2 Samuel 21 · Grade 4
Oaths and Answered Prayer
Read and Think
A three-year famine drove David to seek the face of the Lord. God revealed that it was because of Saul and his bloody house, which had killed the Gibeonites. Israel had sworn to protect them, but Saul, in his zeal, tried to destroy them. Broken oaths matter to God.
David asked the Gibeonites what would make atonement. They did not want silver or gold; they asked for seven of Saul's descendants, and these were put to death. David kept his own oath and spared Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son. Rizpah, Saul's concubine and mother of two of the men, spread sackcloth on a rock and guarded their bodies from the beginning of harvest until water poured on them from the sky.
Moved by her devotion, David gathered the bones of Saul and Jonathan, with the others, and buried them honorably in the tomb of Kish. After that, God answered prayer for the land. The chapter ends with stories of David's men defeating giants from Gath. When David grew faint in battle, Abishai rescued him, and his men told him not to go out to battle again, so he would not quench the lamp of Israel.
Show What You Know
Why did God send the famine?
Whom did David spare, and why?
How long did Rizpah guard the bodies?
Why did David's men tell him not to go to battle again?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- A three-year drove David to seek the face of the Lord.
- revealed that it was because of Saul and his bloody house, which had killed the Gibeonites.
- Moved by her devotion, David gathered the of Saul and Jonathan, with the others, and buried them honorably in the tomb of Kish.
Think About It
God held Israel to an oath made long before. Why do promises matter so much to God?
Rizpah's faithful love moved the king to act. How can quiet faithfulness make a difference?
Memory Verse
“They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father; and they performed all that the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer for the land.”
2 Samuel 21:14 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for hearing our prayers. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- Why did David keep his oath to Jonathan even then?
- What does the lamp of Israel mean about David's role?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.