1 Samuel 19:4

Authorized King James Version

And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר
spake
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#2
יְהֽוֹנָתָ֤ן
And Jonathan
jehonathan, the name of four israelites
#3
בְדָוִ֗ד
against David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#4
טוֹב
good
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
שָׁא֖וּל
unto Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#7
אָבִ֑יו
H1
his father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#8
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
אֵ֠לָיו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#11
חָטָא֙
because he hath not sinned
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
#12
הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ
unto him Let not the king
a king
#13
בְּעַבְדּ֣וֹ
against his servant
a servant
#14
בְדָוִ֗ד
against David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#15
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#16
ל֤וֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#17
חָטָא֙
because he hath not sinned
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
#18
לָ֔ךְ
H0
#19
וְכִ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#20
מַֽעֲשָׂ֖יו
against thee and because his works
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
#21
טוֹב
good
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#22
לְךָ֥
H0
#23
מְאֹֽד׃
have been to thee-ward very
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

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

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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