Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Samuel 21:9

9 And he delivered them into the hand of the Gibeonites , and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD : and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest .

Quest. How could David do this, when he had Sworn that he would not cut off Saul's seed, 1 Sam. 24. 21, 22. Ans. Because he had special warrant and direction from God about it, who, as all confess, can dispence with mens Oaths, and with his own Laws when he sees it fit. And that he did so here, is manifest, because God was pleased with it, and removed the Judgment upon it, whereas otherwise David had been guilty of the same sin with Saul, to wit, of the breach of his Oath and Covenant, for which this Famine was inflicted. See the note on 1 Sam. 24. 22.

Or, in an hill, in or near Gibeah; in a conspicuous place for their greater infamy, and for the caution and terror of others who should make any attempt upon the Gibeonites for the future.

As a Sacrifice offered up to God to appease his wrath: or, unto the Lord, as was said v. 6.

i. e. Died: for so the word, to fall, is oft used, as Exod. 19. 21. 1 Chro. 21. 14. Psal. 91. 7. Ier. 39. last. Hos. 5. 5. or, were executed.

Which was before the Wheat-harvest.

Marginal references: Josh 10. 26.