2nd Samuel 21 FAMINE AND FOES God does not keep time the way we do. His memory is not limited by time and His commands and laws do not gradually fade away into insignificance. Generations earlier in the history of Israel, Joshua acted without consulting the Lord and granted the Gibeonites assurance that they would not die even though they had used deception to gain this promise. Then for some reason Saul had killed some of the Gibeonites years before the famine. Justice is done by God even if it doesn't happen immediately in our way of reckoning. We may think a matter is finished because it hasn't continued to be a problem, even though we have managed to ignore it or put it to rest unresolved. These events are not in historical chronological order so sometime during David's reign the three years of famine came across the land of Israel.
Promises made are like vows that cannot be broken without consequences that follow. We need to be careful in making vows and promises that they are not made without the assurance from God that they are in His will. What one willful person does in the energy of the flesh can affect a lot of people for a long time to come. Every man suffers for his own sin, but the children who follow often suffer too for a rash decision made on the spur of the moment. Because Saul sinned by breaking a promise, the whole nation suffered. It is a fearful fact that those who lead the people of God can create a negative issue or result that will have a long-lasting impact.
David saw the problem and the effect it was having on his people. Instead of going to the Lord for the solution to the problem, he went to the Gibeonites. The Lord had revealed to him the problem, but he went to the Gibeonites for the answer to the problem. God is aware of every part of every situation in which we are found. When He has made plain to us through His word by the Holy Spirit that which is wrong, we should know that He knows what is to be done to bring about the right conclusion of a matter. Sin that is not confessed has long consequences. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." When sin has been confessed and we do that which is right, God has promised forgiveness.
In the early part of the story of David, we read that he took five smooth stones from a brook when he killed Goliath. There were four other giants in the Philistine army that had to be dealt with. During his reign as king, David faced one of them whose name was Ishbi-benob and was having trouble conquering him. Abishai killed that giant and from then on David's men wanted him to step back and let them do what was needed. Sibbecai killed the giant named Saph. Elhanan killed another who was also named Goliath and Jonathan killed the fourth who had twelve fingers and toes. Because we have had one victory ourselves does not mean that we do not need the help of other brothers and sisters in Christ. God does meet our need and responds to our calls in prayer, but He answers in His own way that is not necessarily what we expected.
There will be times of trouble as long as we are in the world. The curse has not been lifted from the earth so we still have the thorns and thistles to contend with. Sometimes we will have difficulties with other believers and sometimes there will be opposition and conflict with enemies. Our only recourse as a way to deal with the difficulties and troubles in life is to go to our Lord and by the power of God these things can be dealt with in a way that is according to His will and word.