The fate of Saul’s sons

4. March 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:   

In our text today, we will learn David’s response to the Gibeonites demand for the death of Saul’s sons in payment for the slaughter of the Gibeonites during Saul’s reign.   

Let’s look at the story: 

II Samuel 21:4b-”What do you want me to do for you?” David asked. 5 They answered the king, “As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, 6 let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and exposed before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul–the LORD’s chosen one.” So the king said, “I will give them to you.” 7 The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul. 8 But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. 9 He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed and exposed them on a hill before the Lord. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning. 

Wow…. David agrees to turn over the sons of Saul.  He gives them two sons from a concubine by the name of Rizpah and five sons from Saul’s daughter Merab.   David spares the life of Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan based on the oath before the Lord between David and Jonathan (Saul’s son).   

Tomorrow, we will close our week by studying the reactions of the mothers of these children.   

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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