Joshua, and his generation of Israelite leaders, promised the Gibeonites protection, but King Saul in his zeal for the children of Israel sought to exterminate the Gibeonites.

Since that broke the promise made to the Gibeonites, the Lord cursed Israel with a three year famine during the days of King David.

When he discovered the reason for the famine, he approached the Gibeonites and asked them what they wanted. They declared that they wanted seven male descendants of Saul,

So the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, and the five sons of Michal [David’s first wife] the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite; and he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the hill before the Lord. So they fell, all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest” (2 Samuel 21:8–9).

That must have been very difficult for David, knowing how he dedicated his life for the nation of Israel, yet, it was his devotion to Israel that led him to do what had to be done for the sake of Israel.

This also shows how our family can suffer for our sin. Let us beware of our daily actions.