## three years ##

See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/biblicaltimeyear]]

## sought the face of Yahweh ##

This means David prayed to Yahweh for an answer about the famine. "Face" represents the presence of the other. (See:  (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

## because of Saul and his murderous family ##

Saul had killed many Gibeonites. Saul's descendants are guilty because of this sin.