2 Samuel 21:2

David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke with them. The Gibeonites were not Israelites, but what was left of the Amorites. The Israelites had sworn an oath to them, but in his nationalistic passion for the Israelites and Judah, Saul had tried to wipe them out.

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)

In Context

1Once during David's reign there was a famine for three years in a row, and David asked the Lord about it. The Lord replied, “It's because Saul and his family are guilty of murdering the Gibeonites.”

3“What can I do for you?” David asked the Gibeonites. “How can I compensate you so that you may bless the Lord's people?”

Read all of 2 Samuel 21

Cross References

Deuteronomy 7:16You are to destroy all the nations the Lord your God hands over to you. Don't look on them with sympathy. Don't worship their gods, for that will end up being a trap to you.

Joshua 9:15Then Joshua made a treaty with them, promising to spare their lives, and the leaders of the assembly swore an oath to guarantee it.

1 Samuel 15:8He captured Agag, king of Amalek, alive, but exterminated all the people by the sword.

2 Kings 10:31But Jehu was not completely committed to following the law of the Lord, the God of Israel. He did not end the sins that Jeroboam had made Israel commit.

Luke 9:54When James and John saw this, they asked Jesus, “Master, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to burn them up?”

Romans 10:2I can testify to their passionate dedication to God, but it's not based on knowing him as he truly is.

Matthew Henry on 2 Samuel 21:2-10

A Famine in Israel; The Gibeonites Avenged. ( b. c. 1021.) 1 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the Lord . And the Lord answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. 2 And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the… Read the whole commentary →

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Study 2 Samuel 21:2