And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you.

2 SAMUEL 21:4KJV
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2 Samuel 21:4 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 21:4 mean?

2 Samuel 21:4 records the Gibeonites telling King David that they do not want money or revenge against Saul’s family in the form of silver or gold, nor do they want David to execute any Israelites on their behalf. Instead, they ask David to do whatever they request next. This sets the stage for their specific demand in the following verses.

In this verse, the Gibeonites are responding to David during a time of famine, which David has learned is connected to Saul’s past violence against them. The Gibeonites clarify that their grievance cannot be settled with compensation or by killing random Israelites; they are seeking something more specific and personal as justice for Saul’s actions. David’s reply shows he is willing to listen and act on their request, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 21:4

  • "Silver" (כֶּסֶף, keseph) and "gold" (זָהָב, zahav) are mentioned to show that the Gibeonites are not interested in material compensation. This emphasizes that their grievance is not about wealth but about justice.
  • "Kill" (מוּת, muth) and "man" (אִישׁ, ish) are used to make clear that the Gibeonites do not want David to simply execute Israelites as a form of retribution. The word choice underlines their refusal to accept indiscriminate violence as a solution.
  • "Say" (אָמַר, amar) and "do" (עָשָׂה, asah) appear twice, highlighting the negotiation: the Gibeonites will state their terms, and David commits to carrying them out. This exchange sets up the next steps in resolving the conflict.

Why 2 Samuel 21:4 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Gibeonites are not motivated by greed or a desire for broad vengeance; they seek a specific form of justice for past wrongs.
  • It shows David’s willingness to address unresolved injustices from Saul’s reign, which is important for understanding the cause of the famine and the seriousness with which David treats the matter.
  • The verse prepares the reader for the difficult request the Gibeonites will make, emphasizing the weight of historical grievances and the lengths to which David is willing to go to restore peace.

Where else these words appear

“Gibeonites” Hebrew H1393 · used in 7 verses

  • 2 Samuel 21:1 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
  • 2 Samuel 21:3 Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?
  • 1 Chronicles 12:4 And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite,

“of” Hebrew H5973 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Genesis 48:12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
  • 1 Samuel 2:21 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.