Introduction:
Rizpah (Riz-puh) was a concubine of King Saul who had bore Saul two sons. She is, in one sense, a very insignificant character. As a concubine, she had very little status nor influential power. Concubines were considered as “secondary wives,” they were inferior to the “primary wives.” In reality, a concubine was nothing more than a slave. Whether purchased (cf. Ex. 21:7-11; Lev. 25:44-46) or won in battle (cf. Num. 31:18) a concubine was entitled to some legal protection (cf. Deut. 21:10-14), but was her husbands property. Rizpah, though insignificant in status, proved to be the focus of two defining events in the life of God’s people. It is from her story I hope we can learn some valuable lessons!
Historical Background:
After Saul’s death, the commander of his Army (Abner) had placed Saul’s son Ish-bosheth on the throne over Israel (cf. 2 Sam. 2:8-10). The tribe of Judah, on the other hand, anointed David as their king (cf. 2 Sam. 2:7). Abner was able to keep the ten northern tribes (Israel) loyal to Ish-bosheth for a while, yet severe losses in battle at the hand of David’s army weakened the house of Saul (cf. 2 Sam. 2:17; 32; 3:1). A defining turn of events surround a rumor that Abner had had relations with Rizpah. This is the first, of the two contributions made by Rizpah that were significant in the life of God’s people.
1st Defining Event - The House of Saul, Destroyed by a Rumor!
Text: (2 Sam. 3:7-12)
Vs. 7 - Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”
There is no indication elsewhere in the text to support this allegation; hence, it must be treated as a rumor. Likewise, Abner takes offense to it, thus we must conclude his denial of such an act.
Ish-bosheth was naturally upset, but more so due to political ramifications, rather than any specific concern for the concubine or his father. Why? If this allegation were true, the act might suggest Abner intended to take the throne of Israel for himself. After all, we learn from vs. 6 that Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul.
Vs. 8 - Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth ...
Abner was deeply offended by this accusation. After all, it had been his influence that had kept the northern tribes loyal to Ish-bosheth. This allegation challenged Abner’s honor! If an ancient man lost his honor, he lost everything.
Vs. 12 - … my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel over to you.
With his honor impugned, Abner establishes communications with David, setting the wheels in motion to transfer the kingdom to him. Hence, a mere rumor about an insignificant concubine, named Rizpah, led to the uniting of God’s people under David.
Lesson for Today - Rumors Can and Do Destroy!
What is a rumor? Webster defines a rumor as general talk not based on definite knowledge; mere gossip; hearsay. What does the Bible say regarding gossip? "Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor… do not give the devil an opportunity… Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear" (Eph. 4: 25, 27, 29). Notice the list of folks who will not inherit the kingdom of God: "… thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers …" (1 Cor. 6:10). A reviler is simply an abusive gossip or slander!
One of the biggest threats to confidence in our lives is rumors! Consider the following examples:
* A secure office worker, confident in their job and the company - a rumor of layoff produces uncertainty, insecurity, and anxiety. A rumor of this nature can destroy morale and productivity in the workplace.
* A married couple, both secure and trusting in one another - the wife hears a rumor about her husband spending a lot of time with a female co-worker. Such a rumor can cause distrust, skepticism and fear.
* A church member, faithful, happy, united with their brothers and sisters - a rumor regarding a fellow Christian breaks down spiritual confidence, leading to fragmentation, and people aligning with various factions.
Rumors obviously aren’t a new tool used by Satan. We have just witnessed it’s devastating power in the house of Saul. Paul had to deal with a serious rumor in the church of Thessalonica. As recorded in 2 Thess. 2, there was a rumor circulating among the Thessalonians that "the day of the Lord" had already arrived. Rumors hurt, destroy, and are simply non-productive! So, how do we guard against them? I think if we follow a few simply rules, we can all guard against this devise tool of Satan.
1. We Must Guard Our Mouths - James says the tongue is a restless evil and full of deadly poison (3:8). I realize this is a hard rule to live by. I struggle with it myself. James also said the tongue is hard to tame. What does that mean? I think it means we really have to work on this one. We read earlier from Eph. 4:29 that we should let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. This is the foundation we should build upon. If we can’t say something good, something that will build up, edify, and make stronger; if our words don’t give grace to those who hear, then it is best that we leave them un-said!
2. We Must Guard Our Ears - Paul tells Timothy of a time when people will want to have their ears tickled (2 Tim. 4:3). The context of this warning to Timothy is of people listening to false doctrine; however, I believe the same principle applies regarding the hearing of rumors and gossip. People like to have their ears tickled with juicy gossip, especially if it is about somebody! Again, I realize this is often hard to do and I too struggle with it at times. Nonetheless, when someone leans over and whispers in our ear those four little words, “Did you hear about …” we should politely stop them and say, “If it isn’t news we can rejoice about, maybe it’s best that I don’t know it!”
What have we learned from Rizpah thus far? First, we have learned of one of the two defining contributions she made to Scripture, in that a rumor about her and Abner caused God’s people to be united under David. It is from this event we have gained a greater appreciation of the devastating power of rumors, gossip, and slander. I would like to close this topic with a Psalm of David: "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be, for the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips and with a double heart they speak. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaks great things. Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?” “Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will set him in the safety for which he longs”" (Psalm 12:1-5).
2nd Defining Event - A Catalyst of Reconciliation
Text - 2 Sam. 21:1-14
Vs. 1 - Now there was a famine in the days of David …
God’s people, now under the rule of David, have suffered a severe, three year famine. David asks God why? Was it sin on David’s part? Was it sin by the people? What could be the reason? God provides David with the answer, It is because of Saul, the fact that he put the Gibeonites to death. So what’s wrong with that, you ask? If you remember, the Gibeonites had tricked Joshua into making a treaty with them, some 400 years earlier. They dressed up in old clothes, brought with them old, crusty bread, making it appear as though they had traveled a great distance to meet with Joshua. Joshua thought, due to their appearance, they had indeed traveled a great distance and thus were not a people dwelling in the land of Canaan, of which he was conquering. Hence, he had no problem signing a treaty with them. It’s due to this treaty they were allowed to remain in the land, protected by it, yet essentially slaves of the Israelites.
Saul apparently decided to wipe them out, possibly in a misguided attempt to regain God’s favor by purging the land of foreigners. Saul’s actions against the Gibeonites were obviously a violation of this ancient treaty, which was sworn to in the name of the Lord, and God was displeased.
Vs. 2-9 - So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them …
King David speaks to the Gibeonites, asking them if there is anything that he could do to right the wrong Saul had committed? They were not interested in any financial restitution (silver or gold). Instead, they asked to have seven of Saul’s descendants put to death. David agreed to this request. Five of the seven were sons of Saul’s daughter, Merab; hence, Saul’s grandsons. The other two were actual sons of Saul, bore to him by Rizpah. The seven were given to the Gibeonites and thus executed during the first days of the barley harvest.
Vs. 14 - … God was moved by entreaty for the land.
The NKJV says, God heeded the prayer for the land. We are not told specifically of the famine being ended by God, but we must assume the prayers answered by God on behalf of the land was indeed the end of the famine.
Thus we have the second defining contribution to God’s people by Rizpah, though as unfortunate as it was on her behalf, recorded in scripture. The death of her two sons, along with five others, served as restitution for the sins of Saul against the Gibeonites, thus bringing about an end to the three year famine that plagued God’s people.
What, if anything can we learn and apply to our lives today regarding this event in the life of Rizpah? Let’s first study the text regarding her actions after the death of her two sons:
Vs. 10-14 - Rizpah… took sackcloth and spread it on the rock
As we have just read, the story doesn’t end with the death of her sons. Rizpah was determined to guard their bodies. She spread sackcloth over the rock, which was symbolic of grief, and settled down to keep the bodies safe from birds and animals. It’s hard for us to imagine this, but for about five months (beginning of the harvest until the rainy season), day and night she kept vigil over her son’s remains.
When the story of Rizpah’s vigil reached David, it would appear by his actions that he was deeply moved. He went to Jabesh Gilead, where the bones of Saul and Jonathan had been taken after being recovered from the Philistines (1 Sam. 31:11-13), collected their bones, then collected the bones of the seven here and buried them all in the tomb of Kish, Saul’s father.
Thus, the saga of Saul ends with an honorable burial, an act that perhaps symbolized David’s own reconciliation with the man who had persecuted him.
Lesson For Today - Rizpah is an Example of one way to Deal with Grief.
The execution of Rizpah’s two sons left her a childless widow, a terribly vulnerable position for a women in ancient times. Yet, rather than mourn for herself, she set out to guard the remains of her two sons. So what’s the point for us? At times, nothing can lessen the pain of losing a loved one, especially when they seem to die unfairly or as a consequence of someone’s actions. For example, such is as parents who have lost a child to a drunk driver. What have many in this situation done? They have taken a stand, a vigil if you will, much like Rizapah, demanding stronger drunk driving laws and the enforcement of them. More often than not, when we help others, we help to heal ourselves.
Rizpah’s tragedy also foreshadows the truth expressed in Romans 8:28, God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God… However great the tragedy, God can work good through it. We may often fail or at least have a hard time seeing the good wrought by God in tragic situations. Many times God’s will is much broader and greater than we can ever imagine. Such was the case here in the life of Rizpah. Though hard for her to see, and I’m sure, hard for her to accept, her actions were a catalyst for closure. Closure in regards to the famine. Closure in regards to the feud between the house of Saul and David. Closure in her life and her loss.
Rizpah, in a sense, represents every mother who has grieved over the loss of a child; every mother who has determined that her child’s memory will be honored despite what that child might have done. Rizpah could do nothing to save them, but she was determined to do what little she could to save them from the ultimate disgrace - death with no burial. Her actions won for her sons, and their father, an honorable burial.
