1 Chronicles 21:10

Authorized King James Version

Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֵךְ֩
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#2
וְדִבַּרְתָּ֙
and tell
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
דָּוִ֜יד
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#5
אָמַ֣ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
כֹּ֚ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#7
אָמַ֣ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
שָׁל֕וֹשׁ
thee three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#10
אֲנִ֖י
i
#11
נֹטֶ֣ה
I offer
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
#12
עָלֶ֑יךָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
בְּחַר
things choose
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
#14
לְךָ֛
H0
#15
אַחַ֥ת
thee one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#16
מֵהֵ֖נָּה
of them
themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)
#17
וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂה
that I may do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#18
לָּֽךְ׃
H0

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

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