2 Samuel 21:1-14

Big Idea: Since the wages of sin is death someone must die for sin to be atoned for.

Intro

Summary of the Text

Famine in the days of David for three years (1).

Explain the epilogue to 2 Samuel

A Son to Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel The True King, 2 Samuel 21–24

A Deliverance from famine, 21:1–14

B Giant-killers, 21:15–222

C David’s Psalm, 22:1–51

C′ David’s last words, 23:1–7

B′ The three and the thirty, 23:8–39

A′ Deliverance from a pestilence, 24:1–25

Summarizes and brings to a close David’s life and reign.

This episode takes place after David is king over a united Israel and after he elevates Mephibosheth.

As David seeks the Lord over the Famine he is shown that it is because of Saul’s bloodguilt over the Gibeonites (1).

Explain Gibeonites and covenant Joshua (Israel) made with them.

At some point Saul in his nationalistic zeal sought to eradicate the Gibeonites through genocide(2, 5).

Perhaps he wanted their land for a capitol. (Near Gibeah of Saul).

David asks the Gibeonites how he can atone for Saul’s sin? (3)

They are subtle, but clearly want vengeance. (4-6).

Seven sons of Saul is not genocide, but a complete representation.

So David gives them to them. (6)

But he is careful not to break his own covenant with Jonathan so he spares Mephibosheth (7)

Two sons, and five grandsons. (8)

They execute them and then hang their bodies on the first barley harvest. (9)

The mother of the two sons spreads a sackcloth tent and watches over the bodies, driving away birds and wild animals (10)

David hears of her commendable behavior and realizes he has not honored the bones of Saul and Jonathan (11-13).

Once he shows proper concern for the bodies of Saul and his house the Lord hears their prayer and responds to their plea for the land (14).

Application

This is a contrast between Saul and David and their faithfulness to keep covenant.

Ignoring the evils of a previous generation is not an option.

Ethical dilemma: Is this just?

Human Sacrifice was the cornerstone of Israel’s sacrifice (Jesus).

But God honors justice not cruelty. “The sacrifice was effective only when the bones were laid to rest.” (Leithart, 272)