2 Samuel 6:20

Authorized King James Version

Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּ֥שָׁב
returned
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#2
דָּוִ֔ד
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
לְבָרֵ֣ךְ
to bless
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
#4
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
בֵּית֑וֹ
his household
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#6
וַתֵּצֵ֞א
came out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#7
מִיכַ֤ל
And Michal
mikal, saul's daughter
#8
בַּת
the daughter
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#9
שָׁאוּל֙
of Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#10
לִקְרַ֣את
to meet
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#11
דָּוִ֔ד
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#12
וַתֹּ֗אמֶר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#13
מַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#14
נִּכְבַּ֨ד
How glorious
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
#15
הַיּוֹם֙
himself to day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#16
מֶ֣לֶךְ
was the king
a king
#17
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#18
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#19
נִגְל֖וֹת
shamelessly
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
#20
הַיּוֹם֙
himself to day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#21
לְעֵינֵ֨י
in the eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#22
אַמְה֣וֹת
of the handmaids
a maid-servant or female slave
#23
עֲבָדָ֔יו
of his servants
a servant
#24
נִגְל֖וֹת
shamelessly
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
#25
נִגְל֖וֹת
shamelessly
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
#26
אַחַ֥ד
as one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#27
הָרֵקִֽים׃
of the vain fellows
empty; figuratively, worthless

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, 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

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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