Reparations
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At some unknown time during the course of David’s reign, the events of 2 Samuel 21:1 took place. “At the time of the conquest of Canaan the Gibeonites had succeeded through guile in making a league with Joshua. According to the terms of this league they were to be allowed to live with Israel in a state of servitude (Joshua 9:3–27).” The leaders of Israel had sworn a solemn oath before God. Saul had broken that pact and sought to exterminate their race, and the people of Israel supported him in his effort.
All Israel was, therefore, guilty of breaking their word to both the Gibeonites and God. God’s punishment accordingly fell upon the entire nation.
Knowing the reason for the famine, David asked the remaining Gibeonites what they would have him do to atone for Israel’s breach of trust.
They did not want reparations for their confiscated property.
Instead, they believed the main guilt should fall upon the house of Saul, for he was primarily responsible for inflicting their pain.
The request seemed generous and proportional. “Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah [the home] of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them” (2 Samuel 21:6).
But God was not consulted regarding the acceptability of their request! David had given his own solemn word to Jonathan that he would protect Jonathan’s children.
He therefore exempted Mephibosheth from the list of sons to be surrendered, lest he be guilty of breaking his own vow. Were these seven sons of Saul guilty of following their father in his zeal to exterminate the Gibeonites? We are not told whether they were culpable in crimes against humanity. Rizpah, the mother of two of the executed sons, made a rough shelter of sackcloth near their exposed bodies and kept an estimated six-month-long vigil over them, keeping away birds of prey and wild animals that might desecrate the bodies of her sons.
David was so impressed by this mother’s loving devotion that he showed increased respect for the remaining members of Saul’s family.
