1 Samuel 26:1

Authorized King James Version

And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
הַזִּפִים֙
And the Ziphites
a ziphite or inhabitant of ziph
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
שָׁא֔וּל
unto Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#5
הַגִּבְעָ֖תָה
to Gibeah
gibah; the name of three places in palestine
#6
לֵאמֹ֑ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
הֲל֨וֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#8
דָוִ֤ד
Doth not David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#9
מִסְתַּתֵּר֙
hide
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
#10
בְּגִבְעַ֣ת
himself in the hill
a hillock
#11
הַֽחֲכִילָ֔ה
of Hachilah
chakilah, a hill in palestine
#12
עַ֖ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
פְּנֵ֥י
which is before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#14
הַיְשִׁימֹֽן׃
Jeshimon
a desolation

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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