2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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THE SONS OF SAUL PUNISHED
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
2 Samuel 21
Malachi 1:11-14
“…from the rising of the sun…
unto the going down of the same…”
THE SONS OF SAUL PUNISHED
The decision to hand over the sons of Saul depended on the king and he had to respond. David consulted well before making a decision. Then he consented to their demand and delivered the seven sons of Saul to the Gibeonites.
The men of Gibeon refused any form of appeasement except the seven sons of Saul. Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, would have been one of them, but there was an oath between his father and David. He was thus spared the vengeance of the Gibeonites. There were two sons of Rizpah, a woman who had cohabited with King Saul; these two were handed over to the Gibeonites together with another five sons that Michal, the daughter of Saul, had brought up (2 Sam 21:8). The number that was demanded was met.
All the seven were delivered to the Gibeonites and they hanged them in the hill before the Lord. It was at the time of harvest and the land was thus healed. Rizpah was said to have mourned bitterly for her sons as any mother would. There was a price to be paid and the reaction of Rizpah showed that the punishment was felt. The league that Joshua had made with the Gibeonites was nearly four hundred years old, but time does not revoke such a solemn league.
It was after this that David accorded the bones of Saul and Jonathan a decent burial in the graves of their fathers. Since they were killed in war, the men of Jabeshgilead had buried them where they had died. Thus, David had their bones exhumed and reburied. David as king had many issues to balance. He had to make important decisions all the time.This required much wisdom which the Lord gave him.
David’s time as king of Israel was coming to an end. He had exercised his power responsibly. This is a lesson for generations.
THOUGHT: Everyone, especially one who is in a place of authority, is answerable to God.
PRAYER: Father, help me to order my life journey responsibly.