2 Samuel 18:32

Authorized King James Version

And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
answered
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ
And the king
a king
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
הַכּוּשִׁ֗י
And Cushi
a cushite, or descendant of cush
#5
הֲשָׁל֥וֹם
safe
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
#6
כַנַּ֙עַר֙
Is the young man
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
#7
לְאַבְשָׁל֑וֹם
H53
Absalom
abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite
#8
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
answered
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
הַכּוּשִׁ֗י
And Cushi
a cushite, or descendant of cush
#10
יִֽהְי֤וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#11
כַנַּ֙עַר֙
Is the young man
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
#12
אֹֽיְבֵי֙
The enemies
hating; an adversary
#13
אֲדֹנִ֣י
of my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#14
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ
And the king
a king
#15
וְכֹ֛ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#16
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
קָ֥מוּ
and all that rise
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#18
עָלֶ֖יךָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
לְרָעָֽה׃
against thee to do thee hurt
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 2 Samuel.

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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