1 Kings 1:2

Authorized King James Version

Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֧אמְרוּ
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
ל֣וֹ
H0
#3
עֲבָדָ֗יו
Wherefore his servants
a servant
#4
יְבַקְשׁ֞וּ
unto him Let there be sought
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#5
לַֽאדֹנִ֥י
for my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#6
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
the king
a king
#7
נַֽעֲרָ֣ה
a young
a girl (from infancy to adolescence)
#8
בְתוּלָ֔ה
virgin
a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state
#9
וְעָֽמְדָה֙
and let her stand
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#10
לִפְנֵ֣י
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
#11
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
the king
a king
#12
וּתְהִי
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#13
ל֖וֹ
H0
#14
סֹכֶ֑נֶת
and let her cherish
to be familiar with; by implication, to minister to, be serviceable to, to cherish, be customary
#15
וְשָֽׁכְבָ֣ה
him and let her lie
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
#16
בְחֵיקֶ֔ךָ
in thy bosom
the bosom (literally or figuratively)
#17
וְחַ֖ם
may get heat
to be hot (literally or figuratively)
#18
לַֽאדֹנִ֥י
for my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#19
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
the king
a king

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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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