Today I read 2 Samuel 21, in which David repays the Gibeonites for Saul’s sin and David and his men’s victories over the Philistines and their giants. Today I considered Saul’s sons were killed for his sin, a mother’s love impacting a king’s actions, and new people fighting the giants.
Sins of a Father
Saul broke the promise to the Gibeonites, his sons and grandsons paid the price, and a mother’s love got them a real burial (2 Samuel 21:1-14). David’s land was going through a famine for three years when he asked God why. God said because Saul had the Gibeonites killed. Israel previously made a promise to the Gibeonites to preserve them. David asked the Gibeonites what they wanted for atonement. The Gibeonites asked for seven sons from the man that sought their deaths. David gave them Rizpah’s two sons and Michal’s five nephews she was raising. The Gibeonites hung them on a hill before the Lord. Rizpah stayed with their bodies protecting them day and night throughout the harvest season, for five months. David heard and had Saul’s bones, Jonathan’s bones and the bones of the seven hanging on the hill taken and put in Kish’s sepulchre.
Fighting Giants and David’s Semiretirement
The Israelites continued to fight and win against the Philistines and giants, but David was asked stop going to battle for this safety (2 Samuel 21:15-22). The Philistines and Israel warred against each other. David fought with his men, became faint while fighting, and was almost killed by the giant Ishbibenob. Abishai killed the Ishbibenob. The men told David not to battle anymore because he was the light of Israel. Sibbechai the Hushathite, Elhanan a Bethlehemite, and Shimaeh’s son Jonathan killed giants in battle.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
I thank God for his son Jesus coming so we have grace. The sins of a person’s father or mother do not have to be paid by their children in societies that believe in the grace given to us by Jesus Christ. Children are not responsible for their parents’ debts or actions.
Rizpah loved her children so much that she guarded their bodies both day and night for five months. David was a king that had mourned the death of his own child. He was moved by Rizpah’s devotion to have not only her son’s but the other five men, Saul, and even Jonathan properly buried.
As we age, hopefully our faith, skills and knowledge are seen in the next generation. David became tired during the battle so they had him stop going to war. Other men of Israel now stood up to fight and win against giants. We go from David as the giant killer to now his men are giant killers.
What faith, skills, or knowledge do you possess that you hope to see in the next generation?