2 Samuel 21:14
And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.
2 Samuel 21:14 (KJV)
Context
This verse closes the account of a three-year famine in Israel during David’s reign. David asked the Lord why the land suffered, and the Lord answered that the famine came because Saul had broken the covenant Israel made with the Gibeonites. Saul had tried to destroy them, even though Joshua had promised them safety. The Gibeonites then demanded that seven of Saul’s descendants be handed over to them, and David did so. After their death, David gathered the bones of Saul and Jonathan from Jabesh-gilead and buried them with honor.
Meaning
The burial took place in Zelah, a city in Benjamin, in the family tomb of Kish, Saul’s father. This was not a random act. It fulfilled the king’s command and gave Saul and Jonathan a proper resting place among their own people. The phrase “God was intreated for the land” means that God heard prayer and answered. The famine ended because the wrong against the Gibeonites was addressed and the dead were treated with dignity. The verse shows that sin has consequences, but repentance and restitution can restore divine favor.
Biblical connections
Zelah is named as a city in Benjamin in Joshua 18:28, and Kish is identified as Saul’s father in 1 Samuel 9:1-2. These details confirm the historical setting. The earlier burial of Saul and Jonathan at Jabesh-gilead is recorded in 1 Samuel 31:11-13, after the Philistines had hung their bodies on the wall of Beth-shan. David’s act of reburying them in the family tomb completed the honor due to them. This act also showed respect for Saul and Jonathan, giving them a final resting place in their ancestral land.
Application
David’s example teaches respect for others, even those who once opposed him. He did not let past conflict prevent him from giving Saul and Jonathan a dignified burial. This challenges us to treat all people with honor, especially when it is difficult. The narrative also shows that obedience to God’s revealed will, even in painful matters, leads to restoration. When the people carried out the king’s command, God responded with mercy.
Respect and honor should be shown to everyone, including former adversaries.
Obedience to God’s instructions brings healing and blessing.
Repentance and restitution can end divine judgment.
Reflection
God takes covenants seriously, and He sees the treatment of the dead as important. The famine ended only after the wrong was made right. This reminds us that unresolved sin can affect a community, not just an individual. Yet God is ready to hear when we turn back to Him. The verse calls us to examine our own lives for broken promises and to seek restoration with God and with others.
