1 Samuel 24:16

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י׀
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כְּכַלּ֣וֹת
had made an end
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
#3
דָוִ֑ד
And it came to pass when David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#4
לְדַבֵּ֞ר
of speaking
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
הַדְּבָרִ֤ים
these words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#7
הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙
these or those
#8
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#9
שָׁא֛וּל
And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#10
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
שָׁא֛וּל
And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#12
קֹל֖וֹ
Is this thy voice
a voice or sound
#13
זֶ֖ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#14
בְּנִ֣י
my son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#15
דָוִ֑ד
And it came to pass when David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#16
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א
lifted up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#17
שָׁא֛וּל
And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#18
קֹל֖וֹ
Is this thy voice
a voice or sound
#19
וַיֵּֽבְךְּ׃
and wept
to weep; generally to bemoan

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. 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 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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