College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
2 Samuel 21 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 21
The Gibeonites avenged. Saul had slain many of the Gibeonites although Joshua had made a covenant to live in peace with them. As a result of this injustice God had sent a famine on Israel. The Gibeonites did not ask for any restitution from David, but they felt that the family of Saul should be punished. They asked that seven of his sons be slain to avenge the treatment they had received at Saul's hand. David executed the penalty on their behalf, and the famine was stayed.
Rizpah's sad vigil. Rizpah was Saul's concubine. Two of her sons whom she had borne to Saul were among those slain. She sat by their bodies and drove off the birds of the air and the beasts of the field until David came and took up the bones of the slain men and buried them in Saul's old home.
Battles with the Philistines. The Philistines were perennial enemies of Israel. Even in the later days of David's reign they were engaged in war against him.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Mother love is deep. Kipling has said in his poem, Mother O-' Mine, that if he were hanged on the highest hill, his mother's love would reach him still. He mused that if he were drowned in the deepest sea, his mother's love would come down to him. Men and women who have memory of tender mother love should give God thanks for this invaluable gift.
2.
Vengeance belongs to the Lord (Deuteronomy 32:35). It was not for David to say what penalty should be exacted against the house of Saul for their infamous treatment of the Gibeonites, neither was it for the Gibeonites to make an unfair request of David. That vengeance should be taken on the house of Saul was evident from the fact that God had brought a famine on Israel. Those involved were wise to inquire of the Lord in this manner. Men and women today should be willing for God's justice to be worked in their lives.
CHAPTER 21 IN REVIEW
1.
How long did the famine last?
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2.
What people had Saul slain?
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3.
How many sons of Saul were slain in revenge?
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4.
Did David spare Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son?
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5.
How many of Rizpah's sons were slain?
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6.
Where did David go to get Saul's bones?
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7.
Where were they finally interred?
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8.
How many sons did Goliath have?
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9.
Who saved David from Goliath's son?
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10.
How many toes did the deformed son have?
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