1 Kings 20:16

Authorized King James Version

And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּֽצְא֖וּ
And they went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#2
בַּֽצָּהֳרָ֑יִם
at noon
a light (i.e., window); dual double light, i.e., noon
#3
וּבֶן
H0
#4
הֲדַד֩
But Benhadad
ben-hadad, the name of several syrian kings, possibly a royal title
#5
שֹׁתֶ֨ה
was drinking
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#6
שִׁכּ֜וֹר
himself drunk
intoxicated, as a state or a habit
#7
בַּסֻּכּ֗וֹת
in the pavilions
a hut or lair
#8
ה֧וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#9
מֶ֖לֶךְ
he and the kings
a king
#10
שְׁלֹשִֽׁים
the thirty
thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
#11
וּשְׁנַ֥יִם
and two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#12
מֶ֖לֶךְ
he and the kings
a king
#13
עֹזֵ֥ר
that helped
to surround, i.e., protect or aid
#14
אֹתֽוֹ׃
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

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 revelation 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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