1 Samuel 18:17

Authorized King James Version

And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אָמַ֗ר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
וְשָׁא֣וּל
And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
דָּוִ֗ד
to David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#5
הִנֵּה֩
lo!
#6
בִתִּ֨י
daughter
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#7
הַגְּדוֹלָ֤ה
Behold my elder
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#8
מֵרַב֙
Merab
merab, a daughter of saul
#9
אֹתָהּ֙
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
אֶתֶּן
her will I give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#11
לְךָ֣
H0
#12
לְאִשָּׁ֔ה
thee to wife
a woman
#13
אַ֚ךְ
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
#14
הֱיֵה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#15
לִּ֣י
H0
#16
לְבֶן
only be thou valiant
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#17
חַ֔יִל
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
#18
וְהִלָּחֵ֖ם
for me and fight
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#19
מִלְחֲמ֣וֹת
battles
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#20
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD'S
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#21
וְשָׁא֣וּל
And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#22
אָמַ֗ר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#23
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#24
תְּהִ֤י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#25
יַד
Let not mine hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#26
בּ֔וֹ
H0
#27
וּתְהִי
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#28
ב֖וֹ
H0
#29
יַד
Let not mine hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#30
פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
of the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. 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 Samuel.

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 sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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