1 Samuel 23:5

Authorized King James Version

So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#2
דָּוִ֔ד
So David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֨ו
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)
#4
קְעִילָֽה׃
of Keilah
keilah, a place in palestine
#5
וַיִּלָּ֣חֶם
and fought
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#6
בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
with the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#7
וַיִּנְהַג֙
and brought away
to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
מִקְנֵיהֶ֔ם
their cattle
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
#10
וַיַּ֥ךְ
and smote
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#11
בָּהֶ֖ם
H0
#12
מַכָּ֣ה
slaughter
a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence
#13
גְדוֹלָ֑ה
them with a great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#14
וַיֹּ֣שַׁע
saved
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
#15
דָּוִ֔ד
So David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#16
אֵ֖ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
יֹֽשְׁבֵ֥י
the inhabitants
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#18
קְעִילָֽה׃
of Keilah
keilah, a place in palestine

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 1 Samuel.

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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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