1 Kings 2:32

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהֵשִׁיב֩
shall return
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#2
יְהוָ֨ה
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
דָּמ֜וֹ
his blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
רֹאשׁ֗וֹ
upon his own head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#7
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
פָּגַ֣ע
who fell
to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
#9
בִּשְׁנֵֽי
upon two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#10
אֲ֠נָשִׁים
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)
#11
צַדִּקִ֨ים
more righteous
just
#12
וְטֹבִ֤ים
and better
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#13
מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#14
וַיַּֽהַרְגֵ֣ם
than he and slew
to smite with deadly intent
#15
בַּחֶ֔רֶב
them with the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#16
וְאָבִ֥י
H1
my father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#17
דָוִ֖ד
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#18
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#19
יָדָ֑ע
not knowing
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#20
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#21
אַבְנֵ֤ר
H74
thereof to wit Abner
abner, an israelite
#22
בֶן
the 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
#23
נֵר֙
of Ner
ner, an israelite
#24
שַׂר
captain
a head person (of any rank or class)
#25
צְבָ֥א
of the host
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#26
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#27
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#28
עֲמָשָׂ֥א
and Amasa
amasa, the name of two israelites
#29
בֶן
the 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
#30
יֶ֖תֶר
of Jether
jether, the name of five or six israelites and of one midianite
#31
שַׂר
captain
a head person (of any rank or class)
#32
צְבָ֥א
of the host
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#33
יְהוּדָֽה׃
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Kings, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, 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 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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