David Avenges The Gibeonites

II Samuel 21:1–22
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There was a famine during the days of David (v. 1). Perhaps David had not sought the Lord for a long time and now catastrophe strikes and he goes to the tabernacle in behalf of his people. Saul had killed many Gibeonites so David calls for them (v. 2). He tells them that he will make atonement for the way they have been treated and will do whatever they say (vv. 3-4). At this point they become more specific. They said they had been consumed and plotted against (v. 5), so now they want seven men of Saul’s descendants who they will hang in Gibeah (v. 6). Because of the oath between David and Jonathan, the king spares Methibosheth, the son of Jonathan (v. 7). So David chooses Armoni and Mephiboseth, the two sons of Rizpah (Saul’s wife) and the five sons of Michal (Saul’s daughter) and delivers them to the Gibeonites who hanged them on the hill (vv.  8-9).

Rizpah stayed on a rock beside the bodies from the beginning of harvest till the rainy season to keep the birds and beasts away (v. 10). Because of her example David is conscience-stricken and goes to Jabesh Gilead to retrieve the bones of Saul and Jonathan and give them a proper burial. The bones of the seven descendants are also gathered and all taken to a final resting place in the tomb of Saul’s father (vv. 11-14).

Battles between Israel and the Philistines were not uncommon. Ishbi-Benob, the Philistine strong man decides to kill David but faces, Abishai, who comes to David’s rescue and kills the Philistine (vv. 15-16). Immediately the men of David ask him not to go out to battle any more because he, with God’s help has brought continued prosperity and well-being to the whole land and they don’t want his light extinguished (v. 17). A second battle takes place at Gob and the Rephaite Saph is killed (v. 18). A third battle takes place at Gezer/Gob and Elhanan slays Goliath’s brother (v. 19). A fourth battle takes place at Gath and a ‘huge man” is killed by David’s nephew Jonathan (vv. 20-21). David did not personally do battle with any of these men but he shares the credit with his men (v. 22).

Application

Like David I want to make everything right in this life with people I have wronged.