1 Samuel 19:2

Authorized King James Version

But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּגֵּ֤ד
told
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#2
יְהֽוֹנָתָן֙
But Jonathan
jehonathan, the name of four israelites
#3
לְדָוִ֣ד
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#4
לֵאמֹ֔ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
מְבַקֵּ֛שׁ
seeketh
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#6
שָׁא֥וּל
Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#7
אָבִ֖י
H1
my father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#8
לַֽהֲמִיתֶ֑ךָ
to kill
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#9
וְעַתָּה֙
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#10
הִשָּֽׁמֶר
thee now therefore I pray thee take heed
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#11
נָ֣א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#12
בַבֹּ֔קֶר
to thyself until the morning
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
#13
וְיָֽשַׁבְתָּ֥
and abide
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#14
בַסֵּ֖תֶר
in a secret
a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
#15
וְנַחְבֵּֽאתָ׃
place and hide
to secrete

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Samuel. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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