1 Samuel 18:21

Authorized King James Version

And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
שָׁאוּל֙
And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#3
אֶתְּנֶ֤נָּה
I will give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#4
לּוֹ֙
H0
#5
וּתְהִי
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#6
ל֣וֹ
H0
#7
לְמוֹקֵ֔שׁ
him her that she may be a snare
a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for the nose)
#8
וּתְהִי
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#9
ב֖וֹ
H0
#10
יַד
to him and that the 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
#11
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
of the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#12
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#13
שָׁאוּל֙
And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#14
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
דָּוִ֔ד
to David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#16
בִּשְׁתַּ֛יִם
in the one of the twain
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#17
תִּתְחַתֵּ֥ן
be my son in law
to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage
#18
בִּ֖י
H0
#19
הַיּֽוֹם׃
Thou shalt this day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, 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 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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