2 Samuel 21:1-6

International Children’s Bible

The Gibeonites Punish Saul’s Family

21 During the time David was king, there was a time of hunger. It continued for three years. So David prayed to the Lord.

The Lord answered, “Saul and his family of murderers are the reason for this time of hunger. It has come because Saul killed the Gibeonites.” ² (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites. They were a group of Amorites who were left alive. The Israelites had promised not to hurt the Gibeonites. But Saul was very eager to help the people of Israel and Judah. So he tried to kill all the Gibeonites.)

King David called the Gibeonites together and talked to them. ³ He asked them, “What can I do for you? What can I do to take away Israel’s sin so you can bless the Lord’s people?”

⁴ The Gibeonites said to David, “Saul and his family don’t have enough silver and gold to pay for what they did! And we don’t have the right to kill anyone in Israel.”

Then David asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”

⁵ The Gibeonites said to him, “Saul made plans against us. He tried to destroy all our people who are left in the land of Israel. ⁶ Saul was the Lord’s chosen king. So bring seven of his sons to us. Then we will kill them and hang them on stakes. We will put them in front of the Lord at Gibeah, Saul’s hometown.”

The king said, “I will give them to you.”