1 Kings 12:24

Authorized King James Version

Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis

כֹּ֣ה

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר

H559

Thus saith

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַעֲלוּ֩

H5927

Ye shall not go up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וְלֹא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִלָּ֨חֲמ֜וּן

H3898

nor fight

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

עִם

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֲחֵיכֶ֣ם

H251

against your brethren

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

#10

בְּנֵֽי

H1121

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

#11

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#12

וַיָּשֻׁ֥בוּ

H7725

and returned

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#13

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

every man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#14

לְבֵית֔וֹ

H1004

to his house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#15

כִּ֧י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#16

מֵֽאִתִּ֛י

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#17

נִֽהְיָ֖ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#18

כִּדְבַ֥ר

H1697

according to the word

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#19

הַזֶּ֑ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#20

וַֽיִּשְׁמְעוּ֙

H8085

from me They hearkened

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

#21

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#22

כִּדְבַ֥ר

H1697

according to the word

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#23

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#24

וַיָּשֻׁ֥בוּ

H7725

and returned

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#25

לָלֶ֖כֶת

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#26

כִּדְבַ֥ר

H1697

according to the word

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#27

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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