2 Samuel 21:3

Translations

Modern

So David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How can I make amends so that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?”

Traditional

Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the Lord?

Literal

And David said to the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you, and with what shall I make atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of YHWH?”

Latin

…dixit ergo David ad Gabaonitas: Quid faciam vobis? et quod erit vestri piaculum, ut benedicatis hæreditati Domini?

Interlinear

Hebrew

English

So David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How can I make amends so that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?”

Notes

2 Samuel 21:3

Saul’s actions had caused the Gibeonites to curse Israel (compare Romans 2:24). After David made things right with the Gibeonites, the Gibeonites would bless the Lord's people again.

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: Saul’s sin against the Gibeonites and the punishment that affected the whole community (2 Samuel 21:1–14)
- B: David’s warriors and their heroic deeds (2 Samuel 21:15–22)
  - C: David’s Psalm (2 Samuel 22:1–51)
  - C′: David’s Psalm (2 Samuel 23:1–7)
- B′: David’s warriors and their heroic deeds (2 Samuel 23:8–39)
A′: David’s sin involving the census and the punishment that affected the whole community (2 Samuel 24:1–25)

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

Reign of Davidc. 1055 BC

Related verses

Hebrews 9:22
According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
2 Samuel 20:19
I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel, but you are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?”
1 Samuel 26:19
Now please, may my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then may He accept an offering. But if men have done it, may they be cursed in the presence of the LORD! For today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’
Exodus 32:30
The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. Now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”
1 Samuel 2:25
If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.
Hebrews 10:4–12
…because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Micah 6:6–7
With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?
Leviticus 1:4
He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Places

Gibeon: Hivite city that tricked Joshua into a peace treaty

Glossary

Adriel Amorites Armoni Avenger of Blood Barzillai Criminal Law and Punishment Curse, Cursed Gibeon, Gibeonites Rephaim Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Covenant of Men with Men: Breach of, Punished 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: Death and Burial of Saul and his Sons Gibeon: A City of the Hivites: Seven Sons of Saul Killed At, to Avenge the Inhabitants of Saul: King of Israel: Kills the Gibeonites; Crime Avenged by the Death of Seven of his Sons Under the Law Atonement: Necessary For: Propitiating God

2 Samuel 21:3

Translations?

Interlinear?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

People

Places

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Interlinear

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics