1 Kings 2:15

Authorized King James Version

And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother's: for it was his from the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר
H559
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אַ֤תְּ
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#3
יָדַ֙עַתְּ֙
H3045
Thou knowest
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#4
כִּי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#5
לִי֙
H0
#6
הָֽיְתָ֣ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#7
הַמְּלוּכָה֙
H4410
howbeit the kingdom
something ruled, i.e., a realm
#8
וְעָלַ֞י
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
שָׂ֧מוּ
H7760
set
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#10
כָֽל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
H3478
was mine and that all Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#12
פְּנֵיהֶ֖ם
H6440
their faces
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#13
לִמְלֹ֑ךְ
H4427
on me that I should reign
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
#14
וַתִּסֹּ֤ב
H5437
is turned about
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
#15
הַמְּלוּכָה֙
H4410
howbeit the kingdom
something ruled, i.e., a realm
#16
וַתְּהִ֣י
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#17
לְאָחִ֔י
H251
and is become my brother's
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#18
כִּ֥י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#19
מֵֽיְהוָ֖ה
H3068
for it was his from the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#20
הָ֥יְתָה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#21
לּֽוֹ׃
H0

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Kings, this passage highlights kingdom of God through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of kingdom connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about kingdom, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 1 Kings.

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 kingdom of God 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 kingdom in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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