Bible Strands
2 Samuel 21:3
So David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How can I make amends so that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David speaks to the Gibeonites to address Saul’s past violation of their protective oath. He asks what concrete action he must take so they will bless what belongs to the LORD.
The words — אֲכַפֵּר ('akha.per) literally means "make amends" or "atone," denoting transactional restoration rather than ritual cleansing. David couples it with מָה ('mah) for "what" and אֶעֱשֶׂה ('e'eseh) for "will I do," framing his inquiry as a direct offer of measurable compensation.
The thread — The mechanism of restitution parallels Hebrews 9:22, which ties purification to the shedding of blood under the law. The diplomatic phrasing resembles 2 Samuel 20:19, though that verse is spoken by the wise woman of Abel, not David.
Why it lands — The text demands that covenant breaches be repaired through specific, actionable compensation rather than abstract apology. It requires readers to evaluate how authority figures address historical wrongs against protected groups.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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?
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 20:19 I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel, but you are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?”
- Hebrews 9:22 According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
- 1 Samuel 26:19 Now please, may my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then may He accept an offering. But if men have done it, may they be cursed in the presence of the LORD! For today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’
- Exodus 32:30 The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. Now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”
- Leviticus 1:4 He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.
- 1 Samuel 2:25 If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.
- Micah 6:6 With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?
- Hebrews 10:4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.