1 Samuel 29:4

Authorized King James Version

And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּקְצְפ֨וּ

H7107

were wroth

to crack off, i.e., (figuratively) burst out in rage

עָלָ֜יו

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שָׂרֵ֨י

H8269

And the princes

a head person (of any rank or class)

פְלִשְׁתִּ֜ים

H6430

of the Philistines

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

לוֹ֩

שָׂרֵ֨י

H8269

And the princes

a head person (of any rank or class)

פְלִשְׁתִּ֜ים

H6430

of the Philistines

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וְיָשֹׁב֙

H7725

return

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#10

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#11

הָאִ֗ישׁ

H376

this fellow

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)

#12

וְיָשֹׁב֙

H7725

return

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#13

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#14

מְקוֹמוֹ֙

H4725

to his place

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

#15

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#16

הִפְקַדְתּ֣וֹ

H6485

which thou hast appointed

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

#17

שָׁ֔ם

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

#18

וְלֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#19

יֵרֵ֤ד

H3381

him and let him not go 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

#20

עִמָּ֙נוּ֙

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#21

בַּמִּלְחָמָ֑ה

H4421

lest in the battle

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

#22

וְלֹא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#23

יִֽהְיֶה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#24

לָּ֥נוּ

#25

לְשָׂטָ֖ן

H7854

he be an adversary

an opponent; especially (with the article prefixed) satan, the arch-enemy of good

#26

בַּמִּלְחָמָ֑ה

H4421

lest in the battle

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

#27

וּבַמֶּ֗ה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

#28

יִתְרַצֶּ֥ה

H7521

to us for wherewith should he reconcile

to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt

#29

זֶה֙

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#30

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#31

אֲדֹנָ֔יו

H113

himself unto his master

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

#32

הֲל֕וֹא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#33

בְּרָאשֵׁ֖י

H7218

should it not be with the heads

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

#34

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֥ים

H582

of these men

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

#35

הָהֵֽם׃

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

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

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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within 1 Samuel chapter 29 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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