2 Samuel 21: Seven Sons of Saul are Slaughtered

The Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 2 Samuel 21. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/WrestlingWithTheBasics.

The consequences of past bloodshed come back to haunt the kingdom of Israel. Famine ravages the land for three consecutive years, prompting David to seek divine guidance. The Lord reveals that the famine is a result of the bloodshed committed by Saul against the Gibeonites. In an act of justice and redemption, David reaches out to the Gibeonites, asking how he can make amends. They demand the execution of seven descendants of Saul. As the weight of this decision hangs heavy, David fulfills the demand, sparing only Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son.

2 Samuel tells how David becomes the king of Israel and faces both success and failure. It shows YHWH's faithfulness to His promise and David’s need for His mercy. Through this book, God reveals David in times of both strength and weakness, but nevertheless as a man after God’s heart.