שמואל ב, פרק ט׳, פסוק י׳

King David establishes a clear economic arrangement for the estate of Saul, dividing responsibilities between Ziba and Mephibosheth. While Mephibosheth is granted a place of honor within the royal court, Ziba and his large family are tasked with the physical labor of working the land. Backed by his fifteen sons and twenty servants, Ziba is ordered to continue his previous duties. He must plow the fields, harvest the crops, and provide for the needs of Mephibosheth [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This responsibility covers every stage of agricultural work, ensuring the crop is fully gathered from the field and brought indoors [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מנחת שי].

The king's instructions present a slight puzzle. Ziba is told to produce food from the land for his master's son, yet David immediately declares that Mephibosheth will always eat at the royal table. One approach resolves this by separating Mephibosheth from his household. The profits and produce from the estate are meant to support Mephibosheth's extended family and dependents. Mephibosheth himself does not need this sustenance, as he will dine at the king's table in Jerusalem as a mark of honor and glory [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Another perspective suggests that the instructions refer to different people. The command to provide food for the master's son actually refers to Micha, the young son of Mephibosheth. Because Ziba is now the servant of Mephibosheth, Micha is the son who will eat the produce of the field. The statement about eating at the king's table refers directly to Mephibosheth, honoring him as the son of Jonathan, who was Ziba's original master [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אלשיך]. This arrangement is also highly practical. Because Mephibosheth is disabled in both legs, he cannot easily travel to his fields in the territory of Benjamin. He remains comfortably in the royal court, while Ziba manages the distant estates on his behalf [אלשיך].