John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, what shall I do for you , etc.] By way of satisfaction for the injuries done them: and wherewith shall I make the atonement ; for the offences committed, that so the wrath that was gone forth against the land in a famine might be appeased: that ye may bless the inheritance of the Lord ? pray for a blessing upon the land which the Lord had chosen for his inheritance, and given as such to the people of Israel, that rain might descend upon it, and make it fruitful.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Every affliction arises from sin, and should lead us to repent an humble ourselves before God; but some troubles especially show tha they are sent to bring sin to remembrance. God's judgments often look great way back, which requires us to do so, when we are under his rebukes. It is not for us to object against the people's smarting for the sin of their king; perhaps they helped him. Nor against thi generation suffering for the sin of the last. God often visits the sin of the fathers upon the children, and he gives no account of an matters. Time does not wear out the guilt of sin; nor can we buil hopes of escape upon the delay of judgments. If we cannot understan all the reasons of Providence in this matter, still we have no right to demand that God should acquaint us with those reasons. It must be right, because it is the will of God, and in the end it will be prove to be so. Money is no satisfaction for blood. It should seem, Saul' posterity trod in his steps, for it is called a bloody house. It wa the spirit of the family, therefore they are justly reckoned with for his sin, as well as for their own. The Gibeonites did not require thi out of malice against Saul or his family. It was not to gratify an revenge, but for the public good. They were put to death at the beginning of harvest; they were thus sacrificed to turn away the wrat of Almighty God, who had withheld the harvest-mercies for some year past, and to obtain his favour in the present harvest. In vain do we expect mercy from God, unless we do justice upon our sins. Execution must not be thought cruel, which are for the public welfare.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 דוד1732 אל413 הגבענים1393 מה4100 אעשׂה6213 לכם ובמה4100 אכפר3722 וברכו1288 את853 נחלת5159 יהוה׃3068
