1 Samuel 21:2

Authorized King James Version

And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
and hath said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
דָּוִ֜ד
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
לַֽאֲחִימֶ֣לֶךְ
unto Ahimelech
achimelek, the name of an israelite and of a hittite
#4
הַכֹּהֵ֗ן
the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#5
הַמֶּלֶךְ֮
The king
a king
#6
צִוִּיתִ֑ךָ
hath commanded
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#7
הַדָּבָ֛ר
me a business
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#8
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
and hath said
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
אֵלַ֗י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
אִ֣ישׁ
unto me Let no man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#11
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#12
יוֹדַ֔עְתִּי
know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#13
מְא֛וּמָה
any thing
properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing
#14
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
הַדָּבָ֛ר
me a business
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#16
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
אָֽנֹכִ֥י
i
#18
שֹׁלֵֽחֲךָ֖
whereabout I send
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#19
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#20
צִוִּיתִ֑ךָ
hath commanded
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#21
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#22
הַנְּעָרִ֣ים
my servants
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
#23
יוֹדַ֔עְתִּי
know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#24
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#25
מְק֥וֹם
a 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)
#26
פְּלֹנִ֖י
to such
such a one, i.e., a specified person
#27
אַלְמוֹנִֽי׃
and such
some one (i.e., so and so, without giving the name of the person or place)

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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