2 Samuel 21:1 Promises

 ”Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites.”“

‭‭II Samuel‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. And David inquired of the LORD: David wisely sought God in the face of chronic problems. David was concerned after the first year of famine, and even more after the second – but two years of famine didn’t make him look to a spiritual cause. Yet after three years of famine, David inquired of the LORD.

i. David didn’t see a spiritual reason for everyproblem, but he did not shut his eyes to the hand of God in circumstances.

ii. “The first and second year he might look upon it as a punishment laid upon them for the common sins of the land: but when he saw it continuing a third year also, he thought there was something in it more than ordinary, and therefore, although he well knew the natural cause to be drought, yet he inquired after the supernatural, as wise men should do.” (Trapp)

b. It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites: This massacre isn’t recorded in 1 Samuel, but David didn’t question that it happened. Apparently at some time during his reign Saul attacked and killed many of the Gibeonites.

i. “The whole people suffered for Saul’s sin; either because they approved it, or at least bewailed it not; neither did what they could to hinder it; whereby they became accessory.” (Trapp)

c. He killed the Gibeonites: When David heard it was because of an attack against the Gibeonites, a chill probably ran up his back. He knew that it was especially wrong for Saul to attack and kill this tribe of people.

i. In the days of Joshua – more than 400 years before David’s time – Israel swore not to harm the Gibeonites, a neighboring tribe (Joshua 9). God expected Israel to keep its promise, even though the Gibeonites tricked Israel into making the agreement. Saul’s crime was not only in killing the Gibeonites but also in breaking this ancient and important oath.

ii. This emphasizes many important principles:

· God expects us to keep our promises.

· God expects nations to keep their promises.

· God does not excuse the obligations to keep our promises because of the passage of time.

· God’s correction may come a long time after the offense.

iii. If God has such a high expectation that men keep their covenants, we can have great confidence that He will keep His covenant with us. There is an emerald rainbow around the throne of God to proclaim His remembrance of His everlasting covenant with His people (Revelation 4:3). (Guzik)

Promises!

I highlighted the four important principles of promises-covenants above. Please chew on them awhile and pray:

Dear Lord is there a promise that I have made, that I failed to keep? If so please reveal it to me in my heart ❤️ so I can make things right. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.

Blessings