1 Samuel 19:11

Authorized King James Version

Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׁלַח֩
also sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#2
שָׁא֨וּל
Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#3
מַלְאָכִ֜ים
messengers
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
בֵּ֤ית
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#6
לְדָוִ֗ד
David's
david, the youngest son of jesse
#7
לְשָׁמְר֔וֹ
to watch
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#8
מוּמָֽת׃
him and to slay
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#9
בַּבֹּ֑קֶר
him in the morning
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
#10
וַתַּגֵּ֣ד
told
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#11
לְדָוִ֗ד
David's
david, the youngest son of jesse
#12
מִיכַ֤ל
and Michal
mikal, saul's daughter
#13
אִשְׁתּוֹ֙
wife
a woman
#14
לֵאמֹ֔ר
him saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#15
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#16
אֵ֨ינְךָ֜
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#17
מְמַלֵּ֤ט
If thou save
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
#18
אֶֽת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
נַפְשְׁךָ֙
not thy life
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#20
הַלַּ֔יְלָה
to night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
#21
מָחָ֖ר
to morrow
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
#22
אַתָּ֥ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#23
מוּמָֽת׃
him and to slay
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

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 life 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

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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