Overview
Rizpah, a concubine of Saul, is remembered primarily for her courageous and sorrowful devotion to her sons during a national crisis. When a famine came upon Israel due to Saul's violation of a covenant with the Gibeonites, seven of Saul's descendants were executed to make atonement. Among these were Rizpah's two sons, Armoni and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 21:8).
Key Scriptures
"And the Gibeonites said to him, 'It is not a matter of silver or gold between us and Saul or his house; nor is it for us to put any man to death in Israel'" (2 Samuel 21:4, NASB).
"Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until rain fell on them from the sky; and she did not allow the birds of the sky to rest on them by day nor the beasts of the field by night" (2 Samuel 21:10, NASB).
Application
Rizpah's steadfast love reminds us that God sees our deepest sorrows and honors faithful devotion, even when circumstances feel unbearably unjust.