1 Samuel 26:2

Authorized King James Version

Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּ֣קָם
arose
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#2
שָׁא֗וּל
Then Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#3
וַיֵּ֙רֶד֙
and went down
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
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
בְּמִדְבַּר
in the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#6
זִֽיף׃
of Ziph
ziph, the name of a place in palestine; also of an israelite
#7
וְאִתּ֛וֹ
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#8
שְׁלֹֽשֶׁת
having three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#9
אֲלָפִ֥ים
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#10
אִ֖ישׁ
men
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#11
בְּחוּרֵ֣י
chosen
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
#12
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#13
לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ
with him to seek
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#14
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
דָּוִ֖ד
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#16
בְּמִדְבַּר
in the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#17
זִֽיף׃
of Ziph
ziph, the name of a place in palestine; also of an israelite

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Samuel. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, 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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