1 Kings 2:23

Authorized King James Version

Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשָּׁבַע֙
sware
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
#2
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ
Then king
a king
#3
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה
Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#4
בַּֽיהוָ֖ה
by the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
לֵאמֹ֑ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
כֹּ֣ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#7
יַֽעֲשֶׂה
do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#8
לִּ֤י
H0
#9
אֱלֹהִים֙
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
וְכֹ֣ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#11
יוֹסִ֔יף
so to me and more also
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
#12
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#13
בְנַפְשׁ֔וֹ
against his own life
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#14
דִּבֶּר֙
have not spoken
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#15
אֲדֹ֣נִיָּ֔הוּ
if Adonijah
adonijah, the name of three israelites
#16
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
הַדָּבָ֖ר
this word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#18
הַזֶּֽה׃
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 life 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

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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