1 Samuel 20:27

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֗י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
מִֽמָּחֳרַ֤ת
And it came to pass on the morrow
the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow
#3
הַחֹ֙דֶשׁ֙
day of the month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#4
הַשֵּׁנִ֔י
which was the second
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
#5
וַיִּפָּקֵ֖ד
was empty
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#6
מְק֣וֹם
place
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
#7
דָּוִ֑ד
that David's
david, the youngest son of jesse
#8
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
שָׁאוּל֙
and Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#10
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
יְהֽוֹנָתָ֣ן
unto Jonathan
jehonathan, the name of four israelites
#12
בֶן
his son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#13
מַדּ֜וּעַ
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
#14
לֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#15
בָ֧א
Wherefore cometh
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#16
בֶן
his son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#17
יִשַׁ֛י
of Jesse
jishai, david's father
#18
גַּם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#19
תְּמ֥וֹל
neither yesterday
properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday
#20
גַּם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#21
הַיּ֖וֹם
nor to day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#22
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#23
הַלָּֽחֶם׃
to meat
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

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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