2 Samuel 21:2-4

Contemporary English Version

²^(A) The Gibeonites were not Israelites; they were descendants of the Amorites. The people of Israel had promised not to kill them,^[a] but Saul had tried to kill them because he wanted Israel and Judah to control all the land.

David had the Gibeonites come, and he talked with them. ³He said, “What can I do to make up for what Saul did, so that you'll ask the Lord to be kind to his people again?”^[b]

⁴The Gibeonites answered, “Silver and gold from Saul and his family are not enough. On the other hand, we don't have the right to put any Israelite to death.”

David said, “I'll do whatever you ask.”^[c]

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Footnotes

21.2 promised … them: See Joshua 9.3-27.
21.3 ask … again: Saul's guilt had become a curse on Israel that had resulted in famine. For the effects of this curse to be removed, the Gibeonites would have to ask the Lord to be kind to Israel.
21.4 I'll … ask: Or “What are you asking me to do for you?”