1 Kings 17:20

Authorized King James Version

And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּקְרָ֥א

H7121

And he cried

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֣ה

H3068

O LORD

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

וַיֹּאמַ֑ר

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֣ה

H3068

O LORD

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

אֱלֹהָ֔י

H430

my 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

הֲ֠גַם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָֽאַלְמָנָ֞ה

H490

upon the widow

a widow; also a desolate place

#10

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#11

אֲנִ֨י

H589

#12

מִתְגּוֹרֵ֥ר

H1481

with whom I sojourn

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

#13

עִמָּ֛הּ

H5973

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

#14

הֲרֵע֖וֹתָ

H7489

hast thou also brought evil

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

#15

לְהָמִ֥ית

H4191

by slaying

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#16

אֶת

H853

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

#17

בְּנָֽהּ׃

H1121

her son

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

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

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?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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