1 Samuel 30:8

Authorized King James Version

And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׁאַ֨ל
enquired
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
#2
דָּוִ֤ד
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
בַּֽיהוָה֙
at the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
רְדֹ֔ף
Shall I pursue
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
#6
אַֽחֲרֵ֥י
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#7
הַגְּדוּד
this troop
a crowd (especially of soldiers)
#8
הַזֶּ֖ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#9
תַּשִּׂ֖יג
for thou shalt surely
to reach (literally or figuratively)
#10
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
לוֹ֙
H0
#12
רְדֹ֔ף
Shall I pursue
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
#13
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#14
תַּשִּׂ֖יג
for thou shalt surely
to reach (literally or figuratively)
#15
תַּשִּׂ֖יג
for thou shalt surely
to reach (literally or figuratively)
#16
תַּצִּֽיל׃
recover
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
#17
תַּצִּֽיל׃
recover
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

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 literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Samuel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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