the gibeonites avenged wars against the philistines...

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THE GIBEONITES AVENGED

WARS AGAINST THE PHILISTINES

2 SAMUEL 21:1-22

Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Avenue, Nashville, TN., 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor


The Gibeonites Avenged

Wars Against the Philistines Text: 2 Samuel 21:1-22, 1. During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the LORD. The LORD said, "It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death." 2. The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) 3. David asked the Gibeonites, "What shall I do for you? How shall I make amends so that you will bless the LORD's inheritance?" 4. The Gibeonites answered him, "We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death." "What do you want me to do for you?" David asked. 5. They answered the king, "As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, 6. let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and exposed before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord 's chosen one." So the king said, "I will give them to you." 7. The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul. 8. But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah's daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul,



together with the five sons of Saul's daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. 9. He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed and exposed them on a hill before the LORD. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning. 10. Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds of the air touch them by day or the wild animals by night. 11. When David was told what Aiah's daughter Rizpah, Saul's concubine, had done, 12. he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had taken them secretly from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) 13. David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up. 14. They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul's father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land. 15. Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16. And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword , said he would kill David. 17. But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, saying, "Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished."



18. In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha. 19. In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod. 20. In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 21. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David's brother, killed him. 22. These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men. (NIV) Introduction: I. “The material in 2 Samuel 21-24 comes from different periods of David’s life,” Smith wrote, and provides “a theological interpretation of David’s whole career.”

A. This material contains two (2) narratives, two (2) poems (songs) and two (2) lists. (See Smith.) B. It is not possible to accurately determine the time these events occurred; that is, at what points in David’s life they transpired. (See Coffman.)

II. By way of background to 2 Samuel 21:1-14, David is, in these verses, presented as just in his dealings with the Gibeonites, loyal to his covenant with Jonathan and completely devoid of any personal animosity toward the family of Saul, according to Smith.



Commentary:

The Gibeonites Avenged 2 Samuel 21:1, During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the LORD. The LORD said, "It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death." (NIV) I. “During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; . . .”

A. Many famines are mentioned in the Bible.

1. “In Palestine a famine was the almost certain consequence of a failure of the winter rains,” Smith wrote. 2. The fact that this famine persisted for three (3) consecutive years indicated to David that this was not a natural disaster. (See Smith.)

B. Coffman expressed the opinion that “this episode (verses 1-14) recounts another of the shameful sins of David.”

1. Smith wrote, “The people were guilty in that they permitted (Saul) their king to act in this lawless manner.” 2. “Murder left unpunished polluted the land,” Smith stated.



a. Numbers 35:33, " 'Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. (NIV)

3. “The famine was the punishment for that pollution,” Smith concluded.

C. Clarke stated that this passage is the only biblical reference to this famine. D. It is not known when in David’s reign this famine occurred, but The Pulpit Commentary ventured the opinion that it can be dated to the early years of David’s reign.

1. Punishment for Saul’s grievous crimes would not be expected to have been delayed for an extended number of years. 2. Saul’s sins were most certainly in the nation’s recent memory.

II. “so David sought the face of the LORD.”

A. David prayed to God, inquired of the LORD, for understanding of why the nation was suffering this prolonged famine. B. Coffman finds fault with David for waiting three (3) years to seek “the face of the LORD” regarding the famine.

III. “The LORD said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.”



A. According to Smith, the LORD probably returned answer through a prophet. B. God said the famine was the result of the innocents’ being killed by the house of Saul, especially in regard to the Gibeonites.

1. Numbers 35:33-34, " 'Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.' " (NIV) 2. The guilt of murder rested on the house of Saul. (Pulpit Commentary) 3. The house of Saul had shed innocent blood and the house of Saul had to make atonement for the land.

C. “The Israelites had made a solemn covenant with the Gibeonites that they would not be harmed and that the Gibeonites would be slaves to Israel,” Coffman wrote.

1. Joshua 9:3-20, However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. The men put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, "We have come from a distant



country; make a treaty with us." The men of Israel said to the Hivites, "But perhaps you live near us. How then can we make a treaty with you?" "We are your servants," they said to Joshua. But Joshua asked, "Who are you and where do you come from?" They answered: "Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt, and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, 'Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say to them, "We are your servants; make a treaty with us." ' This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey." The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them. So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim. But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. The whole assembly grumbled against the leaders, but all the leaders answered, "We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them



now. This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them." (NIV)

2. Saul’s violation of this solemn covenant was a serious crime!

3. Coffman further concluded that Saul attempted to exterminate the whole race of the Gibeonites.

a. Saul was guilty of genocide!

D. Clarke wrote that there is no other Biblical reference to Saul’s Giobeonite atrocities. E. “Gibeonites were Canaanite inhabitants of the city of Gibeon, probably also including the people of its three (3) dependent towns. When the Gibeonites heard of Joshua’s victories at Jericho and Ai, they pretended to be ambassadors from a far country in order to make a peace treaty with the invading Israelites. When the deception was discovered, the Israelites permitted the Gibeonites to live, according to their agreement. However, they were made slaves, “woodcutters and water carriers for all the congregation and for the altar of the LORD,” Youngblood wrote.

1. 2 Samuel 21:1-9, During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the LORD. The LORD said, "It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death." The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and



Judah had tried to annihilate them.) David asked the Gibeonites, "What shall I do for you? How shall I make amends so that you will bless the LORD's inheritance?" The Gibeonites answered him, "We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death." "What do you want me to do for you?" David asked. They answered the king, "As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and exposed before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord 's chosen one." So the king said, "I will give them to you." The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul. But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah's daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul's daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed and exposed them on a hill before the LORD. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning. (NIV) 2. Joshua 9:4-5, they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. The men put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. (NIV)



3. Joshua 9:21, They continued, "Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community." So the leaders' promise to them was kept. (NIV)

2 Samuel 21:2, The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) (NIV) I. “The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them.”

A. Coffman again faults David for asking the Gibeonites what should be done in this matter.

1. As a general rule, would the aggrieved party be fair and just in deciding what should be done? 2. Coffman concluded that David should have inquired of God to determine what he should do regarding the Gibeonite problem.

II. “(Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; . . .”

A. Joshua 9:7-27, The men of Israel said to the Hivites, "But perhaps you live near us. How then can we make a treaty with you?" "We are your servants," they said to Joshua. But Joshua asked, "Who are you and where do you come from?" They answered: "Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt, and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan—Sihon king of



Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, 'Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say to them, "We are your servants; make a treaty with us." ' This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey." The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them. So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim. But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. The whole assembly grumbled against the leaders, but all the leaders answered, "We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them." They continued, "Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community." So the leaders' promise to them was kept. Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, "Why did you deceive us by saying, 'We live a long way from you,' while actually you live near us? You are now under a curse: You will never cease to serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God." They answered Joshua, "Your servants were clearly told how the LORD your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you



the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this. We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you." So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the community and for the altar of the LORD at the place the LORD would choose. And that is what they are to this day. (NIV)

B. “Amorites” is a name applied to any or all pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan (Coffman) and means “highlanders, mountaineers.” (Pulpit Commentary)

1. Genesis 15:16, In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure." (NIV) 2. Deuteronomy 1:37, Because of you the LORD became angry with me also and said, "You shall not enter it, either. (NIV) 3. Joshua 5:1, Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until we had crossed over, their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. (NIV) 4. Joshua 24:15, But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as



for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (NIV) 5. 1 Samuel 7:14, The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored to her, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the power of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. (NIV) 6. Amos 2:9, destroyed the Amorite before them, though he was tall as the cedars and strong as the oaks. I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below. (NIV)

C. Specifically, the Gibeonites were Hivites, a people descended from Canaan. (See Youngblood.)

1. Joshua 11:19, Except for the Hivites living in Gibeon, not one city made a treaty of peace with the Israelites, who took them all in battle. (NIV) 2. Genesis 10:17, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, (NIV)

III. “the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.)”

A. Joshua 9:3, 15-17, However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them. So the Israelites set out and on the third



day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim. (NIV)

B. Smith wrote, “In his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had engaged in some ethnic cleansing of the land.”

C. Saul had shown occasionally a ferocious zeal, sometimes for good and sometimes for evil; for example, . . .

1. Priests of Nob, their wives and children.

a. 1 Samuel 22:6-23, Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. And Saul, spear in hand, was seated under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with all his officials standing around him. Saul said to them, "Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today." But Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul's officials, said, "I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob. Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him; he also gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine." Then the king sent for the priest Ahimelech son of Ahitub and his father's whole family, who were the priests at Nob, and they all came to the king. Saul said, "Listen now, son of Ahitub." "Yes, my lord,"



he answered. Saul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has rebelled against me and lies in wait for me, as he does today?" Ahimelech answered the king, "Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king's son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household? Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father's family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair." But the king said, "You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and your father's whole family." Then the king ordered the guards at his side: "Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not tell me." But the king's officials were not willing to raise a hand to strike the priests of the LORD. The king then ordered Doeg, "You turn and strike down the priests." So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep. But Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub, escaped and fled to join David. He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD. Then David said to Abiathar: "That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your father's whole



family. Stay with me; don't be afraid; the man who is seeking your life is seeking mine also. You will be safe with me." (NIV)

1. Wizards and familiar spirits.

a. 1 Samuel 28:9, But the woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?" (NIV) b. Exodus 22:18, "Do not allow a sorceress to live. (NIV) c. Leviticus 20:6, " 'I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people. (NIV)

2 Samuel 21:3, David asked the Gibeonites, "What shall I do for you? How shall I make amends so that you will bless the LORD's inheritance?" (NIV) 1. “David asked the Gibeonites, ‘What shall I do for you? How shall I make amends (cover up) so that you will bless the LORD’s inheritance?’ ”

A. Clarke stated and asked, “It is very strange that a choice of this kind should be left to such a people. Why not ask this of God himself?” B. To any event, David wanted the Gibeonites to be a blessing rather than a curse to the land and nation of Israel.



2 Samuel 21:4, The Gibeonites answered him, "We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death." "What do you want me to do for you?" David asked. (NIV) I. “The Gibeonites answered him, ‘We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death.’ ”

A. Smith wrote, “Monetary payments (fines) might be required in some cases for wrongful death, but not for murder.”

1. Exodus 21:30, However, if payment is demanded of him, he may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded. (NIV)

2. Numbers 35:31-32, " 'Do not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer, who deserves to die. He must surely be put to death. " 'Do not accept a ransom for anyone who has fled to a city of refuge and so allow him to go back and live on his own land before the death of the high priest. (NIV)

3. “No amount of money could compensate them (the Gibeonites) for the atrocities committed by Saul,” Smith noted. 4. The Gibeonites did not consider any amount of monetary compensation adequate in view of the severity of their sufferings.

B. The Gibeonites were in no position, legally or otherwise, to execute any Israelite.



1. David, in order to make things right, was prepared to authorize the actions required for Gibeonite vindication. 2. The Gibeonites had no right to exact blood vengeance on their own since they were servants of the Israelites.

II. “ ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ David asked.’ ”

A. Since money would not appease the Gibeonites, David asked them what they would regard as a satisfactory settlement for the wrongs done them by the house of Saul.

2 Samuel 21:5, They answered the king, "As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, (NIV) I. “They answered the king, ‘As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel,. . .’ ”

A. The Gibeonites had been virtually “wiped out” and, due to continuing hostility against them, there was no safe place in the land for them to live, Smith wrote. B. The Pulpit Commentary states that “Saul had been guilty, not merely of some one great act of cruelty, but of a long series of barbarities to bring about their utter extirpation.”

2 Samuel 21:6, let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and exposed before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord 's chosen one." So the king said, "I will give them to you." (NIV)



I. “Let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed (hanged) and exposed before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul – the LORD’s chosen one.”

A. Various reasons have been postulated for the request that seven (7) members of Saul’s family be delivered to them for execution.

1. No certainty can be attributed to these opinions. 2. Seven (7) is a number indicating completeness. 3. These seven (7) men would completely resolve the Gibeonite-Israelite problem, it has been stated.

B. After execution these bodies were hanged, impaled and left in public view for all to observe.

1. Numbers 25:4, The LORD said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the LORD's fierce anger may turn away from Israel." (NIV) 2. Smith wrote, “Since the offense had been outrageous, the punishment must be conspicuous.” 3. Gibeah, a town in the territory of Benjamin located some three (3) miles north of Jerusalem, was Saul’s home town and it was there the Gibeonites displayed the executed bodies of Saul’s descendants adding in that way to the humiliation and shame of Saul’s family. (See Smith.)



4. “The LORD’s anointed” may have been here intended by the Gibeonites as a taunt.

C. “Hang them” is generally believed to be some brutal, inhuman torturing death often practiced among heathen people, Coffman stated, perhaps dismemberment, Anderson added.

1. Further, their bodies were exposed from Spring to Fall in violation of God’s word, Coffman declared, while Smith understands “hang” to mean impale them on sharp stakes.

a. Deuteronomy 21:22-23, If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse. You must not desecrate the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance. (NIV)

2. Coffman raised the excellent question, “Why didn’t the Gibeonites request an end to their perpetual slavery” which would have benefitted them much more than the deaths of seven (7) men!─?

II. “So the king said, ‘I will give them to you.’ ”

A. David delivered to the Gibeonites two (2) sons and five (5) grandsons of Saul, Smith wrote. B. The law was clear as to how and by whom blood guiltiness was to be expiated. (See Coffman.)



1. Numbers 35:34, Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.' " (NIV) 2. Deuteronomy 21:1-9, If a man is found slain, lying in a field in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, your elders and judges shall go out and measure the distance from the body to the neighboring towns. Then the elders of the town nearest the body shall take a heifer that has never been worked and has never worn a yoke and lead her down to a valley that has not been plowed or planted and where there is a flowing stream. There in the valley they are to break the heifer's neck. The priests, the sons of Levi, shall step forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to minister and to pronounce blessings in the name of the LORD and to decide all cases of dispute and assault. Then all the elders of the town nearest the body shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley, and they shall declare: "Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it done. Accept this atonement for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, O LORD, and do not hold your people guilty of the blood of an innocent man." And the bloodshed will be atoned for. So you will purge from yourselves the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD. (NIV) 3. Coffman wrote, “Saul, the man who had attempted to destroy them, was already dead; and presumably the seven sons whom the Gibeonites requested David to



deliver to them were innocent of any outrage whatever against the Gibeonites.”

1. Coffman believed it was definitely wrong for David to deliver these seven (7) men to the Gibeonites. 2. Clarke wrote and asked, “It is supposed that the person’s chosen were principal in assisting Saul to exterminate the Gibeonites. But where is the proof of this?”

2 Samuel 21:7, The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul. (NIV) I. “The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul.”

A. David protected Mephibosheth in keeping with his pledge to Jonathan.

1. 1 Samuel 20:42, Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.' " Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town. (NIV)

2 Samuel 21:8, But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah's daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul's daughter Merab,



whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. (NIV) I. “But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, . . .”

A. The two (2) sons of Saul by Rizpah, his concubine, were Armoni and Mephibosheth who were delivered by David to the Gibeonites.

1. Anderson wrote that Saul had only one (1) wife, Ahinoam, and one (1) concubine, Rizpah.

a. 1 Samuel 14:50, His wife's name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of Saul's army was Abner son of Ner, and Ner was Saul's uncle. (NIV)

B. Saul’s son by Rizpah and his grandson by Jonathan were both named Mephibosheth.

II. “together with the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.”

A. Also, five (5) grandsons of Saul’s daughter Merab were delivered to the Gibeonites.

1. 1 Samuel 18:19, So when the time came for Merab, Saul's daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. (NIV) 2. Merab’s husband was Adriel, son of Barzillai, who came from the town of Meholah or Abel-meholah which was also Elisha’s home town.



a. 1 Kings 19:16, Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. (NIV) b. Merab, as in the NIV, rather than Michal, as in the AKJV, appears to be the correct reading here. c. Michal may have helped rear these nephews. d. Meholah was a city in the Jordan River Valley near Beth Shean.

i. 1 Samuel 18:19, So when the time came for Merab, Saul's daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. (NIV)

2 Samuel 21:9, He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed and exposed them on a hill before the LORD. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning. (NIV) I. “He (David) handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed and exposed them on a hill before the LORD (in public view in the open air).”

A. All seven (7) were executed at the same time in the first days of the barley harvest. (See Smith.)

II. “All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.”



A. The barley harvest was an event of April at about the time of the Passover (Coffman), during the Jewish month Ziv. (Anderson)

1. Deuteronomy 16:9, Count off seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain. (NIV) 2. Adam Clarke placed the beginning of the barley harvest at about March 21st. 3. Wheat was not fully ripe until Pentecost. (Pulpit Commentary)

B. Smith wrote, “If these seven were innocent of any involvement in the crimes of Saul, David then violated God’s law.”

1. No innocent family member was to be executed for the crimes of another member of the family.

a. Deuteronomy 24:16, Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin. (NIV) b. Deuteronomy 21:22-23, If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse. You must not desecrate the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance. (NIV)



2 Samuel 21:10, Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds of the air touch them by day or the wild animals by night. (NIV) I. Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on (against) a rock so as to form a little hut to protect herself from the blazing sun.

A. “The law required those who were impaled to be taken down and buried that same evening,” Smith wrote.

1. 1 Samuel 17:44, 46, "Come here," he said, "and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!" This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. (NIV) 2. Psalm 79:2, They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth. (NIV) 3. Deuteronomy 21:23, you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse. You must not desecrate the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance. (NIV) 4. Jeremiah 16:4, They will die of deadly diseases. They will not be mourned or buried but will be like



refuse lying on the ground. They will perish by sword and famine, and their dead bodies will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth." (NIV) 5. Not being able to bury her two (2) sons due to David’s decree, she did all she could by taking up a vigil at the site.

a. Consider the agony of this mother as her sons’ bodies (corpses) remained exposed, according to Smith, for weeks. b. She evidently was trying to protect the bodies of her sons from scavengers so they could be buried later. (See Smith.)

II. “From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds of the air touch them by day or the wild animals by night.”

A. Smith noted that, unless there was a special and unseasonable downpour, the reference here is to the October rains.

1. If this is the rain in question, this mother kept vigil for six (6) months over the mutilated and decaying bodies of her sons. 2. Willis via Coffman placed the Fall rains in late November or early December.



B. Rudyard Kipling wrote: “If I were hanged on the highest hill, Mother of mine, O mother of mine! I know whose love would follow me still, Mother of mine, O mother of mine!”

1. Imagine the horror of watching the bodies of your sons decay and putrefy over a period of months leaving only bones.

C. Coffman regarded as very significant the fact that the rains did not resume immediately, but returned months later at the normal time. D. Clarke asked, “Did God require this sacrifice of Saul’s sons, probably all innocent of the alleged crime of their father? Was there no other way of averting the Divine displeasure?”

1. God will not have man’s blood for sacrifice!

2 Samuel 21:11, When David was told what Aiah's daughter Rizpah, Saul's concubine, had done, (NIV) I. “When David was told what Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, had done, . . .”

A. Upon hearing what Rizpah was doing, David was deeply moved.

2 Samuel 21:12, he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had taken them secretly from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) (NIV)



I. “he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead.”

A. David was deeply moved by what Rizpah had done.

1. David ordered that the bones of Saul and Jonathan be removed from Jabesh Gilead and buried in the tomb of Kish, Saul’s father.

a. 1 Samuel 31:11-13, When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard of what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men journeyed through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days. (NIV) b. 2 Samuel 2:5, he sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead to say to them, "The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. (NIV)

2. David also ordered that the bones of the seven (7) who had been executed by the Gibeonites be gathered up.

B. Jabesh Gilead was a town of Gilead located about ten (10) miles southeast of Bashan and about two (2) miles east of the Jordan River within the territory allotted to the half tribe of Manasseh. (Youngblood)



II. “(They had taken them secretly from the public square (broad place) at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.)”

A. The Philistines had hanged the bodies of Saul and his sons on the wall.

1. 1 Samuel 31:12, all their valiant men journeyed through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. (NIV)

B. “Gilboa, the site of Saul’s and Jonathan’s deaths, was a ridge of mountains in the territory of Issachar at the east rnd of the Plain of Jezreel,” (Youngblood).

2 Samuel 21:13, David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up. (NIV) I. “David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up.”

A. While it is not specifically stated that the bones of the seven were buried in the tomb of Kish, it is assumed that this is what happened. (See Coffman.)

2 Samuel 21:14, They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul's father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land. (NIV)



I. “They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded.”

A. “The Septuagint adds, ‘and the bones of them that were hanged.’ ” (The Pulpit Commentary.) B. Nothing more is known about Zela than what is stated here. It may have been located in the hill country northwest of Jerusalem. (See Youngblood.)

1. Joshua 18:25-28, Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth, Mizpah, Kephirah, Mozah, Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah, Zelah, Haeleph, the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah and Kiriath—fourteen towns and their villages.This was the inheritance of Benjamin for its clans. (NIV)

II. “After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.”

A. The famine was over!

1. 2 Samuel 24:25, David built an altar to the LORD there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the LORD answered prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped. (NIV)

B. Does the end of the famine indicate that God approved what was done to end the Israelite-Gibeonite conflict?



Wars Against the Philistines Note: Some of Israel’s heroes are here given much deserved honor. 2 Samuel 21:15, Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted (NIV) I. “Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel.”

A. These battles (verses 15-22) are not necessarily listed in chronological order; dating the battles is very difficult and uncertain. B. David was often critical of his nephews Abishai and Joab, but here Abishai saved David’s life and elsewhere they proved themselves to be patriots and loyal to David. (See Coffman.) C. The Chronicles relates the account provided in 2 Samuel 21:15-22 as well.

1. 1 Chronicles 20:4-8, In the course of time, war broke out with the Philistines, at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaites, and the Philistines were subjugated. In another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod. In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each



foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David's brother, killed him. These were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men. (NIV)

D. The Philistines, from which the name Palestine is derived, were an aggressive people who contended with Israel for many years. Their chief cities were located in southwestern Palestine. (See Youngblood.)

II. “David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted.”

A. David was defenseless and would have been killed had it not been for Abishai who came to his rescue. B. There is no other biblical record to this exhaustion of David event.

2 Samuel 21:16, And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. (NIV) I. “And Ishbi-Benob (Hebrew: Ishbobenob) one of the descen-dants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David.”

A. The Rephaim were a giant race, a few of whom continued living among the Philistines.



1. This warrior’s spearhead weighed seven and one-half (7 ½) to eight (8) pounds, half the weight of Goliath’s spearhead. (Smith)

a. 1 Samuel 17:7, His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. (NIV)

2. “Sword” is not in the original. 3. Reference is here made to new armor or arms of some kind and could have included a special new sharp sword. (Clarke)

B. Ishbo-Benob in Hebrew means “dweller upon the height,” but Ishbi-Benoh was not a Hebrew but rather a Raphah.

1. The Pulpit commentary states that “we shall not be able to explain his name until we know the language of the Rephaim.”

C. Rapha appears to be the singular of Rephaim.

2 Samuel 21:17, But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, saying, "Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished." (NIV) I. “But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him.”

A. It was the king’s duty, function was to fight the nation’s battles. (Anderson)



1. 1 Samuel 9:16, "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me." (NIV) 2. 2 Samuel 18:3, But the men said, "You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won't care about us. Even if half of us die, they won't care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better now for you to give us support from the city." (NIV)

B. This naturally placed the king in danger making it necessary for the army to protect him on occasion. C. Zeruiah was David’s sister or half-sister whose sons, Joab, Abishai and Asahel, were mighty warriors and commanders in David’s army. (See Youngblood.)

II. “Then David’s men swore to him, saying, ‘Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.’ ”

A. “The lamp of Israel” is defined as “the guiding light of the nation” by Smith while Clarke similarly regarded David as the lamp by which all Israel was provided direction, guidance and support when in darkness.

1. Lamentations 4:20, The LORD's anointed, our very life breath, was caught in their traps. We thought that under his shadow we would live among the nations. (NIV)



2. Job 21:17, "Yet how often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out? How often does calamity come upon them, the fate God allots in his anger? (NIV) 3. Proverbs 20:20, If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness. (NIV) 4. Proverbs 24:20, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. (NIV)

B. David’s soldiers did not again want to place him in unneccessary danger.

1. This was not the last time David accompanied his troops into battle. 2. David’s soldiers were concerned for their king.

C. “David’s men” were specifically the mightier who had so long been his friends and companions, The Pulpit Commentary states.

2 Samuel 21:18, In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha. (NIV) I. “In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob.”

A. Gob was probably located near Gezer, some twenty (20) miles southeast of modern Tel Aviv.



1. 1 Chronicles 20:4, In the course of time, war broke out with the Philistines, at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaites, and the Philistines were subjugated. (NIV) 2. The Septuagint reads Gath rather than Gob.

a. Gath was one of the chief cities of the Philistines.

II. “At that time Sibbecai, the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha.”

A. Sibbecai, also known as Mebunnai, was a descendant of Hushah of the family of Judah, a member of the Thirty, a gallant military order.

1. 1 Chronicles 4:4, Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These were the descendants of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah and father of Bethlehem. (NIV) 2. 1 Chronicles 11:29, Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, (NIV) 3. 1 Chronicles 27:11, The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division. (NIV) 4. 1 Chronicles 20:4, In the course of time, war broke out with the Philistines, at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaites, and the Philistines were subjugated. (NIV)



5. 2 Samuel 23:27, Abiezer from Anathoth, Mebunnai the Hushathite, (NIV) 6. The town of Hushah was located some four (4) miles southwest of Bethlehem.

a. 1 Chronicles 4:4, Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These were the descendants of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah and father of Bethlehem. (NIV)

B. Saph (Sippai), another giant, was a descendant of Rapha.

1. 1 Chronicles 20:4, In the course of time, war broke out with the Philistines, at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaites, and the Philistines were subjugated. (NIV)

2 Samuel 21:19, In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod. (NIV) I. “In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan (God is gracious) son of Jaare-Oregim (Jair) the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.”

A. This “Goliath” was actually Lahmi, the brother of the Goliath David killed. (Smith)

1. 1 Chronicles 20:5, In another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the



brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod. (NIV) 2. A Gittite was a native or inhabitant of Gath. 3. This giant had two names, Goliath and Lahmi, just as we have more than one name.

B. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s rod in construction rather than in size, Smith wrote. (Anderson agreed.)

Note: Clarke stated and other commentators agree, “There are many places in this chapter in which the text has suffered much from the ignorance or carelessness of transcribers.” 2 Samuel 21:20, In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. (NIV) I. “In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot – twenty-four in all.”

A. This unnamed warrior presented with deformities which evidently impressed the ancients regarding his prowess, but did not necessarily make him a better soldier.

II. “He also was descended from Rapha.”

A. This “huge man” was one of the giants known as Rapha (singular) or Rephaim (plural).



2 Samuel 21:21, When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David's brother, killed him. (NIV) I. “When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him.”

A. “Shimeah is a variant reading of ‘Shammah,’ ” Smith wrote, and known in the Hebrew as Shimei.

1. 1 Samuel 16:9, Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one." (NIV) 2. 2 Samuel 13:3, Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. (NIV) 3. 1 Chronicles 2:13, Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; the second son was Abinadab, the third Shimea, (NIV)

B. Jonathan was David’s nephew and brother of Jonadab who helped Amnon on his way to ruin.” (The Pulpit Commentary) C. This giant, Goliath/Lahmi, taunted Israel much like the original Goliath had ridiculed the Israelites. (See Smith.)

1. 1 Samuel 17:8-10, Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve



us." Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." (NIV)

2 Samuel 21:22, These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men. (NIV) I. “These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.”

A. Smith wrote, “The descendants of Rapha were a giant race which intimidated the Israelites back in the days of Moses and caused them to lose heart.”

1. Numbers 13:33, We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." (NIV) 2. Genesis 14:5, In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim (NIV)

B. “For this reason the sacred writer makes special mention of the fact that David and his men were able to defeat them,” Smith concluded.

1. In his career, David and his men many times over proved themselves to be extraordinary warriors.



Conclusion: I. It was quite in the spirit of the times to visit upon a man’s family the sins of its chief. (See The Pulpit Commentary.)

A. This was the principle observed when Achan, his sons and his daughters, his oxen and his asses, his sheep and his tent were destroyed because of Achan’s sin.

1. Joshua 7:24-25, Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold wedge, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor. Joshua said, "Why have you brought this trouble on us? The LORD will bring trouble on you today." Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them. (NIV) 2. Ezekiel 18:1-32, The word of the LORD came to me: "What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: " 'The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? "As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die. "Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right. He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife or lie with a woman during her period. He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and



provides clothing for the naked. He does not lend at usury or take excessive interest. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between man and man. He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD. "Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things (though the father has done none of them): "He eats at the mountain shrines. He defiles his neighbor's wife. He oppresses the poor and needy. He commits robbery. He does not return what he took in pledge. He looks to the idols. He does detestable things. He lends at usury and takes excessive interest. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he will surely be put to death and his blood will be on his own head. "But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things: "He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife. He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. He withholds his hand from sin and takes no usury or excessive interest. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees. He will not die for his father's sin; he will surely live. But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people. "Yet you ask, 'Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?' Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son



will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him. "But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? "But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die. "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die. Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust? "Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be



your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! (NIV)

B. Let us be extremely careful how we live because our actions will affect many, living and not yet born, for good or evil!

II. Israel certainly had its share of heroes, only a few of whom are named in verses 15-22.

A. Our Lord Jesus Christ needs heroes in his army as well. B. Are you one of His heroes?



Questions

on

2 Samuel 21:1-22

(Questions based on NIV text.) 1. During the _______________ of _________________, there was a _____________________ for ________________________ ____________________ _______________________. 2. Why did this natural disaster occur? ______________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Why did this disaster occur during the reign of David rather than during the reign of Saul? _____________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Do all, some or no natural disasters now occur because of human sinfulness? If your answer is some, how can we determine which ones are and are not caused by human sinfulness? Give reasons for your answers. _________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________



__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Who were the Gibeonites? What had happened to them? Why did Saul treat them so cruelly? _____________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. What did David ask the Gibeonites? ______________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. How have you sought to make amends for your sins? ________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8. What answer did the Gibeonites give David? See Verse 4. Was the answer legally and/or morally correct? ___________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



9. What did the Gibeonites say David could do for them? _______ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. The Gibeonites had been _________________ and had been left no __________________ to live in __________________. 11. Did the Gibeonites’ request call for justice, vengeance, or some of both? See verse 6. ____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12. If you had been a Gibeonite, for what would you have asked? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13. David promised to comply with the Gibeonites’ request. Was this the right thing for David to do? _________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 14. Why was Mephibosheth exempted from being delivered to the Gibeonites? ___________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. Who were delivered to the Gibeonites? ___________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 16. Both Saul’s ______________ and ___________________ were named ____________________. 17. What did the Gibeonites do with these men? _______________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 18. In what month on our calendar did the Gibeonites deal with these seven men? See verse 9. ____________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19. What part did these seven men have in producing the injustices suffered by the Gibeonites? Again, was justice done in this case? _ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________



__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20. Who was Rizpah? Give as much information as possible. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 21. How did she show her bereavement and respect for the dead? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 22. What did David do at this time regarding the remains of Saul and Jonathan? Why was this done at that particular time? _______ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 23. How did David show respect for those he had delivered to the Gibeonites? Was David consistent in his behavior toward these seven men? Explain your answer. __________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



24. Where were Saul and Jonathan buried? ___________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 25. Where were the seven men who had been delivered to the Gibeonites buried? ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 26. After that, ____________________ _____________________ _____________________ in _________________________ of the ___________________. The __________________________ was over. 27. Once again there was a ______________________ between the ________________________ and ______________________. ______________________ went down with his _______________ to ____________________ the _________________________, and he became _____________________. 28. Who was Ishbi-Benob? How was he armed? What did he say he would do? __________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



29. What happened to Ishbi-Benob? What lessons can we learn from Ishbi-Benob? ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 30. How did David’s warriors prove they were David’s real friends? _______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 31. Locate Gob. What happened there according to verse 18? ____ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 32. Who were the Hushathites? ____________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 33. According to verse 19, what else happened at Gob? _________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 34. Describe the weaver’s instrument referenced in verse 19. Give special attention to the “weaver’s rod.” ______________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 35. Locate Gath. Describe the man who, according to verse 20, lived there. ____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 36. What happened to this warrior? What had he done to provoke Israel? ________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 37. Name and/or identify four descendants of Rapha who were killed by David and his men. ______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



38. What purposes are served by 2 Samuel 21-24? Is this material arranged in chronological order? ___________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 39. 2 Samuel 21-24 contains two _______________________, two __________________ and two _______________________. 40. How is David presented in 2 Samuel 21:1-14? _____________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 41. What was the usual cause of Palestinian famines? What made this famine different, divinely produced, in David’s view? _______ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 42. How could the famine be brought to an end and atonement be made for the land? See Numbers 35:33-34. __________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



43. Show by the Scriptures that zeal alone or misguided zeal does not please God. (See verse 2.) _____________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 44. Why did this famine occur during David’s reign rather than during Saul’s reign when Saul rather than David was the guilty party. ________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 45. Fines cannot compensate for all legal infractions. What had the Gibeonites suffered and what would it take to make things right with them? ____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 46. How does our nation now suffer for the racial injustices of which our forefathers were guilty? _________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



47. In the Philistine wars, name four (4) Israelite heroes and relate the exploits of each. _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 48. In regard to the Gibeonites, in what respects did David act prudently and in what ways did he act imprudently? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 49. How should David have decided how best to provide justice to the Gibeonites? _________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 50. Did David give the seven (7) men whom he delivered to the Gibeonites an opportunity to defend themselves in a court of law? If not, why not? ________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 51. The Gibeonites could have asked for an end to their perpetual servitude, but they failed to take advantage of this wonderful



opportunity. Give examples of poor decisions you have made and the results of these decisions. ______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 52. If it was wrong for David to deliver these seven men to the Gibeonites, why, after their deaths, did rains come and the famine end? _________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 53. How do alleged errors in transcription of 2 Samuel 21 affect our understanding of God’s word? _________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 54. Are you a hero in Christ’s army? What is required of a person who would a hero in the Lord’s service? _____________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



55. What lessons “to live by” have you learned from your study of 2 Samuel 21:1-22? ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


the gibeonites avenged wars against the philistines...

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