2 Samuel 21:7-9

2. David’s justice and mercy 21:7-9

David showed himself to be a true son of Yahweh by keeping his covenant with Jonathan and by sparing Mephibosheth (cf. 2 Samuel 21:2; 1 Samuel 18:3; 1 Samuel 20:8; 1 Samuel 20:16). However, he followed God’s Law and executed seven of Saul’s descendants including another Mephibosheth, Saul’s son (2 Samuel 21:8). "Merab" (2 Samuel 21:8) is the correct name of another of Rizpah’s sons. "Michal," the name that appears in the AV, is probably a scribal error (cf. 1 Samuel 18:19; 2 Samuel 6:23). [Note: Driver, p. 352.] David could justly slay Saul’s descendants if they had had a part in the execution of the Gibeonites. This seems to have been the case (2 Samuel 21:1; cf. Ezekiel 18:4; Ezekiel 18:20). The execution took place in Gibeah, Saul’s former home and capital, which was on a hill ("mountain," 2 Samuel 21:9) of Benjamin. The barley harvest began in late March or early April when the feast of Passover took place. Since Passover memorialized the Israelites’ liberation from oppression in Egypt, this was an appropriate time for this event. By getting things right with the Gibeonites, David brought Israel out from under God’s oppression that Saul’s sin had caused.