2 Samuel 21

Old Sins, New Consequences

1 There was a famine in the land for three straight years. David asked God why, and the Lord said, “It is because of what Saul did, he killed the Gibeonites and broke the oath Israel made with them.”

2 So David called the Gibeonites (who were not Israelites but had a peace treaty with them), and asked what they wanted to make it right.

3 David said, “What can I do to fix this, How can I bless you all so the curse leaves the land?”

4 The Gibeonites said, “We do not want silver, gold, or revenge on the people of Israel. But we do want justice.”

5 They said, “Saul tried to wipe us out, tryna erase our existence.”

6 “Give us seven of Saul’s sons so we can execute them before the Lord in Gibeah, Saul’s hometown.” David said, “I will hand them over.”

Mercy for One, Justice for Others

7 But David spared Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, because of the oath between him and Jonathan.

8 Instead, he picked two sons of Rizpah (Saul’s concubine) and five sons of Merab (Saul’s daughter), handed them over.

9 The Gibeonites executed them, hung them on the mountain before the Lord. They died together during the harvest season.

Rizpah’s Grief

10 Rizpah took sackcloth and laid it on a rock. She stayed there from the beginning of harvest till rain fell, would not let birds or wild animals touch the bodies.

11 David heard what Rizpah did.

12 He remembered Saul and Jonathan’s bones were still with the people of Jabesh-gilead. They had rescued them after the Philistines hung them on a wall.

13 So David went and brought their bones back.

14 He buried them with Saul’s father Kish. Then he gathered the bones of the seven sons who were killed and laid them to rest. After that, God showed mercy and ended the famine.

More Giants Fall

15 War broke out again between the Philistines and Israel. David got tired in battle,

16 And a giant named Ishbi-benob tried to kill him. Dude had a heavy bronze spear and a new sword.

17 But Abishai came through and saved David, took the giant out. After that, David’s men said, “You cannot come to battle anymore. If you die, the light of Israel goes out.”

More Giant Killers Step Up

18 Another battle happened at Gob. Sibbecai killed Saph, another Philistine giant.

19 Next battle, Elhanan (from Bethlehem) killed the brother of Goliath, the dude with the massive spear.

20 Then came a battle at Gath, where a giant with 24 fingers and toes (six on each hand and foot) stepped up. He mocked Israel.

21 But Jonathan (David’s nephew) dropped him.

22 All these giants came from Gath. David’s men took them out one by one.