1 Samuel 23:4

Authorized King James Version

Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיּ֨וֹסֶף

H3254

yet again

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

ע֤וֹד

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

דָּוִד֙

H1732

Then David

david, the youngest son of jesse

לִשְׁא֣וֹל

H7592

enquired

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

יְהוָ֑ה

H3068

And the LORD

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

וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֖הוּ

H6030

answered

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,

יְהוָ֑ה

H3068

And the LORD

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

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר

H559

him and said

to say (used with great latitude)

ק֚וּם

H6965

Arise

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

#10

רֵ֣ד

H3381

go down

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

#11

קְעִילָ֔ה

H7084

to Keilah

keilah, a place in palestine

#12

כִּֽי

H3588

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

#13

אֲנִ֥י

H589

#14

נֹתֵ֛ן

H5414

for I will deliver

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#15

אֶת

H853

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

#16

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים

H6430

the Philistines

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

#17

בְּיָדֶֽךָ׃

H3027

into thine 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

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 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 sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

Related Resources

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