1 Chronicles 18:13

Authorized King James Version

And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּ֤שֶׂם
H7760
And he put
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#2
אֱד֖וֹם
H123
and all the Edomites
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
#3
נְצִיבִ֔ים
H5333
garrisons
something stationary, i.e., a prefect, a military post, a statue
#4
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#5
כָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
אֱד֖וֹם
H123
and all the Edomites
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
#7
עֲבָדִ֣ים
H5650
servants
a servant
#8
דָּוִ֔יד
H1732
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#9
וַיּ֤וֹשַׁע
H3467
preserved
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
#10
יְהוָה֙
H3068
Thus the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#12
דָּוִ֔יד
H1732
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#13
בְּכֹ֖ל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#15
הָלָֽךְ׃
H1980
whithersoever he went
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

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 divine sovereignty 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection