2 Samuel 2:1

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
אַֽחֲרֵי
And it came to pass after this
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#3
כֵ֗ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#4
וַיִּשְׁאַל֩
enquired
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
#5
דָּוִ֛ד
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#6
יְהוָ֛ה
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
אֶֽעֱלֶ֖ה
Shall I go up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#9
בְּאַחַת֙
into any
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#10
עָרֵ֣י
of the cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#11
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#12
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#13
יְהוָ֛ה
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#14
אֵלָ֖יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
אֶֽעֱלֶ֖ה
Shall I go up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#16
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#17
דָּוִ֛ד
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#18
אָ֥נָה
where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither
#19
אֶֽעֱלֶ֖ה
Shall I go up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#20
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#21
חֶבְרֹֽנָה׃
Unto Hebron
chebron, the name of two israelites

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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