2 Samuel 21:8

But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:

But the king {H4428} took {H3947} the two {H8147} sons {H1121} of Rizpah {H7532} the daughter {H1323} of Aiah {H345}, whom she bare {H3205} unto Saul {H7586}, Armoni {H764} and Mephibosheth {H4648}; and the five {H2568} sons {H1121} of Michal {H4324} the daughter {H1323} of Saul {H7586}, whom she brought up {H3205} for Adriel {H5741} the son {H1121} of Barzillai {H1271} the Meholathite {H4259}:

The king took the two sons of Ritzpah the daughter of Ayah, whom she bore to Sha'ul, Armoni and M'fivoshet; and the five sons of Mikhal the daughter of Sha'ul, whom she bore to Adri'el the son of Barzillai the Mecholati;

But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons whom Rizpah daughter of Aiah had borne to Saul, as well as the five sons whom Merab daughter of Saul had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.

But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she bare to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:

Commentary

2 Samuel 21:8 describes a somber and difficult moment in King David's reign, detailing the specific individuals handed over to the Gibeonites to atone for King Saul's past transgression against them. This act was deemed necessary to lift a three-year famine that afflicted Israel, which God revealed was a consequence of Saul's violation of a sacred covenant with the Gibeonites.

Context

The preceding verses of 2 Samuel 21:1-7 set the stage: a severe famine prompts David to inquire of the Lord. The answer reveals that the famine is due to Saul's actions in killing the Gibeonites, despite a solemn oath made to them by Joshua generations earlier (Joshua 9:15). To make expiation, the Gibeonites demand the lives of seven male descendants of Saul. David, seeking to restore the land and appease God, agrees to this grim request, carefully selecting those to be given over while notably sparing Jonathan's son Mephibosheth due to his covenant with Jonathan.

Key Figures and Their Fate

  • Armoni and Mephibosheth (Sons of Rizpah): These were the two biological sons of Saul by his concubine, Rizpah, daughter of Aiah. It is crucial to distinguish this Mephibosheth from Jonathan's lame son, who was spared by David's compassion and covenant faithfulness.
  • The Five Sons of Michal (Daughter of Saul): The KJV states these were "whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite." This phrase is significant because 2 Samuel 6:23 explicitly states that Michal had no children until the day of her death. This has led to scholarly discussion.

Linguistic and Textual Insight

The reference to "the five sons of Michal" presents a textual challenge. Many ancient manuscripts and translations (including the Septuagint) instead read "the five sons of Merab," who was Michal's older sister and indeed married to Adriel. The Hebrew word for Michal (ืžึดื™ื›ึทืœ, Mikhal) and Merab (ืžึตืจึทื‘, Merav) are very similar, leading to a potential scribal error over time. The KJV's phrasing "whom she brought up for Adriel" could be an attempt to reconcile the difficulty, suggesting Michal perhaps raised these children (her sister's or step-children) even if they were not her biological offspring. However, the prevailing scholarly view often favors Merab as the biological mother.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Broken Covenants: This passage powerfully illustrates the severe repercussions of violating sacred oaths, even across generations. Saul's sin had lasting effects on his descendants and the nation.
  • Divine Justice and Atonement: The famine was a sign of God's displeasure, and the demand for expiation highlights the ancient Israelite understanding of justice and the need to rectify serious wrongs to restore divine favor.
  • David's Difficult Choices: David is forced to make a painful decision, sacrificing members of Saul's house to appease God and save his people from famine, while simultaneously upholding his personal covenant with Jonathan.

Practical Application

While the specific cultural practices of ancient Israel are not directly applicable today, the underlying principles resonate. This passage reminds us of the far-reaching consequences of sin, particularly broken promises and injustices. It underscores the importance of honoring commitments and seeking reconciliation when wrongs have been committed. Furthermore, it highlights that leaders often face agonizing decisions for the welfare of their people, sometimes requiring painful sacrifices to address past injustices and restore balance.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 3:7 (5 votes)

    ยถ 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?

  • 1 Samuel 18:19 (5 votes)

    But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.