1 Samuel 25:20

Authorized King James Version

And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֞ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
הִ֣יא׀
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#3
רֹכֶ֣בֶת
And it was so as she rode
to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch
#4
עַֽל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
הַחֲמ֗וֹר
on the ass
a male ass (from its dun red)
#6
יֹֽרְדִ֖ים
came 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
#7
בְּסֵ֣תֶר
by the covert
a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
#8
הָהָ֔ר
of the hill
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#9
וְהִנֵּ֤ה
lo!
#10
דָוִד֙
and behold David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#11
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֔יו
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)
#12
יֹֽרְדִ֖ים
came 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
#13
לִקְרָאתָ֑הּ
against
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#14
וַתִּפְגֹּ֖שׁ
her and she met
to come in contact with, whether by accident or violence; figuratively, to concur
#15
אֹתָֽם׃
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

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 revelation 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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