2 Samuel 1:23

Authorized King James Version

Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שָׁא֣וּל
Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#2
וִיהֽוֹנָתָ֗ן
and Jonathan
jehonathan, the name of four israelites
#3
הַנֶּֽאֱהָבִ֤ים
were lovely
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
#4
וְהַנְּעִימִם֙
and pleasant
delightful (objective or subjective, literal or figurative)
#5
בְּחַיֵּיהֶ֔ם
in their lives
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#6
וּבְמוֹתָ֖ם
and in their death
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
#7
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#8
נִפְרָ֑דוּ
they were not divided
to break through, i.e., spread or separate (oneself)
#9
מִנְּשָׁרִ֣ים
than eagles
the eagle (or other large bird of prey)
#10
קַ֔לּוּ
they were swifter
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
#11
מֵֽאֲרָי֖וֹת
than lions
a lion
#12
גָּבֵֽרוּ׃
they were stronger
to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of love connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about love, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to 2 Samuel's theological argument.

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 2 Samuel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes love in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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