“And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,”
To understand the context of this verse, let’s look at the surrounding verses and the historical background. In the preceding verses (2 Samuel 21:1-4), we learn that during the reign of David, there was a famine in the land of Israel for three consecutive years. David sought the Lord to inquire about the reason for the famine, and he received a response from God.
The verse you mentioned (2 Samuel 21:5) is the answer provided by the Gibeonites, a group of people from the land of Canaan, who were under a covenant with Israel since the time of Joshua (Joshua 9:3-27). The Gibeonites had tricked the Israelites into making a covenant of protection, and because of this covenant, the Israelites were not allowed to harm them.
However, Saul the previous king of Israel, had broken this covenant by attacking and killing some of the Gibeonites. As a result, God had sent the famine as a punishment for this violation. The Gibeonites were seeking justice and requested that seven of Saul’s sons be handed over to them to be put to death as retribution for Saul’s actions.
Now let’s focus on 2 Samuel 21:5 specifically. The Gibeonites respond to King David, stating that the man who had consumed them and plotted their destruction was Saul, the former king of Israel. They accuse Saul of attempting to annihilate them from all the coasts of Israel, meaning that he had sought to exterminate them completely from the land.
This verse serves as a testimony of the grievances of the Gibeonites against Saul and reveals the reason for the famine that had plagued Israel for three years. It highlights the seriousness of breaking a covenant and the consequences it can have not only for the individuals involved but also for the wider community.
In the subsequent verses, David agrees to the request of the Gibeonites, and he hands over seven of Saul’s descendants to be put to death. This act brings an end to the famine, as the retribution demanded by the Gibeonites is fulfilled.
In summary, 2 Samuel 21:5 emphasizes the consequences of breaking a covenant and the importance of honoring commitments made before God. It also demonstrates the principle of justice and accountability, as the actions of one individual (Saul) affected the entire nation and led to a time of hardship until the matter was resolved.
