2 Samuel 21:11
2 Samuel 21:11 in Multiple Translations
When David was told what Saul’s concubine Rizpah, daughter of Aiah, had done,
And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
And news was given to David of what Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, one of Saul's wives, had done.
When David heard what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, Saul's concubine, had done,
And it was told Dauid, what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah ye concubine of Saul had done.
And it is declared to David that which Rizpah daughter of Aiah, concubine of Saul, hath done,
David was told what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah the concubine of Saul had done.
And it was told David, what Respha the daughter of Aia, the concubine of Saul, had done.
When someone told David what Rizpah had done,
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 21:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Samuel 21:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֻּגַּ֖ד
לְ/דָוִ֑ד
אֵ֧ת
אֲשֶׁר
עָשְׂתָ֛ה
רִצְפָּ֥ה
בַת
אַיָּ֖ה
פִּלֶ֥גֶשׁ
שָׁאֽוּל
וַ/יֻּגַּ֖ד
nâgad
H5046
to tell
Conj | V-Hophal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לְ/דָוִ֑ד
Dâvid
H1732
David
Prep | N-proper
אֵ֧ת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
עָשְׂתָ֛ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
רִצְפָּ֥ה
Ritspâh
H7532
Rizpah
N-proper
בַת
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
N-fs
אַיָּ֖ה
ʼAyâh
H345
Aiah
N-proper
פִּלֶ֥גֶשׁ
pîylegesh
H6370
concubine
N-fs
שָׁאֽוּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
Shaul
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 21:11
וַ/יֻּגַּ֖ד
nâgad
H5046
"to tell"
Conj | V-Hophal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.
לְ/דָוִ֑ד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
Prep | N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
אֵ֧ת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
עָשְׂתָ֛ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
רִצְפָּ֥ה
Ritspâh
H7532
"Rizpah"
N-proper
Rizpah was an Israelite woman, daughter of Aiah, and one of King Saul's concubines, mother of Armoni and Mephibosheth.
Definition: A woman living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.3.7; daughter of: Aiah (H0345H); married to Saul (H7586G); mother of: Armoni (H0764) and Mephibosheth (H4648H) § Rizpah = "pavement" a concubine of king Saul and mother of Armoni and Mephibosheth
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: Rizpah. See also: 2 Samuel 3:7; 2 Samuel 21:10; 2 Samuel 21:11.
בַת
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
אַיָּ֖ה
ʼAyâh
H345
"Aiah"
N-proper
Aiah, meaning falcon, was the name of two Israelites, including a Horite and the father of Rizpah, Saul's concubine. Aiah was mentioned in 2 Samuel as the father of Rizpah.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.3.7; father of: Rizpah (H7532) § Aiah or Ajah = "falcon" 1) a Horite, son of Zibeon 2) father of Rizpah, Saul's concubine
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: Aiah, Ajah. See also: Genesis 36:24; 2 Samuel 21:10; 1 Chronicles 1:40.
פִּלֶ֥גֶשׁ
pîylegesh
H6370
"concubine"
N-fs
A concubine is a woman who lives with a man but is not his wife, as seen in the stories of Abraham and Solomon. This word can also refer to a paramour, or a person's lover. The Bible mentions concubines in the context of polygamy and relationships.
Definition: 1) concubine, paramour 1a) concubine 1b) paramour
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: concubine, paramour. See also: Genesis 22:24; 2 Samuel 5:13; Ezekiel 23:20.
שָׁאֽוּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
"Shaul"
N-proper
Shaul is a personal name meaning desired, given to several individuals in the Bible, including a Benjamite who became the first king of Israel and a Levite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.24; son of: Uzziah (H5818H); father of: Elkanah (H0511I); also called Joel at 1Ch.6.36; Also named: yo.el (יוֹאֵל "Joel" H3100U) § Saul or Shaul = "desired" 1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel 2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah 3) a son of Simeon 4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: Saul, Shaul. See also: Genesis 36:37; 1 Samuel 16:22; 1 Samuel 24:5.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 21:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Samuel 21:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 21:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 21:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 21:11
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 21:11
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 21:11
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 21:11
- Sermons on 2 Samuel 21:11
Context — David Avenges the Gibeonites
9And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the hill before the LORD. So all seven of them fell together; they were put to death in the first days of the harvest, at the beginning of the barley harvest.
10And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest until the rain from heaven poured down on the bodies, she did not allow the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
11When David was told what Saul’s concubine Rizpah, daughter of Aiah, had done,
12he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan where the Philistines had hung the bodies after they had struck down Saul at Gilboa. 13So David had the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan brought from there, and they also gathered the bones of those who had been hanged.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 2:4 | Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.” |
| 2 | Ruth 2:11–12 | Boaz replied, “I have been made fully aware of all you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth, and how you came to a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge.” |
2 Samuel 21:11 Summary
This verse shows how David found out about Rizpah's brave and loyal actions, which were motivated by her love for Saul's family. Rizpah's example teaches us about the importance of being faithful and caring for others, even when it's hard (as seen in 1 Corinthians 13:7). David's response to Rizpah's actions also reminds us that our leaders should strive to do what is right and just, as seen in Proverbs 21:3. By studying this verse, we can learn more about what it means to love and care for others, and to seek justice and righteousness, as God desires (Micah 6:8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Rizpah and why is she important in this story?
Rizpah was Saul's concubine, the daughter of Aiah, and her actions in 2 Samuel 21:10 show her devotion to Saul's family, which catches David's attention, as seen in 2 Samuel 21:11, prompting him to take action to honor Saul and his son Jonathan.
What had Rizpah done that David was told about?
Rizpah had taken sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock, protecting the bodies of Saul's descendants from birds and beasts, as described in 2 Samuel 21:10, demonstrating her loyalty and care for them, even in death.
Why did David care about what Rizpah had done?
David cared about Rizpah's actions because they showed her love and loyalty to Saul's family, and as the new king, David wanted to make things right with Saul's family and with God, as seen in his actions in 2 Samuel 21:12-13, which is reminiscent of his earlier desire to please God in 1 Samuel 26:19.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the story in 2 Samuel 21?
This verse is a turning point in the story, as David's awareness of Rizpah's actions prompts him to take steps to rectify the situation with Saul's family, ultimately leading to the burial of Saul and his son Jonathan, and the bones of those who were hanged, as described in 2 Samuel 21:12-14, which brings closure to the story.
Reflection Questions
- What can we learn from Rizpah's example of loyalty and devotion, even in the face of difficult circumstances?
- How can we demonstrate our love and care for others, even when it's hard or unpopular, like Rizpah did for Saul's family?
- What does this verse reveal about David's character and his desire to please God, and how can we apply that to our own lives?
- How does Rizpah's story relate to the broader theme of God's care for the vulnerable and the marginalized, as seen in other parts of the Bible, such as Psalm 68:5?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 21:11
And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 21:11
And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 21:11
It was told David; who heard it with so much approbation, that he thought fit to imitate her piety, being by her example provoked to do what hitherto he had neglected, to bestow an honourable interment upon the remains of Saul and Jonathan, and, with them, upon those that were now put to death, that the honour done to them herein might be some comfort to this dejected and disconsolate widow.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 21:11
2 Samuel 21:11 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done. Ver. 11. And it was told David what Rizpah … had done.] Who liked it well, and thought it no disparagement to make such a woman his pattern in showing kindness to the dead. We should not disdain to learn any good of any one, though never so mean. God sendeth us to school to the pismire, stork, &c.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 21:11
11–14. Burial of the bones of Saul and his sons 11. The curious addition of the Sept. to this verse, “and they were unfastened, and Dan the son of Joash, who was of the descendants of the giant, took them down,” is almost certainly a corrupt rendering of 2 Samuel 21:15-16, placed here by mistake.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 21:11
BURIAL OF THE BONES OF SAUL AND , 2 Samuel 21:11-14. 11. It was told David — And it deeply touched his sensitive nature, and prompted him to the action next described.
Sermons on 2 Samuel 21:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Jack Hyles Fresh Oil Part 1 by Jack Hyles | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being anointed with fresh oil, drawing parallels to King David's anointing as a symbol of God's empowerment and calling. It shares a person |
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(1 Samuel) How to Not Fight Back by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of David playing the harp for King Saul. He highlights the stark contrast between David's submission to God and Saul's violent natur |
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Our Daily Homily - 2 Samuel by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer reflects on the life of David in 2 Samuel, emphasizing the beauty of love and forgiveness as demonstrated by David's tribute to Saul and Jonathan. He highlights the impo |
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The Men of Judah Came, and There by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the significance of David's anointing as king by the men of Judah, drawing parallels to the future recognition of Jesus as King by the Jewish people before th |