1 Chronicles 11:13

Authorized King James Version

He was with David at Pas-dammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.

Word-by-Word Analysis

הֽוּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הָיָ֨ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עִם

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

דָּוִ֜יד

H1732

He was with David

david, the youngest son of jesse

בַּפַּ֣ס

דַּמִּ֗ים

H6450

at Pasdammim

pas-dammim, a place in palestine

פְלִשְׁתִּֽים׃

H6430

and there the Philistines

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

נֶאֱסְפוּ

H622

were gathered together

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

שָׁ֣ם

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

#10

לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה

H4421

to battle

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

#11

וַתְּהִ֛י

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#12

חֶלְקַ֥ת

H2513

where was a parcel

properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery

#13

הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה

H7704

of ground

a field (as flat)

#14

מְלֵאָ֣ה

H4392

full

full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully

#15

שְׂעוֹרִ֑ים

H8184

of barley

barley (as villose)

#16

וְהָעָ֥ם

H5971

and the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#17

נָ֖סוּ

H5127

fled

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

#18

מִפְּנֵ֥י

H6440

from before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#19

פְלִשְׁתִּֽים׃

H6430

and there the Philistines

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing covenant community contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Chronicles Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?