1 Samuel 25:28

Authorized King James Version

I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שָׂ֥א
I pray thee forgive
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#2
נָ֖א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#3
לְפֶ֣שַׁע
the trespass
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
#4
אֲמָתֶ֑ךָ
of thine handmaid
a maid-servant or female slave
#5
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#6
יַעֲשֶׂה֩
make
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#7
יַעֲשֶׂה֩
make
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#8
יְהוָה֙
for the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
אֲדֹנִ֣י
because my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#10
בַּ֣יִת
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#11
נֶֽאֱמָ֗ן
a sure
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
#12
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#13
מִלְחֲמ֤וֹת
the battles
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#14
יְהוָה֙
for the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#15
אֲדֹנִ֣י
because my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#16
נִלְחָ֔ם
fighteth
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#17
וְרָעָ֛ה
and evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#18
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#19
תִמָּצֵ֥א
hath not been found
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#20
בְךָ֖
H0
#21
מִיָּמֶֽיךָ׃
in thee all thy days
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

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Samuel. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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