2 Samuel 16:10

Authorized King James Version

And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יֹאמַ֔ר
Who shall then say
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ
And the king
a king
#3
מַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#4
לִּ֥י
H0
#5
וְלָכֶ֖ם
H0
#6
בְּנֵ֣י
What have I to do with you ye 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
#7
צְרֻיָ֑ה
of Zeruiah
tserujah, an israelitess
#8
כֹּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#9
קַלֵּ֣ל
so let him curse
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
#10
וכִּ֤י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#11
יְהוָה֙
because the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#12
יֹאמַ֔ר
Who shall then say
to say (used with great latitude)
#13
לוֹ֙
H0
#14
קַלֵּ֣ל
so let him curse
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
#15
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
דָּוִ֔ד
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#17
וּמִ֣י
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#18
יֹאמַ֔ר
Who shall then say
to say (used with great latitude)
#19
מַדּ֖וּעַ
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
#20
עָשִׂ֥יתָה
Wherefore hast thou done so
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#21
כֵּֽן׃
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

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 sovereignty 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 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 divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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