1 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, [It is] for Saul, and for [his] bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
2 And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites [were] not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)
3 Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?
4 And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, [that] will I do for you.
5 And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us [that] we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,
6 Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, [whom] the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give [them].
7 But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD’S oath that [was] between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:
9 And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell [all] seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first [days], in the beginning of barley harvest.
10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
11 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
12 And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:
13 And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.
14 And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.
15 Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.
16 And Ishbibenob, which [was] of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear [weighed] three hundred [shekels] of brass in weight, he being girded with a new [sword], thought to have slain David.
17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
18 And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which [was] of the sons of the giant.
19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew [the brother of] Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear [was] like a weaver’s beam.
20 And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of [great] stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
21 And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him.
22 These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
Overview of 2 Samuel Chapter 21
2 Samuel 21 presents a series of events that highlight the ongoing consequences of past actions, the importance of justice, and the complexities of leadership in Israel during the reign of King David. The chapter is divided into several key sections that address a famine, the Gibeonites’ demand for justice, and the valor of David’s warriors.
Famine in the Land
The chapter opens with a mention of a famine that lasted for three years, prompting King David to seek the Lord’s guidance.
- The famine’s duration indicates a significant crisis in the land.
- David’s inquiry to the Lord shows his reliance on divine guidance in governance.
- The Lord reveals that the famine is a consequence of Saul’s actions against the Gibeonites.
The Gibeonites’ Demand for Justice
Following the revelation about the famine’s cause, David approaches the Gibeonites to address the injustice done to them by Saul.
- The Gibeonites, who were not Israelites but had made a covenant with Israel, demand justice.
- They request the execution of seven of Saul’s descendants as reparation for Saul’s attempt to annihilate them.
- David agrees to their request, demonstrating his commitment to justice and the fulfillment of covenants.
David spares Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, due to the oath he made to Jonathan, which highlights the theme of loyalty and covenant.
Execution of Saul’s Descendants
David delivers the seven descendants of Saul to the Gibeonites, who execute them publicly on a mountain.
- The act serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of Saul’s actions and the seriousness of justice in the eyes of the Gibeonites.
- This event also emphasizes the gravity of blood guilt and the need for atonement in ancient Israelite society.
Burial of the Executed
After the execution, the narrative shifts to the burial of the bodies, which reflects the importance of honoring the dead.
- David retrieves the bones of Saul and Jonathan from Jabesh Gilead and buries them alongside the executed descendants.
- This act serves to restore dignity to Saul’s family and fulfills David’s promise to Jonathan.
- The burial signifies a closure to the blood guilt and a restoration of peace between the Gibeonites and Israel.
David’s Mighty Warriors
The chapter concludes with a tribute to David’s mighty warriors, showcasing their exploits and bravery.
- These warriors are celebrated for their loyalty and strength in battle.
- Specific accounts of their victories highlight the importance of military prowess in maintaining David’s reign.
- Their deeds serve as a reminder of the collective strength and unity of David’s leadership.
Thematic Elements
- Justice and Atonement: The chapter emphasizes the need for justice in the face of past wrongs and the importance of atonement.
- Covenant Loyalty: David’s actions reflect the significance of loyalty to covenants, both with God and with individuals.
- Leadership Challenges: David’s decisions illustrate the complexities of leadership and the weight of responsibility that comes with it.
Conclusion
2 Samuel 21 serves as a poignant reminder of the interplay between justice, leadership, and the consequences of past actions. The chapter encapsulates the challenges faced by David as a leader and the importance of addressing historical grievances to ensure peace and stability in the kingdom.
