2 Samuel 21:1

KJV

¶ Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, [It is] for Saul, and for [his] bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then there was a famine {H7458} in the days {H3117} of David {H1732} three {H7969} years {H8141}, year {H8141} after {H310} year {H8141}; and David {H1732} enquired {H1245} of {H6440} the LORD {H3068}. And the LORD {H3068} answered {H559}, It is for Saul {H7586}, and for his bloody {H1818} house {H1004}, because he slew {H4191} the Gibeonites {H1393}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In David's time there was a famine that lasted three years, and David consulted ADONAI. ADONAI said, "It is because of Sha'ul and his bloodstained house, because he put to death the people of Giv'on."

Berean Standard Bible

During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.”

American Standard Version

And there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David sought the face of Jehovah. And Jehovah said, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he put to death the Gibeonites.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 21:1 opens a critical narrative in David's reign, revealing a severe three-year famine afflicting Israel. When David, as a righteous king, diligently seeks divine counsel regarding the calamity, the Lord reveals that the famine is a direct consequence of King Saul's past transgression: his violent attempt to exterminate the Gibeonites, thereby violating a centuries-old, sacred covenant sworn by Joshua and the leaders of Israel. This verse powerfully underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice, the sanctity of oaths, and the far-reaching corporate consequences of sin, even across generations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse initiates a distinct section (2 Samuel 21-24) often considered an appendix to the main narrative of David's reign. These chapters are not strictly chronological but serve as theological reflections and summaries, providing closure to certain themes and events. Chapter 21, in particular, addresses the consequences of Saul's actions, demonstrating that even after his death, his unrighteousness continued to impact the nation. It immediately precedes an account of David's mighty men and his final words, framing David's reign with both its triumphs and the lingering issues from the previous dynasty. The narrative flow highlights David's role as a leader who seeks God's will to resolve national crises, contrasting with Saul's often impulsive and disobedient leadership.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, natural disasters like famine were frequently interpreted as signs of divine displeasure, indicating a breach in the covenant relationship between God and His people. Kings were expected to inquire of the Lord to discern the cause and seek atonement. The Gibeonites were a non-Israelite people who, through a deceptive but ultimately binding treaty with Joshua (recorded in [Joshua 9](/joshua/9 "Joshua 9 - The Gibeonite Covenant")), had been spared from destruction and integrated into Israelite society as servants. This oath, sworn "before the Lord" ([Joshua 9:15](/joshua/9-15 "Joshua 9:15 - The Gibeonite Covenant")), was considered inviolable, reflecting the high regard for covenant fidelity in the ancient Near East and God's own character as a covenant-keeping God. Saul's act of slaying the Gibeonites, likely driven by a misguided zeal for Israelite purity or nationalistic expansion, was a direct violation of this sacred oath, an act of bloodshed that defiled the land and incurred divine wrath.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several profound themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Justice and Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to upholding His word and ensuring that violations of sacred oaths, even those made centuries prior, do not go unaddressed. God's justice, though sometimes delayed, is never denied. Secondly, the famine affecting the entire nation highlights the concept of **Corporate Responsibility** or solidarity, where the sins of leaders or previous generations can have ripple effects on the community. The land itself was considered defiled by innocent bloodshed ([Numbers 35:33](/numbers/35-33 "Numbers 35:33 - Land Defiled by Bloodshed")). Thirdly, David's action of "enquiring of the LORD" underscores the importance of **Seeking Divine Revelation** in times of crisis, trusting that God will reveal the root causes of distress and the path to reconciliation. This act contrasts sharply with Saul's later failures to seek God's counsel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Famine (Hebrew, _ra'ab'_):** This term denotes a severe and prolonged scarcity of food, often resulting in widespread suffering and death. In the biblical context, famine is frequently portrayed not merely as a natural disaster but as a divinely orchestrated judgment, a consequence of covenant disobedience or unaddressed sin, as seen in [Deuteronomy 28:23-24](/deuteronomy/28-23 "Deuteronomy 28:23-24 - Curses for Disobedience, including Famine"). Its three-year duration signifies its severity and divine origin.
* **Enquired (Hebrew, _baqash'_):** This verb implies a diligent, earnest seeking, often involving formal consultation with God through priestly means (like the Urim and Thummim) or prophetic revelation. David's action demonstrates his righteous leadership, his humility, and his reliance on God for understanding and resolution in the face of national distress, a stark contrast to Saul's later abandonment of seeking God's will.
* **Bloody House (Hebrew, _bet hadamim'_):** This phrase specifically attributes the guilt to Saul's lineage, emphasizing the shedding of innocent blood as the core transgression. "Bloody" (דָּמִים, _damim_) refers to blood, particularly bloodguilt. It highlights the violent and unjust nature of Saul's actions against the Gibeonites, indicating a deep moral stain that required specific atonement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year;":** This opening clause immediately establishes the dire national crisis. The repetition "three years, year after year" emphasizes the severity, duration, and persistent nature of the famine, signaling that it is not a random occurrence but a sustained manifestation of divine displeasure, demanding attention and explanation.
* **"and David enquired of the LORD.":** This clause highlights David's exemplary leadership. Faced with a national calamity, he does not resort to human solutions or despair but turns directly to God, demonstrating his spiritual sensitivity and his understanding that such a widespread affliction must have a divine cause and require a divine remedy. This act sets the stage for God's revelation.
* **"And the LORD answered, [It is] for Saul, and for [his] bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.":** This is the pivotal divine revelation. God directly identifies the specific, long-standing transgression as the cause of the famine. The blame is squarely placed on "Saul, and for his bloody house," emphasizing the corporate guilt of his lineage for the violent and covenant-breaking act against the Gibeonites. The clarity of God's answer underscores His meticulous justice and His unwavering commitment to the sanctity of oaths, even those made centuries prior.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Retribution Theology** is central, clearly linking the famine (a national calamity) to a specific past sin (Saul's violation of the Gibeonite covenant). This direct cause-and-effect relationship underscores the principle that actions have consequences, particularly in God's moral universe. The narrative also uses **Juxtaposition**, contrasting David's righteous act of seeking God's counsel with Saul's past unrighteous act of violence and covenant-breaking. This highlights David's spiritual sensitivity and leadership qualities compared to his predecessor. Furthermore, **Divine Revelation** through direct speech is a key device, as the Lord's explicit answer drives the plot forward and provides the necessary theological explanation for the crisis, transforming a seemingly random event into a purposeful act of divine justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to justice and covenant fidelity. The famine serves as a stark reminder that God takes promises seriously, especially those made in His name, and that the consequences of breaking such sacred oaths can be far-reaching and long-lasting, even affecting future generations. It highlights the concept of corporate responsibility, where the sin of a leader or a past generation can bring judgment upon the entire community. God's holiness demands that unrighteousness, particularly innocent bloodshed and covenant violation, be addressed. The delay in judgment does not negate its certainty; rather, it underscores God's patience while ultimately affirming His righteous governance over His creation. This passage challenges any notion that God is indifferent to past injustices.

* [Joshua 9:15](/joshua/9-15 "Joshua 9:15 - The Gibeonite Covenant") - The original covenant sworn by Joshua and the leaders of Israel with the Gibeonites, which Saul later violated.
* [Numbers 35:33](/numbers/35-33 "Numbers 35:33 - Land Defiled by Bloodshed") - This verse highlights the principle that the land is defiled by the shedding of innocent blood, requiring atonement.
* [Deuteronomy 28:23-24](/deuteronomy/28-23 "Deuteronomy 28:23-24 - Curses for Disobedience, including Famine") - Part of the covenant curses, explicitly linking famine to national disobedience and covenant breaking.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of the famine in David's time and its revealed cause offers profound lessons for believers today. It compels us to consider the enduring consequences of our actions, particularly those that involve broken promises, injustice, or violence, not only for ourselves but potentially for those who come after us. This passage challenges us to live with integrity, honoring our commitments and seeking reconciliation where wrongs have been committed. David's immediate and earnest inquiry of the Lord in the face of national distress serves as a powerful model: when we encounter difficulties, whether personal or corporate, our first response should be to seek God's wisdom and understanding, trusting that He will reveal the root causes and guide us toward true healing and restoration. Furthermore, it reminds us that God's justice is not always immediate, but it is ultimately certain. We are called to align ourselves with God's righteousness, advocating for justice and upholding truth, knowing that He is a God who remembers and acts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge our understanding of God's justice and the timeline of consequences for sin?**
* **In what ways might unaddressed "corporate sins" (historical injustices, broken promises) in our communities or nations continue to cause distress today?**
* **What does David's immediate inquiry of the Lord teach us about responding to crises, both personal and communal?**
* **How seriously do we take our oaths and promises, both to God and to others, in light of God's unwavering commitment to covenant fidelity?**

### FAQ
**Why did God punish the entire nation for Saul's sin?**

Answer: This passage illustrates the principle of corporate solidarity or corporate responsibility, a prevalent concept in ancient Israelite thought. The actions of a leader or a previous generation were understood to have far-reaching consequences for the entire community. In this case, Saul's violation of a sacred covenant and the shedding of innocent Gibeonite blood had defiled the land and incurred divine wrath, affecting all who lived in it. The land itself, according to biblical law, could be defiled by bloodshed, requiring atonement (as seen in [Numbers 35:33](/numbers/35-33 "Numbers 35:33 - Land Defiled by Bloodshed")). The famine was a national judgment, calling the entire nation to recognize the gravity of the unaddressed sin and to participate in the process of atonement and reconciliation.

**What was Saul's motivation for slaying the Gibeonites?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state Saul's motivation, but it attributes his actions to "his zeal for Israel and Judah" (2 Samuel 21:2). This suggests that Saul, perhaps in an attempt to consolidate his kingdom, purify the land, or demonstrate his devotion to Israel, disregarded the centuries-old covenant with the Gibeonites. His actions were likely a misguided expression of nationalistic fervor, an attempt to eliminate a perceived foreign element within Israel, but ultimately a grave violation of a solemn oath sworn before the Lord. This act also stands in contrast to the Law's provisions for foreigners who sought peace within Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the famine in 2 Samuel 21:1, caused by Saul's corporate sin and requiring corporate atonement, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate solution to humanity's far greater corporate problem: sin and its curse. Just as Saul's violation brought a curse upon the land and its people, so too did Adam's sin bring a curse of death and separation upon all humanity ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin and Death Through Adam")). The famine in David's day necessitated a specific act of atonement, involving the shedding of blood of Saul's descendants, a grim reminder of the cost of justice. However, this points forward to the perfect and final atonement provided by Jesus Christ. He, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the corporate curse of humanity's sin, becoming a curse for us on the cross ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse")). His innocent blood, unlike the blood of Saul's descendants, speaks a better word, offering true cleansing, reconciliation, and eternal life ([Hebrews 12:24](/hebrews/12-24 "Hebrews 12:24 - The Blood of Sprinkling")). Through His perfect sacrifice, Jesus addresses not only individual sins but also the systemic brokenness and the corporate guilt inherited from humanity's rebellion, providing the ultimate and lasting resolution to the spiritual famine of sin.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 7:11

Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put [it] even among their own stuff.

Joshua 7:12

Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, [but] turned [their] backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

Genesis 12:10

¶ And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine [was] grievous in the land.

Genesis 26:1

¶ And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.

Psalms 91:15

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

Jeremiah 14:1

¶ The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.

Jeremiah 14:18

If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.