2 Samuel 21:10

¶ And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.

And Rizpah {H7532} the daughter {H1323} of Aiah {H345} took {H3947} sackcloth {H8242}, and spread {H5186} it for her upon the rock {H6697}, from the beginning {H8462} of harvest {H7105} until water {H4325} dropped {H5413} upon them out of heaven {H8064}, and suffered {H5414} neither the birds {H5775} of the air {H8064} to rest {H5117} on them by day {H3119}, nor the beasts {H2416} of the field {H7704} by night {H3915}.

Ritzpah the daughter of Ayah took sackcloth, spread it out toward a cliff for herself and stayed there from the beginning of the harvest until water was poured out on the bodies from the sky, not letting the birds land on them during the day or the wild animals at night.

And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest until the rain from heaven poured down on the bodies, she did not allow the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.

And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water was poured upon them from heaven; and she suffered neither the birds of the heavens to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.

2 Samuel 21:10 KJV describes a poignant act of devotion and grief performed by Rizpah, one of King Saul's concubines. This verse follows the execution of seven of Saul's descendants, including two of Rizpah's own sons, by the Gibeonites as a form of justice for Saul's past massacre of their people (as detailed in 2 Samuel 21:1-9). The bodies were left exposed on a rock, a public display often associated with shame or a curse, especially in times of famine that plagued the land.

Context and Background

The events leading up to this verse are rooted in a severe three-year famine in Israel, which King David sought to understand. The Lord revealed it was due to Saul's sin against the Gibeonites, a people with whom Israel had a covenant of peace (Joshua 9:3-27). To appease the Gibeonites and lift the famine, seven male descendants of Saul were handed over and executed. According to ancient custom, leaving the bodies unburied was a profound disgrace and, in this context, part of the Gibeonites' restitution. Rizpah's vigil, lasting "from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven," highlights her extraordinary commitment. This period would span many months, from spring/early summer through the dry season until the autumn rains, signifying a long and arduous watch over her deceased sons and their kinsmen.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Grief and Maternal Love: Rizpah's act is a powerful testament to a mother's unwavering love and sorrow. She endured immense personal suffering and social isolation to protect the dignity of her dead sons, preventing their bodies from being desecrated by scavengers. Her dedication shames the indifference of others and eventually moves King David.
  • Dignity in Death: Despite the public shame and horrific circumstances of their execution, Rizpah's actions ensured a measure of respect for the deceased. In ancient Israel, proper burial was extremely important (see Deuteronomy 21:23), and leaving bodies unburied was considered a great dishonor. Rizpah sought to mitigate this dishonor.
  • Catalyst for Resolution: Rizpah's persistent vigil was not in vain. Her remarkable devotion was reported to King David, prompting him to act. David, moved by her piety and the sacredness of burial, then ordered the collection of the bones of Saul, Jonathan, and the executed men, ensuring they received a proper burial in the tomb of Kish, Saul's father (2 Samuel 21:14). This act of respect finally appeased God, and the famine ended.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "water dropped upon them out of heaven" simply refers to the onset of the seasonal rains. This detail emphasizes the duration of Rizpah's vigil, spanning the entire dry season. The imagery of "birds of the air" and "beasts of the field" vividly portrays the threats to the exposed bodies, underscoring the grim reality of her task and the depth of her commitment.

Practical Application

Rizpah's story serves as a powerful example of enduring love and faithfulness even in the face of immense tragedy and public humiliation. It reminds us of the profound human need for dignity, even in death, and the lengths to which love will go to honor the departed. Her actions, though seemingly small and personal, had significant ripple effects, ultimately leading to a resolution of a national crisis. This narrative encourages us to consider how our own acts of compassion and steadfastness, even in difficult circumstances, can bring about positive change and reveal profound character.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 21:23

    His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.

  • 1 Kings 21:27

    And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

  • 2 Samuel 3:7

    ¶ And Saul had a concubine, whose name [was] Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and [Ishbosheth] said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?

  • Joel 2:23

    Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first [month].

  • Zechariah 10:1

    ¶ Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; [so] the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

  • 1 Kings 18:41

    ¶ And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for [there is] a sound of abundance of rain.

  • 1 Kings 18:45

    And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.
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