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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Samuel 21:1 During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, "It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/21-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/10_2Sa_21_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 21:1 - David Avenges the Gibeonites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_samuel/21-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_samuel/21-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/">2 Samuel</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_samuel/20-26.htm" title="2 Samuel 20:26">◄</a> 2 Samuel 21:1 <a href="/2_samuel/21-2.htm" title="2 Samuel 21:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_samuel/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_samuel/21.htm">New International Version</a> During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the LORD. The LORD said, &#8220It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/21.htm">New Living Translation</a> There was a famine during David’s reign that lasted for three years, so David asked the LORD about it. And the LORD said, “The famine has come because Saul and his family are guilty of murdering the Gibeonites.” <a href="/esv/2_samuel/21.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year. And David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.” <a href="/bsb/2_samuel/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/21.htm">King James Bible</a> Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. <a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/21.htm">New King James Version</a> Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites.” <a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David sought the presence of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of Saul and his bloody house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.” <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/21.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David sought the presence of the LORD. And the LORD said, &#8220It is for Saul and his bloody house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David sought the presence of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is for Saul and his bloody house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.” <a href="/lsb/2_samuel/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David sought the presence of Yahweh. And Yahweh said, “It is for Saul and his bloody house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.” <a href="/amp/2_samuel/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a> There was famine in the days of David for three consecutive years; and David sought the presence (face) of the LORD [asking the reason]. The LORD replied, “It is because of Saul and his bloody house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.” <a href="/csb/2_samuel/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> During David’s reign there was a famine for three successive years, so David inquired of the LORD. The LORD answered, “It is due to Saul and to his bloody family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” <a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> During David&#8217s reign there was a famine for three successive years, so David inquired of the LORD. The LORD answered, &#8220It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family when he killed the Gibeonites.&#8221 <a href="/asv/2_samuel/21.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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 put to death the Gibeonites. <a href="/cev/2_samuel/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> While David was king, there were three years in a row when the nation of Israel could not grow enough food. So David asked the LORD for help, and the LORD answered, "Saul and his family are guilty of murder, because he had the Gibeonites killed." <a href="/erv/2_samuel/21.htm">English Revised Version</a> And there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he put to death the Gibeonites. <a href="/gwt/2_samuel/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> In the time of David, there was a famine for three successive years, and David asked the LORD's advice about it. The LORD answered, "It's because of Saul and his family. They are guilty of murder because they killed the people of Gibeon." <a href="/gnt/2_samuel/21.htm">Good News Translation</a> During David's reign there was a severe famine which lasted for three full years. So David consulted the LORD about it, and the LORD said, "Saul and his family are guilty of murder; he put the people of Gibeon to death." ( <a href="/isv/2_samuel/21.htm">International Standard Version</a> One time there was a famine during David's reign that went on for three straight years. David sought the LORD, who said, "Saul and his household are guilty because he executed the Gibeonites." <a href="/msb/2_samuel/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” <a href="/net/2_samuel/21.htm">NET Bible</a> During David's reign there was a famine for three consecutive years. So David inquired of the LORD. The LORD said, "It is because of Saul and his bloodstained family, because he murdered the Gibeonites." <a href="/nheb/2_samuel/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now there was a famine in the days of David for three consecutive years, so David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, "There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he murdered the Gibeonites." <a href="/wbt/2_samuel/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. <a href="/web/2_samuel/21.htm">World English Bible</a> There was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David sought the face of Yahweh. Yahweh said, “It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And there is a famine in the days of David [for] three years, year after year, and David seeks the face of YHWH, and YHWH says, “[This is] for Saul and for the bloody house, because that he put the Gibeonites to death.” <a href="/ylt/2_samuel/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And there is a famine in the days of David three years, year after year, and David seeketh the face of Jehovah, and Jehovah saith, 'For Saul and for the bloody house, because that he put to death the Gibeonites.' <a href="/slt/2_samuel/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And there will be a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David will seek the face of Jehovah. And Jehovah will say, For Saul and for the house of bloods, because he killed the Gibeonites.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_samuel/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And there was a famine in the days of David for three years successively: and David consulted the oracle of the Lord. And the Lord said: It is for Saul, and his bloody house, because he slew the Gabaonites. <a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And a famine occurred, during the days of David, for three years continuously. And David consulted the oracle of the Lord. And the Lord said: “This is because of Saul, and his house of bloodshed. For he killed the Gibeonites.” <a href="/nabre/2_samuel/21.htm">New American Bible</a> In David’s time there was a famine for three years, year after year. David sought the presence of the LORD, who said: There is bloodguilt on Saul and his family because he put the Gibeonites to death. <a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. The LORD said, “There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> THEN there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered. It is because of Saul and because of his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. <a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And there was famine in the days of David, three years, year after year, and David begged of LORD JEHOVAH and LORD JEHOVAH said: “Because of Shaul and because of the household of blood, because he killed the Gebunites”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_samuel/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said: 'It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he put to death the Gibeonites.' <a href="/sep/2_samuel/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David sought the face of the Lord. And the Lord said, There is guilt upon Saul and his house because of his bloody murder, whereby he slew the Gabaonites. <a href="/parallel/2_samuel/21-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=6376" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/21.htm">David Avenges the Gibeonites</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bî·mê (Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">During the reign</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: ḏā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">of David</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">there was</a> <a href="/hebrew/7458.htm" title="7458: rā·‘āḇ (N-ms) -- Famine, hunger. From ra'eb; hunger.">a famine</a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: šā·lōš (Number-fs) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">for three</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nîm (N-fp) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">successive years,</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">and David</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: way·ḇaq·qêš (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">sought</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">the face</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: yə·h·wå̄·hs (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">And the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">“It is because of</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: had·dā·mîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">the blood</a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">shed by Saul</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’el- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">his family,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: hê·mîṯ (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">he killed</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1393.htm" title="1393: hag·giḇ·‘ō·nîm (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Gibeon. Patrial from Gib'own; a Gibonite, or inhabitant of Gibon.">the Gibeonites.”</a> 2At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.)…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/joshua/9-14.htm">Joshua 9:14-20</a> Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not seek the counsel of the LORD. / And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them. / Three days after they had made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites learned that they were neighbors, living among them. ... <a href="/1_samuel/28-6.htm">1 Samuel 28:6</a> He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. <a href="/1_kings/18-1.htm">1 Kings 18:1</a> After a long time, in the third year of the drought, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the face of the earth.” <a href="/2_samuel/24-1.htm">2 Samuel 24:1</a> Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.” <a href="/numbers/27-21.htm">Numbers 27:21</a> He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.” <a href="/1_chronicles/21-1.htm">1 Chronicles 21:1</a> Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. <a href="/1_kings/17-1.htm">1 Kings 17:1</a> Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!” <a href="/2_kings/6-25.htm">2 Kings 6:25</a> So there was a great famine in Samaria. Indeed, they besieged the city so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung sold for five shekels of silver. <a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a> Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. <a href="/leviticus/26-19.htm">Leviticus 26:19-20</a> I will break down your stubborn pride and make your sky like iron and your land like bronze, / and your strength will be spent in vain. For your land will not yield its produce, and the trees of the land will not bear their fruit. <a href="/deuteronomy/28-23.htm">Deuteronomy 28:23-24</a> The sky over your head will be bronze, and the earth beneath you iron. / The LORD will turn the rain of your land into dust and powder; it will descend on you from the sky until you are destroyed. <a href="/1_kings/8-35.htm">1 Kings 8:35-36</a> When the skies are shut and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and they turn from their sins because You have afflicted them, / then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance. <a href="/amos/4-7.htm">Amos 4:7</a> “I also withheld the rain from you when the harvest was three months away. I sent rain on one city but withheld it from another. One field received rain; another without rain withered. <a href="/ezekiel/14-13.htm">Ezekiel 14:13</a> “Son of man, if a land sins against Me by acting unfaithfully, and I stretch out My hand against it to cut off its supply of food, to send famine upon it, and to cut off from it both man and beast, <a href="/matthew/24-7.htm">Matthew 24:7</a> Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.A.<a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a> And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.<a href="/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1</a> And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.<a href="/genesis/41-57.htm">Genesis 41:57</a> And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.enquired [heb] sought the face, etc.<a href="/2_samuel/5-19.htm">2 Samuel 5:19,23</a> And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand… <a href="/numbers/27-21.htm">Numbers 27:21</a> And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.<a href="/1_samuel/23-2.htm">1 Samuel 23:2,4,11</a> Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah… It is<a href="/joshua/7-1.htm">Joshua 7:1,11,12</a> But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel… Saul<a href="/1_samuel/22-17.htm">1 Samuel 22:17-19</a> And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/19-27.htm">Account</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-33.htm">Bloodguilt</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-8.htm">Bloody</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-26.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-20.htm">Death</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-4.htm">Face</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Gibeonites</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-3.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-23.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-17.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-24.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-15.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-20.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-4.htm">Three</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/3-8.htm">Account</a> <a href="/psalms/51-14.htm">Bloodguilt</a> <a href="/psalms/5-6.htm">Bloody</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-3.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-4.htm">Death</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-20.htm">Face</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-13.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-2.htm">Gibeonites</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-4.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/10-13.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-13.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-2.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-12.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-2.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-16.htm">Three</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 21</div>1. <a href="/2_samuel/21-1.htm">The three year Gibeonite famine ceases, by hanging seven of Saul's sons.</a> 10. <a href="/2_samuel/21-10.htm">Rizpah's kindness unto the dead</a> 12. <a href="/2_samuel/21-12.htm">David buries the bones of Saul and Jonathan in his father's tomb</a> 15. <a href="/2_samuel/21-15.htm">Four battles against the Philistines, wherein four men of David slay four giants.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/2_samuel/21.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>During the reign of David This phrase situates the narrative within the historical context of King David's rule over Israel. David's reign is often seen as a golden era for Israel, marked by military victories and the establishment of Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center. The Hebrew word for "reign" (מָלַךְ, malak) implies not just ruling but also the responsibility of leadership under God's covenant. David's reign is a period where the king is expected to lead the nation in faithfulness to God, highlighting the importance of divine guidance in governance.there was a famine The occurrence of a famine in the land is significant in the biblical context, often seen as a sign of divine displeasure or a call to repentance. In the Hebrew Bible, famines are sometimes used by God to draw His people back to Him, as seen in the accounts of Joseph and Elijah. The Hebrew word for famine (רָעָב, ra'av) indicates a severe shortage of food, which would have had devastating effects on the agrarian society of ancient Israel, leading to economic hardship and social unrest.for three successive years The duration of the famine—three years—emphasizes its severity and the need for divine intervention. The number three in biblical numerology often signifies completeness or divine purpose. This prolonged period of hardship suggests that the issue at hand is not a natural occurrence but a spiritual matter that requires attention. It underscores the need for David to seek God's guidance to understand the underlying cause.and David sought the face of the LORD David's response to the famine is to seek God's guidance, demonstrating his role as a leader who prioritizes spiritual discernment. The phrase "sought the face of the LORD" (בִּקֵּשׁ פָּנִים יְהוָה, bikkesh panim YHWH) implies a deep, earnest prayer and desire for God's presence and wisdom. This act of seeking God's face is a model of humility and dependence on divine direction, reflecting the biblical principle that true leadership is rooted in a relationship with God.The LORD said This phrase indicates a direct communication from God, highlighting the prophetic nature of the narrative. In the Hebrew text, the use of the Tetragrammaton (יהוה, YHWH) signifies the covenantal name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and authority. God's response to David's inquiry shows that He is attentive to the prayers of His people and willing to reveal His will to those who seek Him earnestly.It is because of Saul and his bloodstained house God's revelation points to the sin of Saul, Israel's first king, and the consequences of his actions. The term "bloodstained house" (בֵּית דָּמִים, beit damim) suggests a legacy of violence and injustice. Saul's failure to uphold the covenant with the Gibeonites, as recorded in <a href="/joshua/9.htm">Joshua 9</a>, resulted in bloodguilt that affected the nation. This highlights the biblical principle that sin has communal and generational consequences, and justice must be addressed to restore divine favor.because he put the Gibeonites to death The specific mention of the Gibeonites underscores the importance of covenant faithfulness. The Gibeonites were non-Israelites who had made a treaty with Israel during Joshua's leadership. Saul's violation of this treaty by killing the Gibeonites was a grave sin, as it broke a sworn oath before God. This act of injustice required atonement, illustrating the biblical theme that God is a God of justice who holds His people accountable to their promises and covenants.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XXI.(1) Then there was.--Read, and there was, there being no indication of time in the original. It is plain from <a href="/2_samuel/21-7.htm" title="But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.">2Samuel 21:7</a> that the events here narrated occurred after David had come to know Mephibosheth; and if in <a href="/2_samuel/16-7.htm" title="And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, you bloody man, and you man of Belial:">2Samuel 16:7</a> there is (as many suppose) an allusion to the execution of Saul's sons, they must have happened before the rebellion of Absalom. There is no more definite clue to the time, and the expression "in the days of David" seems purposely indefinite. The narrative is omitted from the Book of Chronicles.Three years.--A famine in Palestine was always a consequence of deficient winter rains, and was not very uncommon; but a famine enduring for three successive years was alarming enough to awaken attention and to suggest some especial cause.Enquired of the Lord.--Literally, sought the face of the Lord. The phrase is a different one from that often used in Judges and Samuel, and agrees with other indications that this narrative may have been obtained by the compiler from some other records than those from which he drew the bulk of this book. David turned to the true Source for a knowledge of the meaning of this unusual affliction.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - There was a famine in the days of David; Hebrew, and there was. There is an entire absence of any mark of time to show in what part of David's reign this famine took place. It does not even follow, from the mention of Mephibosheth's name, that it must have happened at a time subsequent to the sending for that prince from Machir's house; for it may have been the search after the descendants of Saul which made David remember the son of his old friend. The burial, however, of the bones of Saul and Jonathan as an act of respect to the slaughtered king makes it probable that the narrative belongs to the early part of David's reign, as also does the apparent fact that the seven victims were all young and unmarried. Mephibosheth, we read, had a young son when David sent for him. Now, he was five years old when his father was slain (<a href="/2_samuel/4-4.htm">2 Samuel 4:4</a>), and thus at the end of David's reign of seven years and a half at Hebron, he would be twelve and a half years of age. The famine lasted three years, and if David had been king four or five years when the famine began, Mephibosheth, at the age of twenty, might well have a "young son" in a country where men marry early. We cannot believe that the famine occurred long after David had been king of all Israel, because manifestly it would have been unjust and even monstrous to punish a nation for the sins of a king who had long passed away. The sins of its rulers are visited upon a nation constantly through a long series of years, but it is always in the way of natural development. A statesman may put a nation upon a wrong track, and may involve it in serious difficulties, and even in irretrievable disaster, unless some one be raised up able to make it retrace its steps and regain the rightful direction. But this famine was a direct interference of Providence, and to justify it the sin must be still fresh in the national remembrance. Had it been an old crime long ago forgotten, instead of leading men to repentance, this long and terrible punishment would have hardened men's hearts, and made them regard the Deity as vindictive. It is even probable that the sin was still being committed; for though commenced and approved by Saul, his oppression and purpose of gradually destroying the native races was too much in accord with men's usual way of acting not to be continued, unless stopped by the justice of the ruler. We all know how the Red Indian, the Bushman, the Maori, and the Australian disappear before the advance of the white man. It needs only apathy on the part of the government, and rougher methods for clearing them off are practised than men would care to own. So with Gibeonites and Perizzites and other native races, a similar process would be going on. The lands they held, their little villages, their pastures, and above all their strongholds, would be coveted by the dominant race, and entrenchments would lead to quarrels, in which the natives would find any resistance on their part punished as rebellion. Even David seized the hill fortress of Jebus for his capital, though he still left Araunah the nominal title of king (<a href="/2_samuel/24-23.htm">2 Samuel 24:23</a>). Saul had lent all the weight of the royal authority to the extermination of the natives, and this chapter records the Divine condemnation of wrong done by the dominantrace to the aborigines. It remains to this day the charter for their protection, and not only forbids their extinction, but requires that they shall be treated with fair and even justice, and their rights respected and maintained. It has been objected that the execution of Saul's seven sons was a political crime committed to render David's throne secure. If at all to his advantage, it was so only to a very slight extent. The sons of Rizpah could never have become pretenders to the throne; nor were the sons of Merab likely to be much more dangerous. In a few years they would have married, and formed other ties, and been merged in the general population. Mephibosheth was the heir of Saul, and David protected him and Micha his son. It was quite in the spirit of the times to visit upon Saul's house the sins of its chief. The principle was the same as when all Israel stoned Achan, his sons and his daughters, his oxen and his asses, his sheep and his tent, for brining iniquity upon the people (<a href="/joshua/7-24.htm">Joshua 7:24, 25</a>). We keep chiefly in view the doctrine of personal responsibility; in the Old Testament the other doctrine of the collective responsibility of a family, a city, a nation, was made the more prominent It was the Prophet Ezekiel who in ch. 18. stated clearly and with Divine force that "the soul that sinneth it shall die;" but that the sinner's son, if he walk in God's statutes, shall not die for the iniquity of his father he shall surely live. But the collective responsibility enacted in the second commandment is still God's law. In the philosophic jargon of our times the two factors which form human character and decide our fortunes are "heredity and environment." Heredity was the prevailing sentiment in David's days; and it seemed right to the Gibeonites that the sons of the man who had slaughtered them should die for their father's sins; and it seemed just to David also. But he spared the heir to Saul's throne. There is no adequate reason for supposing that David was influenced by political motives, and the more important lesson of the narrative is the emphatic condemnation given in it of wrong and cruelty to aboriginal tribes. David inquired of the Lord; Hebrew, David sought the face of Jehovah. The phrase is remarkable, and not found elsewhere in Samuel. Probably it means that he went to Gibeon to pray in the sanctuary, and consult God by Urim and Thummim. His bloody house. The Hebrew means "the house on which rested the guilt of murder." <a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/21-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Now during the reign בִּימֵ֨י (bî·mê) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day of David דָוִ֜ד (ḏā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse there was וַיְהִ֣י (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be a famine רָעָב֩ (rā·‘āḇ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7458.htm">Strong's 7458: </a> Famine, hunger for three שָׁלֹ֣שׁ (šā·lōš) Number - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> Three, third, thrice successive years, שָׁנִ֗ים (šā·nîm) Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year and David דָּוִ֖ד (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse sought וַיְבַקֵּ֥שׁ (way·ḇaq·qêš) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> To search out, to strive after the face פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê) Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face of the LORD. יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel And the LORD יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel said, וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “It is because of אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the blood הַדָּמִ֔ים (had·dā·mîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed shed by Saul שָׁאוּל֙ (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites and his family, בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house because אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that he killed הֵמִ֖ית (hê·mîṯ) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill the Gibeonites.” הַגִּבְעֹנִֽים׃ (hag·giḇ·‘ō·nîm) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1393.htm">Strong's 1393: </a> Gibeonites -- inhabitants of Gibeon <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-1.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 21:1 There was a famine in the days (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/20-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 20:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 20:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/21-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 21:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 21:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>