2 Samuel 2:4

Authorized King James Version

And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
אַנְשֵׁ֣י
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#3
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#4
וַיִּמְשְׁחוּ
and there they anointed
to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint
#5
שָׁ֧ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#6
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
לְדָוִד֙
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#8
לְמֶ֖לֶךְ
king
a king
#9
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
בֵּ֣ית
over the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#11
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#12
וַיַּגִּ֤דוּ
And they told
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#13
לְדָוִד֙
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#14
לֵאמֹ֔ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#15
אַנְשֵׁי֙
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#16
יָבֵ֣ישׁ
of Jabeshgilead
jobesh, the name of an israelite and of a place in palestine
#17
גִּלְעָ֔ד
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
#18
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#19
קָֽבְר֖וּ
were they that buried
to inter
#20
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#21
שָׁאֽוּל׃
Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and 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 revelation 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

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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