The Gibeonites were a group of people descended from the Hivites, who lived in the land of Canaan. They are most notably recognized for their cunning treaty with the Israelites during the conquest of Canaan under Joshua. By pretending to be travelers from a distant land, they secured a peace treaty with Israel, which was honored despite the deception (Joshua 9:3-15).

The Gibeonites reappear in the biblical narrative during the reign of King David, in a context that highlights their role in the destruction of the remnant of Saul's house. This event is recorded in 2 Samuel 21:1-14. During David's reign, a severe famine struck Israel for three consecutive years. Seeking the LORD's guidance, David learned that the famine was a divine response to Saul's breach of Israel's covenant with the Gibeonites. Saul had attempted to annihilate them in his zeal for Israel and Judah, violating the oath made by Joshua.

To atone for this bloodguilt, David approached the Gibeonites to determine what would satisfy their demand for justice. The Gibeonites requested the execution of seven male descendants of Saul, to be handed over to them for execution. David agreed, sparing Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, due to his covenant with Jonathan. Instead, he handed over two sons of Rizpah, Saul's concubine, and five sons of Merab, Saul's daughter, whom she bore to Adriel (2 Samuel 21:6-9).

The Gibeonites executed these men by hanging them on a hill before the LORD, and their bodies were exposed until the rains came, signifying the end of the famine. Rizpah, the mother of two of the executed men, displayed a poignant act of mourning and protection over the bodies until David arranged for their proper burial alongside Saul and Jonathan in the family tomb (2 Samuel 21:10-14).

This episode underscores the seriousness with which God regards covenants and oaths, as well as the severe consequences of breaking them. The Gibeonites, though initially deceitful in their dealings with Israel, were protected by the covenant made in the name of the LORD. Saul's violation of this covenant brought divine retribution upon his house, illustrating the enduring nature of oaths made before God and the importance of justice and atonement in the biblical narrative.2 Samuel 21:4-9
And the Gibeonites said to him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shall you kill any man in Israel. And he said, What you shall say, that will I do for you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... of the tribes settled in Central Canaan.* The destruction of the ... "Then came down
a remnant of the ... upon one stone." The massacre having been effected, "all the ...
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Who were the Gibeonites? | GotQuestions.org

Was the killing of Saul's descendants a just response to Saul's killing of the Gibeonites? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Rizpah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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