The land was corrupt. Stained with the blood of destruction. Depleted by a three year famine.
King David knew something had to do be done. So first things first, he sought the Lord.
Good call, David.
And the Lord said, “it is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death” that the land has not been healed (2 Samuel 21:1).
So next he sought the Gibeonites. And very quickly he learned that they were still angry enough to want blood shed. And not just any blood. The blood of seven of Saul’s male descendants (v. 6).
And without hesitation David said “I will give them to you” (v. 6). So he grabbed two sons from Rizpah (one of Saul’s concubines) and five sons from Merab (Saul’s daughter) and handed them over to the angry Gibeonites.
All seven were killed at once and left to rot on a hill before the Lord (v. 9).
So we’re good right? Seven of Saul’s sons died. The Gibeonites are happy. David should be outside dancing in the rain.
But it wasn’t raining. The drought persisted. And so did the corruption.
And what about Rizpah? What about the mothers of Saul’s sons? Did they just willingly give up their sons to the Gibeonites to be murdered?
Hardly. After the death of her sons Rizpah lived on a rock for five months watching over the bodies of her children. For five months she slept, ate, and breathed next to her sons’ dead bodies.
It’s not pretty to read. And It’s definitely not one of the 5 Stages of Grief.
But this intensely passionate love for her children was enough to bring the rain. It was enough to end the drought and heal Israel.
David was moved. It took him five months, but he finally gathered up the bones of Saul’s sons and properly bury them.
And “after that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land” (v. 14).
I don’t know what you get out of Rizpah’s story. But I see hope. I see God’s plan being fulfilled, not through a king or blood being shed, but through a woman’s love. This story encourages me in the fact that God’s story has a place for everyone. That He can take something small, like a few friends and their enthusiasm for health and blow it up and turn it into a ministry. That’s my prayer for GFOD. That God will use it to advance His kingdom and display His love.
