Armoni is a lesser-known biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the tragic events surrounding King Saul's family. He is one of the two sons of Saul and his concubine Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. The account of Armoni is found in 2 Samuel 21, which details a period of famine during the reign of King David.

Biblical Context

The narrative of Armoni is set against the backdrop of a three-year famine in Israel. Seeking to understand the cause of this calamity, King David inquires of the LORD and learns that it is due to Saul's unaddressed bloodguilt for his massacre of the Gibeonites. The Gibeonites were a group that had been granted protection by the Israelites during the time of Joshua, but Saul, in his zeal for Israel and Judah, had sought to annihilate them.

To atone for this sin and bring an end to the famine, David consults with the Gibeonites, who demand the execution of seven of Saul's male descendants. This demand is seen as a form of retributive justice, aligning with the ancient Near Eastern customs of blood vengeance and atonement.

Armoni's Fate

Armoni, along with his brother Mephibosheth (not to be confused with Jonathan's son Mephibosheth), is handed over to the Gibeonites. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this event in 2 Samuel 21:8-9: "So the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Saul by Rizpah daughter of Aiah, and the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on the hill before the LORD."

The execution of Armoni and the others is carried out at the beginning of the barley harvest, and their bodies are left exposed. This act is intended to appease the Gibeonites and, by extension, the LORD, to lift the famine from the land.

Rizpah's Vigil

A poignant aspect of this narrative is the response of Rizpah, Armoni's mother. In a display of maternal devotion and grief, Rizpah takes sackcloth and spreads it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest until the rain falls from the heavens, she keeps watch over the bodies, preventing birds and wild animals from desecrating them. Her actions eventually prompt David to retrieve the bones of Saul and Jonathan, as well as those of the executed men, for a proper burial in the family tomb of Kish.

Theological Implications

The account of Armoni and the other descendants of Saul raises complex theological and ethical questions about justice, atonement, and the consequences of sin. It underscores the seriousness with which God regards covenants and the necessity of addressing past wrongs to restore divine favor. The narrative also highlights the themes of sacrifice and redemption, which resonate throughout the biblical text.

Armoni's brief mention in the Scriptures serves as a reminder of the far-reaching impact of sin and the importance of reconciliation with God and others. His account, though tragic, is part of the larger tapestry of God's redemptive plan for His people.Armoni

son of Saul by Rizpah. (2 Samuel 21:8)

Inhabitant of a fortress, the first-named of the two sons of Saul and Rizpah. He was delivered up to the Gibeonites by David, and hanged by them (2 Samuel 21:8, 9). ARMONI

ar-mo'-ni ('armoni, "belonging to the palace"): One of the two sons of Saul by Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah (2 Samuel 21:8). David delivered them over to the blood vengeance of the Gibeonites.

764. Armoni -- a son of Saul
... 763, 764. Armoni. 765 . a son of Saul. Transliteration: Armoni Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-mo-nee') Short Definition: Armoni. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/764.htm - 6k

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Armoni (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ARMONI. ar-mo'-ni ('armoni... the Gibeonites.
Multi-Version Concordance Armoni (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel ...
/a/armoni.htm - 7k

Rizpah (4 Occurrences)
... Coal; hot stone, the daughter of Aiah, and one of Saul's concubines. She was the
mother of Armoni and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 3:7; 21:8, 10, 11). ...
/r/rizpah.htm - 10k

Mephibosheth (13 Occurrences)
... He and his brother Armoni were with five others "hanged on a hill before the Lord"
by the Gibeonites, and their bodies exposed in the sun for five months (2 ...
/m/mephibosheth.htm - 17k

Armo'ni (1 Occurrence)
Armo'ni. Armoni, Armo'ni. Armor . Multi-Version Concordance Armo'ni (1
Occurrence). 2 ... RSV). Armoni, Armo'ni. Armor . Reference Bible.
/a/armo'ni.htm - 6k

Mephib'osheth (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 21:8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom
she bore unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the ...
/m/mephib'osheth.htm - 10k

Meholathite (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 21:8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom
she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the ...
/m/meholathite.htm - 7k

Merab (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 21:8 But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Saul to
whom Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, had given birth; and the five sons of ...
/m/merab.htm - 11k

Meho'lathite (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 21:8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom
she bore unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the ...
/m/meho'lathite.htm - 7k

Barzil'lai (10 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 21:8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom
she bore unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the ...
/b/barzil'lai.htm - 9k

Barzillai (10 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 21:8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom
she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the ...
/b/barzillai.htm - 12k

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