This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in 2 Samuel 21:1-11, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once upon a time, King David’s land didn’t have any food to eat for three years in a row. So he prayed to God and asked Him why there was no food. God told David that Saul and his family were guilty of killing the Gibeonites, a group of people who were not Israelites. Even though Israel had promised to spare the Gibeonites, Saul didn’t keep that promise and tried to hurt them.
David went to the Gibeonites and asked them how he could make things right. The Gibeonites said they didn’t want silver or gold, but they did want seven of Saul’s sons to be hanged in front of the Lord at Gibeah, the place where Saul lived. King David agreed to do this, except for one of Saul’s grandsons named Mephibosheth, who David had made a promise to his dad Jonathan that he would always protect.
The Gibeonites took Saul’s sons and hanged them, and it was the time when the barley was being harvested. Rizpah, one of Saul’s concubines, spread sackcloth on a rock and didn’t let any birds or animals come near the dead bodies, even though she was there for a long time.
When David heard about what Rizpah did, he took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan and buried them in the land of Benjamin, where they belonged.
Biblical Lessons
- It’s important to respect and honor promises and covenants we make with others, as they have great significance and impact.
- When we do something wrong, we should be willing to make things right and ask for forgiveness from those we have wronged.
- We should show mercy and compassion to those who are suffering, even if they are not part of our own group or family.
- Our actions can have long-lasting consequences, and we should be careful to consider how they may affect others.
- It’s important to seek God’s guidance and wisdom in all situations, especially when we need to make difficult decisions or resolve conflicts.