1 Kings 2:5

Authorized King James Version

Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְגַ֣ם

H1571

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

אַתָּ֣ה

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יָדַ֡עְתָּ

H3045

Moreover thou knowest

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֵת֩

H853

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

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

עָשָׂ֣ה

H6213

did

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לִ֜י

יוֹאָ֣ב

H3097

also what Joab

joab, the name of three israelites

בֶן

H1121

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

#10

צְרוּיָ֗ה

H6870

of Zeruiah

tserujah, an israelitess

#11

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

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

#12

עָשָׂ֣ה

H6213

did

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#13

לִשְׁנֵֽי

H8147

to the two

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

#14

שָׂרֵ֣י

H8269

captains

a head person (of any rank or class)

#15

צִבְא֣וֹת

H6635

of the hosts

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

#16

יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל

H3478

of Israel

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

#17

לְאַבְנֵ֨ר

H74

unto Abner

abner, an israelite

#18

בֶן

H1121

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

#19

נֵ֜ר

H5369

of Ner

ner, an israelite

#20

וְלַֽעֲמָשָׂ֤א

H6021

and unto Amasa

amasa, the name of two israelites

#21

בֶן

H1121

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

#22

יֶ֙תֶר֙

H3500

of Jether

jether, the name of five or six israelites and of one midianite

#23

וַיַּ֣הַרְגֵ֔ם

H2026

whom he slew

to smite with deadly intent

#24

וַיָּ֥שֶׂם

H7760

and shed

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

#25

דְּמֵ֣י

H1818

the 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

#26

מִלְחָמָ֗ה

H4421

of war

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

#27

בְּשָׁלֹ֑ם

H7965

in peace

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

#28

וַיִּתֵּ֞ן

H5414

and put

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#29

דְּמֵ֣י

H1818

the 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

#30

מִלְחָמָ֗ה

H4421

of war

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

#31

בַּחֲגֹֽרָתוֹ֙

H2290

upon his girdle

a belt (for the waist)

#32

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

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

#33

בְּמָתְנָ֔יו

H4975

that was about his loins

properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins

#34

וּֽבְנַעֲל֖וֹ

H5275

and in his shoes

properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)

#35

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

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

#36

בְּרַגְלָֽיו׃

H7272

that were on his feet

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

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 peace 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

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of 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?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on peace address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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