That we should be either killed, or banished from the land of Israel; which is as bad as death to us, because here, and here only, God is truly worshipped and enjoyed. Whereby it seems divers of them were hearty proselytes, and godly persons; and therefore God is more severe in punishing the injuries done to them. Compare 1 Samuel 26:19.
Related Commentaries of 2 Samuel 21:5
2 Samuel 21:5
5 And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devisedb against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,