2 Samuel 21:2

Now the Gibeonites were not from the people of Israel; they were from what remained of the Amorites. The people of Israel had sworn not to kill them, but Saul tried to kill them all anyway in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah.

Unlocked Literal Bible

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

1There was a famine in David's time for three years in a row, and David sought the face of Yahweh. So Yahweh said, “This famine is on you because of Saul and his murderous family, because he put the Gibeonites to death.”

3So King David called together the Gibeonites and said to them, “What should I do for you? How can I make atonement, so that you may bless the people of Yahweh, who inherit his goodness and promises?”

Read all of 2 Samuel 21

Cross References

Deuteronomy 7:16You will consume all the peoples whom Yahweh your God will give over to you, and your eye will not pity them. You will not worship their gods, for that will be a trap for you.

Joshua 9:15Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The leaders of the people also made a vow to them.

1 Samuel 15:8Then he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive; he completely destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

2 Kings 10:31But Jehu took no care to walk in the law of Yahweh, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, by which he made Israel sin.

Luke 9:54When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and destroy them?”

Romans 10:2For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

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