2 Samuel 21:3

KJV

Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore David {H1732} said {H559} unto the Gibeonites {H1393}, What shall I do {H6213} for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement {H3722}, that ye may bless {H1288} the inheritance {H5159} of the LORD {H3068}?

Complete Jewish Bible

David said to the Giv'onim, "What should I do for you? With what should I make atonement, so that you will be able to bless ADONAI's heritage?"

Berean Standard Bible

So David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How can I make amends so that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?”

American Standard Version

and David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of Jehovah?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
After a devastating three-year famine afflicts Israel, King David seeks divine counsel, discovering the calamity is a direct consequence of King Saul's past breach of covenant with the Gibeonites, involving the shedding of their innocent blood. In 2 Samuel 21:3, David confronts the Gibeonites, expressing his urgent desire to rectify this historical injustice and make "atonement" to restore God's blessing upon the nation. His pivotal question, "What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?", underscores his commitment to national reconciliation and the removal of divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears at the beginning of 2 Samuel 21, a section often considered an appendix to the main narrative of David's reign, focusing on various historical records and lists. The immediate preceding chapters conclude the account of Absalom's rebellion and David's restoration to the throne. The narrative in [2 Samuel 21](/2_samuel/21 "2 Samuel 21 - Famine and Gibeonite Vengeance") opens abruptly with a severe three-year famine, prompting David to inquire of the Lord. The Lord's revelation in [2 Samuel 21:1](/2_samuel/21-1 "2 Samuel 21:1 - The Famine and Saul's Sin") points directly to Saul's actions against the Gibeonites as the cause. David's question in [2 Samuel 21:3](/2_samuel/21-3 "2 Samuel 21:3 - David's Inquiry to the Gibeonites") is his direct response to this divine indictment, demonstrating his proactive leadership in seeking reconciliation and atonement for a national sin that predates his kingship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Gibeonites were a Hivite people who, during the time of Joshua, had tricked Israel into a covenant of peace, recorded in [Joshua 9](/joshua/9 "Joshua 9 - The Gibeonite Covenant"). Despite the deception, this covenant was sworn before the Lord and thus considered sacred and binding by Israelite law and custom. King Saul, however, "in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah" ([2 Samuel 21:2](/2_samuel/21-2 "2 Samuel 21:2 - Saul's Zeal Against the Gibeonites")), had violated this oath by attempting to exterminate them, shedding innocent blood. This act constituted a grave breach of covenant and a direct affront to God's faithfulness. In ancient Israelite thought, the shedding of innocent blood defiled the land ([Numbers 35:33](/numbers/35-33 "Numbers 35:33 - Land Defiled by Bloodshed")) and could bring corporate judgment, such as famine, upon the entire nation, even generations later. David's actions reflect the understanding that a king was responsible for the spiritual well-being and covenant fidelity of the nation.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully illustrates several profound theological and narrative themes. The **consequences of sin** are starkly displayed, showing that covenantal breaches and the shedding of innocent blood can have long-lasting, intergenerational repercussions, affecting an entire nation. It underscores the paramount importance of **covenant faithfulness**, highlighting God's unwavering commitment to His sworn oaths and His expectation that His people uphold theirs. David's proactive search for "atonement" demonstrates a vital theme of **seeking reconciliation and justice**, recognizing that national healing and the restoration of divine blessing require addressing past wrongs. Finally, the narrative reveals aspects of **divine justice and mercy**: God, in His justice, reveals the hidden cause of the famine, but in His mercy, He also provides a clear path for reconciliation and healing through David's inquiry and the subsequent actions, allowing for the restoration of blessing upon [the land and its people](/psalm/33-12 "Psalm 33:12 - Israel as God's Chosen Inheritance"), referred to as the "inheritance of the LORD."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Atonement (Hebrew, _kaphar'_):** The Hebrew verb כָּפַר (*kaphar*) carries a rich semantic range, meaning "to cover," "to purge," "to make expiation for," or "to make reconciliation." It is the same root used for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), signifying a process of appeasement, purification, and reconciliation for sin or wrongdoing. David's use of this term indicates his understanding that a specific, divinely sanctioned act of reconciliation is required to "cover" or "purge" Saul's sin and remove the divine judgment manifest in the famine. It implies a need for a satisfaction of justice to restore a right relationship with God and the affected party.
* **Inheritance of the LORD (Hebrew, _nachalat Yahweh'_):** The phrase נַחֲלַת יְהוָה (*nachalat Yahweh*) refers to Israel itself—both the land God promised to His people and the people chosen by Him. It emphasizes God's proprietary claim over Israel, viewing them as His treasured possession and sacred trust. The famine, therefore, was not merely a natural disaster but a direct affliction upon God's own "inheritance," signifying a disruption of His blessing and presence among His people. David's concern for the "inheritance of the LORD" highlights his understanding that the national crisis was fundamentally a spiritual one, impacting God's relationship with His chosen nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites,"**: This opening clause establishes David's immediate and direct engagement with the aggrieved party, the Gibeonites, following the Lord's revelation. It underscores his role as a righteous king who takes personal responsibility for national sin and seeks to mediate reconciliation. His approach is not one of command but of humble inquiry, acknowledging their rightful grievance.
* **"What shall I do for you?"**: This is a direct and open-ended question, demonstrating David's willingness to listen to the Gibeonites' demands for justice. It signifies a posture of humility and a recognition of their legitimate claim as victims of Saul's unjust aggression. David is not dictating terms but inviting their input on how the wrong can be righted, indicating a genuine desire for restorative justice.
* **"and wherewith shall I make the atonement,"**: This part of David's question explicitly seeks the means or method by which expiation (as discussed in "Key Word Analysis") can be made. It reveals David's theological understanding that the famine is a consequence of unatoned sin and that a specific act of reconciliation is necessary to appease God's righteous anger and lift the curse. He is asking for a pathway to reconciliation that satisfies both the Gibeonites and, implicitly, God.
* **"that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?"**: This final clause articulates David's ultimate objective: to restore God's blessing upon Israel, the "inheritance of the LORD." He understands that the Gibeonites' forgiveness and "blessing" (which here implies lifting their curse or grievance) are prerequisites for God's blessing to return to the land and its people. This highlights the interconnectedness of human justice, divine favor, and national well-being in the covenant relationship.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is evident in the three-year famine itself, which serves as a tangible manifestation of divine judgment and the defilement of the land due to unatoned bloodshed. The prolonged nature of the famine emphasizes the severity and deep-seated nature of the sin. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in Saul's actions: his "zeal for the people of Israel and Judah" ([2 Samuel 21:2](/2_samuel/21-2 "2 Samuel 21:2 - Saul's Zeal Against the Gibeonites")), intended to benefit Israel, ultimately brought divine wrath and suffering upon the very nation he sought to protect, highlighting the danger of zeal without covenant fidelity. Furthermore, David's question, "What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement?", functions as a **Rhetorical Question** that is genuinely seeking an answer, yet it also rhetorically emphasizes the gravity of the situation and David's desperate need for a solution to a problem that has plagued the nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The narrative of 2 Samuel 21:3 powerfully reinforces core theological principles concerning divine justice, corporate responsibility, and the necessity of atonement. It underscores that God takes covenant obligations with utmost seriousness, and their violation, especially through the shedding of innocent blood, carries severe, long-lasting consequences for the entire community. The famine serves as a divine indicator that a breach has occurred, demanding a specific act of reconciliation to restore the broken relationship between God, His people, and the aggrieved party. David's inquiry and subsequent actions demonstrate the biblical principle that true national healing and the restoration of God's blessing often require acknowledging past injustices, seeking forgiveness, and making appropriate restitution, even for sins committed by previous generations or leaders. This passage illustrates the deep connection between moral order, communal well-being, and divine favor, emphasizing that God's justice demands a response to unpunished wrongdoing for the land to be cleansed and blessed.

* [Numbers 35:33](/numbers/35-33 "Numbers 35:33 - Land Defiled by Bloodshed")
* [Deuteronomy 21:1-9](/deuteronomy/21-1 "Deuteronomy 21:1-9 - Atonement for Unsolved Murder")
* [Leviticus 16:30](/leviticus/16-30 "Leviticus 16:30 - Atonement on Yom Kippur")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of David seeking atonement for Saul's sin against the Gibeonites provides profound lessons for contemporary believers and communities. It calls us to consider the enduring impact of injustice, even when it predates our direct involvement. Just as David took responsibility for a national sin committed by a previous leader, we are challenged to acknowledge and address systemic injustices, historical wrongs, or unconfessed sins within our families, churches, or nations. True healing and restoration often begin with humble inquiry, a willingness to listen to the aggrieved, and a commitment to making things right, even when it is costly. This passage reminds us that God's blessing is intricately linked to justice and righteousness, and that repentance, reconciliation, and restitution are essential pathways to spiritual and communal flourishing. It encourages us to be proactive in seeking God's will when facing persistent challenges, trusting that His revelation will guide us toward actions that bring about genuine atonement and renewed blessing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might past injustices, whether personal, communal, or national, still be impacting present circumstances?**
* **What does it mean for us, as individuals or communities, to take responsibility for wrongs we did not personally commit but from which we might benefit or are affected by?**
* **How can we, like David, humbly inquire of the Lord and of those who have been wronged, seeking pathways for genuine reconciliation and restitution?**
* **What "atonement" might God be calling us to make in our own lives or communities to restore His blessing and bring healing?**

### FAQ
**Why did God punish Israel for Saul's sin years later?**

Answer: God punished Israel for Saul's sin years later to demonstrate the seriousness of covenant breaking and the defilement caused by the shedding of innocent blood. In ancient Israelite understanding, national sins, especially those involving a breach of a divinely sworn covenant and unatoned bloodshed, could bring corporate judgment upon the entire community, even across generations. This was not merely a delayed reaction but a persistent consequence of an unresolved spiritual debt. The famine served as a divine indicator that the land was defiled and God's covenant faithfulness had been affronted, requiring a specific act of atonement to restore the nation's relationship with Him and lift the curse. This highlights the enduring nature of divine justice and the profound impact of leadership's actions on the entire people.

**What does "inheritance of the LORD" mean in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "the inheritance of the LORD" (Hebrew: *nachalat Yahweh*) refers primarily to the nation of Israel itself, including both the people and the land God had promised them. It signifies that Israel was God's chosen possession, His treasured people, and the land was His sacred trust. The famine, therefore, was not merely an agricultural crisis but a direct affliction upon God's own "inheritance," indicating a disruption of His blessing and presence among His people. David's concern for the "inheritance of the LORD" underscores his understanding that the national crisis was fundamentally a spiritual one, impacting God's relationship with His own cherished nation and necessitating a spiritual remedy.

**How does David's action here reflect righteous leadership?**

Answer: David's action in 2 Samuel 21:3 reflects righteous leadership in several key ways. First, he demonstrates **humility and dependence on God** by seeking the Lord's counsel when faced with a national crisis, rather than relying on his own wisdom. Second, he exhibits **courage and integrity** by confronting a difficult historical truth—the sin of a previous king—and taking responsibility for it, even though he was not personally involved in the original transgression. Third, he shows **a commitment to justice and reconciliation** by directly engaging with the aggrieved Gibeonites and asking them how atonement could be made, prioritizing their input and the restoration of right relationships over political expediency. Finally, his ultimate goal is the **restoration of God's blessing** upon the nation, demonstrating a deep concern for the spiritual well-being of "the inheritance of the LORD" above all else.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of 2 Samuel 21:3, with its emphasis on unatoned bloodshed, covenant breach, and the desperate need for reconciliation, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate work of Christ. Saul's violation of the covenant with the Gibeonites and the shedding of their innocent blood brought a curse upon the land, illustrating the profound defilement that sin, particularly innocent bloodshed, brings. This points to humanity's greater sin against God, culminating in the shedding of the ultimate innocent blood—that of Jesus Christ. Just as David sought a means of "atonement" to appease God's righteous anger and cleanse the land, so too did God provide the perfect and final atonement through His Son. Christ, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became the propitiation for our sins, satisfying divine justice and reconciling humanity to God through His sacrificial death ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation")). His blood, unlike any other, truly cleanses from all sin and removes the curse ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood There Is No Forgiveness")). Through Christ, the "inheritance of the LORD" is no longer limited to a physical nation but extends to all who believe, as believers become God's chosen inheritance and are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Him ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Believers as God's Inheritance")). Thus, the famine and the need for atonement in 2 Samuel 21:3 ultimately direct our gaze to the cross, where the ultimate and eternal reconciliation was achieved.

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 20:19

I [am one of them that are] peaceable [and] faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?

Hebrews 9:22

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

1 Samuel 26:19

Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if [they be] the children of men, cursed [be] they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.

Hebrews 10:4

For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Hebrews 10:12

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Micah 6:6

¶ Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, [and] bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?

Micah 6:7

Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, [or] with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn [for] my transgression, the fruit of my body [for] the sin of my soul?