2 Samuel 21:11

KJV

And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it was told {H5046} David {H1732} what Rizpah {H7532} the daughter {H1323} of Aiah {H345}, the concubine {H6370} of Saul {H7586}, had done {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

David was told what Ritzpah the daughter of Ayah, the concubine of Sha'ul, had done.

Berean Standard Bible

When David was told what Saul’s concubine Rizpah, daughter of Aiah, had done,

American Standard Version

And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 21:11 marks a crucial turning point in the narrative of the famine and atonement for Saul's sin against the Gibeonites. This concise verse reports to King David the extraordinary and deeply moving actions of Rizpah, Saul's concubine, who maintained a relentless vigil over the exposed bodies of her two sons and five other descendants of Saul. Her profound act of maternal grief and devotion, described in the preceding verse, serves as the catalyst for David's compassionate response, leading to the proper burial of the deceased and the ultimate cessation of the divine judgment upon the land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a significant narrative block (2 Samuel 21:1-14) that addresses a three-year famine in Israel. The immediate preceding verses (2 Samuel 21:1-9) detail the famine's cause—Saul's violation of the covenant with the Gibeonites (cf. [Joshua 9:15](/joshua/9-15 "Joshua 9:15 - The Gibeonite Covenant"))—and the Gibeonites' demand for the execution of seven of Saul's male descendants as atonement. David, honoring his oath to Jonathan (cf. [2 Samuel 21:7](/2_samuel/21-7 "2 Samuel 21:7 - David's Oath to Jonathan")), spares Mephibosheth but hands over two of Rizpah's sons and five sons of Merab (Saul's daughter). These seven are executed and left exposed at the beginning of the barley harvest, a public display of justice and atonement. Verse 10 then vividly describes Rizpah's extraordinary vigil, spreading sackcloth on a rock and guarding the bodies day and night from birds and beasts. Verse 11, therefore, functions as the narrative hinge, reporting Rizpah's remarkable dedication to David, which then prompts his subsequent actions to gather the bones and provide proper burial (2 Samuel 21:12-14), ultimately bringing an end to the famine.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Israelite worldview placed immense importance on proper burial. To leave a body unburied or exposed was considered a profound dishonor and a curse, preventing the deceased from resting with their ancestors (cf. [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Burial of the Executed")). Rizpah's vigil, therefore, was not merely an act of grief but a desperate attempt to prevent ultimate desecration and secure some measure of dignity for her sons and the others. The "beginning of barley harvest" (2 Samuel 21:9) indicates the time of year, typically spring (April/May), when the weather would be warming, making the decomposition and exposure of the bodies particularly gruesome and challenging to endure. As a "concubine" (Hebrew: *pilegesh*), Rizpah held a legitimate but secondary marital status. Her sons, though not heirs to the throne, were still considered legitimate offspring of Saul, making their execution a direct fulfillment of the Gibeonites' demand for Saul's "house." Her status, combined with her courage, elevates her act from a private lament to a public, prophetic protest against the ongoing dishonor.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, by highlighting Rizpah's actions, contributes to several overarching themes in 2 Samuel and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Unwavering Devotion and Maternal Grief**. Rizpah's relentless vigil, enduring the elements and the horror of the scene, is a testament to extraordinary love and a profound expression of sorrow. Secondly, it underscores the **Long-Term Consequences of Sin**, particularly Saul's breach of covenant with the Gibeonites. The famine and the execution of his descendants demonstrate that even generations later, unconfessed and unatoned sin can bring divine judgment upon a nation (cf. [Numbers 14:18](/numbers/14-18 "Numbers 14:18 - God's Patience and Punishment")). Thirdly, the verse sets the stage for **David's Compassionate and Righteous Leadership**. Upon hearing of Rizpah's act, David is moved to ensure proper burial for all the deceased, including Saul and Jonathan, demonstrating his respect for the dead and his commitment to bringing closure and healing to the land (cf. [2 Samuel 21:12-14](/2_samuel/21-12-14 "2 Samuel 21:12-14 - David's Act of Compassion")). Finally, the narrative emphasizes the **Cultural Importance of Proper Burial and the Aversion to Desecration**, a theme echoed throughout biblical literature.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Told (Hebrew, _nagad_):** This verb often implies a formal reporting or declaration, not merely casual gossip. It suggests that the information about Rizpah's vigil was brought to David's attention in a significant way, perhaps by someone who recognized the profound nature of her act and its potential implications for the king and the nation. The use of this word emphasizes the weight and impact of Rizpah's actions.
* **Rizpah (Hebrew, _Ritspah_):** Meaning "hot stone" or "coal," her name might subtly allude to the burning intensity of her grief and devotion, or perhaps the desolate, sun-baked rock where she kept her vigil. As a concubine of Saul, her public act of defiance and lament was particularly striking, given her relatively lower social status compared to a primary wife. Her name becomes synonymous with unwavering loyalty and maternal love in the face of unspeakable tragedy.
* **Concubine (Hebrew, _pilegesh_):** This term denotes a legitimate, though secondary, wife, whose children were typically recognized as legitimate, though not necessarily primary heirs. Rizpah's status as Saul's concubine, rather than a primary queen, might have led some to overlook her or her sons. However, her actions transcend social standing, elevating her to a figure of profound moral authority and courage. Her identity as "the concubine of Saul" also reinforces the direct connection to the former king and the ongoing consequences of his actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it was told David":** This opening phrase immediately shifts the narrative focus from Rizpah's solitary vigil to David's awareness of it. The passive voice emphasizes that the information reached David, rather than him actively seeking it out. It sets the stage for David's subsequent action, indicating that the king was informed of a situation that demanded his attention and response. This report is the critical link between Rizpah's personal act of devotion and the national resolution of the famine.
* **"what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done":** This clause identifies the subject of the report and the nature of her actions. The full identification ("Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul") emphasizes her lineage and her connection to the former royal house, giving weight to her actions. The phrase "had done" is an understatement, referring to the extraordinary, prolonged, and public vigil described in the preceding verse (2 Samuel 21:10). This concise summary of her monumental act highlights its profound impact, which was significant enough to reach the ears of the king and compel his intervention.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Understatement** is prominent in the phrase "what Rizpah...had done," which succinctly summarizes the harrowing and prolonged vigil described in detail in the preceding verse. This understatement amplifies the significance of her actions, implying that they were so remarkable they needed no further elaboration for the audience. **Foreshadowing** is also present, as the reporting of Rizpah's actions to David implicitly signals that a royal response is imminent. Her vigil is not merely a private act of grief but a public appeal for justice and proper burial, which David will address. Furthermore, Rizpah herself functions as a **Symbol** of unwavering maternal love, profound grief, and a silent, yet powerful, protest against desecration. Her act becomes a symbol of the human yearning for dignity and respect, even in death, and a catalyst for the restoration of order and divine favor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, though brief, serves as a powerful testament to the enduring impact of human compassion and the divine response to righteous acts. Rizpah's unwavering devotion, born out of profound grief, highlights the sacredness of human life, even in death, and the importance of honoring the deceased. The fact that her actions are "told David" underscores the principle that acts of faithful endurance and deep lament do not go unnoticed, either by human authorities or by God. The narrative arc, moving from divine judgment (famine) to human suffering (Rizpah's vigil) to compassionate action (David's burial) and ultimately to divine restoration (rain), illustrates a pattern of repentance, atonement, and reconciliation. It reminds us that even in the midst of national crisis and the consequences of past sins, individual acts of love and integrity can serve as catalysts for healing and the restoration of God's favor.

* [Ruth 1:16-17](/ruth/1-16-17 "Ruth's Loyalty to Naomi")
* [Psalm 56:8](/psalms/56-8 "God Sees Our Tears")
* [Matthew 25:35-40](/matthew/25-35-40 "Caring for the Least of These")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Rizpah's story, encapsulated by the report in this verse, challenges us to consider the depth of our own love and commitment in the face of adversity and loss. Her vigil was not convenient or pleasant; it was a grueling, public display of devotion that transcended personal comfort and social expectations. It reminds us that true compassion often demands sacrifice and perseverance. In a world that often seeks quick fixes and avoids uncomfortable truths, Rizpah's example calls us to sit with suffering, to honor the dignity of others, and to advocate for justice and respect, even when it is costly. Her actions, though rooted in ancient customs, resonate with the timeless human need to mourn, to remember, and to ensure that those who have passed are treated with reverence. David's response, prompted by her vigil, further teaches us about the responsibility of leadership to acknowledge and respond to the suffering of the people, demonstrating that true authority is often expressed through acts of humble service and compassionate care.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Rizpah's unwavering vigil teach us about the nature of true devotion and love in the face of overwhelming grief?**
* **How does David's response to Rizpah's act illustrate the qualities of compassionate and righteous leadership?**
* **In what ways might we be called to act with similar perseverance and public witness for justice or dignity in our own contexts, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable?**
* **How does this narrative, where an individual's act of devotion leads to national resolution, speak to the power of personal integrity and faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for Rizpah to guard the bodies, and why did David respond as he did?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, proper burial was a deeply significant cultural and religious practice. To leave bodies unburied and exposed to scavenging animals was considered a profound dishonor, a curse, and a denial of human dignity (cf. [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Burial of the Executed")). It was believed to prevent the deceased from resting with their ancestors and was a sign of divine judgment or extreme disrespect. Rizpah's vigil, enduring the elements and the gruesome sight, was an act of immense maternal love and a desperate attempt to prevent this ultimate desecration for her sons and the others. When David was "told" of her extraordinary dedication, he recognized the profound spiritual and cultural implications. Her act served as a public lament and a silent plea for the restoration of honor. David's response—gathering the bones of Saul, Jonathan, and the seven executed men for proper burial—was an act of compassion, respect, and a necessary step to appease God and lift the famine, demonstrating his commitment to justice and the well-being of the nation (cf. [2 Samuel 21:12-14](/2_samuel/21-12-14 "2 Samuel 21:12-14 - David's Burial of the Bones")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound human suffering and the ultimate restoration depicted in 2 Samuel 21:11 and the surrounding narrative find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Rizpah's unwavering vigil over her dead sons, a desperate act to preserve their dignity and secure a proper burial, foreshadows the ultimate concern for human life and the overcoming of death found in Jesus. While Rizpah’s act could only secure a physical burial, Christ's death and resurrection conquer death itself, offering eternal life and a spiritual "burial" of our sins (cf. [Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Buried with Christ")). The narrative's theme of atonement for sin, where innocent descendants suffer for the transgressions of their forefather, points to the perfect and final atonement offered by Jesus, the truly innocent Lamb of God, who bore the sins of humanity on the cross (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). David's compassionate response to Rizpah's grief, leading to the proper burial and the lifting of the famine, mirrors Christ's ultimate compassion for humanity, which leads to spiritual restoration and the end of the curse of sin (cf. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). In Christ, the dignity of every human life is affirmed, not merely in death, but in the promise of resurrection and eternal glory, where no one will be left exposed to shame or decay (cf. [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")).

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

2 Samuel 2:4

And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, [That] the men of Jabeshgilead [were they] that buried Saul.

Ruth 2:11

And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and [how] thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

Ruth 2:12

The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.