Rizpah
    coal; hot stone, the daughter of Aiah, and one of Saul's
    concubines. She was the mother of Armoni and Mephibosheth (2
    Sam. 3:7; 21:8, 10, 11).

      It happened that a grievous famine, which lasted for three
    years, fell upon the land during the earlier half of David's
    reign at Jerusalem. This calamity was sent "for Saul and for his
    bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites." David inquired of
    the Gibeonites what satisfaction they demanded, and was answered
    that nothing would compensate for the wrong Saul had done to
    them but the death of seven of Saul's sons. David accordingly
    delivered up to them the two sons of Rizpah and five of the sons
    of Merab (q.v.), Saul's eldest daughter, whom she bore to
    Adriel. These the Gibeonites put to death, and hung up their
    bodies before the Lord at the sanctuary at Gibeah. Rizpah
    thereupon took her place on the rock of Gibeah (q.v.), and for
    five months watched the suspended bodies of her children, to
    prevent them from being devoured by the beasts and birds of
    prey, till they were at length taken down and buried by David.

      Her marriage to Abner was the occasion of a quarrel between
    him and Ishbosheth, which led to Abner's going over to the side
    of David (2 Sam. 3:17-21).



 Rizpah, bed; extension; a coal