1 Samuel 24:4

Authorized King James Version

And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אָמַ֧ר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אַנְשֵׁ֨י
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)
#3
דָּוִ֗ד
Then David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#4
אֵלָ֗יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
הִנֵּ֨ה
lo!
#6
הַיּ֜וֹם
unto him Behold the day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#7
אֲֽשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
אָמַ֧ר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
יְהוָ֣ה
of which the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#10
אֵלֶ֗יךָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
הִנֵּ֨ה
lo!
#12
אָֽנֹכִ֜י
i
#13
נֹתֵ֤ן
unto thee Behold I will deliver
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#14
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
אֹֽיִבְיךָ֙
thine enemy
hating; an adversary
#16
בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ
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
#17
וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ
that thou mayest do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#18
לּ֔וֹ
H0
#19
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#20
יִטַ֣ב
to him as it shall seem good
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
#21
בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ
unto thee
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#22
וַיָּ֣קָם
arose
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#23
דָּוִ֗ד
Then David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#24
וַיִּכְרֹ֛ת
and cut off
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
#25
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#26
כְּנַֽף
the skirt
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
#27
הַמְּעִ֥יל
robe
a robe (i.e., upper and outer garment)
#28
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#29
לְשָׁא֖וּל
of Saul's
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#30
בַּלָּֽט׃
privily
properly, covered, i.e., secret; by implication, incantation; also secrecy or (adverb) covertly

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

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