1 Sam. 21 A three years’ famine, declared by God to be for the Gibeonites’ sake, ceaseth by their hanging seven of Saul’s sons, 2 Sam. 21:1–9. Rizpah preserveth the dead bodies, 2 Sam. 21:10–11.

Then there was a famine: when? Either, first, after Absalom’s and Sheba’s rebellion, as it is here related; or rather, secondly, in some other time before.

Saul sought to slay them, i. e. he sought occasions and pretences how he might cut them off with some colour of law or justice, diligently searching out and aggravating their faults, and punishing them worse than they deserved; oppressing them with excessive labours, and openly killing some of…

Unto the Gibeonites; to some of the chief of them, who were to impart it to the rest. What shall I do for you? what satisfaction do you expect or require for the injuries formerly done to you? That ye may bless the inheritance of the Lord; that by your acknowledgment of satisfaction received, the…

Any man in Israel; except Saul’s family, as it here follows. What you shall say, to wit, in any reason, and as far as God’s law will permit.

That we should be either killed, or banished from the land of Israel; which is as bad as death to us, because here, and here only, God is truly worshipped and enjoyed.

Unto the Lord; to vindicate his honour, which was injured by Saul’s violation of the oath and covenant of God, and to appease his wrath. In Gibeah of Saul; Saul’s country, 1 Sam. 10:26, 1 Sam. 11:4, for their greater shame.

The king spared Mephibosheth; for the Gibeonites desiring only such a number, without designing the persons, it was at David’s choice whom to spare. Or, he prevailed with the Gibeonites that they did not demand him; and with the Lord, that he might not be one of those who were devoted to…

Rizpah; Saul’s concubine, 2 Sam. 21:11, 2 Sam. 3:7. The five sons of Michal, or, of Michal’s sister, to wit, Merab; for Michal had no children, 2 Sam. 6:23, nor was she married to this Adriel, but to Phalti, or Phaltiel, the son of Laish, 1 Sam. 25:44, 2 Sam.

He delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites. Quest. How could David do this, when he had sworn that he would not cut off Saul’s seed, 1 Sam. 24:21–22? Answ.

Spread it for her, as a tent to dwell in; being informed that their bodies were not to be taken away speedily, as the course of the law was in other and ordinary cases, Deut. 21:23, but were to continue there until God was entreated, and did remove the present judgment.

It was told David; who heard it with so much approbation, that he thought fit to imitate her piety, being by her example provoked to do what hitherto he had neglected, to bestow an honourable interment upon the remains of Saul and Jonathan, and, with them, upon those that were now put to death,…

Having first burnt off the flesh which remained upon them when they were taken down. Compare 1 Sam. 31:10;c.

Zelah; a place in Benjamin, mentioned Josh. 18:28. After that; after those things were done which were before related, i.e. after they were hanged up; for by that God was pacified, and not by their burial. So the relative belongs to the remoter antecedent.

These wars, though here related, were transacted long before this time: of which See Poole “2 Sam. 21:1”. For it is no way probable, either that the Philistines, being so fully and perfectly subdued by David, 2 Sam.

The giant; so called by way of eminency. Or, of Rapha, a giant so called. The weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels: see 1 Sam. 17:5. With a new sword, or rather, with a new girdle or belt; for, first, This was the usual habit of soldiers, 1 Sam. 18:4, 2 Sam. 18:11, 1 Kings 2:5, Isa.

Lest thou be slain, and thereby thy people be ruined. Good kings are in Scripture justly called the light of their people, as 1 Kings 11:36, 1 Kings 15:4, Ps.

After this; after the battle last mentioned. At Gob, or, in Gezer, as it is 1 Chron. 20:4; whereby it seems Gob and Gezer were neighbouring places, and the battle fought in the confines of both. Sibbechai the Hushathite; one of David’s worthies, 1 Chron. 11:29.

Elhanan. The brother of Goliath the Gittite: the relative word brother is not in the Hebrew text, but is fitly supplied out of the parallel place, 1 Chron. 20:5, where it is expressed. And such defects of relatives are not unusual in Scripture. Thus the word wife is understood, Matt.

In Gath, i. e. in the territory of the city of Gath; which circumstance intimates that this, and consequently the other battles here described, were fought before David had taken Gath out of the hands of the Philistines, which he did 2 Sam. 8:1, compared with 1 Chron.

Fell by the hand of David; either because they were slain by his conduct, and counsel, or concurrence; for he contributed by his hand to the death of one of them, whilst maintaining a fight with him, he gave Abishai the easier opportunity of killing him, 2 Sam.