1 Chronicles 12:17

Authorized King James Version

And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּצֵ֣א
H3318
went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#2
דָוִיד֮
H1732
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
לִפְנֵיהֶם֒
H6440
to meet
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#4
וַיַּ֙עַן֙
H6030
them and answered
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#5
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
H559
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
לָהֶ֔ם
H0
#7
אִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#8
לְשָׁל֞וֹם
H7965
peaceably
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
#9
בָּאתֶ֤ם
H935
unto them If ye be come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
אֵלַי֙
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
לְעָזְרֵ֔נִי
H5826
unto me to help
to surround, i.e., protect or aid
#12
יִֽהְיֶה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#13
לִּ֧י
H0
#14
עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
לֵבָ֖ב
H3824
me mine heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#16
לְיָ֑חַד
H3162
shall be knit
properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly
#17
וְאִֽם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#18
לְרַמּוֹתַ֣נִי
H7411
unto you but if ye be come to betray
to hurl; specifically, to shoot; figuratively, to delude or betray (as if causing to fall)
#19
לְצָרַ֗י
H6862
me to mine enemies
a pebble (as in h6864)
#20
בְּלֹ֤א
H3808
seeing there is no
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#21
חָמָס֙
H2555
wrong
violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain
#22
בְּכַפַּ֔י
H3709
in mine hands
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
#23
יֵ֛רֶא
H7200
look
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#24
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
H430
the God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#25
אֲבוֹתֵ֖ינוּ
H1
of our fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#26
וְיוֹכַֽח׃
H3198
thereon and rebuke
to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Chronicles. The concept of peace reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 peace in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection