The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Avenge” it comes from the Hebrew Word “naqam” which means “vengeance, to avenge.”
A lingering famine leads David to uncover an old, unresolved injustice from Saul’s reign. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is 2 Samuel 21.
A three-year famine strikes Israel, and when David inquires of the Lord, he learns it is because of Saul’s bloodguilt against the Gibeonites, whom he had tried to exterminate despite Israel’s ancient sworn covenant to protect them. David asks the Gibeonites what would satisfy their claim, and they request seven of Saul’s male descendants to be executed, “avenge,” “naqam” in Hebrew, rather than any monetary compensation, since this was a matter of broken covenant and bloodguilt, not simple restitution.
David spares Mephibosheth because of his oath to Jonathan, but hands over seven other descendants of Saul, who are executed and left exposed. Rizpah, mother of two of these men, keeps a devoted vigil over their bodies for months, protecting them from birds and animals, until David hears of her faithfulness and finally gives Saul and Jonathan’s bones, along with these executed men, a proper, honorable burial, after which God finally answers prayer for the land.
The chapter closes recounting several battles against the Philistines and their remaining giants, descendants of the Rapha, including Goliath’s own relatives. During one battle, David grows faint and nearly dies at the hand of a giant, until Abishai rescues him, prompting David’s men to insist he no longer go out to battle personally, “that thou quench not the light of Israel.” Several more giants fall to David’s mighty men in the battles that follow.
Rizpah’s months-long, silent vigil protecting her sons’ exposed bodies from scavenging animals is one of the most quietly devastating pictures of grief in the entire Bible. Her persistent faithfulness eventually moved David to finally address this long-neglected injustice, showing how one person’s determined witness can prompt overdue action from those in power.
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