Every person has a story. Life is a journey full of interesting stories. The stories of our lives have taken us through times of great joy and times of unbearable grief. Thus, is this journey of life. Ups and downs, twists and turns; a common experience for all.
In 2 Samuel we find an obscure life story that we tend to overlook in our reading of the scriptures. It is the story of a mother who suffered great loss and worked tirelessly to protect the bodies of her deceased children and as a result, had a great impact on an entire nation.
Rizpah is identified in 2 Samuel 3:7 where we read: “And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ishbosheth said to Abner, Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”[1] Rizpah was a concubine of King Saul. During this time, there is a dispute between Ishbosheth and Abner. An accusation is made against Abner. It is said that Abner had an affair with Rizpah. However, this was not true and Abner joined with David and vowed to help defeat Saul and make David the King.
In 2 Samuel 21, we read how David is now on the throne. David is gracious to the family of the late King Saul and brings them under his protection. However, the land was stricken with a famine that lasted for three years. The famine was a judgement from God on the house of Saul for how they attacked the Gibeonites. As the famine grew more severe, it became apparent to King David that God’s hand of favor was removed, and something needed to be done. Therefore, David went to the Gibeonites to see what they required as retribution. The Gibeonites asked to be given the seven remaining sons of Saul so they could execute them. David complied and delivered the sons of Saul to the Gibeonites. Two of the sons, Mephibosheth and Armoni, were from Rizpah. You may recall that Saul’s son Jonathan also had a son named Mephibosheth. As the remaining sons of Saul were delivered to the Gibeonites, they were brutally executed. They were hung, and their bodies were left unburied for many months. Here we find the story of Rizpah.
As we consider the actions taken by this loving mother, Rizpah, there are several things that we learn from her story in 2 Samuel 21:8-14.
A Mother’s Loss. There is no greater pain than the pain of losing a child. Rizpah’s grief was overwhelming. No parent should ever have to endure such grief. Parents are not supposed to bury their children. Naturally, it should be the other way around. There are no words of comfort that one can give a grieving mother. The only comfort one can find is found in the words of Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.”[2] If you have suffered the loss of a child, you know what it is like to be ‘crushed in spirit.’ If you are going through such loss, it is important that you lean heavily on your faith in Christ and on those who love you. Grief must be shared. You cannot make it on your own.
The loss that Rizpah experienced came as a result of sinful behavior. It was the sin of Saul’s household and the sin of the Gibeonites that led to such a tragic end. The reason why there is so much pain and death in the world is because of the existence of sin. Sin has brought a curse upon this earth. Everything is affected by it. The ultimate tragedy of sin is the loss that it brings. Sin separates us from God. Because God is perfectly holy, He cannot have anything to do with sin. Therefore, sin separates us from Him.
A Mother’s Protection. Rizpah’s love for her children led her to take great measures to protect the bodies of her slain children. For five months, Rizpah stayed with the bodies and protected them from predators. She fought off the birds of prey and even the beasts such as lions and bears. She covered the bodies of her children and protected them. This reminds me of the great lengths a loving mother would go in order to protect her children. Rizpah’s motherly protective instinct was seen even after her children had died.
There is a predator that is seeking to devour our very souls. His name is Satan. In our sin, we are easy prey. However, God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to die in our place. Our sin was placed on His shoulders. His blood paid the price for our sin. When we, by faith, trust in Jesus as our Savior, the blood of Jesus covers us. His righteousness is imputed upon us and we are set free from the penalty of sin.
A Mother’s Impact. When King David heard what Rizpah was doing, he made sure that the bodies of Saul and Jonathan and Saul’s sons received a proper burial. In verse 14 of 2 Samuel 21 we read that after the burial, “God heeded the prayer for the land.”[3] As things were made right, the rain came. The actions of Rizpah, ultimately saved the land from famine.
There is a valuable lesson that we learn from the story of Rizpah. God does not send the rain until things are made right. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”[4] Perhaps you find yourself in a spiritual famine. The fire that once burned in you has been smothered by your sin and by the cares of this world. The light that once shined so bright can no longer be seen. God’s hand of favor has been removed. You are so far removed from the days of God’s presence and power that you no longer remember them. Perhaps this is the experience of the church. Perhaps we are in a spiritual famine. Oh, that God would send the rain! However, that rain will never come, unless we repent. We must get things right. We must get things right with God and get things right with one another. Only then will God send the rain.
Where are you in the story of Rizpah? Do you feel the pain of separation? Separation from God. Do you need the protection of the blood of Jesus? Have you been saved? If so, are you in a spiritual famine? Do you desperately need God to make it rain again? How will you respond?
[1] The New King James Version (2 Sa 3:7). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[2] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (Ps 34:18). (2009). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] The New King James Version (2 Sa 21:14). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[4] The New King James Version (2 Ch 7:14). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
Pastor Chris Noland 