2 Samuel 21:1

Then there was a famine. Literally, “And there was a famine.” In the days of David. This phrase is too vague to warrant the conclusion that this famine must have followed immediately the events of chapter 20. There is no evidence as to exactly when this famine took place. There is no reason to doubt that it was one of the troubles that beset David toward the close of his reign, although it could have happened at any time after David’s kindness to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth (v. 7). Not all the events in David’s reign are recorded in strict chronological sequence.

Enquired of the Lord. David concluded that there must be some reason for the famine. The Lord had told His people that if they were disobedient He would withhold His blessings (Deut. 28:15, 23, 24), and David now sought the Lord for the reason for this present famine.

He slew the Gibeonites. This is the only record of Saul’s offense against the Gibeonites. At the time of the conquest of Canaan the Gibeonites had succeeded through guile in making a league with Joshua. According to the terms of this league they were to be allowed to live with Israel in a state of servitude (Joshua 9:3-27).