2 Samuel 1:4

Authorized King James Version

And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַ֠יֹּאמֶר

H559

me And he answered

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֥יו

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֛ד

H1732

And David

david, the youngest son of jesse

מֶֽה

H4100

unto him How

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הָיָ֥ה

H1961

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

הַדָּבָ֖ר

H1697

went the matter

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַגֶּד

H5046

I pray thee tell

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

נָ֣א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לִ֑י

#10

וַ֠יֹּאמֶר

H559

me And he answered

to say (used with great latitude)

#11

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

#12

נָ֨ס

H5127

are fled

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

#13

הָעָם֙

H5971

That the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#14

מִן

H4480

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

#15

הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה

H4421

from the battle

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

#16

וְגַם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#17

הַרְבֵּ֞ה

H7235

and many

to increase (in whatever respect)

#18

נָפַ֤ל

H5307

also are fallen

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

#19

מִן

H4480

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

#20

הָעָם֙

H5971

That the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#21

מֵֽתוּ׃

H4191

and dead

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#22

וְגַ֗ם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#23

שָׁא֛וּל

H7586

and Saul

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

#24

וִיהֽוֹנָתָ֥ן

H3083

and Jonathan

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

#25

בְּנ֖וֹ

H1121

his son

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

#26

מֵֽתוּ׃

H4191

and dead

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

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 covenant community 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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

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Study Resources

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