potential political rivals

Steven_J says...

From the standpoint of the Gibeonites, it was "retaliation."


Yes, retaliation, as in meaning the Gibeonites were seeking just compensation for an evil done to them. Yes, we see that in the text.

Steven_J says...


From David's point of view, who knows? I personally suspect David saw it as a way to get rid of potential political rivals, but I admit I cannot prove that.


Not only can you "not prove that", Steven there is not any suggestion of that in the text. There is no verse or passage that supports your inference.

Rather, the text clearly states David's intent. David was seeking a blessing on Israel, he was seeking an end to the drought. But you disregard the statement that is made in the text, and you instead ascribe to David a motive of your own invention.

You also suggest that David is "utterly ignorant" of God's principles of justice, when the text clearly tells us that David received word from God. You suggest that David's response to God's instruction is to "get rid of potential political rivals".

For some reason, you find it necessary to infer ideas that are contrary to what the author of the text says, and then use those ideas to bolster your other peculiar interpretations of the text. It's almost as if you are choosing to reject outright any reading which would allow the author's meaning to be represented by the author's words.