What Does 1 Samuel 28:17 Mean in the King James?
And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The tearing is already a transfer: what leaves one hand is placed in another.
THE MEANING
The spoken word takes form as the kingdom changes hands. Authority is something held, yet holding it does not make it permanent: it can be torn from one grasp and given to another. The destination is named, David, whose name carries the meaning “beloved.”
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that whatever you hold is yours to keep is undone here: what is in your hand can be taken from it.
THE ROOT
קָרַע
qaraʿ
GROWS FROM
קרע
To tear, rip, or rend apart.
“rent” in this verse is qaraʿ. The verb holds more than loss: it pictures a breach that separates what was joined. Here the kingdom is torn from one hand, and the next verb shows where it goes.
ALSO GROWS
qeraʿ: A tear or rent.
קֶרַע
The noun names the breach made by the tearing in this verse.
qeri'ah: The act of tearing or rending.
קְרִיעָה
This branch keeps the focus on the tearing as an action that breaks a bond or possession.
נָתַן
natan
GROWS FROM
נתן
To give, set, or place.
“given” in this verse is natan. The kingdom does not simply disappear when it is torn from a hand; it is placed with someone else. The root’s sense of giving and setting makes the transfer explicit.
ALSO GROWS
mattan: A gift.
מַתָּן
This noun shows what is given as something placed into another’s possession.
netinah: A giving or bestowal.
נְתִינָה
This branch names the act of transfer that follows the tearing in the verse.
דָּוִד
David
GROWS FROM
דוד
Beloved; the name is linked to dod, beloved one.
The recipient is not left unnamed: the verse identifies the neighbor as David, a name carrying the sense of beloved. The transfer arrives in a person whose name itself bears relational meaning.
ALSO GROWS
dod: Beloved one; also a close relative such as an uncle.
דּוֹד
This related word carries the beloved sense found in David’s name.
dodim: Love or endearments.
דּוֹדִים
This plural branch makes the name’s association with love visible in Hebrew usage.
THE PATTERN
Authority held in one hand can be removed and given to another.
And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.THE THREAD
And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.This verse puts the same two roots side by side: qaraʿ, “tear,” and natan, “give.” Their pairing makes the movement plain, the kingdom is torn from one hand and transferred to another.
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