This chapter describes Israel’s reconciliation with Gibeah, and more wars with the Philistines.
“Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year. And David sought the face of the Lord. And the Lord said, ‘There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.’ So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not of the people of Israel but of the remnant of the Amorites. Although the people of Israel had sworn to spare them, Saul had sought to strike them down in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah.” (v1-2)
Saul in his zealous rule must have killed many Gibeonites at one point – this event is not recorded in scripture, probably because the Gibeonites were a protected people and Saul wanted no record of his wrongdoing. In Joshua 9, during the conquering of Canaan, Israel was tricked into a peace treaty with Gibeah, and they became an adopted people living in Israel (in fact, Saul used to live in the land of Gibeah).
David, undoubtedly shocked that Saul would have murdered some of these people, does what he needs to in order to settle the blood debt – he gives them seven of Saul’s grandsons for execution (Gibeah’s idea, not David’s). God then considers the debt paid, and the famine subsides. Don’t worry, David kept his promise to Jonathan and none of his offspring (ie. Mephibosheth) were given over to Gibeah.
The reconciliation comes full-circle when Saul’s, Jonathan’s, and the seven grandsons’ remains are brought back to Saul’s family land and are properly entombed, aiding in the mourning process of Saul’s remaining family.
One of God’s commands is for people to keep their promises: “If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” (Num 30:2) Saul broke Israel’s promise to Gibeah, so there were consequences.
I encourage us to be a people who are known for keeping our word, and fulfilling our commitments. I am guilty of breaking many promises over the years, and I am now making earnest efforts to do one of two things – refrain from making a promise in the first place, or keep a promise when I do make one. It’s usually hard, and often requires sacrifice, but God rewards those who keep their word. God never breaks His promises, and we are made in His image, so it grieves Him when we fail at keeping our commitments.
Father God, our Sovereign and Wise Lord, great and mighty is Your name. Father, we have sinned against You and broken many commitments over the years. Father please forgive us, and help us to become a people known for our trustworthiness and promise-keeping. May we serve others well by making personal sacrifices as required, and may we glorify You by modeling Your trustworthiness to those around us. May we honor, praise and glorify You by our words and actions, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training