Lexical Summary Armoni: Armoni Original Word: אַרְמֹנִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Armoni From 'armown; palatial; Armoni, an Israelite -- Armoni. see HEBREW 'armown NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as armon Definition a son of Saul NASB Translation Armoni (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַרְמֹנִי proper name, masculine a son of Saul (palatinus) 2 Samuel 21:8. I. ארן (compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Name and Family Lineage Armoni (אַרְמֹנִי) is identified as a son of King Saul by Rizpah, daughter of Aiah (2 Samuel 21:8). He and his full brother Mephibosheth are the only offspring of Saul’s concubine recorded in Scripture. Scriptural Occurrence 2 Samuel 21:8: “But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons that Rizpah daughter of Aiah had borne to Saul, and the five sons that Merab daughter of Saul had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.” Narrative Context A three-year famine strikes Israel because Saul violated Israel’s oath of protection to the Gibeonites (Joshua 9). Consulting the LORD, David learns the famine is “on account of Saul and his bloody house” (2 Samuel 21:1). The Gibeonites request the execution of seven male descendants of Saul as redress. David grants their petition, sparing Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth, but delivering Armoni, his brother, and five grandsons of Saul. They are put to death “at the beginning of the barley harvest” (2 Samuel 21:9). Rizpah’s vigil over the bodies prompts David to gather the remains of Saul’s family for honorable burial, after which “God answered prayer for the land” (2 Samuel 21:14). Historical Setting The episode occurs during the latter part of David’s reign. Ancient Near Eastern treaty customs held the household of an offending king responsible for reparations. Armoni’s death illustrates that principle, reflecting both the communal aspect of covenant life in Israel and the seriousness with which God regards sworn oaths. Theological Themes 1. Covenant Fidelity 2. Substitutionary Atonement 3. Communal Responsibility 4. Mercy within Justice Applications for Ministry • Emphasize integrity in vows and contracts, teaching that covenant faithfulness safeguards communities. Later Reception Jewish tradition cites Armoni as a sobering reminder of the cost of Saul’s zeal. Early Christian writers viewed the seven executed descendants as typological pointers to the fullness of redemption in Christ, with Armoni representing the old order superseded by the new covenant. Conclusion Though mentioned only once, Armoni’s brief appearance illuminates enduring truths: the sanctity of covenant promises, the weight of leadership, and the shadow of substitutionary sacrifice ultimately fulfilled in the atoning death of the Messiah. Forms and Transliterations אַרְמֹנִ֖י ארמני ’ar·mō·nî ’armōnî armoNiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 21:8 HEB: לְשָׁא֔וּל אֶת־ אַרְמֹנִ֖י וְאֶת־ מְפִבֹ֑שֶׁת NAS: of Aiah, Armoni and Mephibosheth KJV: unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; INT: had borne to Saul Armoni and Mephibosheth and the five 1 Occurrence |
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