: so was the Lord Cromwell in Henry VIII's time. His enemies durst not bring him to his answer, nor try him by his peers; but procured an Act of attainder, whereby he was condemned, before he was heard: yet the king not long after his death repented that haste, wishing him alive again, &c. David had good cause to repent and retract this his error; but did it to the halves: where we may easily observe that the best men are but men; and that it is a very dangerous thing for a magistrate to receive gifts. Olim didici quid sint munera, said one.
And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee.] Flattering Ziba doth more harm to good David, than railing Shimei Beware of such flatters, Oι κολακες κοραχες
That I may find grace in thy sight.] Utinam semper ira me ames. a I do highly esteem thy gift, but much more thy favour. So should we do God's as that which sugareth all comforts, and is the mother blessing. When Cyrus had given Artabazus a cup of gold, and Chrysantas a kiss in token of his special favour, Artabazus was discontented, and said that the kiss was better gold than the cup. b
a Vatab.
b Xenoph.