This is why I love my ESV study Bible - the footnotes. There is so much history & sometimes conflict in the Bible. It can be hard to keep track of. However, a good study Bible will provide references, reminders, and explanations. It is especially important to choose an unbiased study Bible that will present multiple opinions when the answer is not clear. That is what happens here.
Joshua 9 states the Gibeonites tricked the Israelites into guaranteeing their safety with an oath. Saul broke that oath & had some Gibeonites killed. David sought to make amends, the Gibeonites asked for seven of Saul's sons to be put to death, and David agreed. Now this is where my study Bible comes in handy - it points out that the text does not state that God approved of this agreement. However, the famine was lifted probably because of David's actions in showing respect to the bones of Saul, Jonathan, and these seven sons.
So, maybe I don't understand it all, but what I do know is that God has a plan and a purpose. He doesn't stop us from making bad decisions, just like He doesn't stop us from making good decisions. God does allow consequences in our lives along with blessings so that we learn from our mistakes and our triumphs.
The final portion of scripture lets us know that the king is getting on in years & no longer able to go out into battle. The reference to Goliath & the four giants lets us know that the Philistines has some large men in their ranks. However, the Israelites overcame them. The reference to Goliath could simply be that their was more than one man named Goliath or that Goliath was used as a reference to "giant." Either way, Israel remained successful because of their reliance on the Lord.
Do you have any giants in your life? Who are you relying on - yourself or God?
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