1 Samuel 18:6

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.

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
בְּבוֹאָ֗ם
And it came to pass as they came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#3
בְּשׁ֤וּב
was returned
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#4
דָּוִד֙
when David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#5
מֵֽהַכּ֣וֹת
from the slaughter
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#6
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י
of the Philistine
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#8
וַתֵּצֶ֨אנָה
came out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#9
הַנָּשִׁ֜ים
that the women
a woman
#10
מִכָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
עָרֵ֤י
of all cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#12
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#13
לָשִׁ֣ור
singing
to sing
#14
וְהַמְּחֹל֔וֹת
and dancing
a dance
#15
לִקְרַ֖את
to meet
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#16
שָׁא֣וּל
Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#17
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ
king
a king
#18
בְּתֻפִּ֥ים
with tabrets
a tambourine
#19
בְּשִׂמְחָ֖ה
with joy
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
#20
וּבְשָֽׁלִשִֽׁים׃
and with instruments
a triple, i.e., (as an officer) a general of the third rank (upward, i.e., the highest)

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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