What does 2 Samuel 21:6 mean?
"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 21:6
The Bible verse 2 Samuel 21:6 from the King James Version (KJV) reads: "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."
This verse is a part of a specific historical context in the Old Testament. It takes place during the reign of King David, who was known for his decisive leadership and judgement. In this particular instance, the people of Gibeon come to David and ask for justice for the atrocities committed by the house of Saul. This request stems from the Gibeonites' desire for retribution for the actions of Saul, who attempted to annihilate them. This verse reveals the harsh reality of justice and the consequences of past actions, even for the descendants of the guilty party.
The significant themes of this verse include justice, redemption, and the sovereignty of God. It reflects the belief in the Old Testament that justice must be carried out, and that God has the final say in all matters. The Gibeonites' demand for retribution speaks to the belief in an eye for an eye, a concept prevalent in ancient Hebrew law. This verse also underscores the idea that the choices and actions of one person can have lasting consequences for their descendants, reinforcing the importance of moral accountability and the belief in the interconnectedness of generations.
The historical context of this verse is important in understanding its significance. The Gibeonites were a group who had made a treaty with the Israelites during the time of Joshua. When Saul became king, he sought to annihilate them, in direct violation of the treaty. This verse reveals the deep-seated grudge held by the Gibeonites and their desire for justice against the house of Saul, who had committed grave injustices against their people.
Symbolism in this verse can be found in the act of hanging the sons of Saul. The act of hanging criminals was a form of public punishment and deterrence in ancient times. This method was used to display the consequences of rebellion and wrongdoing, serving as a warning to others. In this case, the hanging of Saul's descendants is a physical embodiment of the consequences of Saul's past actions, as well as a means of appeasing the Gibeonites' desire for justice.
The mention of the Lord in this verse signifies the belief in divine justice and the idea that God ultimately oversees all matters of justice and retribution. David's decision to give the sons of Saul to the Gibeonites reflects his respect for the divine will and his acknowledgment of the need to satisfy the demands of justice, even if it means sacrificing the descendants of the guilty party.
In conclusion, 2 Samuel 21:6 from the King James Version (KJV) is a verse that addresses the themes of justice, redemption, and the consequences of past actions. Its historical context provides insight into the motivations of the Gibeonites and the significance of their demand for retribution. Symbolism can be found in the act of hanging Saul's descendants as a form of public punishment and deterrence. Ultimately, this verse underscores the belief in divine justice and the interconnectedness of generations, as well as the need for moral accountability.
Have questions about 2 Samuel 21:6?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
2 Samuel 21:6 Artwork
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."
"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 21:6
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 6:21 - "And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD."
2 Samuel 6:14
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 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 6:14–22
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 6:21 - "¶ And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, and fetch it up to you."
1 Samuel 21:6 - "So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away."
2 Samuel 6:6 - "¶ And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it."
2 Samuel 6:23 - "Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death."
2 Samuel 22:6 - "The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;"
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 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 Samuel 6:1 - "Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand."
2 Samuel 18:6 - "¶ So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;"
1 Samuel 2:6 - "The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up."
2 Samuel 24:6 - "Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtim-hodshi; and they came to Dan-jaan, and about to Zidon,"
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 6:9 - "And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?"
2 Samuel 6:14 - "And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod."
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."