1 Samuel 26:20

Authorized King James Version

Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְעַתָּ֗ה
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#2
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#3
יִפֹּ֤ל
fall
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#4
דָּמִי֙
Now therefore let not my 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
#5
אַ֔רְצָה
to the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#6
מִנֶּ֖גֶד
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
#7
פְּנֵ֣י
before the face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#8
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#10
יָצָ֞א
is come out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#11
מֶ֣לֶךְ
for the king
a king
#12
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#13
לְבַקֵּשׁ֙
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
פַּרְעֹ֣שׁ
flea
a flea (as the isolated insect)
#16
אֶחָ֔ד
a
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#17
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#18
יִרְדֹּ֥ף
as when one doth hunt
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
#19
הַקֹּרֵ֖א
a partridge
a caller, i.e., partridge (from its cry)
#20
בֶּֽהָרִֽים׃
in the mountains
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

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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