1 Chronicles 14:15

Authorized King James Version

And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וִ֠יהִי
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כְּֽשָׁמְעֲךָ֞
H8085
And it shall be when thou shalt hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#3
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
ק֤וֹל
H6963
a sound
a voice or sound
#5
הַצְּעָדָה֙
H6807
of going
a march; (concretely) an (ornamental) ankle-chain
#6
בְּרָאשֵׁ֣י
H7218
in the tops
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#7
הַבְּכָאִ֔ים
H1057
of the mulberry trees
the weeping tree (some gum-distilling tree, perhaps the balsam)
#8
אָ֖ז
H227
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
#9
יָצָ֤א
H3318
is gone forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#10
בַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה
H4421
to battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#11
כִּֽי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
יָצָ֤א
H3318
is gone forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#13
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙
H430
for 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
#14
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
H6440
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
#15
לְהַכּ֖וֹת
H5221
thee to smite
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#16
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
מַֽחֲנֵ֥ה
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
#18
פְלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
H6430
of the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Chronicles. The concept of divine sovereignty 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 divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection