1 Samuel 20:5

Authorized King James Version

And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
דָּוִ֜ד
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
יְהֽוֹנָתָ֗ן
unto Jonathan
jehonathan, the name of four israelites
#5
הִֽנֵּה
lo!
#6
חֹ֙דֶשׁ֙
is the new moon
the new moon; by implication, a month
#7
מָחָ֔ר
Behold to morrow
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
#8
וְאָֽנֹכִ֛י
i
#9
אֵשֵׁ֥ב
and I should not fail
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#10
אֵשֵׁ֥ב
and I should not fail
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#11
עִם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#12
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ
with the king
a king
#13
לֶֽאֱכ֑וֹל
at meat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#14
וְשִׁלַּחְתַּ֙נִי֙
but let me go
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#15
וְנִסְתַּרְתִּ֣י
that I may hide
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
#16
בַשָּׂדֶ֔ה
myself in the field
a field (as flat)
#17
עַ֖ד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#18
הָעֶ֥רֶב
day at even
dusk
#19
הַשְּׁלִשִֽׁית׃
unto the third
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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