Home› Bible› 2 Samuel› Chapter 21

2 Samuel 21

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 21 of 24

1 And there was a famine in the days of David, three years, year after year. And David sought the face of Jehovah. And Jehovah said, It is for Saul and for his bloody house, because he caused the Gibeonites to die.

2 And the king called for the Gibeonites and said to them (as to the Gibeonites, they were not of the sons of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites, and the sons of Israel had sworn to them and Saul sought to strike them in his zeal for the sons of Israel and Judah.)

3 And David said to the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? And with what shall I atone, and you bless the inheritance of Jehovah?

Read full chapter in the Bible Reader

Chapter Summary

The three years of famine for the Gibeonites ceases by hanging seven of Saul's sons. Rizpah's kindness to the dead. David buries the bones of Saul and Jonathan in his father's grave.

Key Hebrew Words

נַחֲלַ֥ת possession H5159 · TWOT 1342a
חֲמֵ֗שֶׁת five H2568 · TWOT 686a
נִתַּךְ pour forth H5413 · TWOT 1442
צִוָּ֖ה lay charge H6680 · TWOT 1887
בֹ֖שֶׁת shame H1322 · TWOT 222c

People & Context

Famine and Inquiry

A famine lasts for three years. David seeks Jehovah's face and learns it is because Saul had put the Gibeonites to death.

Gibeonites Demand Vengeance

David asks the Gibeonites what atonement they desire. They ask for seven of Saul's descendants to hang before Jehovah, and David agrees.

Saul's Descendants Hanged

David spares Mephibosheth but hands over two sons of Rizpah and five sons of Michal. They are hanged together on the mountain at the beginning of barl…

Timeline

Famine and Inquiry

A famine lasts for three years. David seeks Jehovah's face and learns it is because Saul had put the Gibeonites to death.

2 Samuel 21:1
Gibeonites Demand Vengeance

David asks the Gibeonites what atonement they desire. They ask for seven of Saul's descendants to hang before Jehovah, and David agrees.

2 Samuel 21:2-6
Saul's Descendants Hanged

David spares Mephibosheth but hands over two sons of Rizpah and five sons of Michal. They are hanged together on the mountain at the beginning of barley harvest.

2 Samuel 21:7-9

Read 2 Samuel 21 in the KJ3 Reader

Word-for-word literal translation with Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and audio.

Open in Bible Reader
2 Samuel 202 Samuel2 Samuel 22