1 Samuel 8:11

Authorized King James Version

And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

זֶ֗ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

יִֽהְיֶה֙

H1961

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

מִשְׁפַּ֣ט

H4941

This will be the manner

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ

H4428

of the king

a king

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

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

יִמְלֹ֖ךְ

H4427

that shall reign

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם

H5921

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

אֶת

H853

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

#10

בְּנֵיכֶ֣ם

H1121

your sons

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

#11

יִקָּ֗ח

H3947

over you He will take

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

#12

וְשָׂ֥ם

H7760

and appoint

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

#13

לוֹ֙

#14

מֶרְכַּבְתּֽוֹ׃

H4818

his chariots

a chariot

#15

וּבְפָֽרָשָׁ֔יו

H6571

and to be his horsemen

a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry

#16

וְרָצ֖וּ

H7323

and some shall run

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

#17

לִפְנֵ֥י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#18

מֶרְכַּבְתּֽוֹ׃

H4818

his chariots

a chariot

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to 1 Samuel. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of kingdom of God within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 kingdom of God 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding kingdom of God as presented in this verse, particularly in light of providing hope in times of political and social upheaval?
How does the kingdom of God theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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