2 Samuel 21:5

Verse

And they answered the king, “As for the man who consumed us and plotted against us to exterminate us from existing within any border of Israel,

American Standard Version (1901)

And they said unto the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us, that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the borders of Israel,

Bible in Basic English

And they said to the king, As for the man by whom we were wasted, and who made designs against us to have us completely cut off from the land of Israel,

Douay-Rheims 1899

And they said to the king: The man that crushed us and oppressed us unjustly, we must destroy in such manner that there be not so much as one left of his stock in all the coasts of Israel.

Free Bible Version

They replied, “Regarding the man who destroyed us, who planned to prevent us having any place to live in the whole country of Israel,

Geneva Bible 1599

Then they answered the King, The man that consumed vs and that imagined euill against vs, so that we are destroyed from remaining in any coast of Israel,

King James (Authorized) Version

And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,

Translation for Translators

They replied, “Saul wanted to get rid of us. He wanted to annihilate/kill all of us, in order that none of us would live anywhere in Israel.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They answered the king, “The man who tried to kill us all, who schemed against us, so that we are now destroyed and have no place within the borders of Israel—

Noah Webster Bible

And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining within the borders of Israel,

World English Bible

They said to the king, “The man who consumed us and who plotted against us, that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the borders of Israel,

Young's Literal Translation

And they say unto the king, 'The man who consumed us, and who devised against us — we have been destroyed from stationing ourselves in all the border of Israel —

Context

David Avenges the Gibeonites

⁴The Gibeonites said to him, “We need no silver or gold from Saul or his house, nor should you put to death anyone in Israel for us.” “Whatever you ask, I will do for you,” he replied.⁵And they answered the king, “As for the man who consumed us and plotted against us to exterminate us from existing within any border of Israel, ⁶let seven of his male descendants be delivered to us so that we may hang them before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of the LORD.” “I will give them to you,” said the king.

Summary

In this verse, the Gibeonites express their desire for retribution against the house of Saul for past wrongs committed against them. This request for justice highlights the consequences of sin and the importance of addressing past grievances. It also serves as a reminder of the far-reaching impact of our actions on future generations. Ultimately, this verse underscores the need for repentance, reconciliation, and seeking forgiveness to break the cycle of retribution and restore relationships.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And they answered the king,.... Declaring expressly what they would have done: the man that consumed us; meaning Saul, who lessened their number by cruel oppressions of some, and by taking away the lives of others: and that devised against us, that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel; who had formed schemes, and published edicts, for banishing them out of the land; perhaps at the same time that he put away wizards and those that had familiar spirits out of the land, under the same pretence for zeal for the glory of God, and the good of the people of the land, Sa1 28:3.