2 samuel 21:7 - But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of Yahweh’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
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What does "2 samuel 21:7" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 21:7 highlights David's adherence to a past promise, and emphasizes the sanctity of oaths sworn in the name of God. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"But the king spared Mephibosheth...": David, as king, had the power of life and death. A situation had arisen where the Gibeonites were seeking vengeance against the descendants of Saul for actions taken by Saul against them. David, however, chose not to execute Mephibosheth.
"...the son of Jonathan the son of Saul...": This identifies Mephibosheth's lineage. He was the grandson of the former King Saul and, more importantly, the son of Jonathan, David's close and beloved friend.
"...because of Yahweh's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.": This is the crucial part of the verse. David spared Mephibosheth not out of personal affection for Saul's family (given Saul's animosity towards him), but because he had made a solemn oath before God ("Yahweh's oath") to Jonathan. This oath likely included a promise to protect Jonathan's descendants. The fact that the oath was sworn in the name of Yahweh made it sacred and unbreakable in David's eyes. He felt bound by his commitment to honor it, even though Jonathan was dead and Saul's line was, in some ways, his enemy.
In essence, the verse emphasizes:
The importance of honoring oaths: David considered the oath he made to Jonathan, sealed by God, to be sacrosanct. Even when there might have been political or practical reasons to eliminate a potential rival, he put his commitment to God and to his word above all else.
David's integrity: This act reflects well on David's character. It demonstrates his trustworthiness and his commitment to fulfilling his promises, even when doing so was difficult or went against his own interests.
The power of friendship: The depth of David and Jonathan's friendship is underscored by David's dedication to protecting Jonathan's descendants long after Jonathan's death.
The verse is a reminder that promises, especially those made in the name of God, should be taken seriously and kept, regardless of the personal cost.
2 samuel 21:7 - But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of Yahweh’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
What does "2 samuel 21:7" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 21:7 highlights David's adherence to a past promise, and emphasizes the sanctity of oaths sworn in the name of God. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"But the king spared Mephibosheth...": David, as king, had the power of life and death. A situation had arisen where the Gibeonites were seeking vengeance against the descendants of Saul for actions taken by Saul against them. David, however, chose not to execute Mephibosheth.
"...the son of Jonathan the son of Saul...": This identifies Mephibosheth's lineage. He was the grandson of the former King Saul and, more importantly, the son of Jonathan, David's close and beloved friend.
"...because of Yahweh's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.": This is the crucial part of the verse. David spared Mephibosheth not out of personal affection for Saul's family (given Saul's animosity towards him), but because he had made a solemn oath before God ("Yahweh's oath") to Jonathan. This oath likely included a promise to protect Jonathan's descendants. The fact that the oath was sworn in the name of Yahweh made it sacred and unbreakable in David's eyes. He felt bound by his commitment to honor it, even though Jonathan was dead and Saul's line was, in some ways, his enemy.
In essence, the verse emphasizes:
The importance of honoring oaths: David considered the oath he made to Jonathan, sealed by God, to be sacrosanct. Even when there might have been political or practical reasons to eliminate a potential rival, he put his commitment to God and to his word above all else.
David's integrity: This act reflects well on David's character. It demonstrates his trustworthiness and his commitment to fulfilling his promises, even when doing so was difficult or went against his own interests.
The power of friendship: The depth of David and Jonathan's friendship is underscored by David's dedication to protecting Jonathan's descendants long after Jonathan's death.
The verse is a reminder that promises, especially those made in the name of God, should be taken seriously and kept, regardless of the personal cost.