1 Samuel 21:11

Authorized King James Version

And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֵאמֹ֔ר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
עַבְדֵ֤י
And the servants
a servant
#3
אָכִישׁ֙
of Achish
akish, a philistine king
#4
אֵלָ֔יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
הֲלוֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#6
לָזֶ֗ה
one to another of him
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#7
וְדָוִ֖ד
and David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#8
מֶ֣לֶךְ
the king
a king
#9
הָאָ֑רֶץ
of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#10
הֲל֣וֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#11
לָזֶ֗ה
one to another of him
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#12
יַֽעֲנ֤וּ
did they not sing
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#13
בַמְּחֹלוֹת֙
in dances
a dance
#14
לֵאמֹ֔ר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#15
הִכָּ֤ה
hath slain
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#16
שָׁאוּל֙
Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#17
בַּֽאֲלָפָ֔ו
his thousands
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#18
וְדָוִ֖ד
and David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#19
בְּרִבְבֹתָֽו׃
his ten thousands
abundance (in number), i.e., (specifically) a myriad (whether definite or indefinite)

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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