What does 2 Samuel 21:4 mean?

"And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you." - 2 Samuel 21:4

The Bible verse 2 Samuel 21:4 from the King James Version states:

"And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you."

To understand the meaning and context of this verse, it's important to look at the preceding verses in 2 Samuel 21. In these verses, we find that during the reign of David, there was a famine in the land of Israel. David sought the Lord about the famine, and the Lord revealed to him that the famine was a result of the bloodguilt upon Saul and his house because he had put the Gibeonites to death.

The Gibeonites were a group of people who had deceived the Israelites into making a covenant with them during the conquest of the Promised Land (Joshua 9). In the Book of Joshua, the Gibeonites sought protection from the Israelites by pretending to be from a distant land when they were actually from the nearby region. Joshua and the Israelites made a covenant with the Gibeonites, and when the deception was discovered, they were allowed to live but were assigned to a servile role.

In 2 Samuel 21, David seeks to make amends for Saul's actions by asking the Gibeonites what they require in order to make things right. The Gibeonites respond by stating that they do not seek silver or gold from Saul's house, but they ask for justice for the bloodguilt by having seven of Saul's descendants handed over to them to be put to death.

The verse in question, 2 Samuel 21:4, reveals David's response to the Gibeonites' request. He agrees to carry out their wishes, demonstrating his commitment to justice and his willingness to fulfill their demands. This verse illustrates David's respect for the covenant made with the Gibeonites and his desire to make things right in the eyes of the Lord.

One of the key themes in this passage is the concept of justice and atonement. The Gibeonites sought justice for the wrongs committed against them, and David honors their request, recognizing the importance of redressing past injustices. This emphasizes the biblical principle of seeking restitution and making amends for past wrongs.

Another theme in this verse is the importance of honoring covenants and agreements. The covenant made with the Gibeonites was sacred and binding, and David's willingness to fulfill their request demonstrates the significance of upholding agreements, even those made under difficult circumstances.

Symbolically, this passage represents the importance of seeking reconciliation and making amends for past transgressions. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of unrighteous actions and the need for atonement. Moreover, it highlights the role of a leader in ensuring justice and fairness for all, even when it involves difficult decisions.

In conclusion, 2 Samuel 21:4 provides a glimpse into the themes of justice, atonement, and honoring covenants within the biblical narrative. It serves as a powerful example of the biblical principles of seeking reconciliation, making amends for past wrongs, and upholding sacred agreements. This verse is a reminder of the importance of pursuing justice and righteousness, even in the face of challenging circumstances.

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2 Samuel 21:4 Artwork

2 Samuel 21:4 - "And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you."

2 Samuel 21:21 - "And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him."

2 samuel 23:8-21

2 Samuel 5:21 - "And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them."

1 Samuel 2:21 - "And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD."

2 Samuel 10:4

2 Samuel 21:11 - "And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done."

2 Samuel 13:21 - "¶ But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth."

2 Samuel 21:22 - "These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants."

1 Samuel 21:4 - "And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women."

2 Samuel 4:3 - "And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)"

1 Samuel 2:4 - "The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength."

2 Samuel 17:4 - "And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel."

1 Samuel 4:21 - "And she named the child I-chabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband."

2 Samuel 22:21 - "The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me."

2 Samuel 19:21 - "But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed?"

2 Samuel 21:18 - "And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant."

2 Samuel 3:4 - "And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;"

2 Samuel 21:13 - "And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged."

2 Samuel 21:7 - "But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul."

2 Chronicles 4:21 - "And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;"

2 Samuel 7:4 - "¶ And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,"

2 Samuel 21:5 - "And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,"

2 Samuel 18:21 - "Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran."

"And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him." - 2 Samuel 21:21

2 Samuel 14:21 - "¶ And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again."

2 Samuel 1:2-4 David is shocked the man is scared image in color

2 Samuel 2:4 - "And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul."