1 Kings 1:51

Authorized King James Version

And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me to day that he will not slay his servant with the sword.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֻּגַּ֤ד
And it was told
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#2
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה
Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#3
לֵאמֹ֔ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
הִנֵּה֙
lo!
#5
אֲדֹ֣נִיָּ֔הוּ
Behold Adonijah
adonijah, the name of three israelites
#6
יָרֵ֖א
feareth
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#7
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ
Let king
a king
#9
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה
Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#10
וְ֠הִנֵּה
lo!
#11
אָחַ֞ז
for lo he hath caught hold
to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
#12
בְּקַרְנ֤וֹת
on the horns
a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun
#13
הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙
of the altar
an altar
#14
לֵאמֹ֔ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#15
יִשָּׁבַֽע
swear
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
#16
לִ֤י
H0
#17
כַיּוֹם֙
unto me to day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#18
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ
Let king
a king
#19
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה
Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#20
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#21
יָמִ֥ית
that he will not slay
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#22
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#23
עַבְדּ֖וֹ
his servant
a servant
#24
בֶּחָֽרֶב׃
with the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

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 revelation 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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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