1 Samuel 25:31

Authorized King James Version

That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְלֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
תִֽהְיֶ֣ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#3
זֹ֣את׀
this (often used adverb)
#4
לְךָ֡
H0
#5
לְפוּקָה֩
That this shall be no grief
a stumbling-block
#6
וּלְמִכְשׁ֨וֹל
unto thee nor offence
a stumbling-block, literally or figuratively (obstacle, enticement (specifically an idol), scruple)
#7
לֵ֜ב
of heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#8
לַֽאדֹנִ֔י
or that my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#9
וְלִשְׁפָּךְ
either that thou hast shed
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
#10
דָּם֙
blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#11
חִנָּ֔ם
causeless
gratis, i.e., devoid of cost, reason or advantage
#12
וּלְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ
hath avenged
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
#13
לַֽאדֹנִ֔י
or that my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#14
ל֑וֹ
H0
#15
וְהֵיטִ֤ב
shall have dealt well
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
#16
יְהוָה֙
himself but when the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#17
לַֽאדֹנִ֔י
or that my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#18
וְזָֽכַרְתָּ֖
then remember
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
#19
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#20
אֲמָתֶֽךָ׃
thine handmaid
a maid-servant or female slave

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

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 sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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