1 Chronicles 11:18

Authorized King James Version

And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּבְקְע֨וּ
H1234
brake through
to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open
#2
הַשְּׁלֹשָׁ֜ה
H7969
And the three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#3
בְּמַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
H4264
the host
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#4
פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
H6430
of the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#5
וַיִּֽשְׁאֲבוּ
H7579
and drew
to bale up water
#6
מַ֙יִם֙
H4325
water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#7
מִבּ֤וֹר
H953
out of the well
a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)
#8
בֵּֽית
H0
#9
לֶ֙חֶם֙
H1035
of Bethlehem
beth-lechem, a place in palestine
#10
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#11
בַּשַּׁ֔עַר
H8179
that was by the gate
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#12
וַיִּשְׂא֖וּ
H5375
and took
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#13
וַיָּבִ֣אוּ
H935
it and brought
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#14
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
דָוִיד֙
H1732
but David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#16
וְלֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#17
אָבָ֤ה
H14
would
to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
#18
דָוִיד֙
H1732
but David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#19
לִשְׁתּוֹתָ֔ם
H8354
not drink
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#20
וַיְנַסֵּ֥ךְ
H5258
of it but poured it out
to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king
#21
אֹתָ֖ם
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#22
לַֽיהוָֽה׃
H3068
to the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Chronicles, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 1 Chronicles.

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 divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection