1 Samuel 18:22

Authorized King James Version

And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְצַ֨ו
commanded
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#2
שָׁא֜וּל
And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
עֲבָדָ֖יו
his servants
a servant
#5
דַּבְּר֨וּ
saying Commune
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
דָּוִ֤ד
with David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#8
בַּלָּט֙
secretly
properly, covered, i.e., secret; by implication, incantation; also secrecy or (adverb) covertly
#9
לֵאמֹ֔ר
and say
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
הִנֵּ֨ה
lo!
#11
חָפֵ֤ץ
hath delight
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
#12
בְּךָ֙
H0
#13
בַּמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
Behold the king
a king
#14
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#15
עֲבָדָ֖יו
his servants
a servant
#16
אֲהֵב֑וּךָ
love
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
#17
וְעַתָּ֖ה
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#18
הִתְחַתֵּ֥ן
son in law
to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage
#19
בַּמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
Behold the king
a king

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 love fundamental to theology proper, revealing God's essential nature and character 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 love. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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