1 Samuel 19:17

Authorized King James Version

And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אָמַ֥ר
He said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
שָׁא֔וּל
And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
מִיכַל֙
And Michal
mikal, saul's daughter
#5
לָ֤מָּה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#6
כָּ֙כָה֙
just so, referring to the previous or following context
#7
רִמִּיתִ֔נִי
Why hast thou deceived me so
to hurl; specifically, to shoot; figuratively, to delude or betray (as if causing to fall)
#8
שַׁלְּחִ֖נִי
and sent away
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#9
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
אֹֽיְבִ֖י
mine enemy
hating; an adversary
#11
וַיִּמָּלֵ֑ט
that he is escaped
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
#12
אָמַ֥ר
He said
to say (used with great latitude)
#13
מִיכַל֙
And Michal
mikal, saul's daughter
#14
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
שָׁא֔וּל
And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#16
הוּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#17
אָמַ֥ר
He said
to say (used with great latitude)
#18
אֵלַ֛י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#19
שַׁלְּחִ֖נִי
and sent away
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#20
לָמָ֥ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#21
אֲמִיתֵֽךְ׃
why should I kill
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 divine revelation 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

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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