2 Samuel 21:1-3

Expanded Bible

The Gibeonites Punish Saul’s Family

21 During the time David was king, there was a ·shortage of food [famine] that lasted for three years. So David ·prayed to [inquired of; consulted; ^Lsought the face/presence of] the Lord.

The Lord answered, “Saul and his ·family of murderers [^Lbloody house] are the reason for this shortage, because he ·killed [murdered] the Gibeonites.” ² (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites; they were ·a group of Amorites who were left alive [^Lthe remnant of the Amorites]. The Israelites had ·promised [sworn; vowed; Josh. 9:14–15] not to hurt the Gibeonites, but Saul had tried to ·kill [annihilate; exterminate] them, because ·he was eager to help [of his zeal for] the people of Israel and Judah.)

King David called the Gibeonites together and spoke to them. ³ He asked, “What can I do for you? How can I make ·up [amends; expiation; atonement] for the harm done so you can bless the Lord’s ·people [^Linheritance]?”