1 Samuel 7:8

Authorized King James Version

And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּֽאמְר֤וּ

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

בְנֵֽי

H1121

And the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל

H8050

to Samuel

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּֽחֲרֵ֣שׁ

H2790

Cease

to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad

מִמֶּ֔נּוּ

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

מִזְּעֹ֖ק

H2199

not to cry

to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly

#10

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#11

יְהוָ֣ה

H3068

unto the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#12

אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ

H430

our God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#13

וְיֹֽשִׁעֵ֖נוּ

H3467

for us that he will save

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

#14

מִיַּ֥ד

H3027

us out of the hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#15

פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃

H6430

of the Philistines

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

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

How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

Related Resources

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