1 Samuel 15:30

Authorized King James Version

Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

Then he said

to say (used with great latitude)

חָטָ֔אתִי

H2398

I have sinned

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

עַתָּ֗ה

H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

כַּבְּדֵ֥נִי

H3513

yet honour

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

נָ֛א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

נֶ֥גֶד

H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

זִקְנֵֽי

H2205

me now I pray thee before the elders

old

עַמִּ֖י

H5971

of my people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְנֶ֣גֶד

H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

#10

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

H3478

and before Israel

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

#11

וְשׁ֣וּב

H7725

and turn again

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#12

עִמִּ֔י

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#13

וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֵ֖יתִי

H7812

with me that I may worship

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

#14

לַֽיהוָ֥ה

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#15

אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃

H430

thy 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

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 sovereignty 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 Samuel 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

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

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