What would it mean for Gilboa to have neither dew nor rain, nor fields that yield offerings of grain?
Mount Gilboa was figuratively cursed with barrenness1 because it is the place where Israelite shields littered the corpses which they had failed to protect.2 David expected creation to take note of the events that had happened and cease to give rain. The good order of things must not simply continue as normal.3 The only references in Scripture to Gilboa are in connection with the death of Saul (1 Samuel 28:4; 1 Samuel 31:1–8; 2 Samuel 1:6; 2 Samuel 21:12; 1 Chronicles 10:1, 1 Chronicles 10:8).4
21 “You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fields of offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.