1 Kings 11:33

Authorized King James Version

Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יַ֣עַן׀
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
#2
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
עֲזָב֗וּנִי
Because that they have forsaken
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
#4
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲווּ֮
me and have worshipped
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#5
לְעַשְׁתֹּרֶת֮
Ashtoreth
ashtoreth, the phoenician goddess of love (and increase)
#6
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the god
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#7
צִֽדֹנִין֒
of the Zidonians
a tsidonian or inhabitant of tsidon
#8
לִכְמוֹשׁ֙
Chemosh
kemosh, the god of the moabites
#9
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the god
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#10
מוֹאָ֔ב
of the Moabites
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
#11
וּלְמִלְכֹּ֖ם
and Milcom
milcom, the national idol of the ammonites
#12
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the god
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#13
בְנֵֽי
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#14
עַמּ֑וֹן
of Ammon
ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country
#15
וְלֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#16
הָלְכ֣וּ
and have not walked
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#17
בִדְרָכַ֗י
in my ways
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#18
לַֽעֲשׂ֨וֹת
to do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#19
הַיָּשָׁ֧ר
that which is right
straight (literally or figuratively)
#20
בְּעֵינַ֛י
in mine eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#21
וְחֻקֹּתַ֥י
and to keep my statutes
a statute
#22
וּמִשְׁפָּטַ֖י
and my judgments
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#23
כְּדָוִ֥ד
as did David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#24
אָבִֽיו׃
H1
his father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

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 Kings 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

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