2 Samuel 21 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

2 Samuel 21 Short Summary:

In 2 Samuel 21, A three year famine afflicts Israel. To remedy the famine, David has seven of Saul’s descendants executed to atone for their bloodguilt against the Gibeonites. Additionally, the chapter narrates David's military exploits against the Philistines, particularly his battles with the descendants of the giants.

2 Samuel 21 Summary - Overview

WHEN:

• Saul died in approximately 1055 B.C., after reigning over Israel for 40 years.

• David became king over Judah the same year. He reigned over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, before becoming king over all Israel. His reign over all Judah and Israel lasted 33 years.

CHARACTERS:

• David – The second king over all Israel and Judah.

• Gibeonites – The Gibeonites were Canaanites who tricked the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them when Joshua led them into the Promise Land (see Joshua 9).  

• 7 Sons of Saul – These relatives of King Saul were killed to atone for Saul’s crimes against the Gibeonites.

• Mephibosheth – Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, David’s best friend.

WHERE:

• Gibeah is the central location in 2 Samuel 21.

• Gath and Gob, Philistine cities, are briefly mentioned at the end of the chapter.  

OUTLINE:

• THE BLOODGUILT OF THE GIBEONITES ON SAUL’S HOUSE (21:1-14):

  • There was a 3-year famine in Israel, and God revealed to David that it was due to bloodguilt on the house of King Saul.

  • Hundreds of years before David became king, Joshua had made a peace treaty with the Gibeonites (Joshua 9).

  • Saul, possibly with the help of his sons, broke that treaty by attacking Gibeon.

  • David went to the Gibeonites and asked how he could make atonement.

  • They asked David to give them 7 of Saul’s sons so they could “hang them before the Lord.”

  • David granted their request, but he made sure to save Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, because of his oath to Jonathan.

  • The 7 men, including 2 of Saul’s sons and 5 of his grandsons, were killed the 1st day of the barley harvest and hanged on the mountain at Gibeah.

  • Rizpah, the mother of Saul’s 2 sons, stayed by the bodies to keep wild animals away.  

  • When David learned of her devotion, he ordered the bodies to be taken down, and the bones of Saul, Jonathan, and his other sons to be buried.

  • God acknowledged David’s attempt to atone for the sins of Saul’s household, and He “responded to the plea for the land.”

• DAVID’S WARS WITH THE PHILISTINES (21:15-22):

  • During a battle with the Philistines, David “grew weary,” evidently because he was getting old.  

  • There was a Philistine named Ishbi-benob, a descendent of the giants, who intended to kill David.

  • Abishai came to David’s aid and killed Ishbi-benob.

  • After the battle, David’s men forbid him from fighting with the army anymore.

  • The rest of the chapter describes 3 more Philistine warriors of great stature, descendants of the giants, who were struck down by David’s valiant men in battle, including one who had 12 fingers and 12 toes.

APPLICATION:

• Every great warrior will eventually have to leave the battlefield.

• Even David, who was renowned for killing thousands of Philistines, grew too old for active combat.

• Those who lead the Church need to be cognizant that there will come a day when they will have to withdraw from the battlefield.

• Part of good leadership is recognizing your eminent meeting with old age, and proactively preparing leaders so the next generation will be strong.