1 Samuel 29:8

Authorized King James Version

And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
דָּוִ֜ד
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
אָכִ֗ישׁ
unto Achish
akish, a philistine king
#5
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#6
מֶ֤ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#7
עָשִׂ֙יתִי֙
But what have I done
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#8
וּמַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#9
מָּצָ֣אתָ
and what hast thou found
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#10
בְעַבְדְּךָ֔
in thy servant
a servant
#11
הַיּ֣וֹם
so long as
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
#12
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
הָיִ֣יתִי
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#14
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
I have been with thee
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#15
עַ֖ד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#16
הַיּ֣וֹם
so long as
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
#17
הַזֶּ֑ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#18
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#19
לֹ֤א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#20
אָבוֹא֙
that I may not go
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#21
וְנִלְחַ֔מְתִּי
fight
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#22
בְּאֹֽיְבֵ֖י
against the enemies
hating; an adversary
#23
אֲדֹנִ֥י
of my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#24
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
the king
a king

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Samuel. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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