1 Samuel 30:1

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֞י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בְּבֹ֨א
were come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#3
דָוִ֧ד
And it came to pass when David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#4
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֛יו
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)
#5
צִ֣קְלַ֔ג
Ziklag
tsiklag or tsikelag, a place in palestine
#6
בַּיּ֣וֹם
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
#7
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑י
on the third
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
#8
וַעֲמָֽלֵקִ֣י
that the Amalekites
an amalekite (or collectively the amalekites) or descendants of amalek
#9
פָֽשְׁט֗וּ
had invaded
to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)
#10
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
נֶ֙גֶב֙
the south
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
#12
וְאֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#13
צִ֣קְלַ֔ג
Ziklag
tsiklag or tsikelag, a place in palestine
#14
וַיַּכּוּ֙
and smitten
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#15
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
צִ֣קְלַ֔ג
Ziklag
tsiklag or tsikelag, a place in palestine
#17
וַיִּשְׂרְפ֥וּ
and burned
to be (causatively, set) on fire
#18
אֹתָ֖הּ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
בָּאֵֽשׁ׃
it with fire
fire (literally or figuratively)

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by introducing key themes that will be developed throughout 1 Samuel.

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

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