“In Sha’ul’s household, there had been a servant named Tziva, and they summoned him to David. The king asked him, ‘Are you Tziva?’ and he answered, ‘At your service.'”-2 Samuel 9:2
So yesterday we talked about how David had turned over the remaining members of Saul’s family to the Gibeonites to be executed…
And how he is now suddenly concerned about the welfare of Jonathan’s descendants if there be any remaining.
In verse 2, we’re told a man called Tziva was summoned to answer his inquiry.
In Hebrew, he is referred to as an EVED or עֶבֶד.
This word is often used in the Bible to describe someone in a position of service, whether to God, a king, or a master.
Moses is called an EVED of God (עֶבֶד יְהוָה) – “servant of Yahweh.” (Joshua 1:1)
Israel is sometimes referred to as God’s EVED, meaning God’s chosen servant. (Isaiah 41:8)
It can also refer to someone in bondage or indentured servitude, depending on the context.
But here’s what’s interesting about Tziva.
Jewish tradition holds that this homie was a Gentile.
We can also kinda tell by his name.
Tziva means “statue” as in a statue idol.
Again, this situation is interesting.
Tziva ain’t an Israelite.
Yet he’s in charge of Saul’s estate.
Talk about a twist of fate!
One day, he’s just a servant.
The next?
We have a gentile homie holding power over Hebrew property!
How did this happen?
Again, we talked about that yesterday.
Most of Saul’s family had been executed.
So there was no one else left to take charge.
That’s how this highest-ranking gentile servant, Tziva, suddenly found himself at the top.
Now, correct me if I’m wrong…
But ain’t that against the Torah?
Check out these verses.
“You shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses; one from among your brothers you shall set as king over you; you may NOT put a gentile over you, who is not your brother.” — Deuteronomy 17:15 (capitalized emphasis is mine)
“As for your male and female slaves whom you may have—from the nations that are around you, from them, you may buy slaves... but over your brethren, the children of Israel, you shall not rule one over another with rigor.” — Leviticus 25:44-46
“Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all gentiles, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.” — Nehemiah 9:2
Israel is also warned that Gentiles will rule over them if they fail to keep God’s Torah.
“The gentile who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail.” — Deuteronomy 28:43-44
This leads to our takeaway for today.
Saul was the first king of Israel.
Yet he was a rebellious king.
What was the result of his rebellion?
Every member of his household except for Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth perished.
And his estate ended up in the hands of an uncircumcised gentile servant.
Let he or she who has ears to hear, SHEMA!
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