RIZPAH rĭz’ pə (רִצְפָּ֣ה, LXX ̔Ρεσφὰ̀; meaning a glowing stone).

A daughter of Aiah (possibly the Horite mentioned in 1 Chronicles 1:40 and Genesis 36:24) and a concubine of Saul. After the death of Saul Ishbaal, Saul’s son and now king in name only, accused Abner the real king of taking her as his wife. If true, this act would have amounted to a claim to the throne (cf. 2 Sam 16:20-22; 1 Kings 2:22). In response to Ishbaal’s prob. false accusation Abner promptly proferred the northern kingdom to David (c. 997 b.c.) (2 Sam 3:7).

Later (c. 970 b.c.) a three years’ famine was divined to the displeasure of Yahweh at the slaughter of the Gibeonites by Saul in violation of the covenant Israel had made with them (Josh 9:3, 15-20). When David inquired of the Gibeonites what atonement he should make, the Gibeonites, in accordance with the Mosaic law (Num 35:33), refused money compensation, but demanded seven sons of Saul to expose before Yahweh. The king gave them two of Rizpah’s, and five of Michal’s (RSV Merab’s) sons. Then Rizpah spread sackcloth on the rock—a sign that the land repented—and began her heroic vigil by the bodies, keeping off the birds and beasts of prey (cf. Ps 79:2) from the beginning of barley harvest (c. April) until the anger of Yahweh relented and “water was poured upon them from heaven” prob. in connection with the early rain (c. October). For her devotion David had their bones with the bones of Saul and Jonathan buried in the tomb of Saul’s father, Kish (2 Sam 21:1-14).