1 Samuel 28:20

Authorized King James Version

Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְמַהֵ֣ר
H4116
straightway
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
#2
שָׁא֗וּל
H7586
Then Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#3
וַיִּפֹּ֤ל
H5307
fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#4
מְלֹא
H4393
all
fulness (literally or figuratively)
#5
קֽוֹמָתוֹ֙
H6967
along
height
#6
אַ֔רְצָה
H776
on the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#7
וַיִּרָ֥א
H3372
afraid
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#8
מְאֹ֖ד
H3966
and was sore
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
#9
מִדִּבְרֵ֣י
H1697
because of the words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#10
שְׁמוּאֵ֑ל
H8050
of Samuel
shemuel, the name of three israelites
#11
גַּם
H1571
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#12
כֹּ֙חַ֙
H3581
and there was no strength
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
#13
לֹא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#14
הָ֣יָה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#15
ב֔וֹ
H0
#16
כִּ֣י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#17
לֹ֤א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#18
אָכַל֙
H398
in him for he had eaten
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#19
לֶ֔חֶם
H3899
no bread
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
#20
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#21
הַיּ֖וֹם
H3117
all the 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
#22
וְכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#23
הַלָּֽיְלָה׃
H3915
nor all the night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

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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