1 Samuel 26:10

Authorized King James Version

David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִד֙

H1732

David

david, the youngest son of jesse

חַי

H2416

liveth

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

furthermore As the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּ֥י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

furthermore As the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יִגָּפֶ֑נּוּ

H5062

shall smite

to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)

אֽוֹ

H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

#10

יוֹמ֤וֹ

H3117

him or his day

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

#11

יָבוֹא֙

H935

shall come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#12

וָמֵ֔ת

H4191

to die

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#13

א֧וֹ

H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

#14

בַמִּלְחָמָ֛ה

H4421

into battle

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

#15

יֵרֵ֖ד

H3381

or he shall descend

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

#16

וְנִסְפָּֽה׃

H5595

and perish

properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e., to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e., to scatter, remove, or r

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

How does this verse's literary context within 1 Samuel chapter 26 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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