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Rizpah was one of King Saul’s concubines and the mother of Armoni and Mephibosheth. When her sons were killed by the Gibeonites as punishment for Saul’s wrongdoing, she kept watch over their bodies for months, not allowing animals to come near them. Her act of devotion moved King David, who ordered that they be buried. Rizpah is remembered for her motherly love, faithfulness, and courage in the midst of pain.
The story of Rizpah is found in the Bible, in the book of 2 Samuel, chapters 3 and 21. She was the daughter of Aiah and a concubine of King Saul, the first king of Israel. As a concubine, Rizpah had a relationship with Saul but without the full status of an official wife. She had two sons with him, named Armoni and Mephibosheth (not the same Mephibosheth who was Jonathan’s son).
After Saul’s death, there was a great famine in Israel. King David sought the reason and learned that it was the result of Saul’s earlier sin against the Gibeonites, a people Israel had sworn to protect. To make restitution, the Gibeonites asked for seven of Saul’s descendants to be put to death. Among them were Rizpah’s two sons. They were executed, and their bodies were left exposed.
With great love and courage, Rizpah stayed day and night watching over the bodies of her sons, keeping the birds and wild animals away from them, from the beginning of the harvest until God sent rain upon the land.
When David heard of Rizpah’s act, he was deeply moved. He ordered that the bones of Saul, Jonathan, and Rizpah’s sons be gathered and buried with honor.
The Bible does not mention the death of Rizpah, but her attitude is remembered to this day as an example of motherly love, faithfulness, and strength in the midst of suffering. Her story reveals the power of perseverance and dignity even in times of pain.
Bible Study on Rizpah
Rizpah’s Sons: Armoni and Mephibosheth
Armoni and Mephibosheth were the sons of Rizpah, a concubine of King Saul, the first king of Israel. They are mentioned in 2 Samuel 21:1–14. Their story is connected to a period of drought and famine that struck Israel during the reign of King David.
David sought the Lord to understand the reason for that calamity, and God revealed that it was because of Saul’s guilt, he had tried to destroy the Gibeonites, a people Israel had sworn to protect since the days of Joshua. To make amends for this injustice, David asked the Gibeonites what they desired. They did not ask for silver or gold but demanded that seven descendants of Saul be handed over to them to die as an act of justice.
David spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, because of the covenant he had made with him. However, he handed over Rizpah’s two sons, Armoni and Mephibosheth (who shared the same name as Jonathan’s son), along with five of Saul’s grandsons, the sons of Merab (or Michal, depending on the translation). The seven were executed and exposed on the hill before the Lord at the beginning of the barley harvest.
After the execution, Rizpah, the mother of Armoni and Mephibosheth, kept watch over the bodies of her sons for months, preventing birds and wild animals from devouring them. Her deep expression of love and mourning moved King David, who later ordered that the bodies of Saul, Jonathan, and Rizpah’s sons be given a proper burial.
Who Was the Mother of Mephibosheth, Son of Jonathan?
The Bible does not mention the name of Mephibosheth’s mother, the son of Jonathan. He was the grandson of King Saul and became crippled in both feet when he was five years old, after falling during a hurried escape following the deaths of his father and grandfather (2 Samuel 4:4). Later, King David welcomed him into his household out of love for Jonathan and allowed him to eat at his table.
It is important not to confuse this Mephibosheth with the other of the same name, the son of Rizpah, Saul’s concubine. That Mephibosheth, together with his brother Armoni, was handed over to the Gibeonites and killed as restitution for Saul’s sins. Thus, there were two Mephibosheths in Saul’s lineage, each with distinct stories.
Learn more about the story of Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan.
How Long Did Rizpah Watch Over Her Sons
The Bible does not state exactly how many days or months Rizpah watched over the bodies of her sons, Armoni and Mephibosheth, but 2 Samuel 21:10 gives a good idea of the duration. It says that she “took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock, from the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from heaven on the bodies.”
The barley harvest in Israel began around April, and the late rains usually fell in October or November. This means Rizpah stayed for approximately six months guarding the bodies of her sons, day and night, preventing birds or wild animals from devouring them.
Her act was one of deep love and great courage. Even amid grief and public shame, Rizpah did not abandon her sons. Her mourning moved King David, who, upon hearing of her faithfulness, ordered that the bones of Saul, Jonathan, and Rizpah’s sons be gathered and buried with honor. Thus, Rizpah’s sacrifice and perseverance became a lasting mark in the history of Israel.
How Rizpah Died
The Bible does not record the death of Rizpah. She appears in 2 Samuel 21:8–10, where her story centers on mourning her sons Armoni and Mephibosheth, who were killed by the Gibeonites as reparation for Saul’s sins.
There are no details about how or when Rizpah died, nor about her life after her mourning period. Her memory remains tied to the courage, faithfulness, and maternal love she demonstrated during the long vigil for her sons, making her an enduring example of devotion and perseverance.
Lessons from the Life of Rizpah
Rizpah’s life offers profound lessons of love, courage, and faithfulness that continue to inspire to this day. Although she was only a concubine of King Saul, her role as a mother and woman of faith stood out during a time of great suffering.
When her sons, Armoni and Mephibosheth, were killed by the Gibeonites as repayment for Saul’s wrongdoing, Rizpah did not resign herself to despair. She spent months watching over their bodies, preventing the birds and wild beasts from devouring them, demonstrating extraordinary maternal love and bravery in the face of injustice and pain.
Rizpah’s attitude teaches us about resilience and perseverance: even in the face of irreparable loss, she acted with dignity and devotion. She also reminds us of the importance of loyalty and compassion toward others, even when it seems that no one else cares. Her story shows that quiet acts of love and justice can bring about change; King David, moved by her dedication, ensured that her sons received an honorable burial.
Rizpah inspires us to act with courage, love, and integrity, even in the hardest situations, showing that small acts of devotion and care can leave a lasting legacy.
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