Famine and the Gibeonites' Demand; Saul's Descendants Executed
2 Samuel 21:1-14
2 S.21.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- רעב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בימי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחרי: PREP
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויבקש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הדמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- על: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- המית: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הגבענים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 9:3-15 (structural): Narrative of the Gibeonites' treaty with Israel — explains why killing the Gibeonites violated Israel's oath and incurred divine judgment.
- Joshua 10:6-15 (thematic): Account of Israel coming to the Gibeonites' aid and the Gibeonites' protected status as allies — reinforces their special status and the wrongdoing of their later slaughter.
- Numbers 35:33-34 (thematic): Law stating that bloodshed defiles the land and provokes God's anger until atonement is made — theological principle underpinning the famine as punishment for 'bloodguilt.'
- 1 Samuel 22:6-19 (allusion): Episode in which Saul (through Doeg) unlawfully slays priests at Nob — an example of Saul's violent acts and 'bloodguilt' associated with Saul's house.
- 1 Kings 17:1; 18:1 (thematic): Elijah-era three-year drought/famine as divine judgment on Israel — parallels the motif of a multi-year famine used as punishment for collective sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- And there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year. David inquired of the LORD; and the LORD said, "It is for Saul and for the house of his bloodguilt, because he put the Gibeonites to death."
- And there was a famine in the days of David—three years, year after year. And David sought the face of the LORD, and the LORD said, 'It is for Saul and for his bloody house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.'
2 S.21.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לגבענים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- והגבענים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- מבני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- מיתר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האמרי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נשבעו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ויבקש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להכתם: PREP+VERB,qal,inf,3,m,pl
- בקנאתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- לבני: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהודה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 9:3-27 (verbal): Gibeonites deceive Israel into a treaty and obtain an oath of protection; provides the direct background for the statement that the Gibeonites are not Israelites and that Israel had sworn to them.
- 2 Samuel 21:6-9 (structural): Immediate continuation and resolution of the episode: David delivers descendants of Saul to the Gibeonites to make atonement for Saul’s attempt to destroy them, showing how the oath-crisis is settled.
- 1 Samuel 15:17-29 (thematic): Samuel’s rebuke of Saul for disobedience and the explanation that Saul’s actions—though claimed as zeal—were wrong; parallels the motive attributed to Saul in 2 Samuel 21:2 that he sought to destroy the Gibeonites ‘in his zeal for Israel and Judah.’
Alternative generated candidates
- The king called the Gibeonites and said to them, "Are not the Gibeonites of the children of Israel? No; they are sojourners of the Amorites. The people of Israel had sworn to them. But Saul sought to blot them out in his zeal for Israel and for Judah."
- And the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them; for the Gibeonites were not of the sons of Israel but of the remnant of the Amorites, and the children of Israel had sworn to them. Saul sought to destroy them in his zeal for Israel and Judah.
2 S.21.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- הגבענים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מה: PRON,int
- אעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- ובמה: CONJ+PREP+PRON,interrogative,sg
- אכפר: VERB,qal,impf,1,na,sg
- וברכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- נחלת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Sam 21:1 (structural): Immediate context: the famine and the Lord’s declaration that it was on account of Saul’s slaughter of the Gibeonites, which prompts David to inquire how to make atonement.
- 2 Sam 21:6 (structural): Direct narrative continuation: the Gibeonites specify reparation (seven of Saul’s sons) and David hands them over—shows the concrete answer to David’s question about how to atone.
- 2 Sam 21:14 (thematic): Resolution of the episode: after burial of Saul’s bones (and related acts), God is entreated for the land—ties David’s efforts to make expiation to restoration of God’s blessing on the land.
- Josh 9:15-27 (allusion): Background on the Gibeonites: Israel’s treaty with the Gibeonites and their assignment as servile laborers for the house of God explains why the Gibeonites remain a distinct group and provides historical/legal background for their later demand for justice/compensation.
Alternative generated candidates
- David said to the Gibeonites, "What shall I do for you? How shall I make atonement, that you may bless the heritage of the LORD?"
- And David said to the Gibeonites, 'What shall I do for you? And by what shall I make atonement, that they may bless the heritage of the LORD?'
2 S.21.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- הגבענים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אין: PART,neg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וזהב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועם: CONJ+PREP
- ביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להמית: VERB,hiphil,inf
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- אמרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 9:3-27 (structural): Background narrative establishing the Gibeonites' treaty with Israel and their status as woodcutters and water-drawers — explains why the Gibeonites are living among Israelites and why Saul later attacked them.
- 2 Samuel 21:1-2 (structural): Immediate context: the verses state that a famine came upon the land because Saul had attempted to annihilate the Gibeonites, setting up the Gibeonites' demand in v.4.
- 2 Samuel 21:5-6 (verbal): Direct continuation of the dialogue in v.4 — here David asks what they want and the Gibeonites demand seven of Saul's descendants to be handed over for execution.
- 2 Samuel 21:12-14 (thematic): Resolution of the episode: after the execution and Rizpah's vigil, David recovers and buries the bones of Saul and Jonathan, and God responds by removing the famine — linking the events narrated in v.4 to their outcome.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Gibeonites answered the king, "We have no silver or gold to give to Saul or to his house, nor do we have any man to put to death in Israel—what do you say we should do for you?"
- And the Gibeonites said to him, 'We have no silver nor gold with Saul and with his house, and we have no man to put to death in Israel.' And the king said, 'What do you say I should do for you?'
2 S.21.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- אל: NEG
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- כלנו: PRON,1,pl
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- דמה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- נשמדנו: VERB,niphal,perf,1,pl
- מהתיצב: PREP+VERB,hitpael,ptc,ms
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גבל: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 9:3-27 (thematic): Gives the historical background of the Gibeonites' treaty with Israel (they were spared and made servants), which explains why the Gibeonites later demand reparation from Saul’s house in 2 Sam 21.
- 1 Sam.20:12-17 (allusion): Records the covenant between David and Jonathan promising mutual care for each other's households; this covenant is the basis for sparing Jonathan’s descendant (Mephibosheth) later in the 2 Samuel 21 episode.
- 2 Sam.9:1-13 (thematic): David's show of kindness to Mephibosheth for Jonathan’s sake parallels the concern for Jonathan’s house noted in 2 Samuel 21 and explains why Mephibosheth is treated differently from other Saulite descendants.
- 2 Sam.21:6-9 (structural): Immediate continuation of the present verse in the same episode—these verses record the handing over and execution of Saul’s descendants by the Gibeonites, completing the narrative begun in v.5.
Alternative generated candidates
- They said to the king, "The man who planned to destroy us and who devised against us, so that we might be cut off and not remain in any of the borders of Israel—
- They answered the king, 'The man who ravaged us and devised against us so that we became few and were scattered throughout all the borders of Israel.'
2 S.21.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יתן: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- שבעה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מבניו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons+PRON,3,m,sg
- והוקענום: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- בגבעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחיר: ADJ,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
Parallels
- 1Chron.20.3-4 (verbal): Direct parallel account of the same episode: the handing over of Saul’s descendants to the Gibeonites and their execution (parallels wording and items).
- 2Sam.21.7-9 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: specifies which of Saul’s descendants were delivered, their execution by the Gibeonites, and Rizpah’s mourning—follows verse 6 directly.
- Josh.7.24-26 (thematic): Achan’s execution (and his family’s punishment) after communal calamity; both episodes link communal disaster to the sin of a leader/family and communal/severe retributive measures.
- Deut.19.21 (thematic): Legal principle of retributive justice (‘life for life, eye for eye’) that provides a background rationale for demanding severe compensation on behalf of a wronged party.
- 2Sam.21.14 (structural): Resolution-followup in the same chapter: after David deals with Saul’s remains and the Gibeonite matter is addressed, the divine calamity ends—ties the handing-over to the restoration of Israel’s well-being.
Alternative generated candidates
- let seven of his sons be given to us, and we will hang them before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul, the LORD's chosen." And the king said, "I will give them."
- They said, 'Give us seven men of his sons, and we will hang them before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul, the LORD's chosen.' And the king said, 'I will give them.'
2 S.21.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויחמל: VERB,qal,yiqtol,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- מפי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשת: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהונתן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בינתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,pl
- בין: PREP
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- יהונתן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Sam.20.14-17 (quotation): Jonathan's oath to David—Jonathan asks David to show kindness to his house and makes David swear—this is the primary pact referenced as the LORD's oath between David and Jonathan.
- 2 Sam.9.1-13 (thematic): David seeks out and shows kindness to the house of Saul for Jonathan's sake, restores Mephibosheth's land and place at court—direct enactment of the oath mentioned in 2 Sam 21:7.
- 2 Sam.4.4 (verbal): Identifies Mephibosheth (Merib-baal), son of Jonathan, as the lame son born in the aftermath of Saul's house—establishes the person spared because of the oath.
- 2 Sam.21.1-6 (structural): Context for 21:7—the famine and Gibeonite demand for reparation from Saul's house explains why David's sparing of Mephibosheth is narratively significant.
- 1 Chron.9.40 (allusion): Genealogical listing of Merib-baal (Mephibosheth), son of Jonathan—parallel confirmation of identity and the household connection underlying the oath.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul.
- But the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul, for the LORD's oath that was between David and Jonathan son of Saul.
2 S.21.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- רצפה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- איה: ADV,interr
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ילדה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לשאול: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- ארמני: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- מפבשת: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- חמשת: NUM,card,construct
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- מיכל: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ילדה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לעדריאל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברזלי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המחלתי: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 21:1-14 (verbal): Immediate narrative context: the Gibeonite demand and the handing over/execution of Saul’s descendants (including Rizpah’s sons and the sons of Saul’s daughter) are narrated across these verses, of which 21:8 is part.
- 1 Samuel 18:17-19 (allusion): Background account that Merab, daughter of Saul, was given to Adriel the Meholathite — helps explain the apparent identification of ‘Michal’ (21:8) as the mother of Adriel’s sons (textual/identificatory issue between Merab and Michal).
- 2 Samuel 6:23 (allusion): States that Michal had no children to the day of her death; this contrasts with 21:8’s claim that ‘Michal’ bore five sons to Adriel, highlighting a textual/identification problem (Merab vs. Michal).
- 1 Samuel 20:12-17 (thematic): David’s oath with Jonathan (promising protection for Jonathan’s house) is the background for David’s sparing of Mephibosheth elsewhere in 2 Samuel 21 (see 21:7); these verses supply the oath context mentioned in the wider episode.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king took the two sons of Rizpah daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul—Armoni and Mephibosheth—and the five sons of Michal daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.
- And the king took the two sons of Rizpah daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul—Armoni and Mephibosheth—and the five sons of Michal daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.
2 S.21.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתנם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj:3mp
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הגבענים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויקיעם: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויפלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שבעתם: NUM,m,pl,abs
- יחד: ADV
- והמה: PRON,3,m,pl
- המתו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- בימי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- קציר: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- בראשנים: PREP
- בתחלת: PREP
- קציר: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- שערים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 21:6 (structural): Immediate context: the Gibeonites demand seven of Saul's descendants to be handed over for execution—this verse describes the same episode (setup for their being given over and killed).
- 2 Samuel 21:10-14 (structural): Direct continuation/aftermath: Rizpah's vigil and David's later retrieval and burial of the bodies, which completes the narrative begun in v.9 about the exposed slain and community response.
- Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (thematic): Legal/ritual background: prohibition against leaving a hanged corpse overnight as accursed before God—helps explain ancient concerns about exposure and burial of executed persons referenced in v.9–14.
- 1 Samuel 31:10-13 (thematic): Parallel incident: Saul and his sons are slain and their bodies treated publicly; the retrieval, burning and burial by the men of Jabesh-Gilead echoes themes of exposure, shame, and proper burial.
- Joshua 10:26-27 (verbal): Similar punitive practice: Joshua has defeated kings executed and hung on trees and removed before nightfall—parallels the exposure of executed enemies and concerns about leaving bodies exposed.
Alternative generated candidates
- He handed them over to the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the hill before the LORD; and all seven fell together and died in the days of harvest, at the beginning of the barley harvest.
- He gave them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the mountain before the LORD; so the seven fell together and died in the time of harvest, at the beginning of the barley harvest.
2 S.21.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- רצפה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- איה: ADV,interr
- את: PRT,acc
- השק: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ותטהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- הצור: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מתחלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- קציר: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- עד: PREP
- נתך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ולא: CONJ
- נתנה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- עוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לנוח: VERB,qal,inf
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- יומם: ADV
- ואת: CONJ
- חית: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- השדה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 21:9 (structural): Immediate antecedent: names the descendants of Saul handed over and executed whose bodies Rizpah guarded, explaining why the corpses lay exposed.
- 2 Samuel 21:11-14 (structural): Immediate continuation: describes Rizpah’s prolonged vigil and David’s eventual retrieval and burial of the bones, resolving the crisis begun in v.10.
- 1 Samuel 31:8-13 (thematic): Shows a parallel concern for the proper treatment and burial of the dead (Saul and Jonathan); like Rizpah’s protection, the men of Jabesh‑Gilead recover and care for exposed royal corpses to prevent desecration.
- 1 Chronicles 10:12-14 (allusion): Parallel retelling of Saul’s death and its aftermath; echoes themes of royal death, communal judgment, and the need for proper handling of the slain.
- Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (thematic): Legal background: forbids leaving an executed body exposed overnight and mandates burial, providing an ethical/ritual rationale for protecting corpses from birds and beasts as Rizpah does.
Alternative generated candidates
- Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until rain fell on them from the heavens; she did not allow the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
- Then Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of the harvest until the rain fell on them from the heavens; she allowed neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day nor the beasts of the field by night.
2 S.21.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- רצפה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- איה: ADV,interr
- פלגש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Sam.21:10 (verbal): Immediate context: verse 10 describes exactly what Rizpah did (guarding the exposed bodies), which verse 11 reports was told to David — direct continuation and shared wording.
- 2 Sam.21:12-14 (structural): Direct follow-up: these verses record David's response — recovering and burying the bones of Saul and his sons — the outcome to which Rizpah's act prompted notification.
- 2 Sam.21:1-2 (thematic): Sets the broader context: the famine and the Gibeonites' demand for Saul's descendants explain why Saul's kin were executed and their bodies exposed, the situation to which Rizpah was reacting.
- 1 Sam.31:8-13 (thematic): Earlier account of the deaths and initial mistreatment of Saul and his sons (bodies displayed at Beth-shan) and the men of Jabesh later retrieving and burying them — a parallel episode of exposed royal bodies and burial actions.
Alternative generated candidates
- When it was told David what Rizpah daughter of Aiah, Saul's concubine, had done,
- And it was told David what Rizpah daughter of Aiah, Saul's concubine, had done.
2 S.21.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עצמות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- עצמות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- יהונתן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- מאת: PREP
- בעלי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- יביש: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- גלעד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- גנבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- מרחב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תלאום: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שמה: ADV
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ביום: PREP
- הכות: NOUN,m,sg,def
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- את: PRT,acc
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בגלבע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:8-13 (verbal): Direct narrative parallel — describes how the valiant men of Jabesh‑Gilead recovered the bodies of Saul and his sons from the Philistines at Beth‑shan, burned them, and buried the bones, which 2 Sam 21:12 explicitly references.
- 1 Chronicles 10:11-12 (verbal): Chronicle’s brief retelling of the same episode — affirms that the men of Jabesh retrieved Saul’s body and buried it under a tamarisk, paralleling the background reported in 2 Sam 21:12.
- 2 Samuel 21:13-14 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode in Samuel — records David’s subsequent action of retrieving and burying Saul’s and Jonathan’s bones, showing the resolution begun in v.12.
- Genesis 50:24-26 (thematic): Thematic parallel concerning the preservation and transport of a leader’s bones for burial (Joseph’s request to have his bones carried out of Egypt), reflecting ancient Israelite concern for proper burial and ancestral remains.
Alternative generated candidates
- David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan where the Philistines had hung them when they struck Saul on Mount Gilboa.
- So David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh Gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them when they struck Saul on Mount Gilboa.
2 S.21.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משם: PREP
- את: PRT,acc
- עצמות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- עצמות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- יהונתן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ויאספו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- עצמות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- המוקעים: ADJ,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:11-13 (verbal): Men of Jabesh‑Gilead recover the bodies of Saul and his sons, burn them, and bury their bones — a direct, closely related account of the retrieval and burial of Saul's remains.
- 1 Chronicles 10:12-14 (verbal): A parallel retelling of Saul's death and its aftermath; the Chronicler echoes the handling of Saul's body and the explanation of his end, providing a related account of his burial.
- 2 Samuel 21:14 (structural): Immediate sequel in the same chapter specifying the final interment in the land of Benjamin (Zelah) and the mourning rites that follow, completing the burial narrative begun in 21:13.
- Genesis 50:24-26 (thematic): Joseph's request that his bones be carried out of Egypt to be buried with his ancestors reflects the broader theme of preserving and burying the bones of the dead among kin.
Alternative generated candidates
- He brought up the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son, and they gathered up the bones of those that were hanged.
- They brought up from there the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of those who had been hanged.
2 S.21.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקברו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- עצמות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהונתן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- בצלע: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בקבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קיש: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- ויעשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויעתר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחרי: PREP
- כן: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:11-13 (verbal): Direct earlier account of the retrieval and burial of Saul and Jonathan’s bodies (Jabesh‑Gilead), closely related in content to the burial reported in 2 Sam 21:14.
- 1 Chronicles 10:12-14 (structural): Chronicles’ parallel summary of Saul’s death and the treatment of his body; parallels the material and theological point about God’s action after Saul’s death.
- Joshua 24:32 (thematic): The burial of an ancestor’s bones (Joseph) in the ancestral burial site—parallel theme of moving and interring important figures’ remains in family tombs.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 (thematic): Promise that repentance/prayer will bring God’s favor on the land—thematic parallel to 2 Sam 21:14’s note that God was entreated for the land after the burial and obedience to the king’s command.
Alternative generated candidates
- They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of Kish his father; and they performed all that the king commanded. And God was entreated for the land afterwards.
- They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of Kish his father; and they did all that the king commanded. And God was entreated for the land.
And there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year. David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD said, “It is for Saul and for his house of blood, because he put the Gibeonites to death.”
The king summoned the Gibeonites and said to them—now the Gibeonites were not of the sons of Israel but of the remnant of the Amorites, and the Israelites had sworn to them—“Why have you suffered this?” Saul sought to cut them off in his zeal for Israel and Judah.
David said to the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? In what shall I make atonement, that you may bless the heritage of the LORD?”
They answered the king, “We have neither silver nor gold to give to Saul or to his house, and we have no man to put to death in Israel.” And the king said, “What do you say I shall do for you?”
They said to the king, “The man who consumed us and devised against us so that we were not allowed to remain within all the borders of Israel—
let seven men of his sons be given to us, and we will hang them up before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul, the LORD’s chosen.” The king said, “I will give them.” But the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul, for the LORD’s oath was between David and Jonathan.
The king took the two sons of Rizpah daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul—Armoni and Mephibosheth—and the five sons of Michal daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.
He gave them into the hands of the Gibeonites, who hanged them on a hill before the LORD; and all seven fell together. They died in the days of harvest, at the beginning of the barley harvest.
Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself upon a rock, from the beginning of harvest until rain fell upon them from the heavens; by day the birds of the air did not rest on them, nor did the beasts of the field come near them by night.
When David was told what Rizpah daughter of Aiah, Saul’s concubine, had done,
David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the wall of Beth-shan where the Philistines had hung them when they struck down Saul on Mount Gilboa.
He brought up from there the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of those who had been hanged.
They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the land of Benjamin in the grave of Kish his father, and they did all that the king commanded. And God answered on behalf of the land thereafter.