1 Samuel 22:17

Authorized King James Version

And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙

H4428

And the king

a king

לָֽרָצִים֩

H7323

unto the footmen

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

הַנִּצָּבִ֨ים

H5324

that stood

to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)

עָלָ֜יו

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

סֹ֥בּוּ

H5437

about him Turn

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

וְהָמִ֣יתוּ׀

H4191

and slay

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בְּכֹֽהֲנֵ֥י

H3548

the priests

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#10

כִּ֤י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#11

גַם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#12

יָדָ֔ם

H3027

because their hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#13

עִם

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#14

דָּוִ֔ד

H1732

also is with David

david, the youngest son of jesse

#15

וְכִ֤י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#16

יָֽדְעוּ֙

H3045

and because they knew

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

#17

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#18

בֹרֵ֣חַ

H1272

when he fled

to bolt, i.e., figuratively, to flee suddenly

#19

ה֔וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#20

וְלֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#21

גָל֖וּ

H1540

and did not shew

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

#22

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#23

אָזְנִ֑וֹ

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

#24

וְלֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#25

אָב֞וּ

H14

would

to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent

#26

עַבְדֵ֤י

H5650

it to me But the servants

a servant

#27

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙

H4428

And the king

a king

#28

לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ

H7971

not put forth

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

#29

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#30

יָדָ֔ם

H3027

because their hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#31

לִפְגֹ֖עַ

H6293

to fall

to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity

#32

בְּכֹֽהֲנֵ֥י

H3548

the priests

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

#33

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 sovereignty 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

How does this verse's literary context within 1 Samuel chapter 22 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

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