“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 entreated for the land.”
Context:In order to understand the significance of this verse, it’s important to have some context. This verse is part of a larger narrative in 2 Samuel 21 where David is dealing with a famine in the land. The famine lasted for three years, and David sought the Lord for guidance on its cause.
The Cause of the Famine:The Lord revealed to David that the famine was a result of the bloodguilt of Saul and his house because of the Gibeonites. The Gibeonites were a group of people who had made a covenant with Israel during the time of Joshua, and Saul had sought to annihilate them, breaking the covenant. This violation brought about divine judgment in the form of a famine.
The Burial of Saul and Jonathan:As part of the resolution to the famine, the Gibeonites demanded that seven of Saul’s sons be handed over to them for execution. David agreed to their request, and they were put to death. Afterward, the bones of Saul and Jonathan were retrieved and buried in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Saul’s father, Kish.
Fulfilling the King’s Command:The verse emphasizes that the people of Israel carried out all that the king commanded regarding the burial of Saul and Jonathan. This indicates David’s respect for Saul, despite their previous conflicts, and his recognition of the honor and dignity that should be given to the remains of a king and his son.
God’s Response:The verse concludes by stating that after the bones of Saul and Jonathan were buried, God was entreated for the land. This implies that the act of properly burying Saul and Jonathan, in accordance with the king’s command, brought about God’s mercy and favour, leading to the end of the three-year famine.
Lessons to Learn:
- Respect and Honour: David’s actions in burying Saul and Jonathan teach us the importance of showing respect and honour to others, even those who may have been our adversaries in the past. It is a demonstration of character and maturity to treat others with dignity.
- Divine Response: The verse highlights the connection between obedience and God’s response. When the people fulfilled the king’s command to bury Saul and Jonathan, God showed mercy and ended the famine. This underscores the significance of obedience and following God’s instructions in our lives.
Overall, 2 Samuel 21:14 reveals the resolution to the famine and teaches us important lessons about respect, honour, and obedience in our dealings with others and in our relationship with God.
