And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,

2 SAMUEL 21:5KJV
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2 Samuel 21:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 21:5 mean?

2 Samuel 21:5 records the Gibeonites’ response to King David, explaining that the man who harmed them was responsible for trying to wipe them out completely from Israel’s land. The verse highlights their accusation that someone had both consumed them and plotted to destroy their people so none would remain in Israel.

The Gibeonites are speaking to King David during a time of famine, which they believe is connected to past wrongs done to them. They refer to Saul, Israel’s former king, as the man who “consumed” them and “devised” their destruction, blaming him for attempting to eliminate their community from Israel’s territory. This sets the stage for why they seek justice and why David is asking how to make things right.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 21:5

  • “Consumed” (כָּלָה, kalah): This word often means to bring to an end, finish, or destroy completely. The Gibeonites are saying Saul tried to wipe them out, not just harm them a little.
  • “Devised” (דָּמָה, damah): This word can mean to plan or plot. The Gibeonites accuse Saul of intentionally making plans for their destruction, showing it was not accidental.
  • “Destroyed” (שָׁמַד, shamad): This word means to exterminate or annihilate. The Gibeonites stress that Saul’s actions aimed to erase them entirely from Israel.
  • “Remaining” (יָצַב, yatsav): This word means to be left or to remain standing. The Gibeonites claim Saul wanted none of their people left in Israel’s borders.

Why 2 Samuel 21:5 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the Gibeonites’ grievance is not just about a single act but about a deliberate attempt to destroy their whole community.
  • The language used shows the seriousness of Saul’s actions and why the Gibeonites feel justice has not yet been done.
  • Understanding this accusation helps explain why David is seeking a solution and why the famine is seen as connected to this unresolved injustice.

Where else these words appear

“devised” Hebrew H1819 · used in 27 verses

  • Numbers 33:56 Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.
  • Song of Solomon 1:9 I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.
  • Isaiah 40:18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

“remaining” Hebrew H3320 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 2:4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
  • Joshua 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

“destroyed” Hebrew H8045 · used in 86 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Deuteronomy 31:3 The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.
  • Esther 7:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.