2 Samuel 1:2

Authorized King James Version

It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י׀
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בַּיּ֣וֹם
H3117
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
#3
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗י
H7992
It came even to pass on the third
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
#4
וְהִנֵּה֩
H2009
lo!
#5
אִ֨ישׁ
H376
that behold a man
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)
#6
בְּבֹא֣וֹ
H935
and so it was when he came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#7
מִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#8
הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֙
H4264
out of the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#9
מֵעִ֣ם
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#10
שָׁא֔וּל
H7586
from Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#11
וּבְגָדָ֣יו
H899
with his clothes
a covering, i.e., clothing
#12
קְרֻעִ֔ים
H7167
rent
to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
#13
וַֽאֲדָמָ֖ה
H127
and earth
soil (from its general redness)
#14
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
רֹאשׁ֑וֹ
H7218
upon his head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#16
וַֽיְהִי֙
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#17
בְּבֹא֣וֹ
H935
and so it was when he came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#18
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#19
דָּוִ֔ד
H1732
to David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#20
וַיִּפֹּ֥ל
H5307
that he fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#21
אַ֖רְצָה
H776
to the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#22
וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ׃
H7812
and did obeisance
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

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 revelation 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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