The answer is: Saul killed the Gibeonites

2 Sam 21:1

The narrative of 2 Samuel reveals intricate layers of divine justice and human responsibility. During David's reign, a famine persisted for three years, prompting King David to seek God’s counsel. The answer he receives connects this dire situation with Saul's previous actions against the Gibeonites. It's a striking reminder that actions (even those taken years earlier) echo through history, affecting future generations. Saul’s breach of an oath—an act against a people David had entered into covenant with—demonstrates the importance of taking commitments seriously.

This story also shifts the historical focus to the Gibeonites, who were once considered mere background figures in the saga of Israel. They had made peace with Joshua generations earlier, and their later marginalization aligns with the dramatic twists of loyalty and betrayal throughout the Bible. Interestingly, the Gibeonites’ clever deception of Joshua in Joshua 9 is an echo of their need for protection and survival, showcases the murky waters of moral decisions in the run of history.

Beyond offering mere retribution, David's actions settling accounts with the Gibeonites illuminate the concept of collective responsibility. When we look at other Biblical figures, such as Ahab or Jonathan, we see interactions where the repercussions of one person's choices ripple through communities. This tableau of ancient narratives implores readers to think carefully about justice, mercy, and the interconnectedness of their examples, resonating through time as lessons still relevant today.