2 Samuel 20:6

Authorized King James Version

And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
דָּוִד֙
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
אֲבִישַׁ֔י
H52
to Abishai
abishai, an israelite
#5
עַתָּ֗ה
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#6
יֵ֧רַֽע
do us more harm
properly, to be broken up (with any violent action) i.e., (figuratively) to fear
#7
לָ֛נוּ
H0
#8
שֶׁ֥בַע
Now shall Sheba
sheba, the name of a place in palestine, and of two israelites
#9
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#10
בִּכְרִ֖י
of Bichri
bikri, an israelite
#11
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#12
אַבְשָׁל֑וֹם
H53
than did Absalom
abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite
#13
אַ֠תָּה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#14
קַ֞ח
take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#15
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
עַבְדֵ֤י
servants
a servant
#17
אֲדֹנֶ֙יךָ֙
thou thy lord's
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#18
וּרְדֹ֣ף
and pursue
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
#19
אַֽחֲרָ֔יו
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#20
פֶּן
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
#21
מָ֥צָא
him lest he get
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#22
ל֛וֹ
H0
#23
עָרִ֥ים
cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#24
בְּצֻר֖וֹת
him fenced
to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e., inaccessible by height or fortification)
#25
וְהִצִּ֥יל
and escape
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
#26
עֵינֵֽנוּ׃
us
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

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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