1
καὶ ἔλαβεν Σαμουηλ τὸν φακὸν τοῦ ἐλαίου καὶ ἐπέχεεν ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐφίλησεν αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ οὐχὶ κέχρικέν σε κύριος εἰς ἄρχοντα ἐπὶ τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ Ισραηλ καὶ σὺ ἄρξεις ἐν λαῷ κυρίου καὶ σὺ σώσεις αὐτὸν ἐκ χειρὸς ἐχθρῶν αὐτοῦ κυκλόθεν καὶ τοῦτό σοι τὸ σημεῖον ὅτι ἔχρισέν σε κύριος ἐπὶ κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ εἰς ἄρχοντα
And Samuel took the flask of oil and poured it upon his head and kissed him and said to him, 'Has not the LORD anointed you as ruler over his people, over Israel? And you shall rule among the people of the LORD, and you shall save him from the hand of his enemies round about. And this shall be the sign to you that the LORD has anointed you as ruler over his inheritance:'
The chapter opens with paratactic καί + aorist, the standard Hebraizing narrative chain (וַיִּקַּח). A rapid sequence of aorists (ἔλαβεν … ἐπέχεεν … ἐφίλησεν … εἶπεν) enacts the anointing ritual before the interpretive speech. Samuel's rhetorical question οὐχί … expects an emphatic 'yes': the LORD has indeed anointed Saul as ἄρχων, the LXX rendering of נָגִיד ('leader / commander'), pointedly not yet βασιλεύς.
Word-by-word analysis· 60 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (first act of the anointing sequence)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; renders לָקַח; the opening verb of the anointing ritual, initiating the chain of aorists that carry the rite forward.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: transliteration of Hebrew שְׁמוּאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; the prophet-judge who acts here as YHWH's authorized anointer.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φακὸνflaskAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationφακός: 'flask / cruse / lentil-shaped vessel'; renders פַּךְ; the small oil-flask used for anointing (contrast the κέρας, 'horn', of oil at 16:1, 13), perhaps signalling Saul's provisional designation.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλαίουoilGenitivegenitive of content (the flask's contents)→ relational specificationἔλαιον: 'olive oil'; renders שֶׁמֶן; anointing oil consecrates the recipient, setting Saul apart for YHWH's service.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέχεενpoured uponAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιχέωmain verb (the act of anointing)→ verbal action or stateἐπιχέω: 'pour upon / pour over'; the compound ἐπι- specifies the oil poured onto Saul's head; renders יָצַק; the physical centre of the anointing rite.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; the head as the locus of consecration receives the anointing oil.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Saul's head)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Saul's head).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφίλησενkissedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φιλέωmain verb (gesture of homage)→ verbal action or stateφιλέω: 'kiss / love'; renders נָשַׁק; the kiss is an act of homage and recognition of Saul's new royal-leader status (cf. Ps 2:12).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Samuel's interpretive declaration that follows the rite.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (addressee)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (addressee).
οὐχὶhas not …?interrogative negative (introduces rhetorical question)→ clausal contributionοὐχί: emphatic form of οὐ; introduces a rhetorical question expecting an affirmative answer ('surely the LORD has …'); renders the Hebrew interrogative הֲלוֹא.
κέχρικένhas anointedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · χρίωmain verb of the rhetorical question→ verbal action or stateχρίω: 'anoint'; renders מָשַׁח; the perfect stresses that the anointing now stands as a settled fact — Saul is, from this moment, χριστὸς κυρίου ('the LORD's anointed'); the root underlies χριστός / Messiah.
σεyouAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (divine agent of the anointing)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the LORD, not Samuel, is the true agent of the anointing — Samuel merely executes the divine choice.
εἰςaspreposition + accusative (predicative: 'as / to be')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: here predicative ('as / unto'), a Hebraism rendering לְ of office.
ἄρχονταrulerAccusativepredicate accusative (office to which Saul is anointed)→ object specificationἄρχων: 'ruler / commander / leader'; renders נָגִיד; the LXX deliberately uses ἄρχων rather than βασιλεύς ('king') for Saul's initial designation — he is YHWH's appointed leader-prince, the kingship being publicly conferred only at the Mizpah assembly (vv. 24–25).
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (authority over)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (authority over).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; the standard LXX term for Israel as covenant community (rendering עַם); Saul rules not his own people but the LORD's.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the LORD's people)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the LORD's people).
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (epexegetical repetition)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (epexegetical repetition).
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable, epexegetical: 'that is, Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; epexegetically identifies 'his people' as Israel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic personal pronoun foregrounds Saul as the one personally commissioned to rule and to save.
ἄρξειςyou shall ruleFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἄρχωmain verb (future commission)→ verbal action or stateἄρχω: 'rule / govern / be first'; cognate with ἄρχων above; the verb names the exercise of the office to which Saul has just been anointed.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
λαῷpeopleDativedative of sphere (within whom Saul rules)→ sphere or referenceλαός (dat.): the sphere of Saul's rule, again defined as the LORD's people.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (Tetragrammaton)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen.): rendering of יהוה; the people belong to the LORD — Saul's authority is delegated, not autonomous.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun, repeated)→ participant referenceσὺ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (emphatic pronoun, repeated).
σώσειςyou shall saveFut Act Indic 2 Sg · σῴζωmain verb (future commission)→ verbal action or stateσῴζω: 'save / deliver / rescue'; renders יָשַׁע / הוֹשִׁיעַ; defines the ruler's task as military-deliverer, framing the question the worthless men will later mock (τί σώσει ἡμᾶς οὗτος, v. 27).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (the people, collective sing.)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the people, collective sing.).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source of rescue)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source of rescue).
χειρὸςhandGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (idiom: 'from the hand of')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἐκ χειρός renders מִיַּד ('from the hand/power of'), a Hebraism for deliverance from hostile power.
ἐχθρῶνenemiesGenitivegenitive (those from whose hand Israel is saved)→ relational specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy / hostile one'; renders אֹיֵב; the surrounding nations from whom the ruler must deliver Israel.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the people's enemies)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the people's enemies).
κυκλόθενround aboutadverb of place (encircling enemies)→ clausal contributionκυκλόθεν: 'all around / on every side'; renders מִסָּבִיב; pictures Israel beset by enemies on every side, the situation the new ruler must reverse.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the sign)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῦτόthisNominativesubject / predicate (demonstrative: 'this is the sign')→ participant referenceοὗτος: the demonstrative points forward to the confirming signs of vv. 2–6.
σοιto youDativedative of advantage (the sign given to Saul)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (the sign given to Saul).
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σημεῖονsignNominativepredicate nominative (with τοῦτο)→ participant prominenceσημεῖον: 'sign / token'; renders אוֹת; an authenticating sign confirming the divine word, here the cluster of three predicted events.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing content of the sign)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that / because'; here introduces the proposition the sign confirms — that the LORD has anointed Saul.
ἔχρισένanointedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · χρίωverb of the ὅτι-clause→ verbal action or stateχρίω (aor.): the simple aorist here restates the anointing of κέχρικέν (perf.) above as the established fact the sign will confirm.
σεyouAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (Tetragrammaton)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; again the LORD is named as the agent of the anointing, bracketing the verse (κύριος … κύριος).
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (authority over)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (authority over).
κληρονομίανinheritanceAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationκληρονομία: 'inheritance / heritage'; renders נַחֲלָה; Israel as the LORD's own inherited portion (cf. Deut 32:9), underlining that Saul rules a people that belongs uniquely to God.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the LORD's inheritance)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the LORD's inheritance).
εἰςaspreposition + accusative (predicative, closing inclusio)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (predicative, closing inclusio).
ἄρχονταrulerAccusativepredicate accusative (office, closing inclusio with v. 1a)→ object specificationἄρχων: the verse closes by repeating εἰς ἄρχοντα, forming an inclusio that frames the whole anointing-declaration around Saul's office as YHWH's leader (נָגִיד).
2
ὡς ἂν ἀπέλθῃς σήμερον ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ καὶ εὑρήσεις δύο ἄνδρας πρὸς τοῖς τάφοις Ραχηλ ἐν τῷ ὁρίῳ Βενιαμιν ἁλλομένους μεγάλα καὶ ἐροῦσίν σοι εὕρηνται αἱ ὄνοι ἃς ἐπορεύθητε ζητεῖν καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ πατήρ σου ἀποτετίνακται τὸ ῥῆμα τῶν ὄνων καὶ ἐδαψιλεύσατο δι᾿ ὑμᾶς λέγων τί ποιήσω ὑπὲρ τοῦ υἱοῦ μου
As you go today from me, you will also find two men by the tombs of Rachel in the territory of Benjamin, leaping greatly; and they will say to you, 'The donkeys you went to seek have been found; and behold, your father has put away the matter of the donkeys and is anxious about you, saying, "What shall I do about my son?"'
The first of the three signs. ὡς ἄν with the aorist subjunctive (ἀπέλθῃς) marks an indefinite-temporal protasis ('whenever / as soon as you go'), answered by the future εὑρήσεις. The sign's content is a precise prediction — two men, a named place (Rachel's tomb in Benjamin), and a reported speech-within-speech — whose exact fulfilment will authenticate Samuel's word.
Word-by-word analysis· 50 words
ὡςas / whentemporal conjunction (with ἄν + subj.)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / when'; with ἄν and the subjunctive forms an indefinite temporal clause ('as soon as / whenever').
ἂν(modal particle)modal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle marking contingency; with ὡς and the subjunctive it renders the indefiniteness of the Hebrew temporal clause.
ἀπέλθῃςyou go awayAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιverb of temporal clause→ verbal action or stateἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the aorist subjunctive views Saul's departure as a single contingent point introducing the sign.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; situates the first sign on the very day of departure.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation, elided).
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (Samuel as point of departure)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. ἐμοῦ): emphatic first-person pronoun; Samuel marks himself as the point from which Saul departs into the sequence of signs.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (apodosis-linking)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὑρήσειςyou will findFut Act Indic 2 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (apodosis: the sign encountered)→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω: 'find / come upon'; renders מָצָא; introduces the first encounter — ironically, Saul will 'find' two men announcing that the lost donkeys have been 'found' (εὕρηνται, same root).
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral (modifying ἄνδρας)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable numeral; the precise number is part of the sign's verifiability.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object of εὑρήσεις→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; renders אִישׁ; the two men are the agents of the first confirming sign.
πρὸςby / nearpreposition + dative (location: 'beside')→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'beside').
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τάφοιςtombsDativedative object of πρός (location)→ sphere or referenceτάφοις: meaning 'tombs'; it serves as dative object of πρός (location).
ΡαχηλRachelgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'of Rachel')→ participant identificationΡαχηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable: 'of Rachel').
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁρίῳterritoryDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceὅριον: 'boundary / territory'; renders גְּבוּל; the bordered region allotted to Benjamin.
Βενιαμινof Benjamingenitive (indeclinable: 'of Benjamin')→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: transliteration of בִּנְיָמִין; indeclinable; Saul's tribe, locating the sign within his own ancestral land.
ἁλλομένουςleapingPres Mid Part · ἅλλομαι (acc pl masc)participle (predicative, modifying ἄνδρας)→ verbal action or stateἅλλομαι: 'leap / spring / dance'; the present participle depicts the two men in vigorous, agitated motion — perhaps leaping in haste or excitement; renders the Hebrew with a vivid kinetic gloss.
μεγάλαgreatlyAccusativeadverbial accusative (neuter pl. as adverb: 'mightily')→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; the neuter plural μεγάλα functions adverbially ('greatly / vigorously'), intensifying the leaping.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐροῦσίνthey will sayFut Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the men's predicted speech)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (fut. ἐρῶ): the future of the suppletive verb 'say'; introduces the men's announcement, the verbal core of the sign.
σοιto youDativedative indirect object (addressee Saul)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (addressee Saul).
εὕρηνταιhave been foundPerf Pass Indic 3 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb of direct speech→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (perf. pass.): 'have been found'; the perfect marks the donkeys' recovery as an accomplished, abiding fact, resolving the search that opened the Saul narrative (ch. 9).
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνοιdonkeysNominativesubject of εὕρηνται→ participant prominenceὄνος: 'donkey / ass'; renders אָתוֹן; the lost she-donkeys whose search led Saul to Samuel (9:3); their recovery confirms the sign and frees Saul's attention for the kingship.
ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ζητεῖν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; the accusative ἃς is the object of the infinitive ζητεῖν.
ἐπορεύθητεyou wentAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · πορεύομαιverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / journey'; deponent (aor. pass. form, active sense); the 2nd plural includes Saul and his servant who set out together (9:3–4).
ζητεῖνto seekPres Act Inf · ζητέωinfinitive of purpose (with ἐπορεύθητε)→ verbal action or stateζητέω: 'seek / search for'; renders בִּקֵּשׁ; the purpose of the journey was to seek the donkeys — now rendered moot.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; a presentative particle drawing attention to the father's anxiety as a fresh datum within the report.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατήρfatherNominativesubject→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father'; Kish, Saul's father (9:1), whose attention has now shifted from the donkeys to his missing son.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (Saul's father)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Saul's father).
ἀποτετίνακταιhas put awayPerf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀποτινάσσωmain verb of the report→ verbal action or stateἀποτινάσσω: 'shake off / put away'; the middle perfect renders the Hebrew idiom for the father's having dismissed (let drop) the matter of the donkeys, his worry now transferred to Saul himself.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαmatterAccusativedirect object of ἀποτετίνακται→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / thing / matter'; renders דָּבָר, which means both 'word' and 'affair'; here the 'business of the donkeys' that the father has set aside (contrast τὸ ῥῆμα τῆς βασιλείας, v. 16).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνωνdonkeysGenitivegenitive (the matter concerning the donkeys)→ relational specificationὄνος (gen. pl.): the donkeys, now no longer the father's concern.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐδαψιλεύσατοis anxiousAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · δαψιλεύομαιmain verb (the father's emotional state)→ verbal action or stateδαψιλεύομαι: properly 'be lavish / abundant', here used for the father's overflowing anxiety/concern for Saul; renders the Hebrew דָּאַג ('be anxious / worried'); the LXX captures the father's distress turning from donkeys to son.
δι᾿forpreposition + accusative (cause, elided)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + accusative: 'because of / for the sake of'; here marking the cause of the father's anxiety.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative object of διά (Saul and his servant)→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of διά (Saul and his servant).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part · λέγω (nom sg masc)participle of attendant circumstance (introducing direct speech)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (pres. part.): the participle λέγων is a standard Hebraism (rendering לֵאמֹר) introducing the father's direct words.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of ποιήσω)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative pronoun 'what?'; introduces the father's anxious deliberative question.
ποιήσωshall I doAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ποιέωdeliberative subjunctive (the father's question)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do / make'; the deliberative subjunctive τί ποιήσω ('what am I to do?') expresses the father's helpless anxiety over his missing son.
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (concern: 'on behalf of / about')→ spatial or relational framingὑπέρ + genitive: 'for / concerning / on behalf of'; marks the object of the father's anxious deliberation.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive object of ὑπέρ→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; renders בֵּן; the father's concern is now wholly for Saul, his son.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship (the father's son)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (the father's son).
3
καὶ ἀπελεύσει ἐκεῖθεν καὶ ἐπέκεινα ἥξεις ἕως τῆς δρυὸς Θαβωρ καὶ εὑρήσεις ἐκεῖ τρεῖς ἄνδρας ἀναβαίνοντας πρὸς τὸν θεὸν εἰς Βαιθηλ ἕνα αἴροντα τρία αἰγίδια καὶ ἕνα αἴροντα τρία ἀγγεῖα ἄρτων καὶ ἕνα αἴροντα ἀσκὸν οἴνου
And you will go on from there, and you will come beyond, as far as the oak of Tabor, and you will find there three men going up to God at Bethel, one carrying three kids, and one carrying three vessels of bread, and one carrying a skin of wine.
The second sign continues the itinerary (ἐκεῖθεν … ἐπέκεινα, 'from there … further on'). The threefold ἕνα … αἴροντα ('one carrying … one carrying … one carrying') gives the prediction a precise, almost ritual specificity — three men, three loads — making the sign exactly verifiable.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπελεύσειyou will go onFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (continuation of itinerary)→ verbal action or stateἀπέρχομαι: meaning 'you will go on'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (continuation of itinerary).
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there / thence'; links the second sign-location to the first.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέκειναbeyondadverb of place (further on)→ clausal contributionἐπέκεινα: 'beyond / further on'; marks continued advance along the route.
ἥξειςyou will comeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἥκωmain verb (arrival)→ verbal action or stateἥκω: 'come / arrive / be present'; renders בּוֹא; marks Saul's arrival at the oak of Tabor.
ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (extent: 'up to')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; with the genitive marks the terminus of the journey-stage.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δρυὸςoakGenitivegenitive object of ἕως→ relational specificationδρῦς: 'oak / tree'; renders אֵלוֹן / אַלּוֹן; sacred trees often served as landmarks and cultic sites in early Israel.
Θαβωρof Taborgenitive (indeclinable: 'of Tabor')→ participant identificationΘαβωρ: transliteration of תָּבוֹר; indeclinable; here the named oak of Tabor (distinct from Mount Tabor), a fixed landmark anchoring the sign.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὑρήσειςyou will findFut Act Indic 2 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (the second encounter)→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω: 'find'; parallels v. 2; introduces the three pilgrims of the second sign.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; locates the encounter at the oak of Tabor.
τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (modifying ἄνδρας)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; the precise count is integral to the sign's verifiability.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object of εὑρήσεις→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the three pilgrims going up to worship.
ἀναβαίνονταςgoing upPres Act Part · ἀναβαίνω (acc pl masc)participle (attributive, modifying ἄνδρας)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; renders עָלָה; the standard verb for 'going up' to a sanctuary to worship — here to God at Bethel.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (goal of worship)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of worship).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸνGodAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (object of worship)→ object specificationθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the men ascend 'to God' at Bethel, the ancient sanctuary-site (cf. Gen 28; 35); not the Tetragrammaton here.
εἰςat / topreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
ΒαιθηλBethelaccusative of destination (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαιθηλ: transliteration of בֵּית־אֵל ('house of God'); indeclinable; the venerable sanctuary-town to which the three men ascend.
ἕναoneAccusativenumeral as substantive ('one of them')→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; partitive ('one [man]'), the first of the threefold distributive ἕνα … ἕνα … ἕνα.
αἴρονταcarryingPres Act Part · αἴρω (acc sg masc)participle (attributive, modifying ἕνα)→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: 'lift / carry / take up'; renders נָשָׂא; the first pilgrim carries the kids; repeated thrice for the three offerings.
τρίαthreeAccusativenumeral (modifying αἰγίδια)→ measure or countτρεῖς, τρία: 'three'; neuter τρία agrees with αἰγίδια.
αἰγίδιαkidsAccusativedirect object of αἴροντα→ object specificationαἰγίδιον: 'young goat / kid'; diminutive of αἴξ; renders גְּדִי; sacrificial young goats borne to the sanctuary.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἕναoneAccusativenumeral as substantive (second of three)→ measure or countἕνα: meaning 'one'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
αἴρονταcarryingPres Act Part · αἴρω (acc sg masc)participle (attributive)→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: the second pilgrim carries the loaves.
τρίαthreeAccusativenumeral (modifying ἀγγεῖα)→ measure or countτρία: meaning 'three'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ἀγγεῖαvesselsAccusativedirect object of αἴροντα→ object specificationἀγγεῖον: 'vessel / container / jar'; here vessels (or baskets) holding bread; ἀγγεῖα ἄρτων = 'vessels of bread' (cf. Hebrew כִּכְּרוֹת לֶחֶם, 'loaves of bread').
ἄρτωνof breadGenitivegenitive of content (with ἀγγεῖα)→ relational specificationἄρτος: 'bread / loaf'; renders לֶחֶם; the loaves two of which Saul will be given (v. 4).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἕναoneAccusativenumeral as substantive (third of three)→ measure or countἕνα: meaning 'one'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
αἴρονταcarryingPres Act Part · αἴρω (acc sg masc)participle (attributive)→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: the third pilgrim carries the wineskin.
ἀσκὸνskinAccusativedirect object of αἴροντα→ object specificationἀσκός: 'leather skin / wineskin'; renders נֵבֶל; the container of wine for the offering or the journey.
οἴνουof wineGenitivegenitive of content (with ἀσκόν)→ relational specificationοἶνος: 'wine'; renders יַיִן; completes the trio of pilgrimage provisions (kids, bread, wine).
4
καὶ ἐρωτήσουσίν σε τὰ εἰς εἰρήνην καὶ δώσουσίν σοι δύο ἀπαρχὰς ἄρτων καὶ λήμψῃ ἐκ τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῶν
And they will greet you with words of peace and will give you two firstfruit-loaves of bread, and you will take them from their hand.
The second sign concludes with the pilgrims greeting Saul and giving him two of their loaves — an unsolicited gift the future king is to accept. The idiom ἐρωτάω … τὰ εἰς εἰρήνην ('ask after the things of peace') is a Hebraism for friendly greeting (שָׁאַל לְשָׁלוֹם).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρωτήσουσίνthey will greetFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐρωτάωmain verb (the pilgrims' greeting)→ verbal action or stateἐρωτάω: 'ask / inquire'; here in the greeting-idiom ἐρωτάω τὰ εἰς εἰρήνην ('ask after one's welfare', i.e. greet); renders שָׁאַל לְשָׁלוֹם.
σεyouAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
τὰthe thingsAccusativesubstantivized article (object of greeting)→ noun-phrase markingὁ/τό: the neuter plural article τά substantivizes the following phrase ('the things pertaining to peace').
εἰςfor / ofpreposition + accusative (with τά: 'the things of peace')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (with τά: 'the things of peace').
εἰρήνηνpeaceAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom of greeting)→ object specificationεἰρήνη: 'peace / welfare'; renders שָׁלוֹם; τὰ εἰς εἰρήνην = 'matters of welfare', i.e. a peaceable greeting.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δώσουσίνthey will giveFut Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (the gift of loaves)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; the pilgrims spontaneously give Saul two of their loaves — a sign of his coming royal dignity.
σοιto youDativedative indirect object→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object.
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral (modifying ἀπαρχάς)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; the two loaves given to Saul out of the three vessels of v. 3.
ἀπαρχὰςfirstfruit-loavesAccusativedirect object of δώσουσιν→ object specificationἀπαρχή: 'firstfruits / first offering'; renders the bread set apart as offering; the LXX styles the loaves as ἀπαρχαί, perhaps marking them as consecrated portions Saul is honoured to receive.
ἄρτωνof breadGenitivegenitive of material/content (with ἀπαρχάς)→ relational specificationἄρτος: 'bread / loaf'; the loaves carried by the second pilgrim (v. 3).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λήμψῃyou will takeFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (Saul's reception of the gift)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; the future middle λήμψῃ instructs Saul to accept the offered loaves — receiving tribute, a royal prerogative anticipated.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρὸςhandGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (idiom: 'from the hand of')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἐκ τῆς χειρός renders מִיָּד, a Hebraism for receiving directly from someone.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (the pilgrims')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the pilgrims').
5
καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα εἰσελεύσῃ εἰς τὸν βουνὸν τοῦ θεοῦ οὗ ἐστιν ἐκεῖ τὸ ἀνάστημα τῶν ἀλλοφύλων ἐκεῖ Νασιβ ὁ ἀλλόφυλος καὶ ἔσται ὡς ἂν εἰσέλθητε ἐκεῖ εἰς τὴν πόλιν καὶ ἀπαντήσεις χορῷ προφητῶν καταβαινόντων ἐκ τῆς Βαμα καὶ ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν νάβλα καὶ τύμπανον καὶ αὐλὸς καὶ κινύρα καὶ αὐτοὶ προφητεύοντες
And after these things you will come to the hill of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is — there is Nasib the Philistine — and it will be, as you enter there into the city, that you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place, and before them harp and drum and pipe and lyre, and they themselves prophesying.
The climactic third sign at the βουνὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ('hill of God'). μετὰ ταῦτα ('after these things') advances the itinerary to its goal. The scene — a band of prophets descending with four instruments — sets up the Spirit's seizure of Saul (v. 6) and the proverb of vv. 11–12. The parenthetical naming of the Philistine garrison locates the sign in contested territory.
Word-by-word analysis· 50 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + accusative: 'after'; μετὰ ταῦτα is a standard LXX temporal connector marking narrative succession.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeaccusative object of μετά→ object specificationοὗτος: the demonstrative ταῦτα refers back to the first two signs.
εἰσελεύσῃyou will comeFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (arrival at the hill of God)→ verbal action or stateεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / come into'; renders בּוֹא; marks Saul's arrival at the climactic third site.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βουνὸνhillAccusativeaccusative of destination→ object specificationβουνός: 'hill / mound'; here ὁ βουνὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ('the hill of God'), the Hebrew גִּבְעַת הָאֱלֹהִים — a place name punning on Gibeah (Saul's town); the LXX often renders Gibeah as βουνός.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship ('hill of God')→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the genitive marks the hill as a sacred site associated with God.
οὗwhererelative adverb of place→ participant referenceοὗ: 'where'; relative adverb introducing the parenthetical locating the Philistine garrison.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (existential)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be / exist'; the existential present locates the garrison at the hill.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; resumptive, reinforcing the location.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνάστημαgarrisonNominativesubject of ἐστιν→ participant prominenceἀνάστημα: lit. 'something set up / standing', here a military 'garrison / outpost'; renders נְצִיב; marks the Philistine military presence in Israelite territory — the oppression Saul is called to throw off.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive of possession (whose garrison)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: lit. 'of another tribe / foreigner'; the standard LXX rendering of פְּלִשְׁתִּים ('Philistines'); the Philistines are Israel's chief military enemy throughout 1 Kingdoms.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (introducing the named officer)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; introduces the parenthetical naming of the garrison's officer.
ΝασιβNasibsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΝασιβ: the LXX transliterates the Hebrew נְצִיב as a proper name 'Nasib' (where the Hebrew may mean 'garrison'); indeclinable; treated here as the name of the Philistine officer.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with appositive)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοςPhilistineNominativenominative in apposition to Νασιβ→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: 'foreigner / Philistine'; in apposition, identifying Nasib as the Philistine (commander).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (resuming main prediction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit will beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (apodosis-introducing formula)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'it will be / it shall come to pass'; καὶ ἔσται ὡς ἄν renders וְהָיָה כְּ, a standard Hebraism introducing a temporally-conditioned future event.
ὡςas / whentemporal conjunction (with ἄν + subj.)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: with ἄν and subjunctive, 'as / when' (indefinite temporal).
ἂν(modal particle)modal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: contingency particle with the subjunctive.
εἰσέλθητεyou enterAor Act Subj 2 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιverb of temporal clause→ verbal action or stateεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter'; the 2nd plural broadens to Saul's company entering the city.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; reinforcing the destination.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative of destination→ object specificationπόλις: 'city / town'; renders עִיר; the town at the hill of God which Saul enters.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπαντήσειςyou will meetFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀπαντάωmain verb (the encounter with the prophets)→ verbal action or stateἀπαντάω: 'meet / encounter'; takes the dative (χορῷ); renders פָּגַע / קָרָא; introduces the decisive meeting with the prophetic band.
χορῷbandDativedative object of ἀπαντήσεις→ sphere or referenceχορός: 'company / band / chorus / dance'; renders חֶבֶל ('band / group'); a troop of ecstatic prophets, perhaps singing and dancing to the instruments named below.
προφητῶνof prophetsGenitivegenitive (composing the band)→ relational specificationπροφήτης: 'prophet'; renders נָבִיא; these are the ecstatic prophets whose company Saul will join (v. 10) — the basis of the proverb in vv. 11–12.
καταβαινόντωνcoming downPres Act Part · καταβαίνω (gen pl masc)participle (attributive, modifying προφητῶν)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; renders יָרַד; the prophets descend from the high place where they have been worshipping.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Βαμαhigh placegenitive object of ἐκ (transliterated)→ participant identificationΒαμα: the LXX transliterates Hebrew בָּמָה ('high place / cultic platform') as a near-proper noun; indeclinable; the local sanctuary-height from which the prophets descend.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the instruments)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔμπροσθενbeforepreposition + genitive (position: 'in front of')→ spatial or relational framingἔμπροσθεν: 'before / in front of'; the instruments precede the prophetic procession.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἔμπροσθεν→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἔμπροσθεν.
νάβλαharpNominativesubject (nominative of the listed instruments)→ participant prominenceνάβλα: 'harp / lyre' (a stringed instrument); transliterates/renders נֵבֶל; the first of four instruments accompanying the prophets' ecstasy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τύμπανονdrumNominativesubject (listed instrument)→ participant prominenceτύμπανον: 'drum / tambourine / timbrel'; renders תֹּף; a percussion instrument of festal and prophetic music.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐλὸςpipeNominativesubject (listed instrument)→ participant prominenceαὐλός: 'pipe / flute'; renders חָלִיל; a wind instrument used in processions and prophetic frenzy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κινύραlyreNominativesubject (listed instrument)→ participant prominenceκινύρα: 'lyre / kithara'; transliterates/renders כִּנּוֹר; the fourth instrument, completing the ensemble of strings, percussion, and winds.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτοὶthey themselvesNominativesubject (emphatic, with participle)→ participant prominenceαὐτός: the intensive pronoun foregrounds the prophets as themselves in the act of prophesying.
προφητεύοντεςprophesyingPres Act Part · προφητεύω (nom pl masc)participle (predicative, with αὐτοί: 'they prophesying')→ verbal action or stateπροφητεύω: 'prophesy / speak ecstatically'; renders נָבָא (Hithpael); here the ecstatic, music-driven prophesying into which Saul will be drawn (v. 10).
6
καὶ ἐφαλεῖται ἐπὶ σὲ πνεῦμα κυρίου καὶ προφητεύσεις μετ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ στραφήσῃ εἰς ἄνδρα ἄλλον
And the Spirit of the LORD will leap upon you, and you will prophesy with them and will be turned into another man.
The theological heart of the sign-sequence: the πνεῦμα κυρίου ('Spirit of the LORD') will leap upon Saul (ἐφαλεῖται, a vivid verb of sudden onrush), empowering him to prophesy and transforming him εἰς ἄνδρα ἄλλον ('into another man'). The transformation is fulfilled in v. 9 (καρδίαν ἄλλην) and v. 10.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφαλεῖταιwill leap uponFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐφάλλομαιmain verb (the Spirit's onrush)→ verbal action or stateἐφάλλομαι: 'leap upon / spring on'; the compound ἐπι- + ἅλλομαι expresses a sudden, forceful descent; renders צָלַח ('rush upon'); the same vivid imagery describes the Spirit seizing the judges and later David (16:13).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction of onrush)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of onrush).
σὲyouAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ participant referenceσὲ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί.
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubject of ἐφαλεῖται→ participant prominenceπνεῦμα: 'spirit / breath / wind'; renders רוּחַ; πνεῦμα κυρίου is the empowering divine Spirit that seizes leaders for charismatic action and prophecy.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source (Tetragrammaton)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen.): rendering of יהוה; the Spirit belongs to and proceeds from the LORD, marking Saul's empowerment as divine in origin.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προφητεύσειςyou will prophesyFut Act Indic 2 Sg · προφητεύωmain verb (Saul's prophetic ecstasy)→ verbal action or stateπροφητεύω: 'prophesy'; renders נָבָא (Hithpael); Saul, seized by the Spirit, will join the prophetic band's ecstatic utterance.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + genitive: 'with'; Saul prophesies in company with the prophetic band.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the prophets)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (the prophets).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
στραφήσῃyou will be turnedFut Pass Indic 2 Sg · στρέφωmain verb (the transformation)→ verbal action or stateστρέφω (fut. pass.): 'turn / change'; renders הָפַךְ; the passive marks the transformation as divinely wrought — Saul is turned, not self-transformed, εἰς ἄνδρα ἄλλον.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (result of transformation)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (result of transformation).
ἄνδραmanAccusativeaccusative of result (predicative: what Saul becomes)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; εἰς ἄνδρα ἄλλον ('into another man') describes the inward change the Spirit effects, fulfilled at v. 9 as καρδίαν ἄλλην.
ἄλλονanotherAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄνδρα)→ object specificationἄλλος: 'other / another'; renders אַחֵר; stresses the qualitative newness of Saul's transformed self.
7
καὶ ἔσται ὅταν ἥξει τὰ σημεῖα ταῦτα ἐπὶ σέ ποίει πάντα ὅσα ἐὰν εὕρῃ ἡ χείρ σου ὅτι θεὸς μετὰ σοῦ
And it will be, when these signs come upon you, do whatever your hand finds, for God is with you.
Once the signs authenticate the call, Saul receives freedom of action: ποίει … ὅσα ἐὰν εὕρῃ ἡ χείρ σου ('do whatever your hand finds'), grounded in the assurance ὅτι θεὸς μετὰ σοῦ ('for God is with you'). The καὶ ἔσται ὅταν construction again renders the Hebrew וְהָיָה כִּי.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit will beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (apodosis-introducing formula)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (fut.): καὶ ἔσται ὅταν renders וְהָיָה כִּי, a Hebraism setting up a temporal protasis.
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (with future indic. ἥξει)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅταν: 'when(ever)'; here followed unusually by the future indicative ἥξει, a koine/LXX construction.
ἥξειcomeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἥκωverb of temporal clause→ verbal action or stateἥκω: 'come / arrive'; the signs' arrival is the condition triggering Saul's freedom of action.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σημεῖαsignsNominativesubject of ἥξει→ participant prominenceσημεῖον: 'sign'; renders אוֹת; the three confirming signs of vv. 2–6 considered as a whole.
ταῦταtheseNominativedemonstrative adjective (modifying σημεῖα)→ participant prominenceοὗτος: 'these'; points back to the foretold signs.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
σέyouAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ participant referenceσέ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί.
ποίειdoPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (imperative charge)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do / make'; the present imperative gives Saul a general, ongoing charge — act as occasion demands, since God is with him.
πάνταallAccusativedirect object of ποίει (antecedent of ὅσα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / everything'; the comprehensive object of the charge.
ὅσαwhateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εὕρῃ)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as / whatever'; introduces the indefinite relative clause specifying the scope of action.
ἐὰν(if / -ever)conditional particle (with subjunctive, generalizing)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: here generalizing with the subjunctive ('whatever … may find').
εὕρῃfindsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωverb of relative-conditional clause→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω: 'find'; ὅσα ἐὰν εὕρῃ ἡ χείρ σου ('whatever your hand finds [to do]') is a Hebraism (מָצָא יָד) meaning 'whatever you have opportunity to do'.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χείρhandNominativesubject of εὕρῃ (idiom: 'your hand finds')→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; here metonymy for capacity/opportunity to act; the idiom denotes acting as circumstances permit.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (Saul's hand)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Saul's hand).
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the ground of the charge — the assurance of divine presence.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (predicative, copula implied)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the assurance θεὸς μετὰ σοῦ ('God is with you') is the covenantal warrant authorizing Saul's leadership.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
8
καὶ καταβήσῃ ἔμπροσθεν τῆς Γαλγαλα καὶ ἰδοὺ καταβαίνω πρὸς σὲ ἀνενεγκεῖν ὁλοκαύτωσιν καὶ θυσίας εἰρηνικάς ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας διαλείψεις ἕως τοῦ ἐλθεῖν με πρὸς σέ καὶ γνωρίσω σοι ἃ ποιήσεις
And you will go down before Gilgal, and behold, I am coming down to you to offer up a whole burnt offering and peace sacrifices; seven days you shall wait until I come to you, and I will make known to you what you are to do.
The directives close with the Gilgal appointment: Saul is to go down and wait seven days for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices and disclose what Saul must do. This anticipates the fateful failure of ch. 13, where Saul does not wait the full seven days. ἰδοὺ καταβαίνω is a futuristic present making Samuel's coming vivid and certain.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταβήσῃyou will go downFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (directive)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; renders יָרַד; Saul is to descend to Gilgal ahead of Samuel.
ἔμπροσθενbeforepreposition + genitive (priority: 'ahead of / before')→ spatial or relational framingἔμπροσθεν: 'before / ahead of'; here likely 'down to Gilgal ahead of me' (priority in place/time).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with indeclinable place name)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΓαλγαλαGilgalgenitive object of ἔμπροσθεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΓαλγαλα: transliteration of גִּלְגָּל; indeclinable (the feminine article τῆς is supplied); Gilgal, the cultic and military staging-site near Jericho where Saul's kingship will later be confirmed and then imperilled (chs. 11; 13).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; heightens the announcement of Samuel's coming.
καταβαίνωI am coming downPres Act Indic 1 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (Samuel's announced arrival)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'come down'; the present tense in future sense (futuristic present) presents Samuel's coming as already underway and certain.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
σὲyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceσὲ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
ἀνενεγκεῖνto offer upAor Act Inf · ἀναφέρωinfinitive of purpose→ verbal action or stateἀναφέρω: 'bring up / offer up'; renders הֶעֱלָה; the technical verb for offering sacrifices on the altar — Samuel's prerogative as priest-prophet.
ὁλοκαύτωσινwhole burnt offeringAccusativedirect object of ἀνενεγκεῖν→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωσις: 'whole burnt offering / holocaust'; renders עֹלָה; the offering wholly consumed by fire, expressing total dedication to God.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θυσίαςsacrificesAccusativedirect object of ἀνενεγκεῖν (parallel to ὁλοκαύτωσιν)→ object specificationθυσία: 'sacrifice / offering'; renders זֶבַח; with εἰρηνικάς denotes the peace/fellowship offerings shared in a communal meal.
εἰρηνικάςpeaceAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying θυσίας)→ object specificationεἰρηνικός: 'peaceable / of peace'; θυσίαι εἰρηνικαί renders זִבְחֵי שְׁלָמִים ('peace offerings'), sacrifices of fellowship and well-being.
ἑπτὰsevenAccusativenumeral (modifying ἡμέρας)→ measure or countἑπτά: 'seven'; indeclinable; the seven-day wait that Saul will fatefully cut short in ch. 13.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration ('for seven days')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; accusative of extent of time; the duration of Saul's required wait.
διαλείψειςyou shall waitFut Act Indic 2 Sg · διαλείπωmain verb (the command to wait)→ verbal action or stateδιαλείπω: 'leave an interval / cease / wait'; here 'you shall wait / hold off'; renders יָחַל / חִכָּה; the command whose violation triggers Saul's first rejection (13:8–14).
ἕωςuntilconjunction/preposition (with articular infinitive)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; with τοῦ + infinitive marks the temporal limit of the waiting.
τοῦ(of the)Genitivearticle (with articular infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιarticular infinitive (temporal: 'until I come')→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come'; the articular infinitive ἕως τοῦ ἐλθεῖν με ('until my coming') marks the endpoint of Saul's wait.
μεI / meAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive (Samuel)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of the infinitive (Samuel).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
σέyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceσέ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γνωρίσωI will make knownFut Act Indic 1 Sg · γνωρίζωmain verb (Samuel's promised disclosure)→ verbal action or stateγνωρίζω: 'make known / reveal'; renders הוֹדִיעַ; Samuel will disclose to Saul the divine instructions at Gilgal.
σοιto youDativedative indirect object→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object.
ἃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ποιήσεις)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun (neuter pl.); 'the things which'.
ποιήσειςyou are to doFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do / make'; the content of what Samuel will reveal — the divinely-prescribed action awaiting Saul at Gilgal.
9
καὶ ἐγενήθη ὥστε ἐπιστραφῆναι τῷ ὤμῳ αὐτοῦ ἀπελθεῖν ἀπὸ Σαμουηλ μετέστρεψεν αὐτῷ ὁ θεὸς καρδίαν ἄλλην καὶ ἦλθεν πάντα τὰ σημεῖα ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ
And it came to pass, as he turned his shoulder to depart from Samuel, that God changed his heart to another, and all the signs came to pass on that day.
The narrative shifts from foretelling to fulfilment. καὶ ἐγενήθη (= וַיְהִי) signals the realization. The very moment Saul turns to leave, God gives him καρδίαν ἄλλην ('another heart') — the inward fulfilment of εἰς ἄνδρα ἄλλον (v. 6) — and all the signs come true that same day.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηit came to passAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (narrative-formula 'and it happened')→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. pass.): 'become / happen'; καὶ ἐγενήθη renders וַיְהִי, the standard LXX narrative-onset formula introducing a temporal clause.
ὥστεas / so thatconjunction (with infinitive: temporal-resultative)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: 'so that / as'; here with the infinitive marking the circumstance ('as he turned').
ἐπιστραφῆναιto turnAor Pass Inf · ἐπιστρέφωinfinitive (with ὥστε, temporal)→ verbal action or stateἐπιστρέφω: 'turn / turn around'; the aorist infinitive marks the single act of Saul turning to leave.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὤμῳshoulderDativedative of respect/instrument (turning his shoulder)→ sphere or referenceὦμος: 'shoulder'; the idiom 'turn the shoulder' (renders שְׁכֶם / פָּנָה) means to turn away to depart.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Saul's shoulder)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Saul's shoulder).
ἀπελθεῖνto departAor Act Inf · ἀπέρχομαιinfinitive of purpose (with ἐπιστραφῆναι)→ verbal action or stateἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the purpose of Saul's turning — to leave Samuel.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
ΣαμουηλSamuelgenitive object of ἀπό (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: the prophet from whom Saul departs, now newly anointed.
μετέστρεψενchangedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μεταστρέφωmain verb (the divine transformation)→ verbal action or stateμεταστρέφω: 'turn around / change / transform'; renders הָפַךְ; God 'turned' Saul's heart into another — the fulfilment of v. 6's promise that Saul would be turned (στραφήσῃ) into another man.
αὐτῷfor himDativedative of advantage/reference (Saul)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'for him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage/reference (Saul).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (agent of transformation)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the explicit divine agent who effects the inner change in Saul.
καρδίανheartAccusativedirect object of μετέστρεψεν→ object specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; the inner seat of will, thought, and disposition; God grants Saul a wholly new inner self for his royal task.
ἄλληνanotherAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying καρδίαν)→ object specificationἄλλος: 'other / another'; καρδίαν ἄλλην ('another heart') echoes ἄνδρα ἄλλον (v. 6), confirming the transformation as accomplished.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθενcame to passAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (with neuter pl. subject)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come'; here 'came to pass / were realized'; the singular verb with the neuter plural subject πάντα τὰ σημεῖα follows the regular Greek rule.
πάνταallNominativeadjective (modifying σημεῖα)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; emphasizes that every foretold sign was fulfilled, authenticating the anointing completely.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σημεῖαsignsNominativesubject of ἦλθεν→ participant prominenceσημεῖον: 'sign'; the three foretold signs, now all fulfilled.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ('on that day') stresses the immediacy and totality of the fulfilment.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the remote demonstrative pinpoints the day of fulfilment.
10
καὶ ἔρχεται ἐκεῖθεν εἰς τὸν βουνόν καὶ ἰδοὺ χορὸς προφητῶν ἐξ ἐναντίας αὐτοῦ καὶ ἥλατο ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν πνεῦμα θεοῦ καὶ ἐπροφήτευσεν ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν
And he comes from there to the hill, and behold, a band of prophets opposite him; and the Spirit of God leapt upon him, and he prophesied in their midst.
The third sign is fulfilled in detail. The historic present ἔρχεται lends immediacy; ἰδού presents the prophetic band as if seen. The Spirit's leap (ἥλατο) and Saul's prophesying ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν ('in their midst') exactly enact vv. 5–6, setting up the astonished reaction of vv. 11–12.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔρχεταιhe comesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come'; the historic present makes the fulfilment scene vivid, as if unfolding before the reader.
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there'; from the point of departure from Samuel.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βουνόνhillAccusativeaccusative of destination→ object specificationβουνός: 'hill'; the hill of God (Gibeah) of v. 5, where the prophetic band meets him.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; presents the prophetic band vividly to the reader's eye.
χορὸςbandNominativesubject (nominal clause, copula implied)→ participant prominenceχορός: 'band / company'; the troop of prophets foretold in v. 5, now actually appearing.
προφητῶνof prophetsGenitivegenitive (composing the band)→ relational specificationπροφήτης: 'prophet'; the ecstatic prophets among whom Saul is drawn.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (in the phrase ἐξ ἐναντίας)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / out of'; here within the idiom ἐξ ἐναντίας ('opposite / facing').
ἐναντίαςoppositeGenitivegenitive (idiom: 'over against', with αὐτοῦ)→ relational specificationἐναντίος: 'opposite / facing'; ἐξ ἐναντίας ('facing / coming to meet') describes the band approaching Saul head-on.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive (with ἐξ ἐναντίας: 'opposite him')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (with ἐξ ἐναντίας: 'opposite him').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἥλατοleapt uponAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἅλλομαιmain verb (the Spirit's onrush)→ verbal action or stateἅλλομαι: 'leap / spring'; the aorist ἥλατο fulfils the foretold ἐφαλεῖται (v. 6); renders צָלַח; the sudden, forceful descent of the Spirit.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (direction, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction, elided).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (Saul)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (Saul).
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubject of ἥλατο→ participant prominenceπνεῦμα: 'spirit'; renders רוּחַ; here πνεῦμα θεοῦ ('Spirit of God') — the empowering divine Spirit.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; the Spirit's source; the variation πνεῦμα θεοῦ (here) for πνεῦμα κυρίου (v. 6) is stylistic, both denoting the one empowering Spirit.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπροφήτευσενhe prophesiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προφητεύωmain verb (Saul's prophetic ecstasy)→ verbal action or stateπροφητεύω: 'prophesy'; renders נָבָא (Hithpael); the realization of v. 6's foretold προφητεύσεις — Saul joins the ecstatic prophesying.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
μέσῳmidstDativedative of place (idiom: 'in the midst of')→ sphere or referenceμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν ('in their midst') stresses Saul's full incorporation into the prophetic band, fuelling the astonishment of v. 11.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive (with ἐν μέσῳ: 'among them')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (with ἐν μέσῳ: 'among them').
11
καὶ ἐγενήθησαν πάντες οἱ εἰδότες αὐτὸν ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτην καὶ εἶδον καὶ ἰδοὺ αὐτὸς ἐν μέσῳ τῶν προφητῶν καὶ εἶπεν ὁ λαὸς ἕκαστος πρὸς τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ τί τοῦτο τὸ γεγονὸς τῷ υἱῷ Κις ἦ καὶ Σαουλ ἐν προφήταις
And it happened that all who knew him before, yesterday and the day before, also saw, and behold, he was in the midst of the prophets; and the people said, each to his neighbor, 'What is this that has come upon the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?'
The crowd's astonishment crystallizes into the proverbial question ἦ καὶ Σαουλ ἐν προφήταις; ('Is Saul also among the prophets?'). The temporal idiom ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτην ('yesterday and the third day [before]', i.e. previously) renders תְּמוֹל שִׁלְשׁוֹם. The astonishment turns on the incongruity between Saul's known former self and his new Spirit-seized state.
Word-by-word analysis· 39 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθησανit happened (that)Aor Pass Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (with πάντες as subject)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. pass.): 'become / come to be'; here with the personal subject 'all who knew him', leading into their seeing and reacting.
πάντεςallNominativesubject (with the substantival participle)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole company of Saul's former acquaintances.
οἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἰδότεςknowing / who knewPerf Act Part · οἶδα (nom pl masc)substantival participle (subject: 'those who knew')→ verbal action or stateοἶδα: 'know'; the perfect participle (present force) denotes Saul's prior acquaintances, those who knew his former character.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of εἰδότες→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of εἰδότες.
ἐχθὲςyesterdayadverb of time (idiom of past time)→ clausal contributionἐχθές: 'yesterday'; with τρίτην forms the idiom ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτην ('yesterday and the day before') = 'previously / formerly', rendering תְּמוֹל שִׁלְשׁוֹם.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (within the idiom)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τρίτηνthe day beforeAccusativeaccusative of time (with ἐχθές: idiom of past)→ object specificationτρίτος: 'third'; the feminine accusative τρίτην (sc. ἡμέραν, 'the third day [back]') completes the idiom for 'formerly'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδονthey sawAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (the act of observing)→ verbal action or stateὁράω: 'see'; renders רָאָה; the former acquaintances now witness Saul prophesying.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with ἰδού)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; conveys the onlookers' surprise at the sight.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativesubject (nominal clause: 'he [was] in the midst')→ participant prominenceαὐτός: emphatic 'he himself' — the very Saul they knew, now among the prophets.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
μέσῳmidstDativedative of place (idiom)→ sphere or referenceμέσος: 'midst'; ἐν μέσῳ τῶν προφητῶν ('in the midst of the prophets') is the scandalous sight provoking the proverb.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προφητῶνprophetsGenitivegenitive (among whom Saul stands)→ relational specificationπροφήτης: 'prophet'; the company among whom Saul now incongruously appears.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces the crowd's astonished exchange.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the singular collective with the distributive ἕκαστος ('each one').
ἕκαστοςeach oneNominativesubject in apposition (distributive: 'each')→ participant prominenceἕκαστος: 'each / every one'; distributes the speaking across all the people, neighbor to neighbor.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (addressee)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (addressee).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλησίονneighborAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (substantivized adverb)→ object specificationπλησίον: 'neighbor / the one nearby'; substantivized adverb; renders רֵעַ; expresses the buzz of mutual astonishment among the people.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (his neighbor)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (his neighbor).
τίwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of the nominal question)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative 'what?'; opens the astonished question.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative (predicate: 'what [is] this')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; refers to the astonishing event of Saul prophesying.
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γεγονὸςthat has comePerf Act Part · γίνομαι (nom sg neut)substantival participle ('the thing that has happened')→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (perf. part.): 'having happened / come to be'; τὸ γεγονός = 'the thing that has befallen', the perfect stressing the abiding shock of Saul's transformation.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῷsonDativedative of disadvantage/reference ('to the son of Kish')→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; τῷ υἱῷ Κις ('the son of Kish') names Saul by patronymic, underscoring how well known his ordinary lineage was.
Κιςof Kishgenitive (indeclinable: 'of Kish')→ participant identificationΚις: transliteration of קִישׁ; indeclinable; Saul's father, mentioned to mark Saul's commonplace origins against his startling new state.
ἦis …?interrogative particle (introducing the proverb)→ discourse linkage or contrastἦ: interrogative particle introducing a direct question, here the proverbial ἦ καὶ Σαουλ ἐν προφήταις; ('Is Saul also among the prophets?').
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive ('even / also')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here ascensive 'even / also' — astonishment that Saul too should be counted a prophet.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliteration of שָׁאוּל; indeclinable; the subject of the proverbial question that becomes a byword in Israel (cf. 19:24).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (membership: 'among')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (membership: 'among').
προφήταιςprophetsDativedative object of ἐν (the company)→ sphere or referenceπροφήτης: 'prophet'; the unexpected company in which Saul is found, giving rise to the proverb.
12
καὶ ἀπεκρίθη τις αὐτῶν καὶ εἶπεν καὶ τίς πατὴρ αὐτοῦ διὰ τοῦτο ἐγενήθη εἰς παραβολήν ἦ καὶ Σαουλ ἐν προφήταις
And one of them answered and said, 'And who is their father?' Therefore it became a proverb: 'Is Saul also among the prophets?'
A bystander's enigmatic rejoinder — καὶ τίς πατὴρ αὐτοῦ; ('and who is their father?') — perhaps relativizes the prophets' authority (their parentage is no more distinguished than Saul's). The narrator then supplies the etiology: the question became a παραβολή ('proverb'), repeating the saying as a fixed byword.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (the rejoinder)→ verbal action or stateἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / reply'; deponent (aor. pass. form); renders עָנָה; introduces the bystander's counter-question.
τιςsomeoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)→ participant referenceτις: 'someone / a certain one'; an unnamed bystander offering the rejoinder.
αὐτῶνof themGenitivepartitive genitive ('one of them')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'of them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as partitive genitive ('one of them').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: redundant speech-verb with ἀπεκρίθη, a Hebraism (וַיַּעַן … וַיֹּאמֶר).
καὶandconjunction (introducing the counter-question)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of the nominal question)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative 'who?'; the rejoinder καὶ τίς πατὴρ αὐτοῦ; questions the prophets' (or Saul's) parentage, perhaps to say that prophetic status is not a matter of lineage.
πατὴρfatherNominativepredicate nominative (in the question)→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father'; the antecedent of αὐτοῦ is ambiguous (the prophets', or Saul's), part of the saying's enigmatic force.
αὐτοῦtheir / hisGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (causal)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + accusative: 'because of / on account of'; διὰ τοῦτο ('therefore') introduces the narrator's etiological note.
τοῦτοthisAccusativeaccusative object of διά (causal: 'for this reason')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; refers to the whole episode that gave rise to the proverb.
ἐγενήθηit becameAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (etiological statement)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. pass.): 'become'; ἐγενήθη εἰς παραβολήν ('became a proverb') is a Hebraism (הָיָה לְמָשָׁל) marking the fixing of the saying into proverbial currency.
εἰςinto / aspreposition + accusative (predicative result)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: predicative ('into / as'); Hebraism with γίνομαι for becoming something.
παραβολήνproverbAccusativeaccusative (result: 'a proverb')→ object specificationπαραβολή: 'proverb / byword / parable'; renders מָשָׁל; the saying about Saul becomes a stock proverb in Israel.
ἦis …?interrogative particle (repeating the proverb)→ discourse linkage or contrastἦ: interrogative particle; the proverb is quoted again verbatim, fixing its form.
καὶalsoascensive ('even / also')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: ascensive 'even / also', as in v. 11.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: the subject of the now-fixed proverb.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (membership)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (membership).
προφήταιςprophetsDativedative object of ἐν→ sphere or referenceπροφήτης: 'prophet'; closes the proverb, the refrain that brackets vv. 11–12.
13
καὶ συνετέλεσεν προφητεύων καὶ ἔρχεται εἰς τὸν βουνόν
And he finished prophesying and comes to the hill.
A terse closing of the sign-fulfilment: Saul finishes prophesying and goes to the hill (here probably his home town/sanctuary). The historic present ἔρχεται keeps the narration vivid and bridges to the private exchange with his kinsman (vv. 14–16).
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνετέλεσενhe finishedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συντελέωmain verb (completion of prophesying)→ verbal action or stateσυντελέω: 'complete / finish / bring to an end'; renders כָּלָה; marks the close of Saul's ecstatic episode.
προφητεύωνprophesyingPres Act Part · προφητεύω (nom sg masc)supplementary participle (with συνετέλεσεν: 'finished prophesying')→ verbal action or stateπροφητεύω: 'prophesy'; the supplementary participle completes συντελέω, denoting the activity Saul brings to an end.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔρχεταιcomesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; the historic present advances the action to Saul's arrival at the hill.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βουνόνhillAccusativeaccusative of destination→ object specificationβουνός: 'hill'; here the hill/height (likely Gibeah, Saul's home), where the following private conversation takes place.
14
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ οἰκεῖος αὐτοῦ πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ πρὸς τὸ παιδάριον αὐτοῦ ποῦ ἐπορεύθητε καὶ εἶπαν ζητεῖν τὰς ὄνους καὶ εἴδαμεν ὅτι οὐκ εἰσίν καὶ εἰσήλθομεν πρὸς Σαμουηλ
And his kinsman said to him and to his servant, 'Where did you go?' And they said, 'To seek the donkeys; and when we saw that they were not to be found, we went in to Samuel.'
A new scene opens with Saul's kinsman (ὁ οἰκεῖος, his uncle) questioning him and his servant. The exchange replays the donkey-search (chs. 9–10) but pointedly stops short of the kingship — preparing the contrast of v. 16, where Saul withholds 'the matter of the kingdom'.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces the kinsman's question.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἰκεῖοςkinsmanNominativesubject→ participant prominenceοἰκεῖος: 'household member / relative / kinsman'; renders דּוֹד ('uncle'); Saul's uncle, who interrogates him about the journey.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (Saul's kinsman)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Saul's kinsman).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (addressee)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (addressee).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Saul)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Saul).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (second addressee)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (second addressee).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριονservantAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Saul's servant-boy)→ object specificationπαιδάριον: 'young servant / lad'; diminutive of παῖς; renders נַעַר; the servant who accompanied Saul on the donkey-search (9:3).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (Saul's servant)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Saul's servant).
ποῦwhereinterrogative adverb of place→ clausal contributionποῦ: 'where?'; opens the kinsman's question about their whereabouts.
ἐπορεύθητεdid you goAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb of the question→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / journey'; deponent; the kinsman asks where the two of them have been.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the reply)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the koine/LXX 1st-aorist form εἶπαν (for εἶπον); introduces Saul and his servant's answer.
ζητεῖνto seekPres Act Inf · ζητέωinfinitive (purpose, elliptical answer: '[we went] to seek')→ verbal action or stateζητέω: 'seek'; the bare infinitive answers ποῦ ἐπορεύθητε elliptically — '[we went] to seek the donkeys'.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνουςdonkeysAccusativedirect object of ζητεῖν→ object specificationὄνος: 'donkey'; the lost she-donkeys, object of the original search.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἴδαμενwe sawAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (of the reply)→ verbal action or stateὁράω: 'see / perceive'; koine/LXX 1st-aorist form εἴδαμεν (for εἴδομεν); 'when we saw that they were not [to be found]'.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of perception)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content clause after εἴδαμεν.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negative particle.
εἰσίνthey are (there)Pres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula (existential: 'they were not [to be found]')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be / exist'; οὐκ εἰσίν here means the donkeys were nowhere to be found.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσήλθομενwe went inAor Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (of the reply)→ verbal action or stateεἰσέρχομαι: 'go in / enter'; renders בּוֹא; the search led them to consult Samuel the seer (9:6–10).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
ΣαμουηλSamuelaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: the seer/prophet they went in to consult about the donkeys.
15
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ οἰκεῖος πρὸς Σαουλ ἀπάγγειλον δή μοι τί εἶπέν σοι Σαμουηλ
And the kinsman said to Saul, 'Tell me, please, what Samuel said to you.'
The kinsman presses further, asking specifically what Samuel said. The polite particle δή ('please / now') softens the imperative ἀπάγγειλον. The question sets up Saul's selective disclosure in v. 16.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces the kinsman's follow-up question.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἰκεῖοςkinsmanNominativesubject→ participant prominenceοἰκεῖος: 'kinsman / uncle'; the same questioner as v. 14.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (addressee)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (addressee).
ΣαουλSaulaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: the one questioned.
ἀπάγγειλονtell / reportAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (imperative request)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce / tell'; renders הִגִּיד; the kinsman asks Saul to report Samuel's words.
δήplease / nowenclitic particle (politeness/urgency with imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: emphatic/hortatory particle, here softening the imperative ('do tell me, please'); renders Hebrew נָא.
μοιmeDativedative indirect object→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of εἶπεν, indirect question)→ participant referenceτίς: 'what?'; introduces the indirect question about Samuel's words.
εἶπένsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of the indirect question→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; the content of Samuel's speech is what the kinsman wishes to know.
σοιto youDativedative indirect object (Saul)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (Saul).
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject of εἶπεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: the speaker whose words the kinsman wants reported.
16
καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ πρὸς τὸν οἰκεῖον αὐτοῦ ἀπήγγειλεν ἀπαγγέλλων μοι ὅτι εὕρηνται αἱ ὄνοι τὸ δὲ ῥῆμα τῆς βασιλείας οὐκ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῷ
And Saul said to his kinsman, 'He told me plainly that the donkeys had been found'; but the matter of the kingdom he did not report to him.
Saul answers only about the donkeys, confirmed by the emphatic Hebraizing figura etymologica ἀπήγγειλεν ἀπαγγέλλων ('he plainly/surely told'). The δέ-clause is a narrator's aside: of τὸ ῥῆμα τῆς βασιλείας ('the matter of the kingdom') Saul says nothing — his reticence both modest and politically prudent.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's reply.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: the speaker, now answering his uncle.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (addressee)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (addressee).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἰκεῖονkinsmanAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationοἰκεῖος: 'kinsman / uncle'; the addressee of Saul's reply.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἀπήγγειλενhe toldAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (Saul reports Samuel's words)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / tell'; with the cognate participle forms an emphatic Hebraism ('he told me plainly/surely').
ἀπαγγέλλων(plainly) tellingPres Act Part · ἀπαγγέλλω (nom sg masc)participle (cognate intensifier: figura etymologica)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω (pres. part.): the cognate participle ἀπήγγειλεν ἀπαγγέλλων renders the Hebrew infinitive absolute (הַגֵּד הִגִּיד), expressing emphatic certainty — 'he did indeed tell me'.
μοιmeDativedative indirect object→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of report)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the reported content.
εὕρηνταιhave been foundPerf Pass Indic 3 Pl · εὑρίσκωverb of content clause→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (perf. pass.): 'have been found'; Saul reports only the donkeys' recovery, as foretold in v. 2.
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνοιdonkeysNominativesubject of εὕρηνται→ participant prominenceὄνος: 'donkey'; the recovered animals.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive, introducing aside)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive adversative; marks the narrator's contrastive aside about what Saul withheld.
ῥῆμαmatterAccusativedirect object of ἀπήγγειλεν (fronted for emphasis)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / matter / affair'; renders דָּבָר; here 'the matter of the kingdom' — the crucial datum Saul keeps to himself (contrast τὸ ῥῆμα τῶν ὄνων, v. 2).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλείαςkingdomGenitivegenitive (defining the matter: 'of the kingship')→ relational specificationβασιλεία: 'kingdom / kingship / reign'; renders מְלוּכָה; the report of Saul's designation to kingship, deliberately suppressed before the public Mizpah assembly.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negative particle negating ἀπήγγειλεν.
ἀπήγγειλενhe reportedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (the narrator's aside)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report'; the negated verb marks Saul's discretion — he did not disclose the kingship to his uncle.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (the kinsman)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (the kinsman).
17
καὶ παρήγγειλεν Σαμουηλ παντὶ τῷ λαῷ πρὸς κύριον εἰς Μασσηφα
And Samuel summoned all the people to the LORD at Mizpah.
The narrative moves from private to public. Samuel summons all Israel 'to the LORD' at Mizpah — a covenantal assembly-site (cf. 7:5–6) — for the public selection of the king. πρὸς κύριον frames the gathering as before YHWH, the true king.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρήγγειλενsummoned / chargedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραγγέλλωmain verb (convening the assembly)→ verbal action or stateπαραγγέλλω: 'give orders / summon / proclaim'; renders צָעַק / הִקְהִיל; Samuel issues the call gathering all Israel before the LORD.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: the prophet who convenes the assembly.
παντὶallDativeattributive adjective (modifying λαῷ)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; the summons reaches the entire people, befitting a national choosing.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeopleDativedative object of παρήγγειλεν (those summoned)→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people'; the whole nation of Israel summoned to assemble.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (goal: 'before / to the LORD')→ spatial or relational framingπρός + accusative: 'to / before'; the people are gathered 'to the LORD' — the assembly is a sacred convocation.
κύριονLORDAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Tetragrammaton)→ object specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the assembly is convened in YHWH's presence, marking him as the true sovereign behind the human king's appointment.
εἰςat / topreposition + accusative (place)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (place).
ΜασσηφαMizpahaccusative of place (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜασσηφα: transliteration of מִצְפָּה ('watchtower'); indeclinable; Mizpah in Benjamin, a covenant-renewal and assembly site (cf. 7:5–16; Judg 20–21).
18
καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ τάδε εἶπεν κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ λέγων ἐγὼ ἀνήγαγον τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ ἐξ Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἐξειλάμην ὑμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς Φαραω βασιλέως Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἐκ πασῶν τῶν βασιλειῶν τῶν θλιβουσῶν ὑμᾶς
And he said to the sons of Israel, 'Thus says the LORD the God of Israel: I brought up the sons of Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt and from all the kingdoms that afflicted you.'
Samuel delivers a prophetic oracle prefaced by the messenger-formula τάδε εἶπεν κύριος. The emphatic ἐγώ heads a recital of YHWH's saving acts — the exodus and deliverance from oppressors — establishing the indictment that follows in v. 19: against such a saving God Israel has demanded a human king.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Samuel's oracle to the assembly.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (addressees)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (addressees).
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ('the sons/children of Israel') renders בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the standard designation of the covenant people.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive (indeclinable: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the people addressed.
τάδεthusAccusativedemonstrative (object of εἶπεν: content of the oracle)→ object specificationὅδε: the formula τάδε εἶπεν/λέγει κύριος renders כֹּה אָמַר יהוה, the prophetic messenger-formula; τάδε (acc. pl. n.) points forward to the oracle's words.
εἶπενsays / has saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of the messenger-formula→ verbal action or stateλέγω: in the citation-formula 'thus says the LORD'; the LXX here uses the aorist εἶπεν (Hebrew perfect אָמַר) for the authoritative divine word.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of the messenger-formula (Tetragrammaton)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the divine speaker of the oracle.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with appositive θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ ('the LORD, the God of Israel') is a solemn covenant title binding YHWH to his people.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive (indeclinable: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; specifies the covenant relationship — the God who is Israel's own God.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part · λέγω (nom sg masc)participle (Hebraism introducing direct speech)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (pres. part.): λέγων renders לֵאמֹר, the Hebraizing marker introducing the words of the oracle.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun: YHWH himself)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic pronoun stresses YHWH's personal agency in the exodus deliverance, heightening the contrast with the people's rejection (v. 19).
ἀνήγαγονI brought upAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀνάγωmain verb (the exodus act)→ verbal action or stateἀνάγω: 'lead up / bring up'; renders הֶעֱלָה; the standard verb for the exodus, 'bringing up' Israel from Egypt to the land.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of ἀνήγαγον→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the children of Israel, object of the exodus deliverance.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
ἐξout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (place of deliverance)→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος: standard LXX form of מִצְרַיִם; the land of bondage from which YHWH brought Israel up.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξειλάμηνI deliveredAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐξαιρέωmain verb (act of rescue)→ verbal action or stateἐξαιρέω (mid.): 'take out / rescue / deliver'; renders הִצִּיל / נָצַל; the middle stresses YHWH's personal snatching of Israel out of hostile power.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object (shift to 2nd person)→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (shift to 2nd person).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source of rescue)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source of rescue).
χειρὸςhandGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (idiom: 'from the hand of')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἐκ χειρός renders מִיַּד, the Hebraism for deliverance from hostile power.
ΦαραωPharaohgenitive (indeclinable: 'of Pharaoh')→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliteration of פַּרְעֹה; indeclinable; the Egyptian king from whose power Israel was rescued.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive in apposition to Φαραω→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; in apposition, 'Pharaoh king of Egypt' — pointedly a human king, foil to the king Israel now demands.
Αἰγύπτουof EgyptGenitivegenitive of relationship (king of Egypt)→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος: the realm over which Pharaoh ruled.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source, extending the rescue)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source, extending the rescue).
πασῶνallGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying βασιλειῶν)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the deliverance extends beyond Egypt to every oppressing kingdom.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλειῶνkingdomsGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ→ relational specificationβασιλεία: 'kingdom'; renders מַמְלָכָה; the surrounding kingdoms (cf. the period of the Judges) from which YHWH repeatedly delivered Israel.
τῶνthe (ones)Genitivearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θλιβουσῶνafflictingPres Act Part · θλίβω (gen pl fem)attributive participle (modifying βασιλειῶν)→ verbal action or stateθλίβω: 'press / afflict / oppress'; renders לָחַץ; describes the oppressing kingdoms from which YHWH saved Israel — the very deliverance the people now spurn.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of θλιβουσῶν→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of θλιβουσῶν.
19
καὶ ὑμεῖς σήμερον ἐξουθενήκατε τὸν θεόν ὃς αὐτός ἐστιν ὑμῶν σωτὴρ ἐκ πάντων τῶν κακῶν ὑμῶν καὶ θλίψεων ὑμῶν καὶ εἴπατε οὐχί ἀλλ᾿ ἢ ὅτι βασιλέα στήσεις ἐφ᾿ ἡμῶν καὶ νῦν κατάστητε ἐνώπιον κυρίου κατὰ τὰ σκῆπτρα ὑμῶν καὶ κατὰ τὰς φυλὰς ὑμῶν
But you today have rejected the God who himself is your savior from all your evils and your afflictions, and you said, 'No, but you shall set a king over us.' And now stand before the LORD by your tribes and by your clans.
The indictment: against the saving God, Israel 'today' has rejected him (emphatic ὑμεῖς … ἐξουθενήκατε), demanding a king instead. The quoted refusal (οὐχί ἀλλ᾿ ἢ … βασιλέα στήσεις) crystallizes the offense. Yet Samuel proceeds: καὶ νῦν κατάστητε ('and now stand') — the command initiating the casting of lots by tribe and clan.
Word-by-word analysis· 43 words
καὶbutconjunction (adversative force here)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here with adversative force ('but / yet'), turning from YHWH's saving acts to Israel's ingratitude.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceὑμεῖς: the emphatic 2nd plural pronoun sharpens the indictment — 'you, for your part'.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; the present act of rejection set against YHWH's long history of deliverance.
ἐξουθενήκατεyou have rejectedPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · ἐξουθενέωmain verb (the indictment)→ verbal action or stateἐξουθενέω: 'despise / reject / count as nothing'; renders מָאַס; the perfect marks Israel's rejection of God (in demanding a king, cf. 8:7) as a present-standing fact.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόνGodAccusativedirect object of ἐξουθενήκατε→ object specificationθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the one rejected is Israel's own saving God.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστιν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; introduces the description of God as savior.
αὐτόςhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (emphasizing the subject)→ participant referenceαὐτός: intensive 'himself'; underscores that this very God is Israel's savior — making the rejection the more grievous.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be'; copula linking God to the predicate σωτήρ.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (with σωτήρ)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (with σωτήρ).
σωτὴρsaviorNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceσωτήρ: 'savior / deliverer'; renders מוֹשִׁיעַ; the title sharpens the irony — Israel rejects the very one who saves them, seeking a human deliverer instead.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source of salvation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source of salvation).
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying κακῶν)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the comprehensive scope of God's saving acts.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κακῶνevilsGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (substantivized adjective)→ relational specificationκακός: 'evil / harm / calamity'; renders רָעָה; the troubles from which God repeatedly rescued Israel.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θλίψεωνafflictionsGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (parallel to κακῶν)→ relational specificationθλῖψις: 'affliction / tribulation / distress'; renders צָרָה; paired with κακῶν to encompass all Israel's troubles.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἴπατεyou saidAor Act Indic 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the people's rejection-speech)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; introduces Israel's demand for a king (cf. 8:19), the verbal form of their rejection of God.
οὐχίnoemphatic negative (the people's refusal)→ clausal contributionοὐχί: emphatic 'no!'; the people's flat refusal of God's direct kingship.
ἀλλ᾿butstrong adversative (elided)→ clausal contributionἀλλά: 'but / rather'; ἀλλ᾿ ἢ ('but rather / except') strengthens the contrast with οὐχί.
ἢ(but) ratherparticle (with ἀλλά: 'rather / except')→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: combined with ἀλλά in the idiom ἀλλ᾿ ἤ ('but only / rather'), introducing the demanded alternative.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing the demand)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; here recitative, introducing the substance of the demand.
βασιλέαkingAccusativedirect object of στήσεις→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; the human king Israel demanded in God's place.
στήσειςyou shall setFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb of the demand (addressed to Samuel)→ verbal action or stateἵστημι: 'set / establish / appoint'; renders שִׂים / הֵקִים; the people demand that Samuel set a king over them.
ἐφ᾿overpreposition + genitive (authority over, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + genitive: 'over'; the king is to be set 'over us'.
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐπί.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (transition to command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transitional 'and now')→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν ('and now') is a transitional formula moving from indictment to the directive for the lot-casting.
κατάστητεstand / present yourselvesAor Act Impv 2 Pl · καθίστημιmain verb (command to assemble for the lot)→ verbal action or stateκαθίστημι: 'set / station / present'; here intransitive 'take your stand / present yourselves'; the people are to array themselves before YHWH for the lot.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism rendering לִפְנֵי; the lot is cast in YHWH's presence.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον (Tetragrammaton)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen.): rendering of יהוה; the choosing is enacted before YHWH, who directs the lot.
κατὰbypreposition + accusative (distributive: 'by')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: distributive 'by / according to'; the people present themselves group by group.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκῆπτραtribesAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (distributive)→ object specificationσκῆπτρον: lit. 'staff / sceptre', here 'tribe'; the LXX renders שֵׁבֶט ('staff / tribe') literally as σκῆπτρον, retaining the staff-imagery for the tribal divisions.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατὰbypreposition + accusative (distributive)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (distributive).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλὰςclansAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (distributive)→ object specificationφυλή: 'tribe / clan'; here the subdivision (clan/family) within the σκῆπτρον (tribe); renders אֶלֶף ('clan / thousand') — the next level down in the lot-process of vv. 20–21.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
20
καὶ προσήγαγεν Σαμουηλ πάντα τὰ σκῆπτρα Ισραηλ καὶ κατακληροῦται σκῆπτρον Βενιαμιν
And Samuel brought near all the tribes of Israel, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot.
The lot-process begins at the broadest level. προσάγω ('bring near') is the technical verb for presenting groups before the LORD for the lot; the historic present κατακληροῦται ('is taken by lot') gives the selection vividness. Benjamin — Saul's own tribe — is taken first.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσήγαγενbrought nearAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσάγωmain verb (presenting the tribes for the lot)→ verbal action or stateπροσάγω: 'bring near / present'; renders הִקְרִיב; the technical verb for bringing the groups forward before YHWH for the casting of lots.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: who conducts the lot-procedure.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying σκῆπτρα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; every tribe is brought forward for the first stage of the lot.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκῆπτραtribesAccusativedirect object of προσήγαγεν→ object specificationσκῆπτρον: 'staff / sceptre / tribe'; the LXX rendering of שֵׁבֶט; the tribes of Israel presented for the lot.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive (indeclinable: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the nation whose tribes are arrayed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατακληροῦταιis taken by lotPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · κατακληρόομαιmain verb (historic present: the lot falls)→ verbal action or stateκατακληρόομαι: 'be assigned/taken by lot'; renders לָכַד (Niphal, 'be taken') in the lot-context; the historic present dramatizes the lot falling on Benjamin.
σκῆπτρονtribeNominativesubject of κατακληροῦται→ participant prominenceσκῆπτρον: 'tribe'; the tribe taken by the lot.
Βενιαμινof Benjamingenitive (indeclinable: 'of Benjamin')→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: indeclinable; Saul's own tribe, taken first in the narrowing process of the lot.
21
καὶ προσάγει σκῆπτρον Βενιαμιν εἰς φυλάς καὶ κατακληροῦται φυλὴ Ματταρι καὶ προσάγουσιν τὴν φυλὴν Ματταρι εἰς ἄνδρας καὶ κατακληροῦται Σαουλ υἱὸς Κις καὶ ἐζήτει αὐτόν καὶ οὐχ εὑρίσκετο
And he brought near the tribe of Benjamin by clans, and the clan of Matri was taken; and they brought near the clan of Matri man by man, and Saul son of Kish was taken; and they sought him, but he was not found.
The lot narrows stepwise: tribe → clan (Matri) → man (Saul son of Kish). The historic presents (προσάγει, κατακληροῦται, προσάγουσιν) drive the suspense. The verse ends on a twist: the chosen man cannot be found (οὐχ εὑρίσκετο), preparing the oracle of v. 22 — Saul is hidden among the baggage.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσάγειbrings nearPres Act Indic 3 Sg · προσάγωmain verb (historic present: next lot-stage)→ verbal action or stateπροσάγω: 'bring near'; the historic present advances the lot to its second stage — Benjamin presented by clans.
σκῆπτρονtribeAccusativedirect object of προσάγει→ object specificationσκῆπτρον: 'tribe'; the tribe of Benjamin, now subdivided.
Βενιαμινof Benjamingenitive (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: indeclinable; the tribe taken in v. 20, now brought forward by its clans.
εἰςby / intopreposition + accusative (distributive: 'by clans')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: distributive 'into / by'; the tribe is presented divided into its constituent clans.
φυλάςclansAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (distributive)→ object specificationφυλή: 'clan / family-group'; here the subdivisions of the tribe presented for the second lot-stage.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατακληροῦταιis taken by lotPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · κατακληρόομαιmain verb (historic present: lot falls on the clan)→ verbal action or stateκατακληρόομαι: 'be taken by lot'; the lot now falls on the clan of Matri.
φυλὴclanNominativesubject of κατακληροῦται→ participant prominenceφυλή: 'clan'; the clan-group taken by the lot.
Ματταριof Matrigenitive (indeclinable: 'of Matri')→ participant identificationΜατταρι: transliteration of מַטְרִי (Matri); indeclinable; the Benjaminite clan from which Saul comes.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσάγουσινthey bring nearPres Act Indic 3 Pl · προσάγωmain verb (historic present: third lot-stage)→ verbal action or stateπροσάγω: 'bring near'; the third stage — the clan of Matri presented man by man.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλὴνclanAccusativedirect object of προσάγουσιν→ object specificationφυλή: 'clan'; the clan of Matri, now subdivided into individuals.
Ματταριof Matrigenitive (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜατταρι: indeclinable; the clan now brought forward man by man.
εἰςby / intopreposition + accusative (distributive: 'man by man')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: distributive 'into / by'; the clan presented divided into its individual men.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (distributive)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the individual men of the clan, the finest level of the lot.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατακληροῦταιis taken by lotPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · κατακληρόομαιmain verb (historic present: the lot falls on Saul)→ verbal action or stateκατακληρόομαι: 'be taken by lot'; the climactic moment — the lot falls on Saul himself.
ΣαουλSaulsubject of κατακληροῦται (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; the man taken by the lot — the divine confirmation of his private anointing.
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition to Σαουλ→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the patronymic 'son of Kish' identifies Saul precisely.
Κιςof Kishgenitive (indeclinable: 'of Kish')→ participant identificationΚις: indeclinable; Saul's father.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐζήτειthey soughtImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ζητέωmain verb (imperfect: the search)→ verbal action or stateζητέω: 'seek / search for'; the imperfect ἐζήτει depicts the continued, fruitless searching for the chosen but absent Saul (the 3rd singular with collective sense).
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐζήτει→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐζήτει.
καὶbutconjunction (adversative force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('but'); the search fails.
οὐχnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negative particle.
εὑρίσκετοhe was foundImpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (imperfect passive: the failed search)→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (impf. pass.): 'be found'; the imperfect οὐχ εὑρίσκετο ('he was not [to be] found') prolongs the suspense, prompting the inquiry of v. 22.
22
καὶ ἐπηρώτησεν Σαμουηλ ἔτι ἐν κυρίῳ εἰ ἔρχεται ὁ ἀνὴρ ἐνταῦθα καὶ εἶπεν κύριος ἰδοὺ αὐτὸς κέκρυπται ἐν τοῖς σκεύεσιν
And Samuel inquired again of the LORD, 'Is the man coming here?' And the LORD said, 'Behold, he is hidden among the baggage.'
Samuel inquires of the LORD (ἐπηρώτησεν … ἐν κυρίῳ, the technical idiom for oracular consultation) about the missing man. YHWH's reply locates Saul ἐν τοῖς σκεύεσιν ('among the baggage') — a detail variously read as modesty, fear, or a foreshadowing of his troubled reign.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπηρώτησενinquiredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπερωτάωmain verb (oracular consultation)→ verbal action or stateἐπερωτάω: 'ask / inquire'; ἐπερωτάω ἐν κυρίῳ renders שָׁאַל בַּיהוה, the technical idiom for consulting YHWH oracularly (cf. Judg 20:23; 1 Kgdms 23:2).
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: who inquires of the LORD.
ἔτιagain / furtheradverb (continuation of inquiry)→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / further'; marks a renewed inquiry of YHWH.
ἐνof / inpreposition + dative (in the oracular idiom)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: within the idiom ἐπερωτάω ἐν κυρίῳ ('inquire of the LORD').
κυρίῳthe LORDDativedative object (oracular consultation, Tetragrammaton)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat.): rendering of יהוה; the LORD consulted through the oracle.
εἰwhetherconjunction (introducing indirect question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if / whether'; introduces the content of the oracular inquiry.
ἔρχεταιis comingPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιverb of the indirect question→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come'; the question is whether the chosen man will yet appear.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject of ἔρχεται→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; 'the man' = Saul, the one taken by lot but absent.
ἐνταῦθαhereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐνταῦθα: 'here / to this place'; the assembly-site where the man is awaited.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (the divine reply)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces YHWH's oracular answer.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (Tetragrammaton)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; YHWH himself answers, locating the hidden man.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; points to Saul's hiding place.
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject (emphatic)→ participant prominenceαὐτός: emphatic 'he'; the very man sought.
κέκρυπταιis hiddenPerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · κρύπτωmain verb (Saul's concealment)→ verbal action or stateκρύπτω (perf. pass.): 'hide / conceal'; renders חָבָא (Niphal); the perfect marks Saul's hiding as an accomplished, persisting state — he has concealed himself among the gear.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύεσινbaggageDativedative of place (location of concealment)→ sphere or referenceσκεῦος (pl. σκεύη): 'vessel / equipment / baggage'; renders כֵּלִים; here the assembly's gear/baggage among which Saul hid — a vivid, humbling detail at the moment of his elevation.
23
καὶ ἔδραμεν καὶ λαμβάνει αὐτὸν ἐκεῖθεν καὶ κατέστησεν ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ ὑψώθη ὑπὲρ πάντα τὸν λαὸν ὑπὲρ ὠμίαν καὶ ἐπάνω
And he ran and took him from there and set him in the midst of the people; and he stood taller than all the people, from his shoulder and upward.
Saul is fetched and presented before the people. His height — taller than all from the shoulders up (ὑπὲρ ὠμίαν καὶ ἐπάνω) — recalls 9:2 and gives visual warrant to the choice. The mix of aorist (ἔδραμεν, κατέστησεν) and historic present (λαμβάνει) keeps the scene vivid.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδραμενranAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τρέχωmain verb (fetching Saul)→ verbal action or stateτρέχω: 'run'; renders רוּץ; someone runs to bring Saul out from his hiding place.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λαμβάνειtakesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take / fetch'; the historic present brings Saul's retrieval vividly before the reader.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source: from the baggage)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there'; i.e. from among the baggage where he hid.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέστησενset / stationedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίστημιmain verb (presenting Saul publicly)→ verbal action or stateκαθίστημι: 'set / station / place'; Saul is set in full view in the midst of the assembly.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
μέσῳmidstDativedative of place (idiom: 'in the midst')→ sphere or referenceμέσος: 'midst'; ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ λαοῦ ('in the midst of the people') sets Saul in full public view.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive (with ἐν μέσῳ: 'among the people')→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; the assembled nation before whom Saul stands.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὑψώθηstood tallerAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὑψόωmain verb (Saul's stature)→ verbal action or stateὑψόω: 'raise / exalt / make high'; the passive ὑψώθη ('he towered / stood high') describes Saul's physical height above the crowd; renders גָּבַהּ; the literal elevation symbolizes his elevation to kingship.
ὑπὲρabovepreposition + accusative (comparison: 'above / beyond')→ spatial or relational framingὑπέρ + accusative: 'above / beyond / more than'; marks Saul's height surpassing all the people.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λαόν)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; Saul stands above the entire people.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativeaccusative object of ὑπέρ (comparison)→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; the standard of comparison for Saul's height.
ὑπὲρfrompreposition + accusative (measure: 'beyond [the height of] a shoulder')→ spatial or relational framingὑπέρ + accusative: here measuring the margin — 'by a shoulder and upward', i.e. head and shoulders above.
ὠμίανshoulderAccusativeaccusative object of ὑπέρ (measure of height)→ object specificationὠμία: 'shoulder'; renders שֶׁכֶם; ὑπὲρ ὠμίαν καὶ ἐπάνω ('from the shoulder and upward') is the idiom for being a full head taller than everyone (cf. 9:2).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάνωupwardadverb of place (completing the idiom)→ clausal contributionἐπάνω: 'above / upward'; completes the height-idiom — Saul stands a head and shoulders above all.
24
καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ πρὸς πάντα τὸν λαόν εἰ ἑοράκατε ὃν ἐκλέλεκται ἑαυτῷ κύριος ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ ὅμοιος ἐν πᾶσιν ὑμῖν καὶ ἔγνωσαν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς καὶ εἶπαν ζήτω ὁ βασιλεύς
And Samuel said to all the people, 'Have you seen the one whom the LORD has chosen for himself? For there is none like him among you all.' And all the people understood, and they said, 'Long live the king!'
Samuel presents the LORD's chosen one and asserts his incomparability (οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ ὅμοιος). The people respond with the royal acclamation ζήτω ὁ βασιλεύς ('Long live the king!', lit. 'may the king live') — the formal recognition of Saul's kingship by the assembly.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Samuel's presentation of the chosen king.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: who presents Saul to the people.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (addressees)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (addressees).
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λαόν)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; Samuel addresses the whole assembly.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; the assembled nation.
εἰ—(have)interrogative particle (introducing direct question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: here introduces a direct question ('have you seen …?'), a Hebraizing/koine use; renders the Hebrew interrogative.
ἑοράκατεyou have seenPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb of the question→ verbal action or stateὁράω (perf.): 'see / perceive'; the perfect ἑοράκατε ('have you [now] seen') draws the people's present attention to the chosen king before them.
ὃν(the one) whomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐκλέλεκται)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; 'the one whom the LORD has chosen'.
ἐκλέλεκταιhas chosenPerf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateἐκλέγομαι: 'choose / select'; renders בָּחַר; the perfect marks Saul's election by YHWH as an accomplished, standing fact; the middle ἑαυτῷ ('for himself') stresses that the LORD chose Saul for his own purpose.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativereflexive dative (of advantage)→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; 'for himself' — the LORD's choice is purposive and personal.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐκλέλεκται (Tetragrammaton)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the LORD, not the people, is the true chooser of the king.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; grounds the presentation in Saul's incomparability.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negative particle.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (existential)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be / exist'; existential, 'there is none like him'.
αὐτῷto himDativedative (of comparison/reference: 'like him')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative (of comparison/reference: 'like him').
ὅμοιοςlikeNominativepredicate adjective ('[no one] like [him]')→ participant prominenceὅμοιος: 'like / similar'; renders כָּמֹהוּ; Saul's incomparability among the people authenticates the divine choice.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjective (modifying ὑμῖν)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; the comparison spans the whole people.
ὑμῖνyouDativedative object of ἐν (the people compared)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (the people compared).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔγνωσανthey understoodAor Act Indic 3 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (the people's recognition)→ verbal action or stateγινώσκω: 'know / recognize / understand'; renders יָדַע; the people recognize and acknowledge the chosen king (the plural verb anticipating the collective πᾶς ὁ λαός).
πᾶςallNominativesubject (collective: 'all the people')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole people acknowledge Saul together.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (in apposition, collective)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the collective singular subject with the plural verb ἔγνωσαν (constructio ad sensum).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the acclamation)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: koine/LXX 1st-aorist form εἶπαν; introduces the royal acclamation.
ζήτωlong livePres Act Impv 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (acclamation: jussive)→ verbal action or stateζάω: 'live'; the 3rd-singular imperative ζήτω ('may [he] live!') is the formal royal acclamation, renders יְחִי הַמֶּלֶךְ ('let the king live!'); the standard coronation cry (cf. 3 Kgdms 1:25, 39).
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject of ζήτω→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; for the first time Saul is publicly hailed as βασιλεύς (not merely ἄρχων), the kingship now openly conferred by popular acclamation.
25
καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ πρὸς τὸν λαὸν τὸ δικαίωμα τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ ἔγραψεν ἐν βιβλίῳ καὶ ἔθηκεν ἐνώπιον κυρίου καὶ ἐξαπέστειλεν Σαμουηλ πάντα τὸν λαόν καὶ ἀπῆλθεν ἕκαστος εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ
And Samuel told the people the ordinance of the kingship, and he wrote it in a book and laid it up before the LORD; and Samuel sent away all the people, and each went to his own place.
Samuel sets out the δικαίωμα τοῦ βασιλέως ('ordinance/right of the kingship'), writes it in a book, and deposits it before the LORD — a constitutional act anchoring the monarchy under YHWH (cf. Deut 17:14–20). The assembly is then dismissed, each to his place, closing the Mizpah scene.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενtoldAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (declaring the ordinance)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say / tell'; Samuel sets out the rights and duties of the kingship before the people.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: who declares and records the ordinance.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (addressees)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (addressees).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; the assembled nation receiving the ordinance.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δικαίωμαordinanceAccusativedirect object of εἶπεν (content declared)→ object specificationδικαίωμα: 'ordinance / statute / just decree'; renders מִשְׁפָּט; here the 'ordinance/right of the kingship' — the rule governing king and people, recorded as a binding charter (cf. 8:9–18).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςking / kingshipGenitivegenitive (defining the ordinance: 'of the kingship')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; the genitive denotes the law pertaining to the office of king — the constitutional terms of the monarchy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔγραψενwroteAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γράφωmain verb (recording the ordinance)→ verbal action or stateγράφω: 'write'; renders כָּתַב; the writing fixes the ordinance permanently, giving the monarchy a documented constitution.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
βιβλίῳa bookDativedative of place (where written)→ sphere or referenceβιβλίον: 'book / scroll / document'; renders סֵפֶר; the written record of the ordinance.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθηκενlaid it upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (depositing the document)→ verbal action or stateτίθημι: 'place / set / deposit'; renders הִנִּיחַ; Samuel lays the document up 'before the LORD' (likely at the sanctuary), placing the monarchy under divine sanction.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism rendering לִפְנֵי; the document is deposited in YHWH's presence.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον (Tetragrammaton)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen.): rendering of יהוה; placing the charter before the LORD subordinates the monarchy to YHWH's authority.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξαπέστειλενsent awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξαποστέλλωmain verb (dismissing the assembly)→ verbal action or stateἐξαποστέλλω: 'send away / dismiss'; renders שִׁלַּח; Samuel formally dissolves the assembly.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: who dismisses the people.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λαόν)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the whole assembly is dismissed.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἐξαπέστειλεν→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; the assembled nation now sent home.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπῆλθενwent awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (with distributive ἕκαστος)→ verbal action or stateἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the singular verb with ἕκαστος ('each') is distributive — each one returns home.
ἕκαστοςeach oneNominativesubject (distributive)→ participant prominenceἕκαστος: 'each / every one'; distributes the departure individually across the dispersing assembly.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeaccusative of destination→ object specificationτόπος: 'place'; renders מָקוֹם; εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ ('to his own place') is the standard formula for dispersing home.
αὐτοῦhis ownGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his own'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
26
καὶ Σαουλ ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ εἰς Γαβαα καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν υἱοὶ δυνάμεων ὧν ἥψατο κύριος καρδίας αὐτῶν μετὰ Σαουλ
And Saul went away to his house at Gibeah, and men of valor went with Saul, those whose hearts the LORD had touched.
Saul returns to Gibeah accompanied by υἱοὶ δυνάμεων ('men/sons of valor') whose hearts God had touched (ὧν ἥψατο κύριος καρδίας αὐτῶν). The divine touching of hearts gives Saul a core of loyal supporters — set in deliberate contrast to the worthless men of v. 27.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: the new king returning home.
ἀπῆλθενwent awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (Saul's homecoming)→ verbal action or stateἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; Saul returns to his own house.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeaccusative of destination→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / home'; renders בַּיִת; Saul's household at Gibeah.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςat / topreposition + accusative (place, epexegetical)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: epexegetically specifying the location of Saul's house.
ΓαβααGibeahaccusative of place (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΓαβαα: transliteration of גִּבְעָה (Gibeah); indeclinable; Saul's hometown in Benjamin, which becomes his royal seat.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθησανwentAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (the loyal men accompany Saul)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / journey'; deponent; the men of valor accompany Saul to Gibeah.
υἱοὶsons / menNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; υἱοὶ δυνάμεων ('sons of forces/valor') is a Hebraism (בְּנֵי חַיִל) for 'men of valor / capable men' — Saul's loyal warriors.
δυνάμεωνof valorGenitivegenitive of quality (Hebraism: 'men of valor')→ relational specificationδύναμις: 'power / might / force / army'; the genitive δυνάμεων in the idiom υἱοὶ δυνάμεων denotes valor/capability; these are stout-hearted supporters of the new king.
ὧνwhoseGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive of possession, antecedent υἱοί)→ relational specificationὅς: relative pronoun; introduces the description of the men as those whose hearts God touched.
ἥψατοtouchedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἅπτωverb of relative clause (takes genitive)→ verbal action or stateἅπτομαι: 'touch / take hold of'; takes the genitive (καρδίας); renders נָגַע; God 'touched their hearts', inspiring their loyalty — divine causation behind Saul's support.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἥψατο (Tetragrammaton)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the LORD is the agent who moves these men to follow Saul.
καρδίαςheartsGenitivegenitive object of ἥψατο (what was touched)→ relational specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; the inner seat of will and loyalty, touched by God to bind the men to Saul.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (the men's hearts)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the men's hearts).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + genitive: 'with'; the men go with Saul.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive object of μετά (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: the king the loyal men accompany.
27
καὶ υἱοὶ λοιμοὶ εἶπαν τί σώσει ἡμᾶς οὗτος καὶ ἠτίμασαν αὐτὸν καὶ οὐκ ἤνεγκαν αὐτῷ δῶρα
But worthless men said, 'How shall this man save us?' And they despised him and brought him no gift.
The chapter closes on a contrastive note (καί with adversative force): over against the loyal men of valor (v. 26) stand the υἱοὶ λοιμοί ('worthless men', lit. 'sons of pestilence'). Their scornful question τί σώσει ἡμᾶς οὗτος; ('how shall this man save us?') ironically echoes Saul's commission to save Israel (v. 1, σώσεις), and their refusal of a gift signals rejection of his rule — a tension resolved only after the victory of ch. 11.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶbutconjunction (adversative force, contrasting with v. 26)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('but'), setting the despisers against the loyal men of valor.
υἱοὶsons / menNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; υἱοὶ λοιμοί ('sons of pestilence') is a Hebraism (בְּנֵי בְלִיַּעַל, 'worthless men / scoundrels') for lawless, contemptible persons.
λοιμοὶworthless / pestilentNominativeattributive adjective (modifying υἱοί)→ participant prominenceλοιμός: lit. 'plague / pestilence', used adjectivally for 'pestilent / worthless / good-for-nothing'; the LXX renders בְּלִיַּעַל ('worthlessness / Belial') by such pejoratives; these are the scoffers who reject Saul.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the scoffers' speech)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: koine/LXX 1st-aorist form εἶπαν; introduces the contemptuous question.
τίhow / whatinterrogative (adverbial: 'how?')→ participant referenceτίς/τί: interrogative; here adverbial 'how / in what way?' — a rhetorical sneer expecting the answer 'not at all'.
σώσειshall saveFut Act Indic 3 Sg · σῴζωmain verb of the scornful question→ verbal action or stateσῴζω: 'save / deliver'; renders יָשַׁע; the verb ironically echoes Saul's commission to save Israel (v. 1, σώσεις) — the scoffers doubt the very thing for which he was anointed.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of σώσει→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of σώσει.
οὗτοςthis manNominativesubject of σώσει (contemptuous demonstrative)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this (one)'; here dismissive/contemptuous ('this fellow'), belittling Saul's fitness to deliver Israel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠτίμασανdespisedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀτιμάζωmain verb (the scoffers' contempt)→ verbal action or stateἀτιμάζω: 'dishonor / despise / treat with contempt'; renders בָּזָה; the worthless men hold the new king in contempt, refusing him honor.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἠτίμασαν→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἠτίμασαν.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negative particle.
ἤνεγκανbroughtAor Act Indic 3 Pl · φέρωmain verb (the refusal of tribute)→ verbal action or stateφέρω: 'bring / bear / carry'; renders הֵבִיא; bringing a gift (tribute) signified recognition of a ruler — its refusal here is a pointed gesture of rejection.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (the king)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (the king).
δῶραgiftsAccusativedirect object of ἤνεγκαν→ object specificationδῶρον: 'gift / present / tribute'; renders מִנְחָה; the customary gift acknowledging a ruler's authority, which the despisers withhold — leaving the chapter on a note of unresolved opposition.