Bible Chapter Summary
2 Samuel 21 Summary
Atonement for Saul's Slaughter of the Gibeonites
A famine afflicts Israel for three years. When David inquires of the Lord, he learns it is judgment for Saul's execution of the Gibeonites, whom Israel had sworn to spare. David negotiates with the Gibeonites, who demand seven of Saul's sons be hanged; he grants their request but spares Mephibosheth out of his oath with Jonathan. After honoring the executed men and gathering the bones of Saul and Jonathan for proper burial, the Lord accepts atonement and ends the famine. The chapter concludes with accounts of David and his servants defeating Philistine giants in subsequent battles, including Ishbi-benob and others.
Key themes
Key verses
2 Samuel 21:1
“Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.”
2 Samuel 21:6
“Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them.”
2 Samuel 21:14
“And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land.”
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