
Text -- 2 Samuel 21:1-2 (NET)




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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley: 2Sa 21:1 - -- The things related here and 2Sa. 24:1-25, are by the best interpreters conceived to have been done long before Absalom's rebellion. And this opinion i...
The things related here and 2Sa. 24:1-25, are by the best interpreters conceived to have been done long before Absalom's rebellion. And this opinion is not without sufficient grounds: first, this particle, then, is here explained, in the days, that is, during the reign of David: which general words seem to be added as an intimation that these things were not done after the next foregoing passages, for then the sacred writer would rather have added, after these things, as it is in many other places. Secondly, here are divers passages which it seems improbable to ascribe to the last years of David's reign: such as first, that Saul's sin against the Gibeonites should so long remain unpunished. And indeed that this was done, and Saul's seven sons hanged by David's order before that time, seems to be intimated by that passage, 2Sa 16:8, where he is charged with the blood of the house of Saul: for which there was not the least colour 'till this time. Secondly, that David should not remove the bones of Saul and Jonathan to their proper place, 'till that time. Thirdly, that the Philistines should wage war with David again and again, 2Sa 21:15, &c. so long after he had fully subdued them, 2Sa 8:1, and that David in his old age should attempt to fight with a Philistine giant, or that his people should suffer him to do so. Fourthly, that David should then have so vehement a desire to number his people, 2Sa 24:1, which being an act of youthful vanity, seems not at all to agree with his old age, nor with that state of deep humiliation in which he then was. And the reason why these matters are put here out of their proper order, is plainly this, because David's sin being once related, it was very convenient that David's punishments should immediately succeed: this being very frequent in scripture - story, to put those things together which belong to one matter, though they happened at several times.

Wesley: 2Sa 21:1 - -- Which was not only an act of cruelty, but also of perfidiousness, because it was a public violation of that solemn oath given to them by Joshua and th...
Which was not only an act of cruelty, but also of perfidiousness, because it was a public violation of that solemn oath given to them by Joshua and the princes, in the name of all the Israelites, of that and succeeding generations. "But why did not God punish Saul whilst he was alive for this, but his children, and the Israelites of this age?" First, God did severely punish Saul for this and his other sins. Secondly, as God may justly inflict temporal punishments upon any offender, either in his person, or in his posterity, when he pleaseth; so it is meet he should take his own time for it; and it is folly in us to quarrel with God for so doing. Thirdly, the Israelites might sundry ways make themselves guilty of Saul's sin, tho' it be not particularly mentioned, advising or encouraging him to it; or, assisting him in the execution of it. And whereas many of the people were probably innocent of that crime, yet they also were guilty of many other sins, for which God might punish them, though he took this occasion for it.

Wesley: 2Sa 21:2 - -- That is, he sought how he might cut them off with some colour of justice, aggravating their faults, and punishing them worse than they deserved; oppre...
That is, he sought how he might cut them off with some colour of justice, aggravating their faults, and punishing them worse than they deserved; oppressing them with excessive labours, and intending by degrees to wear them out.
JFB: 2Sa 21:1 - -- The sacred history has not recorded either the time or the reason of this massacre. Some think that they were sufferers in the atrocity perpetrated by...
The sacred history has not recorded either the time or the reason of this massacre. Some think that they were sufferers in the atrocity perpetrated by Saul at Nob (1Sa 22:19), where many of them may have resided as attendants of the priests; while others suppose it more probable that the attempt was made afterwards, with a view to regain the popularity he had lost throughout the nation by that execrable outrage.

JFB: 2Sa 21:2 - -- Under pretense of a rigorous and faithful execution of the divine law regarding the extermination of the Canaanites, he set himself to expel or destro...
Under pretense of a rigorous and faithful execution of the divine law regarding the extermination of the Canaanites, he set himself to expel or destroy those whom Joshua had been deceived into sparing. His real object seems to have been, that the possessions of the Gibeonites, being forfeited to the crown, might be divided among his own people (compare 1Sa 22:7). At all events, his proceeding against this people was in violation of a solemn oath, and involving national guilt. The famine was, in the wise and just retribution of Providence, made a national punishment, since the Hebrews either assisted in the massacre, or did not interpose to prevent it; since they neither endeavored to repair the wrong, nor expressed any horror of it; and since a general protracted chastisement might have been indispensable to inspire a proper respect and protection to the Gibeonite remnant that survived.
Clarke: 2Sa 21:1 - -- Then there was a famine - Of this famine we know nothing; it is not mentioned in any part of the history of David
Then there was a famine - Of this famine we know nothing; it is not mentioned in any part of the history of David

Clarke: 2Sa 21:1 - -- Because he slew the Gibeonites - No such fact is mentioned in the life and transactions of Saul; nor is there any reference to it in any other part ...
Because he slew the Gibeonites - No such fact is mentioned in the life and transactions of Saul; nor is there any reference to it in any other part of Scripture.

Clarke: 2Sa 21:2 - -- The remnant of the Amorites - The Gibeonites were Hivites, not Amorites, as appears from Jos 11:19 : but Amorites is a name often given to the Canaa...
Defender -> 2Sa 21:1
Defender: 2Sa 21:1 - -- The chronological history of David's life and reign is given in 1 Samuel 16 through 2 Samuel 20. The last four chapters of 2 Samuel are in the nature ...
The chronological history of David's life and reign is given in 1 Samuel 16 through 2 Samuel 20. The last four chapters of 2 Samuel are in the nature of appendices."
TSK: 2Sa 21:1 - -- am 2986, bc 1018, An, Ex, Ex, Is, 473
a famine : Gen 12:10, Gen 26:1, Gen 41:57, Gen 42:1, Gen 43:1; Lev 26:19, Lev 26:20, Lev 26:26; 1Ki 17:1, 1Ki 18...
am 2986, bc 1018, An, Ex, Ex, Is, 473
a famine : Gen 12:10, Gen 26:1, Gen 41:57, Gen 42:1, Gen 43:1; Lev 26:19, Lev 26:20, Lev 26:26; 1Ki 17:1, 1Ki 18:2; 2Ki 6:25, 2Ki 8:1; Jer. 14:1-18
inquired : Heb. sought the face, etc
of the Lord : 2Sa 5:19, 2Sa 5:23; Num 27:21; 1Sa 23:2, 1Sa 23:4, 1Sa 23:11; Job 5:8-10, Job 10:2; Psa 50:15, Psa 91:15
It is : Jos 7:1, Jos 7:11, Jos 7:12
Saul : 1Sa 22:17-19

TSK: 2Sa 21:2 - -- now the : Josh. 9:3-21
the Amorites : The Gibeonites were Hivites, not Amorites, as appears from Jos 6:19; but Amorites is a name often given to the C...
now the : Josh. 9:3-21
the Amorites : The Gibeonites were Hivites, not Amorites, as appears from Jos 6:19; but Amorites is a name often given to the Canaanites in general. Gen 15:16
in his zeal : Deu 7:16; 1Sa 14:44, 1Sa 15:8, 1Sa 15:9; 2Ki 10:16, 2Ki 10:31; Luk 9:54, Luk 9:55; Joh 16:2; Rom 10:2; Gal 4:17

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: 2Sa 21:1 - -- There is no note of time whatever, nor any clue as to what part of David’ s reign the events of this chapter ought to be assigned. Enquire...
There is no note of time whatever, nor any clue as to what part of David’ s reign the events of this chapter ought to be assigned.
Enquired of the Lord - Hebrew "sought the face of the Lord,"quite a different phrase from that so often used in Judges (e. g. Jdg 1:1) and the Books of Samuel, and probably indicating that this chapter is from a different source; an inference agreeing with the indefinite "in the days of David,"and with the allusion to the slaughter of the Gibeonites, which has not anywhere been narrated.
And for his bloody house - literally, "the house of blood,"i. e., the house or family upon which rests the guilt of shedding innocent blood.

Barnes: 2Sa 21:2 - -- The way in which the writer here refers to the history of the league with the Gibeonites Josh. 9 shows that the Book of Joshua was not a part of the...
The way in which the writer here refers to the history of the league with the Gibeonites Josh. 9 shows that the Book of Joshua was not a part of the same work as the Books of Samuel.
Of the Amorites - The Gibeonites were Hivites Jos 9:7; Jos 11:19; and in many enumerations of the Canaanite nations the Hivites are distinguished from the Amorites. But "Amorite"is often used in a more comprehensive sense, equivalent to "Canaanite"(as Gen 15:16; Deu 1:27), and denoting especially that part of the Canaanite nation which dwelt in the hill country Num 13:29; Deu 1:7, Deu 1:20, Deu 1:24, and so includes the Hivites.
Poole: 2Sa 21:1 - -- Then there was a famine: when? Either, first, after Absalom’ s and Sheba’ s rebellion, as it is here related; or rather, secondly, in some...
Then there was a famine: when? Either, first, after Absalom’ s and Sheba’ s rebellion, as it is here related; or rather, secondly, in some other time before. It is well known and confessed that the particle then doth not always note that the thing was done in that order in which it is mentioned, but is oft of an indefinite signification; as also that the Scripture in its histories and relations doth not always observe the order of time, but the order of things, putting that after which was done before, as occasion requires. And so it seems to be here. The things related here and 2Sa 24 are by the most and best interpreters conceived to have been done long before Absalom’ s rebellion. And this opinion is not without sufficient grounds.
First, This particle then is here explained, in the days , i.e. during the life and reign of David; which general and indefinite words seem to be added as an intimation that these things were not done after the next foregoing passages, for then the sacred writer would rather have added, after these things , or some such expression, as it is 2Ch 32:1 , and in many other places.
Secondly, Here are divers passages which it seems very improbable to ascribe to the last years of David’ s reign: such as these, first, That Saul’ s sin against the Gibeonites should so long remain unpunished. And indeed that this was done, and Saul’ s seven sons hanged by David’ s order before that time, seems plainly to be intimated by that passage, 2Sa 16:8 , where he is charged with the blood of the house of Saul ; for which there was not the least colour till this time.
Secondly, That David should not remove the bones of Saul and Jonathan to their proper place, here, 2Sa 21:12-14 , till that time.
Thirdly, That the Philistines should wage war with David again and again, 2Sa 21:15 , &c., so long after he had fully subdued them, 2Sa 8:1 ; and that David in his old age should attempt to fight with a Philistine giant, or that his people should suffer him to do so.
Fourthly, That David should then have so vehement a desire to number his people, 2Sa 24:1 , &c., which being an act of youthful heat and vanity, seems not at all to agree with his old age, nor with that state of deep humiliation and great affliction in which he then was. And the reason why these matters are put here out of their proper order is plainly this, because David’ s sin being once related, it was very convenient that David’ s punishments inflicted for it should immediately succeed; this being very frequent in Scripture story, to put those things together which belong to one matter, though they happened at several times. And this is the more considerable, because it tends to the clearing of that great difficulty, 2Sa 15:7 .
David inquired of the Lord concerning the reason of his displeasure, and this judgment.
Because he slew the Gibeonites which was not only an act of cruelty, but also of perfidiousness and perjury, because it was a direct and public violation of that solemn oath given to them for their security by Joshua and the princes, in the name of all the Israelites, of that and of succeeding generations, and consequently a great scandal to the true religion, and the professors of it, and a mean to discourage others from embracing it, as the Gibeonites had done.
Quest. Why did not God punish Saul whilst he was alive for this fault, but his innocent children, and David, and the Israelites of this age?
Answ First, God did severely punish Saul for this and his other sins.
Secondly, As God may justly inflict temporal punishments upon any offender, either in his person or in his posterity, when he pleaseth; so it is meet he should take his own time for it; and it is folly and wickedness in us to quarrel with God for so doing.
Thirdly, The Israelites might sundry ways make themselves guilty of Saul’ s sin, though it be not particularly mentioned in Scripture; advising or encouraging him to it; or by assisting him in the execution of it; or by conniving at it; or by rejoicing in it for some worldly advantage which they received or expected from it; or by not repairing the injuries which Saul had done them as far as they might.
And some of these ways David himself might be involved in the guilt, although indeed this evil fell principally upon the people. And whereas many of the people probably were innocent of that crime, yet they also were guilty of many other sins, for which God might punish them, though he took this occasion for it. And it may be further observed, that God is pleased many times severely to punish lesser delinquents, and to suffer the greater for the present to go unpunished; and that not only to manifest his own sovereign power and liberty, but also to give the world thereby assurance of a future judgment, and punishments reserved for the next life.

Poole: 2Sa 21:2 - -- Saul sought to slay them i. e. he sought occasions and pretences how he might cut them off with some colour of law or justice, diligently searching o...
Saul sought to slay them i. e. he sought occasions and pretences how he might cut them off with some colour of law or justice, diligently searching out and aggravating their faults, and punishing them worse than they deserved; oppressing them with excessive labours, and openly killing some of them, and intending by degrees to wear them out.
In his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah conceiving, or rather pretending, that it was not for the honour, nor comfort, nor advantage of God’ s people, to nourish any of that viperous broad in their bosoms; and that howsoever Joshua and the princes which then were, had by their fraud been drawn into an oath to preserve them, Jos 9:15 , yet in truth that oath was contrary to God’ s command, Exo 23:32 Deu 7:2 , and therefore (as he thought) not to be observed. This was his pretence. But how little zeal he had for God, or for the public good of his people, is evident by the whole course of his life; and therefore it is more than probable he had some particular motive or design in the case; either because some of them had highly provoked him, for whose sake he would be revenged of the whole race; or because, they being cut off, their estates might be forfeited to the crown; or for some other reason now unknown.
Haydock: 2Sa 21:1 - -- Of David, after the revolt of Seba. (Calmet) ---
House. It seems the family and chief officers of Saul, had concurred in his cruelty and unjust z...
Of David, after the revolt of Seba. (Calmet) ---
House. It seems the family and chief officers of Saul, had concurred in his cruelty and unjust zeal. Hence many of them might be still living, to undergo this chastisement; and the rest of the people were guilty of some faults. (Haydock) ---
If they had been perfectly innocent, still God is the dispenser of his own gifts. He is under no obligation of sending health and peace to his creatures. The just often derive greater advantage from crosses than from prosperity. The exemplary punishment of Saul's family was a lesson to kings, and to all mankind, to teach them how they ought to observe justice and the sanctity of oaths. ---
Gabaonites; probably after the slaughter of the priests, at Nobe, 1 Kings xxii. 19. (Calmet)

Haydock: 2Sa 21:2 - -- Amorrhites, by which name all the nations of Chanaan were frequently designated, Genesis xv. 16. (Menochius) ---
They were properly Hevites. ---
J...
Amorrhites, by which name all the nations of Chanaan were frequently designated, Genesis xv. 16. (Menochius) ---
They were properly Hevites. ---
Juda. As if Josue, and all succeeding governors, had acted wrong, Exodus xxiii. 33., and Josue vi. 19. Saul ought, at least, to have consulted God. (Calmet)
Gill: 2Sa 21:1 - -- Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year,.... That is, three years running, one after another; some think this, thoug...
Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year,.... That is, three years running, one after another; some think this, though here related, was before the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba, and not after, and there are several things which may incline to it, as that the sin of Saul should otherwise be so long unpunished, and that the bones of Saul and Jonathan were not sooner removed, here related; and that there should be so many battles the Philistines after they were subdued, as recorded in this chapter; and in one of the Jewish e writings it is said, that this was the year after Saul was slain; though, in other copies of the same book, it is said to be thirty years after; and so in that Abarbinel used, and who is of the mind that what is here related stands in the order in which it was, and of the same opinion are some of our best chronologers f:
and David inquired of the Lord; before the high priest by Urim and Thummim, what should be the cause of the famine perhaps suspecting it was some sins of his; the first year he might take no notice of it, hoping for a more fruitful season the next year, it arising, as he might suppose, from some natural cause; the second year he might begin to think it was for some national sins, but might be remiss in his inquiry into them; but the third year he was alarmed, and concluded there was something extraordinary and special, and feared it was on his account, and this put him on making inquiry:
and the Lord answered, it is for Saul, and for his bloody house; on account of the blood shed by him and his family; which answer must in a good measure relieve the mind of David, if he was fearful it was for his sins:
because he slew the Gibeonites: which was contrary to the oath that Joshua and all Israel had given them not to slay them, but save them alive, Jos 9:15. When this was done is not certain; the Jews commonly say g that he slew them when he slew the priests at Nob, they being hewers of wood and drawers of water to them, and were slain with them; or because their maintenance depended on the priests, they being slain, it was in effect slaying them; but rather this refers to another time, and to other action or actions of Saul, who sought by various means to destroy these people, and root them out of the land. The Heathens had a notion that barrenness, unfruitfulness, and famine, were inflicted by God for murder. Philostratus h reports of the Ethiopian Indians, that for the murder of their king, Ganges, their ground was unfruitful, their cattle starved, their wives abortive, and their cities and houses fell to ruin, until the murderers were destroyed.

Gill: 2Sa 21:2 - -- And the king called the Gibeonites,.... Sent messengers unto them, and summoned them to come to him:
and said unto them; what is expressed in 2Sa 2...
And the king called the Gibeonites,.... Sent messengers unto them, and summoned them to come to him:
and said unto them; what is expressed in 2Sa 21:3; for what follows is in a parenthesis:
(now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel; originally, though they were proselyted to the Jewish religion, and were employed in the menial services of the sanctuary:
but of the remnant of the Amorites; they were the remains of the old Canaanites, who sometimes in general were called Amorites, otherwise the Gibeonites were called Hivites; see Jos 9:7,
and the children of Israel had sworn unto them; by their princes, as Joshua; yet:
and Saul, contrary to this oath, sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah); pretending a great concern for them, for their honour and profit; that these men ought not to live in their cities, and take the bread out of their mouths, and be employed in the service of the sanctuary; but that they ought to be expelled, and even cut off, being the old inhabitants of the land, the Lord ordered to be destroyed; and that though the Israelites had given an oath to the contrary, they were drawn into it by guile and deceit, and therefore not binding upon them; hence he sought by all means to harass and oppress them, and slew many of them, and destroyed them out of their cities, that they might be possessed by Judah and Benjamin; see 2Sa 4:2, compared with Jos 9:17.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> 2Sa 21:1-22
TSK Synopsis: 2Sa 21:1-22 - --1 The three years' famine for the Gibeonites ceases, by hanging seven of Saul's sons.10 Rizpah's kindness unto the dead.12 David buries the bones of S...
MHCC -> 2Sa 21:1-9
MHCC: 2Sa 21:1-9 - --Every affliction arises from sin, and should lead us to repent and humble ourselves before God; but some troubles especially show that they are sent t...
Matthew Henry -> 2Sa 21:1-9
Matthew Henry: 2Sa 21:1-9 - -- Here I. Were are told of the injury which Saul had, long before this, done to the Gibeonites, which we had no account of in the history of his reign...
Keil-Delitzsch -> 2Sa 21:1-14
Keil-Delitzsch: 2Sa 21:1-14 - --
Three Years' Famine. - A three years' famine in the land, the occasion of which, as Jehovah declared to the king, was Saul's crime with regard to th...
Constable: 2Sa 21:1--24:25 - --VII. SUMMARY ILLUSTRATIONS chs. 21--24
The last major section of the Book of Samuel (2 Sam. 21-24) consists of s...

Constable: 2Sa 21:1-14 - --A. Famine from Saul's Sin 21:1-14
In the first section (21:1-14), the writer reminds us that breaking co...
