What does 2 Samuel 21:3 mean?
"Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?" - 2 Samuel 21:3
2 Samuel 21:3 - "Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?"
The verse 2 Samuel 21:3 from the King James Version of the Bible states, "Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? And wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the Lord?" This verse is part of a larger narrative in the book of 2 Samuel, where David seeks to make amends for a past wrong committed against the Gibeonites.
To fully understand the significance of this verse, it is important to examine the historical and cultural context in which it takes place. In the Old Testament, the Gibeonites were a particular group of people who were part of the Amorites. According to the book of Joshua, the Gibeonites cunningly deceived the Israelites into making a covenant with them, thus sparing their lives. This act of deception led to a vow of protection made by the Israelites, which was binding for many generations.
Fast forward to the time of David, there was a famine in the land for three consecutive years, and David inquired of the Lord about its cause. The Lord revealed to David that the famine was a result of Saul's unrighteous actions against the Gibeonites. This illuminates the biblical principle of collective responsibility and the consequences of the actions of leadership on the entire community.
In response to this revelation, David approached the Gibeonites and sought to rectify the situation. He acknowledged the wrongs committed against them and sought to make amends. This demonstrates David's commitment to justice and his willingness to take responsibility for the actions of his predecessors. It also emphasizes the importance of seeking reconciliation and atonement for past sins and wrongdoings.
The verse also highlights the concept of atonement, which is a central theme in the Old Testament. Atonement refers to the process of reconciliation and restoration of a broken relationship between God and humanity. In this context, David is seeking to make atonement with the Gibeonites in order to seek God's blessing on the land. This act reflects David's understanding of the importance of seeking forgiveness and reconciliation in order to receive God's favor.
Furthermore, the verse underscores the idea of blessing the inheritance of the Lord. This phrase carries profound meaning, as it speaks to the significance of honoring God's covenant and preserving the well-being of the people and the land. By seeking to make peace with the Gibeonites, David is also seeking to ensure the prosperity and blessing of the land and its inhabitants.
Symbolically, the verse conveys the important message of seeking reconciliation and resolution in the face of past wrongs. It underscores the significance of atonement and the pursuit of justice, as well as the importance of honoring commitments and upholding God's covenant. The verse also serves as a reminder of the enduring consequences of historical injustices and the necessity of seeking forgiveness and restoration.
In conclusion, 2 Samuel 21:3 from the King James Version of the Bible carries profound significance within its historical, cultural, and theological context. It illuminates themes of justice, atonement, reconciliation, and the preservation of God's blessing. As such, it offers important lessons for believers about the importance of seeking forgiveness and reconciliation in order to uphold God's covenant and ensure the well-being of the community.
2 Samuel 21:3 Artwork
2 Samuel 21:3 - "Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?"
1 Samuel 3:21 - "And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD."
2 Samuel 21:21 - "And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him."
1 Samuel 21:3 - "Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present."
2 Samuel 5:21 - "And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them."
2 Samuel 13:21 - "¶ But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth."
2 Samuel 21:11 - "And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done."
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 4:3 - "And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)"
2 Samuel 3:2 - "¶ And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;"
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."
2 Samuel 3:4 - "And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;"
2 Samuel 3:3 - "And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;"
2 Samuel 3:33 - "And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?"
2 Samuel 3:5 - "And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron."
2 Samuel 7:3 - "And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee."
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 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 3:11 - "And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him."
2 Samuel 2:3 - "And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron."
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."
1 Samuel 8:21 - "And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD."
2 Samuel 3:37 - "For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner."
2 Samuel 3:21 - "And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace."
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."
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 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 14:3 - "And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth."
2 Samuel 3:36 - "And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people."