2 Samuel 21:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →David asks the Gibeonites how he can make atonement for the wrong done to them, so that they may bless the LORD's people again.
What Does 2 Samuel 21:3 Mean?
Having learned the cause, David does not excuse the past or shift blame. He goes directly to the injured party and asks what would set things right, longing for the broken relationship to be healed so that the people of God might again be blessed rather than cursed.
True repentance does not stop at regret; it seeks to repair the harm and restore what was broken. David's question, what shall I do for you, models the humility of one who places mercy and reconciliation above his own standing. The word atonement points forward to the deeper covering of guilt that God Himself would one day provide.
2 Samuel 21:3 in the Original Language
kaphar (כָּפַר), 'make atonement' -- to cover or wipe away guilt so that a broken relationship can be restored.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 21:3
What does 2 Samuel 21:3 mean?
David asks the Gibeonites how he can make atonement for the wrong done to them, so that they may bless the LORD's people again.