THERE WAS: Lit, "it came to pass". Always sig a time of
trouble, which ends in blessing: Gen 14:1; Rth 1:1; Isa 7:1; Jer 1:3; Est
1:1.
THREE SUCCESSIVE YEARS: See 2Sa 24:13n.
2Sa 21:6
KILLED AND EXPOSED BEFORE THE LORD: "Seven of Saul's
descendants are treated thus (vv 9,13; Num 25:4). The Heb verb designates 'a
solemn ritual act of execution imposed for breach of covenant', prob involving
the cutting up or dismembering [of] a treaty violator as a punishment for treaty
violation... As Agag was put to death 'before the LORD' (1Sa 15:33), so also
Saul's descendants are to be killed and exposed before the LORD, perhaps so that
His blessing might be sought" (EBC).
2Sa 21:7
MEPHIBOSHETH: The treatment of the name "Baal" is
probably an example of deliberate change, for theological reasons, by the
scribes who copied out the scriptures. With personal names that included the
word "Baal" (which could simply mean "master" or "lord"), the scribes
deliberately replaced "Baal" with "Bosheth" (which means "shame"). To them the
idol "Baal", in all his many forms, was a "shameful thing", and any passing
allusion to him was to be avoided if possible. Hence, it is likely that
Jonathan's son was actually named "Meribbaal", but later scribes made sure that
the (by then) hated name of "Baal" was replaced -- yielding "Mephibosheth" (cp
1Ch 8:34; 9:40 and 2Sa 9:6; 19:24; 21:7).
2Sa 21:8
MERAB: KJV has "Michal", wrongly: Michal had no child
(2Sa 6:23). Merab was the wife of Adriel (1Sa 18:19).
2Sa 21:10
RIZPAH... TOOK SACKCLOTH AND SPREAD IT OUT FOR HERSELF ON A
ROCK. FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE HARVEST TILL THE RAIN POURED DOWN FROM THE
HEAVENS ON THE BODIES...: If the love of a woman for her slain sons could
make her prolong her mournful vigil for so long, how can we grow weary of
considering the sufferings of our Lord?. These her children were slain by other
hands than hers, and yet she wept and watched: what ought we to do who have by
our sins crucified our Lord (Isa 53:5,6)? Our obligations are boundless, and so
our love should be fervent and our repentance thorough. To watch with Jesus
should be our business; to protect his honor should be our occupation. To remain
beside him, come what may, should be our life's work.
SHE DID NOT LET THE BIRDS OF THE AIR TOUCH THEM BY DAY:
Compare Abraham's protection of the sacrifices in Gen 15:11. Shall we not chase
from our meditations those worldly and sinful preoccupations which defile both
our minds and the sacred themes upon which we are occupied? "Go away, evil
thoughts. Leave the sacrifice alone!"
...OR THE WILD ANIMALS BY NIGHT: She chased away even
the wild beasts, with courage unusual for a woman. Will not we be ready to
encounter every foe for Jesus' sake?
2Sa 21:14
AFTER THAT: The faithful woman Rizpah remedied a very
bad situation.
2Sa 21:15
David reestablishes himself on the battlefield.
2Sa 21:17
BUT ABISHAI SON OF ZERUIAH CAME TO DAVID'S RESCUE:
Sometimes we win great spiritual victories or reach a seemingly unattainable
goal without the help of a friend or companion. This was true of David when as a
shepherd lad he killed Goliath with nothing but a sling and faith in God. In
later years, however, he would have been slain by a giant named Ishbibenob if
his nephew Abishai had not come to his aid. Now, are we to conclude that God was
with David when he met Goliath, but not when he confronted the second giant? I
don't think so! The Lord simply used a different means to take care of His
servant. The first time, He used David's skill with the sling; the second time,
He used Abishai's strength and military prowess.
2Sa 21:19
LIKE A WEAVER'S ROD: Not size but appearance and shape.
A spear with a leash or cord, increasing leverage, and thus enabling the soldier
to throw it a greater distance. Refd in 1Sa 17:7; 2Sa 21:19; 1Ch 20:5;
11:23.