1 Kings 11:32

Authorized King James Version

(But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
H7626
out of all the tribes
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#2
הָֽאֶחָ֖ד
H259
But he shall have one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#3
יִֽהְיֶה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#4
לּ֑וֹ
H0
#5
לְמַ֣עַן׀
H4616
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
#6
עַבְדִּ֣י
H5650
for my servant
a servant
#7
דָוִ֗ד
H1732
David's
david, the youngest son of jesse
#8
וּלְמַ֙עַן֙
H4616
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
#9
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
H3389
sake and for Jerusalem's
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#10
הָעִיר֙
H5892
sake the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#11
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
בָּחַ֣רְתִּי
H977
which I have chosen
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
#13
בָ֔הּ
H0
#14
מִכֹּ֖ל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#15
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
H7626
out of all the tribes
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#16
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Kings. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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