1 Kings 1:53

Authorized King James Version

So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח
sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#2
לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ
So king
a king
#3
שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה
Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#4
וַיֹּרִדֻ֙הוּ֙
and they brought him down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#5
מֵעַ֣ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ
from the altar
an altar
#7
וַיָּבֹ֕א
And he came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ
and bowed
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#9
לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ
So king
a king
#10
שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה
Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#11
וַיֹּֽאמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#12
ל֥וֹ
H0
#13
שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה
Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#14
לֵ֥ךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#15
לְבֵיתֶֽךָ׃
to thine house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

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