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2 Samuel 21

2 Sam. 21:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
Then there was a famine
ra`ab (Hebrew #7458)
hunger (more or less extensive)
KJV usage: dearth, famine, + famished, hunger.
Pronounce: raw-awb'
Origin: from 7456
in the days
yowm (Hebrew #3117)
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
KJV usage: age, + always, + chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, + (for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually, presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space, then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole (+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.
Pronounce: yome
Origin: from an unused root meaning to be hot
of David
David (Hebrew #1732)
Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as 1730; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse
KJV usage: David.
Pronounce: daw-veed'
Origin: rarely (fully)
three
shalowsh (Hebrew #7969)
masculine shlowshah {shel-o-shaw'}; or shloshah {shel-o-shaw'}; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multipl.) thrice
KJV usage: + fork, + often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, + thrice. Compare 7991.
Pronounce: shaw-loshe'
Origin: or shalosh {shaw-loshe'}
years
shaneh (Hebrew #8141)
from 8138; a year (as a revolution of time)
KJV usage: + whole age, X long, + old, year(X -ly).
Pronounce: shaw-neh'
Origin: (in plura or (feminine) shanah {shaw-naw'}
, year
shaneh (Hebrew #8141)
from 8138; a year (as a revolution of time)
KJV usage: + whole age, X long, + old, year(X -ly).
Pronounce: shaw-neh'
Origin: (in plura or (feminine) shanah {shaw-naw'}
after
'achar (Hebrew #310)
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
KJV usage: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, + out (over) live, + persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.
Pronounce: akh-ar'
Origin: from 309
year
shaneh (Hebrew #8141)
from 8138; a year (as a revolution of time)
KJV usage: + whole age, X long, + old, year(X -ly).
Pronounce: shaw-neh'
Origin: (in plura or (feminine) shanah {shaw-naw'}
; and David
David (Hebrew #1732)
Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as 1730; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse
KJV usage: David.
Pronounce: daw-veed'
Origin: rarely (fully)
ηinquired
baqash (Hebrew #1245)
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
KJV usage: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).
Pronounce: baw-kash'
Origin: a primitive root
of
paniym (Hebrew #6440)
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
KJV usage: + accept, a-(be- )fore(-time), against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of), + beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), + honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, + meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on, open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street, X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s) past, (un-)to(-ward), + upon, upside (+ down), with(- in, + -stand), X ye, X you.
Pronounce: paw-neem'
Origin: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh {paw-neh'}; from 6437)
the Lord
Yhovah (Hebrew #3068)
(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
KJV usage: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
Pronounce: yeh-ho-vaw'
Origin: from 1961
. And the Lord
Yhovah (Hebrew #3068)
(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
KJV usage: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
Pronounce: yeh-ho-vaw'
Origin: from 1961
answered
'amar (Hebrew #559)
to say (used with great latitude)
KJV usage: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech), utter, X verily, X yet.
Pronounce: aw-mar'
Origin: a primitive root
, It is for Saul
Sha'uwl (Hebrew #7586)
asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
KJV usage: Saul, Shaul.
Pronounce: shaw-ool'
Origin: passive participle of 7592
, and for his bloody
dam (Hebrew #1818)
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood)
KJV usage: blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), + innocent.
Pronounce: dawm
Origin: from 1826 (compare 119)
house
bayith (Hebrew #1004)
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
KJV usage: court, daughter, door, + dungeon, family, + forth of, X great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter)house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, + steward, + tablet, temple, web, + within(-out).
Pronounce: bah'-yith
Origin: probably from 1129 abbreviated
, because he slew
muwth (Hebrew #4191)
causatively, to kill
KJV usage: X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), X must needs, slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in (no) wise.
Pronounce: mooth
Origin: a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively)
the Gibeonites
Gib`oniy (Hebrew #1393)
a Gibonite, or inhabitant of Gibon
KJV usage: Gibeonite.
Pronounce: ghib-o-nee'
Origin: patrial from 1391
k.
η
sought the face,
Num. 27:21• 21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him, by the judgment of the Urim before Jehovah: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, he, and all the children of Israel with him, even the whole assembly. (Num. 27:21)
.
k
1 Sam. 22:19• 19And Nob, the city of the priests, he smote with the edge of the sword, both men and women, infants and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. (1 Sam. 22:19)

More on:

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David,
Famine,
Gibeonite,
House,
Saul,
Three,
Year

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-9:  The three years' famine for the Gibeonites ceases, by hanging seven of Saul's sons.
10-11:  Rizpah's kindness unto the dead.
12-14:  David buries the bones of Saul and Jonathan in his father's sepulchre.
15-22:  Four battles against the Philistines, wherein four valiants of David slay four giants.
A.M. 2986.
B.C. 1018.
An. Ex. Ex. Is. 473.
a famine.
Gen. 12:10• 10And there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there. For the famine was grievous in the land. (Gen. 12:10)
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Gen. 26:1• 1And there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine which was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines to Gerar. (Gen. 26:1)
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Gen. 41:57• 57And the whole earth came into Egypt to Joseph, to buy, because the famine was grievous on the whole earth. (Gen. 41:57)
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Gen. 42:1• 1And Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, Why look ye one on another? (Gen. 42:1)
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Gen. 43:1• 1And the famine [was] grievous in the land. (Gen. 43:1)
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Lev. 26:19‑20,26• 19and I will break the arrogance of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron and your earth as bronze;
 20and your strength shall be spent in vain; and your land shall not yield its produce, and the trees of the land shall not yield their fruit.
 26When I break the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and shall deliver you the bread again by weight; and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied. (Lev. 26:19‑20,26)
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1 Kings 17:1• 1And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, As Jehovah the God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. (1 Kings 17:1)
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1 Kings 18:2• 2And Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. (1 Kings 18:2)
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2 Kings 6:25• 25And there was a great famine in Samaria; and behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was worth eighty silver-pieces, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung five silver-pieces. (2 Kings 6:25)
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2 Kings 8:1• 1And Elisha had spoken to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thy household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn; for Jehovah has called for a famine, and it shall come upon the land, for seven years. (2 Kings 8:1)
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Jer. 14:1‑18• 1The word of Jehovah that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought.
 2Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.
 3And their nobles send their little ones for water: they come to the pits, they find no water; they return with their vessels empty; they are ashamed, they are confounded, and have covered their heads.
 4Because the ground is chapt, for there hath been no rain on the earth, the plowmen are ashamed, they cover their heads.
 5For the hind also calveth in the field, and forsaketh its young, because there is no grass.
 6And the wild asses stand on the heights, they snuff up the wind like jackals; their eyes fail, because there is no herbage.
 7Jehovah, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.
 8O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?
 9Why shouldest thou be as a man astonished, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, Jehovah, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.
 10Thus saith Jehovah unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore Jehovah doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.
 11And Jehovah said unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.
 12When they fast, I will not hear their cry: and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
 13Then said I, Ah, Lord Jehovah! behold the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.
 14Then Jehovah said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
 15Therefore thus saith Jehovah concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
 16And the people to whom, they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters for I will pour their wickedness upon them.
 17And thou shalt say this word unto them: Let mine eyes run down with tears, night and day, and not cease; for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.
 18If I go forth into the field, behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, behold them that pine away with famine! For both prophet and priest shall go about into a land that they know not. (Jer. 14:1‑18)
enquired.
Heb. sought the face, etc.
of the Lord.
2 Sam. 5:19,23• 19And David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou give them into my hand? And Jehovah said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
 23And David inquired of Jehovah; and he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. (2 Sam. 5:19,23)
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Num. 27:21• 21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him, by the judgment of the Urim before Jehovah: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, he, and all the children of Israel with him, even the whole assembly. (Num. 27:21)
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1 Sam. 23:2,4,11• 2And David inquired of Jehovah, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And Jehovah said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
 4And David inquired of Jehovah yet again. And Jehovah answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
 11Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O Jehovah God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And Jehovah said, He will come down. (1 Sam. 23:2,4,11)
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Job 5:8‑10• 8For my part, then, I would turn to God (El),{HR}And to God (Elohim) would I commit my cause,
 9Who doeth great things and unsearchable,{HR}Marvelous things without number;
 10Who giveth rain on the face of the earth,{HR}And sendeth water on the face of the fields, (Job 5:8‑10)
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Job 10:2• 2I will say to God, Condemn me not;{HR}Let me know why thou contendest with me, (Job 10:2)
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Psa. 50:15• 15And call upon me in the day of trouble:{HR}I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psa. 50:15)
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Psa. 91:15• 15He shall call me, and I will answer him;{HR}With him [am] I in trouble;{HR}I will deliver him and glorify him. (Psa. 91:15)
It is.
Josh. 7:1,11‑12• 1But the children of Israel committed unfaithfulness in that which had been brought under the curse: Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of Jehovah was kindled against the children of Israel.
 11Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
 12Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed. I will no more be with you, except ye destroy the accursed thing from your midst. (Josh. 7:1,11‑12)
Saul.
1 Sam. 22:17‑19• 17And the king said to the couriers that stood about him, Turn and put the priests of Jehovah to death; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not inform me. But the servants of the king were not willing to put forth their hand to fall on the priests of Jehovah.
 18And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall on the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and fell on the priests, and put to death that day eighty-five persons who wore the linen ephod.
 19And Nob, the city of the priests, he smote with the edge of the sword, both men and women, infants and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. (1 Sam. 22:17‑19)
• It is no longer necessary for the establishment of God’s economy that David should pursue the house of Saul. There is a righteous judgment, a moral principle of God, which is above all economies. (“2 Samuel 21” by J.N. Darby)
• In 2 Sam. 21 we find a new appendix setting forth the judgment of the house of Saul. 2 Sam. 22 and 23 relate the words of David as a type of Christ to the words of David as the responsible king. Lastly, after enumerating David's mighty men the book ends in a wonderful way in 2 Sam. 24 with the sacrifice of Morijah which, as one has said, "ends the wrath of God through grace and establishes the foundation of the place of worship where He can meet with Israel." (“David's Fall and Its Consequences: 2 Samuel 11-20” by H.L. Rossier)
• I do not doubt that this famine may have taken place at some other time during his reign, for it says: "There was a famine in the days of David" (2 Sam. 21:1), but whenever the Spirit of God inverts the order of an account He has a specific purpose for this, as we see at the end of Judges and in hundreds of incidents in the Gospels. God's government cannot ignore evil, whatever it may be, and it judges it all the more severely when the congregation is in a relatively good condition. (“2 Samuel 21-24: 2 Samuel 21-24” by H.L. Rossier)
• God characterizes Saul's house as "bloody" and justifies the house of David. {compare 2 Sam. 16:7} (“2 Samuel 21-24: 2 Samuel 21-24” by H.L. Rossier)
• The congregation of Israel had not been implicated in the crime; Saul who had committed it had died long ago; why then call it to mind again? Here it is a matter of a very important principle in God's ways, whether toward His ancient people or toward the Church. The people are jointly liable for Saul's act, for it took place on the territory of the congregation of Israel. The violation of pledges and of an oath made in the name of the Lord (Josh. 9:18) rendered the people guilty of the sin which their leader had committed. (“2 Samuel 21-24: 2 Samuel 21-24” by H.L. Rossier)

J. N. Darby Translation

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1
And there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquirede of Jehovah. And Jehovah said, It is for Saul, and for his house of blood, because he slew the Gibeonites.

JND Translation Notes

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e
Lit. "sought the face."

W. Kelly Translation

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1
And there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of Jehovah. And Jehovah said, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.

WK Verse Note

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(Note: Words in italics have been inserted from the J. N. Darby translation where the W. Kelly translation doesn’t exist.)