1 Samuel 23:10

Authorized King James Version

Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּאמֶר֮
Then said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
דָּוִד֒
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
יְהוָה֙
O LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#5
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#6
שָׁמַע֙
hath certainly
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#7
שָׁמַע֙
hath certainly
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#8
עַבְדְּךָ֔
thy servant
a servant
#9
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#10
מְבַקֵּ֥שׁ
seeketh
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#11
שָׁא֖וּל
that Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#12
לָב֣וֹא
to come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#13
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#14
קְעִילָ֑ה
to Keilah
keilah, a place in palestine
#15
לְשַׁחֵ֥ת
to destroy
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
#16
לָעִ֖יר
the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#17
בַּֽעֲבוּרִֽי׃
properly, crossed, i.e., (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on account of, in order that

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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Samuel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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