Keraia
2 Samuel 21

2 Samuel 21:12

David Avenges the Gibeonites · 2 Samuel 21:1–14
Read 2 Samuel 21

Translations

Modern
…he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan where the Philistines had hung the bodies after they had struck down Saul at Gilboa.
Traditional
And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh–gilead, which had stolen them from the street of Beth–shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:
Literal
And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead who had stolen them from the broad place of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them there after the Philistines had struck down Saul in Gilboa.
Latin
Et abiit David, et tulit ossa Saul, et ossa Jonathæ filii ejus, a viris Jabes Galaad, qui furati fuerant ea de platea Bethsan in qua suspenderant eos Philisthiim cum interfecissent Saul in Gelboë:

Original

Hebrew
English
…he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan where the Philistines had hung the bodies after they had struck down Saul at Gilboa.

Notes

2 Samuel 21:11–13

Rizpah’s action shamed David into likewise honoring the dead of Saul’s family.

2 Samuel 21:1–24:25

The final chapters of 2 Samuel form a coda (a concluding section). This section brings together and summarizes the main themes from earlier chapters.

These chapters are thematic, not chronological (arranged by topic, not by time). Because of this, not all the events happened at the end of David’s reign (for example, 2 Samuel 22:1).

The material is arranged using a common Hebrew literary pattern called a chiasm (a mirror-like structure). In a chiasm, the first and last sections match, and the middle section is the focus.

The structure of this chiasm is as follows:

A chiasm draws attention to the center section. Here, the center is David’s hymns. These hymns do not focus on David himself. Instead, they focus on David’s God.

Theme notes and profiles

David

Events

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Jonathan: Eldest son of King Saul and friend of David Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Places

Beth-shean: City in Manasseh, where Saul's body was displayed Gilboa: A mountain range where Saul and his sons died Jabesh: A town in Gilead, loyal to Saul Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan

Glossary

Avenger of Blood Beth-Shan, Beth-Shean Impalement Mephibosheth Mount Gilboa Rephaim Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Beth-Shean: Called Beth-Shaw David: Consigns Seven Sons of Saul to the Gibeonites to be Killed to Atone for Saul's Persecution of the Gibeonites David: King of Israel: Buries Saul's Bones, and the Bones of his Sons David: King of Israel: Death and Burial of Saul and his Sons Jabesh-Gilead: Bones of Saul and his Sons Removed From, by David, and Buried at Zelah Jonathan: Son of Saul: Killed in the Battle with the Philistines Punishments: Capital Kinds of Hanging