2 Samuel 21:10-11 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:10-14

Here we have, I. Saul's sons not only hanged, but hanged in chains, their dead bodies left hanging, and exposed, till the judgment ceased, which their death was to turn away, by the sending of rain upon the land. They died as sacrifices, and thus they were, in a manner, offered up, not consumed all at once by fire, but gradually by the air. They died as anathemas, and by this ignominious usage they were represented as execrable, because iniquity was laid upon them. When our blessed Saviour was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:10

And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth ,.... Both as a token of mourning for her sons, and as fittest to defend from the weather, the heat by day of cold by night: and spread it for her upon the rock ; the hill on which her sons were hanged; this she spread as a canopy or tent to sit under, and be covered with it; not to cover the bodies with it, but herself, and where she sat to mourn the loss of her sons, and to watch their bodies, that they might not be devoured by birds and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:11

And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done. Whether this was told out of good will or ill will is not certain; however, it was not disagreeable to David, but served to move pity and compassion in him to the woman, and to stir him up to give an honourable interment to Saul and his sons; and which would show that this fact was not done out of personal pique and revenge to his family, but in obedience to the will of God, and the honour of his name. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 21:10

Rizpah - took sackcloth - Who can read the account of Rizpah's maternal affection for her sons that were now hanged, without feeling his mind deeply impressed with sorrows? Did God require this sacrifice of Saul's sons, probably all innocent of the alleged crime of their father? Was there no other method of averting the Divine displeasure? Was the requisition of the Gibeonites to have Saul's sons sacrificed to God, to be considered as an oracle of God? Certainly not; God will not have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:1-14

A story of deferred retribution. The facts are: 1 . A famine continuing for three years, and inquiry being made of the Lord by David, he is informed that it was in consequence of Saul's sin in slaying the Gibeonites. 2 . David, asking of the Gibeonites what he shall do for them by way of atonement for the wrong done, is informed that they seek not gold or the life of any man of Israel, but require that seven of Saul's family should be put to death, and hung up in Gibeah of Saul. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:1-14

( GIBEON , GIBEAH .) Famine. "And there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year" ( 2 Samuel 21:1 ). [ Summary of the remaining portion (or appendix) of this book: 1 . The famine. 2 . Victorious acts in wars with the Philistines ( 2 Samuel 21:15-22 ). 3 . David's song of thanksgiving (looking backward); 2 Samuel 22:1-51 4. 2 Samuel His last prophetic words (looking forward); 2 Samuel 23:1-7 . These two lyrical and prophetic productions... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:8-14

( GIBEAH .) Rizpah. "And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth," etc. (verse. 10; 2 Samuel 3:7 ). The days of harvest had come; but not the fruits of harvest. The heaven was brass, and the earth iron ( Deuteronomy 28:23 ). The misery of famine was accompanied by a sense of Divine wrath on account of sin. The guilt of blood was on the land, and especially on "the house of Saul," for the destruction of the Gibeonites. Nothing would satisfy the demand of the sorrowing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:10

Rizpah … took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock; rather, against the rock, so as to form a little hut or shelter to protect her from the glaring blaze of the sunshine. The word "upon" has led many commentators to suppose that she used it as a bed; but this is not the meaning of the Hebrew, though given by the Vulgate. The sackcloth was the loose wrapper or cloak which formed the outer dress of mourners. As regards the bodies of those crucified or impaled, the Law required that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:10

A mother's love and grief. This verse is part of a narrative full of difficulty and darkness. It stands out a bright light in the midst of the darkness—a grand exhibition of a mother's love. I. A MOTHER 'S LOVE IS MUCH TRIED . Not often as Rizpah's was; but always in some way or other; as: 1 . By the conduct of her children. 2 . By the conduct of others towards them. 3 . By their troubles. 4 . By their deaths; especially when untimely or by violence; and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 21:10

Dropped - Rather, “poured,” the proper word for heavy rain Exodus 9:33. The “early rain,” or heavy rain of autumn, usually began in October, so that Rizpah’s devoted watch continued about six months. How rare rain was in harvest we learn from 1 Samuel 12:17-18; Proverbs 26:1. The reason of the bodies being left unburied, contrary to Deuteronomy 21:23, probably was that the death of these men being an expiation of the guilt of a violated oath, they were to remain until the fall of rain should... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:10-14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 21:10

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:8-14

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:10

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 21:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 21:10

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