King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 21:1 Mean?

2 Samuel 21:1 in the King James Version says “Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD ... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. enquired: Heb. sought the face, etc

2 Samuel 21:1 · KJV


Context

1

Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. enquired: Heb. sought the face, etc

2

And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)

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?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Famine and Giants, emphasizing justice, covenant obligations. The three-year famine traced to Saul's treaty violation demonstrates God's demand for covenant faithfulness and justice. The execution of Saul's descendants and Rizpah's faithful vigil over their bodies presents complex ethical questions. The Philistine giant battles demonstrate ongoing threats. Theological themes include multi-generational covenant obligations, the high cost of treaty violations, God's demand for justice, and His provision of strength for continued battles.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 21 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding justice, covenant obligations provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of justice, covenant obligations?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַיְהִ֣י1 of 26
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

רָעָב֩2 of 26

Then there was a famine

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

בִּימֵ֨י3 of 26

in the days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

דָּוִ֖ד4 of 26

and David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

שָׁלֹ֣שׁ5 of 26

three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

שָׁנָ֔ה6 of 26

year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

שָׁנָ֔ה7 of 26

year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י8 of 26

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

שָׁנָ֔ה9 of 26

year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

וַיְבַקֵּ֥שׁ10 of 26

enquired

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

דָּוִ֖ד11 of 26

and David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶת12 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

פְּנֵ֣י13 of 26

of

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֗ה14 of 26

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר15 of 26

answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה16 of 26

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל17 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁאוּל֙18 of 26

It is for Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וְאֶל19 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֣ית20 of 26

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַדָּמִ֔ים21 of 26

and for his bloody

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

עַל22 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֲשֶׁר23 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֵמִ֖ית24 of 26

because he slew

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

אֶת25 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַגִּבְעֹנִֽים׃26 of 26

the Gibeonites

H1393

a gibonite, or inhabitant of gibon


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 21:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 21:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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