Thus David
said to the Gibeonites, “What should I do for you? And how can I make atonement
that you may bless the inheritance of the Lord?” (v.3)
Israel
was experiencing a three-year famine. For an agricultural nation, famine was
devastating, but scripture also tells us in Deuteronomy 28, that an extended famine for Israel meant
divine cursing. David knew this, he consulted God, and learned that the famine
was the result of Saul’s previous treatment of the Gibeonites braking a
covenant of peace made by Joshua with them (Joshua 9).
In
light of the divinely sent famine, David sought to reverse God’s curses by
fulfilling the atonement laws about bloodshed (Numbers 35:33-34). He went to
the Gibeonites, who asked for seven of Saul’s descendants to be killed (a far
less violent request than war on the whole nation). David agreed, thereby
becoming the “avenger of blood” atoning for that which had polluted the land
because of Saul’s sin.
This
chapter tells us a lot about sin and covenant disobedience as well. They come
with the real consequences of pain and suffering, which must ultimately be dealt
with. It also reminds us of another horrific act in which Jesus became the
avenger of blood for us through His death on the cross. With it, came His
promise (covenant) to us of salvation to all who believe.
Thank
God for His love in providing atonement through His Son Jesus Christ’s blood. The
lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
The
Truth
“..We have been sanctified through
the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)
