2 Samuel

2 Samuel 21: David seeks the LORD’s face

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the famine in David’s days, let us come before the LORD together. Ask Him to show us the wrong that sin does, and to help us seek His face in trouble.

Hear, Yahweh, when I cry with my voice. Have mercy also on me, and answer me.

Psalm 27:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You answered David when he sought You, and that You take a broken oath seriously. Show us Jesus, who gave His life for His people. Help us to seek Your face in trouble. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

A famine lasts three years, and David seeks the face of the LORD. The LORD says the famine is for Saul and his house, because Saul put the Gibeonites to death. David asks the Gibeonites what would make it right, and they ask for seven of Saul’s sons. David gives them, and they hang them before the LORD. David spares Mephibosheth because of his oath with Jonathan, and Rizpah guards the bodies of her sons. David gathers the bones of Saul and Jonathan and buries them in Benjamin, and God answers prayer for the land. Later, David’s men defeat the giants of the Philistines.

As you read 2 Samuel 21, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD answers David when he seeks Him, and He takes a broken oath seriously.

A famine lasts three years, and David seeks the face of the LORD (verse 1). The LORD answers that the famine is for Saul and his bloody house, because Saul put the Gibeonites to death (verse 1). Israel had sworn to let the Gibeonites live, but Saul in his zeal tried to kill them (verse 2). David asks how he can make atonement (verse 3). They ask for seven of Saul’s sons, and they hang them before the LORD (verses 6 and 9). The chapter does not say the LORD commanded this, and it only tells what the Gibeonites asked and David gave. David spares Mephibosheth because of his oath to Jonathan (verse 7), and Rizpah guards the bodies until the rain comes (verse 10). After the bones of Saul and Jonathan are buried, God answers prayer for the land (verse 14). Christ gave His own life for His people, and no one took it from Him (John 10 verse 18).

How does 2 Samuel 21 show us that the LORD answers David when he seeks Him, and that He takes a broken oath seriously?

David seeks the LORD when the land suffers.

The famine lasts three years, and David seeks the face of the LORD (verse 1). The LORD says the famine comes because of Saul’s broken oath with the Gibeonites (verse 1). David asks the Gibeonites what would make it right (verse 3).

A broken oath is serious.

Israel had sworn an oath to the Gibeonites, and Saul tried to kill them (verse 2). The Gibeonites ask for seven of Saul’s sons, and David gives them (verses 6 and 9). The chapter does not say the LORD commanded this. David spares Mephibosheth because of his oath to Jonathan (verse 7).

God answers prayer for the land, and Christ gave Himself for His people.

Rizpah guards the bodies of her sons from birds and animals until rain falls (verse 10). David has the bones of Saul and Jonathan buried in the land of Benjamin (verses 12 and 14). The text says God answered prayer for the land after that (verse 14). Christ gave His own life for His people, and no one took it from Him (John 10 verse 18).

Memorise

There was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David sought the face of Yahweh.

2 Samuel 21:1

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I seek the LORD when I am in need?

The land suffered for three years, and David sought the LORD. The LORD answered David. Sin brings a cost, and an old wrong against the Gibeonites still mattered to the LORD. Jesus is the One who gave His life for His people, and no one took it from Him (John 10 verse 18).

On the cross Jesus made peace by His blood, and nothing more is needed (Colossians 1 verse 20). The grave could not hold Him, because God raised Him to life.

So come to Him. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him finds mercy, and their wrongs are forgiven.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD answered David when he sought Him, and that a broken oath still matters to Him. Parents, please explain verses 1 to 9, because God’s law forbids putting children to death for their fathers (Deuteronomy 24 verse 16). Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He answered David when he sought Him, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalm 34:6

Lord God, thank You that You answered David when he sought You, and that Jesus gave His life for His people. Help each one here to turn from sin and trust the Lord. Help us to seek Your face this week, and bring our heart question to You. Amen.