1 Kings 20:40

Authorized King James Version

And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
עַבְדְּךָ֗
And as thy servant
a servant
#3
עֹשֵׂ֥ה
was busy
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#4
הֵ֛נָּה
hither or thither (but used both of place and time)
#5
וָהֵ֖נָּה
hither or thither (but used both of place and time)
#6
וְה֣וּא
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
#7
אֵינֶ֑נּוּ
here and there he was gone
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#8
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
אֵלָ֧יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
מֶֽלֶךְ
And the king
a king
#11
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#12
כֵּ֥ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#13
מִשְׁפָּטֶ֖ךָ
unto him So shall thy judgment
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#14
אַתָּ֥ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#15
חָרָֽצְתָּ׃
be thyself hast decided
properly, to point sharply, i.e., (literally) to wound; figuratively, to be alert, to decide

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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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