Questions and Answers
How long did the famine, caused by a drought, last?
three years
What did the Lord say when David inquired Him about the famine?
It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites
Who did Saul kill and why?
The Gibeonites; to confiscate what was theirs, disregarding Joshua's vow to them, breaking the covenant made between the two peoples in the days of Joshua
Why did David feel the need to make atonement to the Gentile Gibeonites?
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What did David say to the Gentile Gibeonites?
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What did the Gibeonites seek?
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What had to be done since the killers of the Gibeonites were Saul and his house?
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What can be seen in the Gibeonites' request?
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Who is Mephibosheth?
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What was the reason David delivered seven men of the descendants of Saul to the Gibeonites to hang them?
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Who is Rizpah?
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What did Rizpah do?
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How did David feel towards what Rizpah had done?
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What did David do to show that he did not harbor any hatred or grudge toward the house of Saul?
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What did David do to the bones of those who were hanged?
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What did David and his men do after the seven descendants were hanged?
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Why would David have been killed in the fight against the Philistines?
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What did St. John Chrysostom admire?
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What does St. John Chrysostom wish his congregation to say to him?
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Study Notes
Famine and Atonement
- A famine lasting three years occurred due to a drought.
- God's response to David's inquiry about the famine pointed to Saul's massacre of the Gibeonites.
- Saul killed the Gibeonites to seize their possessions, breaking the covenant established during Joshua's time.
Gibeonite Justice
- David sought to atone for the wrongs done to the Gibeonites to receive divine favor.
- He asked the Gibeonites what could be done for them in order to obtain blessings for Israel.
- The Gibeonites desired justice based on the Law of Moses rather than material compensation.
The Seven Descendants
- Seven descendants of Saul had to be delivered to the Gibeonites for justice to be served, highlighting the consequences of Saul's actions.
- The Gibeonites showed consideration for David by not naming the specific descendants, allowing him to protect Mephibosheth.
Rizpah's Grief
- Rizpah, Saul's concubine, mourned her two sons who were hanged, highlighting her deep sorrow.
- She stayed by the bodies during the harvest until the rains fell, demonstrating her devotion.
David's Actions
- David was deeply moved by Rizpah’s vigil and demonstrated compassion.
- To show no animosity towards Saul's house, David gathered and buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan.
Aftermath of Atonement
- After the hanging of the seven descendants, David and his men engaged in battle against the Philistines.
- Abishai’s intervention was crucial in saving David's life during the fight against the Philistines.
St. John Chrysostom's Reflections
- St. John Chrysostom praised the loyalty of the men of Judah towards King David, seeking similar devotion in his own congregation.
- He expressed a desire for his congregation to continually support him through prayers, indicating the importance of mutual spiritual care.
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Description
Test your knowledge of 2 Samuel Chapter 21 with these flashcards. This quiz covers key events, such as the famine during David's reign and the actions of Saul against the Gibeonites. Challenge yourself to recall important details and deepen your understanding of this biblical chapter.