The term "Seven Male Descendants" refers to a specific event recorded in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the Gibeonites' demand for justice during the reign of King David. This narrative is found in 2 Samuel 21:1-14, where a famine in Israel prompts David to seek the Lord's guidance, revealing that the famine is a result of Saul's breach of an oath with the Gibeonites.

Biblical Context:

The Gibeonites were a group of people who had made a covenant with Israel during the time of Joshua (Joshua 9). Despite their deceptive means of securing this covenant, Israel had sworn to protect them. However, Saul, in his zeal for Israel and Judah, violated this covenant by attempting to annihilate the Gibeonites, which brought a curse upon the land.

The Demand for Justice:

In response to the famine, David consults the Gibeonites to determine how to make amends. The Gibeonites refuse monetary compensation and instead request the execution of seven male descendants of Saul to atone for his bloodguilt. This request is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern principle of blood vengeance, where justice is served through the punishment of the offender's family.

Selection of the Descendants:

David agrees to the Gibeonites' demand but spares Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, due to his covenant with Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:14-17). Instead, David selects two sons of Rizpah, Saul's concubine, named Armoni and Mephibosheth (not to be confused with Jonathan's son), and five sons of Merab, Saul's daughter, whom she bore to Adriel the Meholathite.

Execution and Aftermath:

The seven descendants are handed over to the Gibeonites, who execute them by hanging at the beginning of the barley harvest. Rizpah, the mother of two of the executed men, displays a poignant act of mourning and protection over the bodies, preventing birds and beasts from desecrating them until David retrieves the bones for a proper burial.

David's actions in retrieving the bones of Saul and Jonathan, along with those of the executed descendants, and burying them in the tomb of Kish, Saul's father, demonstrate a commitment to honor and reconciliation. Following these events, God responds to the land's plight, and the famine is lifted, indicating divine approval of the atonement made.

Theological Implications:

This narrative underscores the seriousness of covenant fidelity and the consequences of breaking oaths. It also highlights the themes of justice, mercy, and the importance of proper burial rites in ancient Israelite culture. The account serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between divine justice and human responsibility, illustrating the need for atonement and reconciliation in the face of sin and broken promises.