2 Samuel 14:17

Authorized King James Version

Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙
H559
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
שִׁפְחָ֣תְךָ֔
H8198
Then thine handmaid
a female slave (as a member of the household)
#3
יִֽהְיֶה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#4
נָּ֛א
H4994
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#5
דְּבַר
H1697
The word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#6
אֲדֹנִ֤י
H113
of my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#7
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙
H4428
the king
a king
#8
לִמְנֻחָ֑ה
H4496
shall now be comfortable
repose or (adverbially) peacefully; figuratively, consolation (specifically, matrimony); hence (concretely) an abode
#9
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#10
כְּמַלְאַ֣ךְ
H4397
for as an angel
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
#11
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
H430
of 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
#12
כֵּ֣ן
H3651
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#13
אֲדֹנִ֤י
H113
of my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#14
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙
H4428
the king
a king
#15
לִשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙
H8085
to discern
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#16
הַטּ֣וֹב
H2896
good
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#17
וְהָרָ֔ע
H7451
and bad
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#18
וַֽיהוָ֥ה
H3068
therefore the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#19
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
H430
of 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
#20
יְהִ֥י
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#21
עִמָּֽךְ׃
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Samuel. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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