What does 2 Samuel 21:14 mean?
"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 intreated for the land." - 2 Samuel 21:14
The verse 2 Samuel 21:14 from the King James Version of the Bible reads, "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 intreated for the land."
This verse comes at the end of a passage that recounts a period of severe famine that had afflicted the land of Israel for three successive years. The famine was seen as a result of King Saul's earlier mistreatment of the Gibeonites, a group of people who had entered into a covenant with the Israelites. To atone for Saul's wrongdoing, King David sought to make amends with the Gibeonites by asking them what he could do to appease them. The Gibeonites demanded that the descendants of Saul be handed over to them so that they could be put to death. David complied and handed over seven descendants of Saul, who were executed by the Gibeonites.
As a result of this act, the Gibeonites' anger and the execution of Saul's descendants, the famine that had afflicted the land was lifted. This led to the events described in 2 Samuel 21:14, where the bones of Saul and Jonathan were finally buried in the country of Benjamin, in Zelah, in the sepulcher of Kish, Saul's father. The verse concludes by stating that the people "performed all that the king commanded" and that "after that God was intreated for the land."
This passage raises several important themes and implications. First and foremost, it deals with the concept of atonement and retribution. The passage shows how seriously the Israelites took their covenantal relationships and the consequences of violating them. King Saul's mistreatment of the Gibeonites led to a severe famine that afflicted the entire land, demonstrating the far-reaching consequences of his actions. The subsequent retribution, the execution of Saul's descendants, shows the seriousness with which the Israelites viewed the idea of justice and atonement for wrongdoing.
Additionally, the passage highlights the importance of fulfilling one's obligations and promises. The fact that the famine was lifted only after the Israelites had fulfilled the Gibeonites' demands suggests that there is a direct correlation between honoring one's commitments and experiencing the blessings of God.
Furthermore, the burial of Saul and Jonathan's bones in their ancestral sepulcher carries symbolic meaning. It signifies the restoration of honor to their family and the putting to rest of past conflicts and grievances. By burying them in the land of Benjamin, in the sepulcher of Kish, their lineage and heritage are honored and respected. This act can also be seen as a form of closure for the nation of Israel, allowing them to move forward from the sins of the past and seek God's favor once again.
In conclusion, 2 Samuel 21:14 provides readers with a powerful illustration of the importance of atonement, fulfillment of obligations, and the restoration of honor. It reminds us of the far-reaching consequences of our actions and the necessity of seeking reconciliation and forgiveness when we have wronged others. Ultimately, it reinforces the belief that true repentance and restitution can lead to the restoration of God's favor and blessings.
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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 intreated for the land."
"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 intreated for the land." - 2 Samuel 21:14
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 21:21 - "And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him."
1 Samuel 21:14 - "Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?"
2 samuel 23:8-21
2 Samuel 6:14
2 Samuel 6:14–22
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 23:14 - "And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth-lehem."
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 14:23 - "So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem."
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 14:21 - "Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan."
2 Samuel 22:14 - "The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice."
2 Samuel 16:14 - "And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there."
2 Samuel 14:1 - "Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom."
"¶ And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again." - 2 Samuel 14:21
2 Samuel 14:28 - "¶ So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face."
2 Samuel 11:14 - "¶ And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah."
2 Samuel 2:14 - "And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise."
2 Samuel 5:14 - "And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,"
2 Samuel 6:14 - "And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod."
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 14:3 - "And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth."