Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 21:6

"let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto Jehovah in Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of Jehovah. And the king said, I will give them." — 2 Samuel 21:6 (ASV)

Let seven men of his sons. —The head of the house and his household were closely identified in all the ideas of antiquity. Saul being dead, his male descendants were considered as standing in his place, representing him, and responsible for his acts, just as is largely the case in legal affairs and matters of property today. The number seven is undoubtedly fixed upon, first, as a considerable and sufficient number, and then on account of its sacred associations and its representation of completeness.

We will hang them up. —The sons of Saul are only to be given up by David; their actual execution is to be carried out by the Gibeonites. The method is that of hanging or fastening to a stake, either by impaling or by crucifixion, the word being used for both methods of execution.

Unto the Lord —that is, publicly. (Compare a similar expression in Numbers 25:4.) The sin had been outrageous; its punishment must be conspicuous. The place of execution was suitably chosen in the home of Saul. It seems strange that he should be spoken of here as “the Lord’s chosen.” However, this description and the expression “unto the Lord” are connected. What Saul had done, he had done as the head of the theocracy, as God’s chosen ruler; consequently, his family must now be punished in the presence of Him against whom he had offended—“before the Lord.” The idea of regarding the execution of these men as a propitiatory human sacrifice is utterly without foundation.