2 Samuel 21:2

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2 Samuel 21:1–4 · Berean Standard Bible

1 During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.”

2 At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.)

3 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?”

4 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.

Hebrew words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

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Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

Joshua 9:3

But the people of Gibeon, having heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

Joshua 9:4

acted deceptively and set out as envoys, carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended.

Joshua 9:5

They put worn, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies, and their whole supply of bread was dry and moldy.

Joshua 9:6

They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land; please make a treaty with us.”

Joshua 9:7

But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell near us. How can we make a treaty with you?”

Joshua 9:8

“We are your servants,” they said to Joshua. Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you and where have you come from?”

Joshua 9:9

“Your servants have come from a very distant land,” they replied, “because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard the reports about Him: all that He did in Egypt,

Joshua 9:10

and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth.

Joshua 9:11

So the elders and inhabitants of our land told us, ‘Take provisions for your journey; go to meet them and say to them: We are your servants. Please make a treaty with us.’

Joshua 9:12

This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But take a look, it is now dry and moldy.

Joshua 9:13

These wineskins were new when we filled them, but look, they are cracked. And these clothes and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.”

Joshua 9:14

Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.

Joshua 9:15

And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.

Joshua 9:16

Three days after they had made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites learned that they were neighbors, living among them.

Joshua 9:17

So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

Joshua 9:18

But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders.

Joshua 9:19

All the leaders answered, “We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.

Joshua 9:20

This is how we will treat them: We will let them live, so that no wrath will fall on us because of the oath we swore to them.”

Joshua 9:21

They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation.” So the leaders kept their promise.

Genesis 15:16

In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

Deuteronomy 7:16

You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you.

1 Samuel 14:44

And Saul declared, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan, do not surely die!”

1 Samuel 15:8

He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword.

1 Samuel 15:9

Saul and his troops spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and the best of everything else. They were unwilling to destroy them, but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless.

2 Kings 10:16

saying, “Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD!” So he had him ride in his chariot.

2 Kings 10:31

Yet Jehu was not careful to follow the instruction of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit.

Luke 9:54

When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”

Luke 9:55

But Jesus turned and rebuked them.

John 16:2

They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.

Romans 10:2

For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.

Galatians 4:17

Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.