One verse. Three ways to understand.
Give us seven of his sons, and we will execute them before the LORD in Gibeah, the town of Saul whom the LORD chose as king. And King David said, I will hand them over.
The Gibeonites are asking David to execute seven of Saul's descendants to make up for Saul's broken promise, and David agrees to their request.
These are AI-assisted adaptations, not separate Bible editions. Compare them with the KJV source and read our methodology. How these readings are made →
Read the KJV source
King James Version · EnglishLet seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them.Ask the AI Assistant
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📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative, a severe famine afflicted Israel during King David's reign because of Saul's earlier massacre of the Gibeonites, which violated an ancient covenant made with them during Joshua's time. The Gibeonites sought justice from David, demanding the execution of seven of Saul's descendants to atone for the bloodshed and end the divine judgment. David, as king, agreed to their request to restore peace and fulfill God's requirements for the land.