2 Samuel 21:4

KJV

And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, [that] will I do for you.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the Gibeonites {H1393} said {H559} unto him, We will have no silver {H3701} nor gold {H2091} of {H5973} Saul {H7586}, nor of his house {H1004}; neither for us shalt thou kill {H4191} any man {H376} in Israel {H3478}. And he said {H559}, What ye shall say {H559}, that will I do {H6213} for you.

Complete Jewish Bible

The Giv'onim said to him, "Our dispute with Sha'ul can't be resolved with silver or gold; and we don't have the right to put anyone in Isra'el to death." He said, "So, what do you say that I should do for you?"

Berean Standard Bible

The Gibeonites said to him, “We need no silver or gold from Saul or his house, nor should you put to death anyone in Israel for us.” “Whatever you ask, I will do for you,” he replied.

American Standard Version

And the Gibeonites said unto him, It is no matter of silver or gold between us and Saul, or his house; neither is it for us to put any man to death in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 21:4 records the Gibeonites' initial response to King David's inquiry regarding the famine plaguing Israel, which was revealed to be a divine judgment for Saul's violation of the ancient covenant with them. They explicitly reject any offer of material compensation (silver or gold) and clarify that their desire is not for an indiscriminate slaughter of Israelites. This sets the stage for their specific demand for justice against Saul's house, which David immediately promises to fulfill, demonstrating his commitment to resolving the national bloodguilt.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is pivotal within the narrative of 2 Samuel 21, which opens with a three-year famine in Israel. When David inquires of the Lord, he discovers the famine is a direct consequence of Saul's breach of the covenant with the Gibeonites, whom Saul had sought to destroy in his misguided zeal for Israel ([2 Samuel 21:1-2](/2_samuel/21-1-2 "2 Samuel 21:1-2 - Saul's Sin and the Famine")). David's subsequent approach to the Gibeonites (verse 3) demonstrates his righteous leadership and commitment to addressing national sin. Verse 4 captures the Gibeonites' immediate and crucial clarification of what they *do not* want, thereby narrowing the scope of their forthcoming demand. Their rejection of material wealth and general retribution prepares the reader for their specific, targeted request in subsequent verses, which focuses on the lineage of the one who committed the offense.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The covenant with the Gibeonites, detailed in [Joshua 9](/joshua/9 "Joshua 9 - The Gibeonite Covenant"), was a solemn oath sworn by Joshua and the leaders of Israel, even though it was made under deceptive circumstances. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, covenants, especially those sworn before God, were considered inviolable. Breaking such an oath, particularly through bloodshed, incurred severe "bloodguilt" upon the land and the community, which was believed to lead to divine judgment, often manifested as famine or plague. Saul's attempt to exterminate the Gibeonites, despite this ancient oath, was an act of profound sacrilege. The Gibeonites' response in 2 Samuel 21:4 highlights their understanding of justice: it was not a matter of financial restitution but of atonement for a grave spiritual and physical wrong. Their refusal to accept "silver nor gold" underscores that the offense was against life and sacred trust, not property.
* **Key Themes:** The episode in 2 Samuel 21, and this verse in particular, powerfully illustrates several key themes. **Covenant Faithfulness** is paramount, demonstrating that God holds His people accountable for their oaths, even those made generations prior, as seen in the severe consequences of Saul's breach of the [Gibeonite covenant](/joshua/9-15 "Joshua 9:15 - The Covenant with the Gibeonites"). The theme of **Justice and Atonement** is central, as the Gibeonites seek a specific form of justice to cleanse the land of bloodguilt, rejecting mere monetary compensation for a spiritual offense. **David's Leadership** is highlighted by his humility in seeking divine counsel and his immediate willingness to rectify a national sin, prioritizing righteousness over political expediency, a stark contrast to Saul's earlier actions. Finally, the Gibeonites' statement "neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel" introduces the theme of the **Nature of Retribution**, emphasizing that their pursuit is for targeted justice against the offending house, not indiscriminate revenge upon the innocent populace, aligning with principles found in [Deuteronomy 24:16](/deuteronomy/24-16 "Deuteronomy 24:16 - Individual Responsibility for Sin").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gibeonites (Hebrew, _Gib‘onim_):** Refers to the people who, through deception, secured a covenant with Joshua and the Israelites ([Joshua 9:3-15](/joshua/9-3-15 "Joshua 9:3-15 - The Gibeonite Deception and Covenant")). They were not Israelites but Hivites, a remnant of the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan. Their continued existence and their role in this narrative underscore the enduring nature of divine oaths and the consequences of their violation, even centuries later.
* **silver nor gold (Hebrew, _kesef wəzāhāb_):** This phrase signifies material wealth or monetary compensation. The Gibeonites' explicit rejection of these items indicates that their grievance was not economic but a profound violation of life and sacred trust. They were seeking a form of justice that addressed the spiritual and moral debt incurred by Saul's actions, emphasizing that some wrongs cannot be rectified by mere financial payment.
* **kill any man (Hebrew, _tāmit 'īš_):** This phrase translates to "cause to die a man" or "put to death a man." The Gibeonites' refusal to have David "kill any man in Israel" highlights their desire for targeted justice rather than widespread, indiscriminate vengeance. They were not seeking a general massacre of Israelites but a specific reckoning with the house that committed the offense, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of justice that distinguished between the guilty party and the innocent populace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house;":** This opening statement immediately clarifies the Gibeonites' primary concern. They are not interested in financial restitution from Saul's estate or his descendants. This rejection of material compensation underscores the gravity of the wrong committed against them—it was a breach of covenant and an act of violence, not a financial debt. Their focus is on a deeper, spiritual and retributive justice.
* **"neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel.":** This clause further refines their demand by specifying what they *do not* want: a general slaughter of innocent Israelites. This demonstrates that their desire is for specific, targeted justice against the offenders, not indiscriminate revenge. It also suggests an understanding of the principle of individual accountability, preventing widespread bloodshed for the sins of a few.
* **"And he said, What ye shall say, [that] will I do for you.":** David's immediate and unequivocal response demonstrates his commitment to resolving the famine and cleansing the land of bloodguilt. His willingness to fully submit to the Gibeonites' terms, whatever they may be, reflects his righteous leadership and his understanding of the severity of the divine judgment. This promise sets the stage for the Gibeonites' subsequent, chilling request in 2 Samuel 21:6.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several effective literary devices. There is a strong sense of **Foreshadowing** in the Gibeonites' initial rejection of material compensation and indiscriminate killing; this subtly prepares the reader for their specific and severe demand that follows in the narrative, focusing on the lineage of Saul. The **Contrast** between Saul's misguided zeal (which led to the covenant breach) and David's humble, righteous leadership (seeking to atone for the sin) is implicitly highlighted. Furthermore, the Gibeonites' measured response, refusing widespread retribution, demonstrates a form of **Restraint** that underscores the moral weight of their grievance and distinguishes their pursuit of justice from mere vengeance. The dialogue itself is concise, yet packed with meaning, revealing character and advancing the plot efficiently.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly underscores God's unwavering commitment to covenant faithfulness and the severe consequences of its violation. The famine serves as a stark reminder that national sin, particularly the shedding of innocent blood and the breaking of sacred oaths, incurs divine judgment that can span generations. The Gibeonites' rejection of "silver nor gold" for a more profound form of justice highlights that some spiritual debts cannot be settled by material means; true atonement requires a specific, often painful, reckoning. David's posture of humility and immediate willingness to fulfill their request exemplifies righteous leadership that prioritizes divine justice and the well-being of the nation over personal comfort or political expediency.

* [Joshua 9:15](/joshua/9-15 "Joshua 9:15 - The Covenant with the Gibeonites") - The foundational covenant that Saul violated, demonstrating the enduring nature of oaths.
* [Numbers 35:33](/numbers/35-33 "Numbers 35:33 - Atonement for Bloodguilt") - Illustrates the principle that land defiled by bloodguilt requires specific atonement to be cleansed.
* [Deuteronomy 24:16](/deuteronomy/24-16 "Deuteronomy 24:16 - Individual Responsibility for Sin") - While the Gibeonites seek justice against Saul's house, their refusal to kill "any man in Israel" aligns with the principle that children should not be put to death for the sins of their fathers, though the consequences of a leader's sin can still affect the nation.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of 2 Samuel 21:4 serves as a potent reminder of the enduring consequences of sin, particularly the breaking of sacred promises and the shedding of innocent blood. It challenges us to consider the seriousness with which God views our commitments, whether to Him or to others. Are we people of our word? Do we understand that integrity in our agreements is not merely a social nicety but a reflection of our character and our reverence for God? The Gibeonites' refusal of material compensation for a spiritual wrong also prompts us to reflect on what true justice entails. Is our pursuit of justice merely transactional, or does it seek genuine reconciliation and atonement for the deeper wounds inflicted? For leaders, this passage is a call to courageous and humble leadership, willing to confront difficult truths and take decisive action to address injustices, even when the consequences are costly or politically unpopular. It underscores that true leadership involves prioritizing the spiritual health and well-being of the community by addressing root causes of sin and seeking divine wisdom in times of crisis.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What promises or commitments have I made that I need to re-evaluate for faithfulness and integrity?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to offer "silver or gold" (material solutions) for issues that require deeper, spiritual atonement or reconciliation?**
* **How does David's immediate willingness to act on the Gibeonites' terms challenge my own approach to resolving conflict or addressing difficult truths?**
* **How can I, as an individual or part of a community, contribute to rectifying past injustices or broken trusts, even if I was not directly responsible for them?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Gibeonites refuse silver or gold?**

Answer: The Gibeonites refused silver or gold because their grievance was not a financial one, but a profound violation of a sacred covenant and an act of bloodshed. Saul's attempt to exterminate them was an offense against their very existence and a breach of an oath sworn before God by Joshua centuries earlier ([Joshua 9:15](/joshua/9-15 "Joshua 9:15 - The Covenant with the Gibeonites")). For them, true justice and atonement for bloodguilt could not be satisfied with material compensation; it required a specific, targeted reckoning that would cleanse the land and restore the integrity of the covenant. This highlights that some wrongs are so grave they transcend monetary value and demand a deeper form of justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Samuel 21:4 describes a specific act of atonement for national bloodguilt under the Old Covenant, it ultimately points to the greater and perfect atonement found in Jesus Christ. The Gibeonites' demand for a specific, targeted reckoning, rather than indiscriminate slaughter, foreshadows the principle that justice for sin requires a precise payment. Under the Old Covenant, the shedding of blood was necessary for the cleansing of sin and defilement ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Blood Atonement")). However, the repeated sacrifices of animals or the specific acts of retribution, like those against Saul's house, could only temporarily cover sin and address specific instances of bloodguilt. The ultimate fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ, who, as the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice for the sins of the world. His shed blood on the cross is the perfect and final atonement, not for a specific national bloodguilt, but for the universal sin of humanity, cleansing us from all unrighteousness ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). Unlike the Gibeonites' demand, which brought about further death, Christ's sacrifice brings life and reconciliation, making peace through His blood ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Blood")), fulfilling the ultimate need for justice and cleansing in a way that truly brings redemption and eternal life.

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

Psalms 49:6

¶ They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

Psalms 49:8

(For the redemption of their soul [is] precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

1 Peter 1:18

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;

1 Peter 1:19

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: