1 Samuel 25:21

Authorized King James Version

Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְדָוִ֣ד
H1732
Now David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#2
אָמַ֗ר
H559
had said
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
אַךְ֩
H389
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
#4
לַשֶּׁ֨קֶר
H8267
Surely in vain
an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
#5
שָׁמַ֜רְתִּי
H8104
have I kept
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#6
אֶֽת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
לָזֶה֙
H2088
all that this
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#10
בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר
H4057
fellow hath in the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#11
וְלֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#12
נִפְקַ֥ד
H6485
was missed
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#13
מִכָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
אֲשֶׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#15
ל֖וֹ
H0
#16
מְא֑וּמָה
H3972
so that nothing
properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing
#17
וַיָּֽשֶׁב
H7725
of all that pertained unto him and he hath requited
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#18
לִ֥י
H0
#19
רָעָ֖ה
H7451
me evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#20
תַּ֥חַת
H8478
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#21
טוֹבָֽה׃
H2896
for good
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

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 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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