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?

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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

רָעָב famine H7458 · TWOT 2183a
כָּפַר atone H3722 · TWOT 1024
שְׁבוּעָה oath H7621 · TWOT 2319a
רָפָה giant H7497 · TWOT 2198d
נֵר lamp H5216 · TWOT 1333a
נְחֹ֫שֶׁת bronze H5178 · TWOT 1350a

People & Context

David

King who seeks Jehovah over the famine, gives Saul's sons to the Gibeonites, and buries Saul's bones.

Rizpah

Daughter of Aiah, Saul's concubine, who guards the bodies of the seven hanged men day and night.

Saul

The dead former king whose bloodguilt against the Gibeonites brings the famine; his bones are reburied.

Jonathan

Saul's son, bound to David by oath; his bones are recovered and buried with Saul's.

Abishai

Son of Zeruiah who rescues the weary David and kills the giant Ishbibenob.

Mephibosheth

Son of Jonathan, spared by David for the oath of Jehovah between David and Jonathan.

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

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