But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:

2 SAMUEL 21:8KJV
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2 Samuel 21:8 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 21:8 mean?

2 Samuel 21:8 describes how King David took two sons of Rizpah, who had been Saul’s concubine, and five sons of Michal, Saul’s daughter, whom she had raised for Adriel, and delivered them to the Gibeonites. This action was part of David’s response to a famine, seeking to fulfill the Gibeonites’ demand for justice against Saul’s family.

In this verse, the king is David, and he is acting during a time of national crisis. The background is that Israel was experiencing a famine, and David learned it was because of Saul’s earlier violence against the Gibeonites. The Gibeonites asked for seven male descendants of Saul to be handed over for execution, and David selected these specific individuals, naming their mothers and family connections to Saul.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 21:8

  • רִצְפָּה (Rizpah, "ritspah"): Her name means "hot stone" or "coal," and she is identified here as the mother of two of Saul’s sons. This highlights the personal cost and the family lines involved.
  • מִיכַל (Michal, "mikhal"): Michal is called Saul’s daughter, but the verse notes she "brought up" (יָלַד, "yalad") five sons for Adriel. The Hebrew word often means "to bear" or "to give birth," but here it likely refers to raising or caring for the children, which can clarify confusion about her role.
  • מְהוֹלָתִי (Meholathite, "meholathi"): This identifies Adriel as being from Meholah, anchoring the family’s background and showing the broader network of Saul’s descendants.

Why 2 Samuel 21:8 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the relationships and lineage among Saul’s descendants, which can be confusing due to overlapping family ties and similar names in the narrative.
  • The verse shows the seriousness with which ancient Israel treated issues of justice and atonement, especially when it came to national crises like famine.
  • By naming the mothers and their connections, the verse emphasizes the personal and tragic consequences of Saul’s actions, setting the stage for Rizpah’s later mourning and the impact on Saul’s family.

Where else these words appear

“Adriel” Hebrew H5741 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Samuel 18:19 But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.

“Meholathite” Hebrew H4259 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Samuel 18:19 But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.

“Rizpah” Hebrew H7532 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Samuel 3:7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?
  • 2 Samuel 21:10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
  • 2 Samuel 21:11 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.

“Aiah” Hebrew H345 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 36:24 And these are the children of Zibeon; both Ajah, and Anah: this was that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father.
  • 2 Samuel 3:7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?
  • 2 Samuel 21:11 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.