King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 21:4 Mean?

2 Samuel 21:4 in the King James Version says “And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou k...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. We will: or, It is not silver nor gold that we have to do with Saul or his house, neither pertains it to us to kill, etc”

2 Samuel 21:4 · KJV

Context

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?

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. We will: or, It is not silver nor gold that we have to do with Saul or his house, neither pertains it to us to kill, etc

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, devised: or, cut us off

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. whom: or, chosen of the LORD

Read 2 Samuel 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 22 words
אֹֽמְרִ֖ים1 of 22

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֣וֹ2 of 22
H0
הַגִּבְעֹנִ֗ים3 of 22

“And the Gibeonites”

H1393

a gibonite, or inhabitant of gibon

אֵֽין4 of 22
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

לָ֜יּ5 of 22
H0
כֶּ֤סֶף6 of 22

“unto him We will have no silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וְזָהָב֙7 of 22

“nor gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

וְעִם8 of 22

“of”

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

שָׁא֣וּל9 of 22

“Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וְעִם10 of 22

“of”

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בֵּית֔וֹ11 of 22

“nor of his house”

H1004

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

וְאֵֽין12 of 22
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

לָ֥נוּ13 of 22
H0
אִ֖ישׁ14 of 22

“any man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְהָמִ֣ית15 of 22

“neither for us shalt thou kill”

H4191

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

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל16 of 22

“in Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֹֽמְרִ֖ים17 of 22

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מָֽה18 of 22
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אַתֶּ֥ם19 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אֹֽמְרִ֖ים20 of 22

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה21 of 22

“that will I do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָכֶֽם׃22 of 22
H0

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 21:4 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 21:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 49:6-81 Peter 1:18-19

Test Your Knowledge

2 Samuel 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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