Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The First Book of Kingdoms, Chapter 13ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΩΝ Α′ ΙΓ′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Saul's unlawful sacrifice exposes the disobedience that will cost him an enduring kingdom.

Translation & textual notes

The Greek text of 1 Kingdoms (Βασιλειῶν Αʹ = 1 Samuel) chapter 13 follows the standard critical text of the Septuagint as established in the Rahlfs–Hanhart edition (Septuaginta, rev. ed. 2006), an ancient and public-domain text; the critical apparatus is not reproduced. A textual feature of this chapter must be noted at the outset: the LXX lacks the regnal-formula verse preserved at MT 1 Samuel 13:1 ('Saul was … years old when he began to reign, and he reigned … years over Israel'), a verse whose Hebrew numerals are themselves famously defective. Accordingly the Greek chapter has NO verse 1; its versification begins at verse 2 and runs through verse 23 (22 verses present). The chapter narrates Saul's selection of a standing army of three thousand (v. 2), Jonathan's strike against the Philistine garrison (τὸν Νασιβ) at Geba (v. 3), the resulting Philistine muster at Michmash 'like the sand by the sea in multitude' (ὡς ἡ ἄμμος ἡ παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν τῷ πλήθει, v. 5), and Israel's terrified flight into caves, thickets, rocks, pits and cisterns (vv. 6–7). The theological pivot comes at vv. 8–14: when Samuel delays beyond the appointed seven days, Saul himself offers the burnt offering (ἀνήνεγκεν τὴν ὁλοκαύτωσιν, v. 9), and Samuel pronounces the dynastic verdict — μεματαίωταί σοι ('you have acted foolishly', v. 13) and ἡ βασιλεία σου οὐ στήσεται ('your kingdom shall not stand', v. 14) — declaring that the LORD has sought ἄνθρωπον κατὰ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ ('a man after his own heart'), an oracle that points forward to David (cf. Acts 13:22). The Greek κύριος throughout vv. 12–14 renders the Tetragrammaton יהוה. The chapter closes (vv. 19–23) with the celebrated note on the Philistine iron monopoly: there was no smith (τέκτων σιδήρου) in all the land of Israel, lest the Hebrews (οἱ Εβραῖοι) make sword or spear, so that Israel had to go down to Philistia even to sharpen their farm tools, and on the day of battle no sword or spear was found in the hand of the people except with Saul and Jonathan.

2

καὶ ἐκλέγεται Σαουλ ἑαυτῷ τρεῖς χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν ἐκ τῶν ἀνδρῶν Ισραηλ καὶ ἦσαν μετὰ Σαουλ δισχίλιοι ἐν Μαχεμας καὶ ἐν τῷ ὄρει Βαιθηλ χίλιοι ἦσαν μετὰ Ιωναθαν ἐν Γαβεε τοῦ Βενιαμιν καὶ τὸ κατάλοιπον τοῦ λαοῦ ἐξαπέστειλεν ἕκαστον εἰς τὸ σκήνωμα αὐτοῦ

And Saul chose for himself three thousand men out of the men of Israel; and there were with Saul two thousand at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Geba of Benjamin; and the rest of the people he sent away, each to his own dwelling.

Chapter opening: narrative setting (organization of the standing army)καὶ ἐκλέγεται Σαουλ
Because the LXX lacks the regnal-formula verse of MT 13:1, the Greek chapter opens directly at v. 2 with Saul's military organization. The historic present ἐκλέγεται ('chooses') foregrounds the act vividly; the three-fold disposition (two thousand with Saul, one thousand with Jonathan, the rest dismissed) sets the stage for Jonathan's strike in v. 3.
Word-by-word analysis· 42 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκλέγεταιchooses / chosePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἐκλέγομαι: 'pick out / choose for oneself'; middle voice, reinforced by ἑαυτῷ ('for himself'); renders Hebrew בָּחַר; the historic present opens the narrative with immediacy as Saul selects his standing army.
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper nounsubject→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliteration of Hebrew שָׁאוּל; indeclinable in the LXX; Israel's first king, the central figure of the chapter.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfreflexive pronoun, dat sg mdative of advantage (reflexive)→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; the dative of advantage ἑαυτῷ underlines that Saul chooses these troops as his own personal retinue, anticipating the theme of royal initiative that culminates in his self-willed sacrifice (v. 9).
τρεῖςthreenumeral, acc femattributive numeral (modifying χιλιάδας)→ measure or countτρεῖς: meaning 'three'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
χιλιάδαςthousandsnoun, acc pl femdirect object of ἐκλέγεται (with τρεῖς)→ object specificationχιλιάς: 'a thousand (as a unit)'; renders אֶלֶף; τρεῖς χιλιάδας = three thousand men.
ἀνδρῶνof mennoun, gen pl mascpartitive/descriptive genitive (with χιλιάδας)→ relational specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; here in the military sense of fighting men; the partitive genitive specifies the composition of the three thousand.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source/partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source/partitive).
τῶνthearticle, gen pl mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνδρῶνmennoun, gen pl mascgenitive object of ἐκ (partitive source)→ relational specificationἀνήρ: the repeated ἀνδρῶν Ισραηλ ('men of Israel') stresses that the levy is drawn from the wider muster of the nation.
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper noungenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here the nation as the source of the levy.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦσανthere wereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (existential/locative)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (impf.): the imperfect ἦσαν describes the standing disposition of the troops at their stations.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper noungenitive object of μετά→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
δισχίλιοιtwo thousandnumeral, nom pl mascsubject of ἦσαν (the larger contingent)→ participant prominenceδισχίλιοι: 'two thousand'; the larger portion of the levy is kept under Saul's direct command.
ἐνat / inpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
ΜαχεμαςMichmashindeclinable place nameobject of ἐν (location)→ participant identificationΜαχεμας: transliteration of Hebrew מִכְמָשׂ (Michmash); indeclinable in the LXX; the strategic pass that dominates the chapter's geography (cf. vv. 5, 11, 16, 23).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῷthearticle, dat sg neutarticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρειhill country / mountainnoun, dat sg neutdative of place (with ἐν)→ sphere or referenceὄρος: 'mountain / hill country'; renders הַר; the phrase 'the hill country of Bethel' designates the central highland district.
ΒαιθηλBethelindeclinable place namegenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Bethel')→ participant identificationΒαιθηλ: transliteration of Hebrew בֵּית־אֵל (Bethel, 'house of God'); indeclinable in the LXX.
χίλιοιa thousandnumeral, nom pl mascsubject of ἦσαν (the smaller contingent)→ measure or countχίλιοι: meaning 'a thousand'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (existential, parallel to first ἦσαν)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦσαν with the perfect participle ἠτιμασμένοι forms a periphrastic pluperfect-like construction ('had been / were in a state of being dishonored'), stressing the men's continuing condition of shame.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
ΙωναθανJonathanindeclinable proper noungenitive object of μετά→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
ΓαβεεGebaindeclinable place nameobject of ἐν (location)→ participant identificationΓαβεε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ἐν (location).
τοῦofarticle, gen sg mascarticle (with Βενιαμιν: 'of Benjamin')→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒενιαμινBenjaminindeclinable proper noungenitive of relationship (tribal territory)→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: transliteration of Hebrew בִּנְיָמִין (Benjamin); indeclinable in the LXX; Saul's own tribe, the theatre of the campaign.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸthearticle, acc sg neutarticle (fronted object)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατάλοιπονremainder / restadjective (substantival), acc sg neutdirect object of ἐξαπέστειλεν (fronted for emphasis)→ object specificationκατάλοιπος: 'remaining / left over'; substantivized as 'the rest'; renders יֶתֶר; the dismissed remainder of the general muster, sent home after the standing army is constituted.
τοῦof thearticle, gen sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeoplenoun, gen sg mascpartitive genitive (with κατάλοιπον)→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; the standard LXX term for Israel as covenant community (rendering עַם); here the general levy beyond the three thousand.
ἐξαπέστειλενhe sent awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξαποστέλλωmain verb (dismissal)→ verbal action or stateἐξαποστέλλω: 'send away / dismiss'; the compound ἐξαπο- intensifies the dismissal; renders שָׁלַח; Saul releases the surplus levy to their homes.
ἕκαστονeach oneadjective (distributive), acc sg mascdistributive apposition to the object (sent 'each')→ object specificationἕκαστος: 'each / every one'; distributive, stressing that every dismissed man returned to his own dwelling.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸthearticle, acc sg neutarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκήνωμαdwelling / tentnoun, acc sg neutaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationσκήνωμα: 'tent / dwelling / habitation'; renders אֹהֶל; the idiom 'each to his own tent/dwelling' (εἰς τὸ σκήνωμα αὐτοῦ) is a standard OT formula for demobilization (cf. Judg 7:8 LXX).
αὐτοῦhispronoun, gen sg mascgenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
3

καὶ ἐπάταξεν Ιωναθαν τὸν Νασιβ τὸν ἀλλόφυλον τὸν ἐν τῷ βουνῷ καὶ ἀκούουσιν οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι καὶ Σαουλ σάλπιγγι σαλπίζει εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν λέγων ἠθετήκασιν οἱ δοῦλοι

And Jonathan struck the Philistine garrison that was on the hill; and the Philistines heard of it, and Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, 'The slaves have revolted.'

Inciting action: Jonathan's strike triggers the conflictκαὶ ἐπάταξεν Ιωναθαν
The constative aorist ἐπάταξεν marks the decisive provocation. The narrative then shifts into historic presents (ἀκούουσιν, σαλπίζει) to render the Philistine reaction and Saul's mobilizing trumpet-call vivid. The cry ἠθετήκασιν οἱ δοῦλοι ('the slaves have revolted') reflects the Philistine view of subjugated Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξενstruckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (decisive military action)→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike, smite'; the assassination-verb.
ΙωναθανJonathanindeclinable proper nounsubject→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliteration of Hebrew יוֹנָתָן; indeclinable in the LXX.
τὸνthearticle, acc sg mascarticle (with Νασιβ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Νασιβgarrison (Nasib)indeclinable noun/namedirect object of ἐπάταξεν→ participant identificationΝασιβ: a transliteration of Hebrew נְצִיב ('garrison / officer / pillar'); the LXX treats the Hebrew common noun as an indeclinable proper-name form; here the Philistine garrison or its commander stationed at the hill.
τὸνthearticle, acc sg mascarticle (attributive with ἀλλόφυλον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλονPhilistine / foreignadjective, acc sg mascattributive adjective (modifying Νασιβ)→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: lit. 'of another tribe / foreigner'; the regular LXX rendering of פְּלִשְׁתִּי ('Philistine') in 1–4 Kingdoms; here the garrison is identified as Philistine.
τὸνthe (one)article, acc sg mascarticle (substantizing the locative phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνon / inpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῷthearticle, dat sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βουνῷhillnoun, dat sg mascdative of place (with ἐν)→ sphere or referenceβουνός: 'hill / mound'; renders גִּבְעָה; the article-phrase τὸν ἐν τῷ βουνῷ ('the one on the hill') locates the garrison; note the wordplay with Geba/Gibeah (גֶּבַע/גִּבְעָה).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκούουσινhearPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear'; the historic present heightens the immediacy of the Philistines' alarm at the news of the strike.
οἱthearticle, nom pl mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesadjective (substantival), nom pl mascsubject of ἀκούουσιν→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος (pl.): 'the Philistines'; the substantivized adjective is the standard LXX designation for Israel's coastal enemies throughout Kingdoms.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper nounsubject of σαλπίζει→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of σαλπίζει.
σάλπιγγιwith a trumpetnoun, dat sg femdative of instrument (cognate with σαλπίζει)→ sphere or referenceσάλπιγξ: 'trumpet / ram's horn'; renders שׁוֹפָר; the dative σάλπιγγι σαλπίζει forms a cognate construction ('blows a blast with the trumpet'), the standard signal for general mobilization.
σαλπίζειblows the trumpetPres Act Indic 3 Sg · σαλπίζωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateσαλπίζω: 'sound the trumpet'; renders תָּקַע (בַּשּׁוֹפָר); Saul's trumpet-blast summons all Israel to war.
εἰςthroughout / intopreposition + accusative (extent)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'throughout'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (extent).
πᾶσανalladjective, acc sg femattributive adjective (modifying γῆν)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / whole'; the trumpet reaches the whole land — total mobilization.
τὴνthearticle, acc sg femarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandnoun, acc sg femaccusative object of εἰς (extent of the summons)→ object specificationγῆ: 'land / earth'; renders אֶרֶץ; here the territory of Israel through which the call to arms is sounded.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp nom sg masc · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing the proclamation)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (ptcp.): the participle λέγων introduces the content of Saul's proclamation, a Hebraizing use of אָמֵר / לֵאמֹר to mark direct speech.
ἠθετήκασινhave revolted / broken faithPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀθετέωmain verb of the quotation→ verbal action or stateἀθετέω: 'set aside / break faith / rebel'; renders פָּשַׁע ('rebel'); the perfect ἠθετήκασιν presents the revolt as an accomplished and standing fact — the rallying cry that the subjugated 'slaves' have now thrown off the yoke.
οἱthearticle, nom pl mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δοῦλοιslaves / servantsnoun, nom pl mascsubject of ἠθετήκασιν→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'slave / servant'; renders עֶבֶד; 'the slaves' reflects the Philistine perspective on subjugated Israel (the Hebrew of MT reads 'let the Hebrews hear'); the LXX makes the cry one of revolt by vassals.
4

καὶ πᾶς Ισραηλ ἤκουσεν λεγόντων πέπαικεν Σαουλ τὸν Νασιβ τὸν ἀλλόφυλον καὶ ᾐσχύνθησαν Ισραηλ ἐν τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις καὶ ἀνεβόησαν ὁ λαὸς ὀπίσω Σαουλ ἐν Γαλγαλοις

And all Israel heard them saying, 'Saul has struck the Philistine garrison,' and Israel had become odious among the Philistines; and the people were called out to follow Saul at Gilgal.

Consequence: the nation's response to the strike (rallying at Gilgal)καὶ πᾶς Ισραηλ ἤκουσεν
The verse reports the spreading news (ἤκουσεν λεγόντων, 'heard them saying'), the resulting enmity (ᾐσχύνθησαν … ἐν τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις, 'became odious / put to shame among the Philistines'), and the muster behind Saul at Gilgal — the location that becomes the scene of the fateful sacrifice (vv. 8–14).
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςalladjective, nom sg mascattributive (with Ισραηλ: 'all Israel')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; πᾶς Ισραηλ ('all Israel') is a frequent collective designation of the nation as a single actor.
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper nounsubject of ἤκουσεν (construed as singular collective)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; here the nation, taking a singular verb (ἤκουσεν) as a collective.
ἤκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (perception)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear / learn of'; renders שָׁמַע; David hears of the Aramean mobilization (v. 6) and responds militarily; the verb mirrors εἶδαν of the Ammonites (v. 6) — both sides act on what they perceive.
λεγόντων(of those) sayingPres Act Ptcp gen pl masc · λέγωgenitive participle (source of the report heard)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (ptcp.): the genitive plural λεγόντων ('of people saying') depends on ἤκουσεν, denoting the rumor-bearers; a Hebraizing construction introducing the quoted report.
πέπαικενhas struckPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · παίωmain verb of the quoted report→ verbal action or stateπαίω: meaning 'has struck'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb of the quoted report.
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper nounsubject of πέπαικεν→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of πέπαικεν.
τὸνthearticle, acc sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Νασιβgarrison (Nasib)indeclinable noun/namedirect object of πέπαικεν→ participant identificationΝασιβ: see v. 3; the Philistine garrison/officer; treated as an indeclinable form.
τὸνthearticle, acc sg mascarticle (attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλονPhilistineadjective, acc sg mascattributive adjective (modifying Νασιβ)→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistine'; see v. 3.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ᾐσχύνθησανwere put to shame / became odiousAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · αἰσχύνωmain verb (state of enmity/disgrace)→ verbal action or stateαἰσχύνω (pass.): 'be ashamed / be disgraced'; here in the idiom 'became odious / made themselves odious among the Philistines' (rendering נִבְאַשׁ, 'became a stench / odious'); Israel's open defiance has made them a hated target; the plural verb construes Ισραηλ as a collective.
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper nounsubject of ᾐσχύνθησαν (collective, plural verb)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ᾐσχύνθησαν (collective, plural verb).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere/relation)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere/relation).
τοῖςthearticle, dat pl mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλοιςPhilistinesadjective (substantival), dat pl mascdative object of ἐν (sphere of the enmity)→ sphere or referenceἀλλόφυλος (pl. dat.): 'among the Philistines'; the sphere in which Israel has become hateful.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνεβόησανwere summoned / cried outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβοάωmain verb (the people's rally)→ verbal action or stateἀναβοάω: 'cry out / call together'; renders צָעַק / זָעַק (in the niphal, 'be summoned'); here the people are called out / rally with a shout to follow Saul; the plural verb anticipates the collective ὁ λαός.
thearticle, nom sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeoplenoun, nom sg mascsubject of ἀνεβόησαν (collective)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the muster of Israel rallying to the king; the singular noun takes the plural verb by construction ad sensum.
ὀπίσωafter / behindpreposition + genitive (following)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; the idiom 'cry out / rally after Saul' (ὀπίσω Σαουλ) denotes military allegiance and following into battle.
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper noungenitive object of ὀπίσω→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
ΓαλγαλοιςGilgalplace name, dat pl neutdative of place (mustering site)→ sphere or referenceΓαλγαλα (τὰ): rendering of Hebrew גִּלְגָּל (Gilgal); declined in the LXX as a neuter plural (dat. Γαλγαλοις, gen. Γαλγαλων); the sacred site of muster where Saul's fateful sacrifice will take place (vv. 8–14).
5

καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι συνάγονται εἰς πόλεμον ἐπὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἀναβαίνουσιν ἐπὶ Ισραηλ τριάκοντα χιλιάδες ἁρμάτων καὶ ἓξ χιλιάδες ἱππέων καὶ λαὸς ὡς ἡ ἄμμος ἡ παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν τῷ πλήθει καὶ ἀναβαίνουσιν καὶ παρεμβάλλουσιν ἐν Μαχεμας ἐξ ἐναντίας Βαιθων κατὰ νότου

And the Philistines gathered together for war against Israel, and there came up against Israel thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and an army like the sand by the sea in multitude; and they came up and encamped at Michmash, opposite Beth-aven, southward.

Escalation: the overwhelming Philistine musterκαὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι συνάγονται
A chain of historic presents (συνάγονται, ἀναβαίνουσιν ×2, παρεμβάλλουσιν) renders the massive Philistine advance vividly. The simile ὡς ἡ ἄμμος ἡ παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν τῷ πλήθει ('like the sand by the sea in multitude') is a stock OT hyperbole for innumerable hosts, here heightening the disproportion that drives Israel into hiding (v. 6).
Word-by-word analysis· 41 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱthearticle, nom pl mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesadjective (substantival), nom pl mascsubject of συνάγονται→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος (pl.): 'the Philistines'; see v. 3.
συνάγονταιgather togetherPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Pl · συνάγωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateσυνάγω: 'gather / assemble'; renders אָסַף / קָבַץ; the middle/passive 'gather themselves' describes the Philistine concentration of forces for war.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose).
πόλεμονwar / battlenoun, acc sg mascaccusative of purpose (with εἰς)→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; renders מִלְחָמָה; 'for war' marks the hostile intent of the gathering.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper nounaccusative object of ἐπί (target)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (target).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναβαίνουσινcome upPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up / come up'; renders עָלָה; the standard idiom for marching up to battle into the hill country.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper nounaccusative object of ἐπί→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί.
τριάκονταthirtyindeclinable numeralnumeral (modifying χιλιάδες)→ measure or countτριάκοντα: 'thirty'; indeclinable; the enormous chariot-count (thirty thousand) magnifies the threat (some witnesses read three thousand, but Rahlfs prints τριάκοντα).
χιλιάδεςthousandsnoun, nom pl femsubject of ἀναβαίνουσιν (with ἁρμάτων)→ participant prominenceχιλιάς: 'thousand (as a unit)'; 'thirty thousand chariots' heads the catalogue of the host.
ἁρμάτωνof chariotsnoun, gen pl neutgenitive of content (with χιλιάδες)→ relational specificationἅρμα: 'chariot'; renders רֶכֶב; the chariotry is the Philistines' decisive technological advantage on the plain.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἓξsixindeclinable numeralnumeral (modifying χιλιάδες)→ clausal contributionἕξ: 'six'; indeclinable; 'six thousand horsemen.'
χιλιάδεςthousandsnoun, nom pl femsubject (with ἱππέων)→ participant prominenceχιλιάς: see above; the second item of the catalogue.
ἱππέωνof horsemennoun, gen pl mascgenitive of content (with χιλιάδες)→ relational specificationἱππεύς: 'horseman / cavalryman'; renders פָּרָשׁ; the mounted contingent.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λαὸςpeople / infantrynoun, nom sg mascsubject (the foot-soldiery)→ participant prominenceλαός: here in the military sense 'host / infantry / fighting people' (rendering עָם as the body of foot-troops), distinct from the chariots and cavalry.
ὡςlike / ascomparative particle (introducing simile)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; introduces the sand-by-the-sea simile of innumerability.
thearticle, nom sg femarticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄμμοςsandnoun, nom sg femsubject of the comparative clause (point of comparison)→ participant prominenceἄμμος: 'sand'; renders חוֹל; the simile ὡς ἡ ἄμμος ἡ παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν is a stock OT figure for an uncountable multitude (cf. Gen 22:17; Josh 11:4; Judg 7:12).
the (that)article, nom sg femarticle (attributive, with prepositional phrase)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρὰbeside / bypreposition + accusative (position)→ spatial or relational framingπαρὰ: meaning 'beside'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (position).
τὴνthearticle, acc sg femarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θάλασσανseanoun, acc sg femaccusative object of παρά (position: 'by the sea')→ object specificationθάλασσα: 'sea'; renders יָם; 'the sand that is by the sea' completes the simile of immeasurable numbers.
τῷinarticle, dat sg neutarticle (with πλήθει)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλήθειin multitudenoun, dat sg neutdative of respect (specifying the point of comparison)→ sphere or referenceπλῆθος: 'multitude / great number'; renders רֹב; the dative of respect τῷ πλήθει ('in respect of multitude') clarifies that the comparison is one of sheer number.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναβαίνουσινcome upPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (historic present, resumptive)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: the repeated verb resumes the advance after the catalogue, leading to the encampment.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρεμβάλλουσινencampPres Act Indic 3 Pl · παρεμβάλλωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateπαρεμβάλλω: 'pitch camp / encamp'; renders חָנָה; military term for taking up battle-position; the Philistines fortify at Michmash.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
ΜαχεμαςMichmashindeclinable place nameobject of ἐν (location)→ participant identificationΜαχεμας: Michmash; see v. 2; the Philistine forward base dominating the pass.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (in the phrase ἐξ ἐναντίας)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (in the phrase ἐξ ἐναντίας).
ἐναντίαςoppositeadjective (substantival), gen sg femin the idiom ἐξ ἐναντίας ('over against')→ relational specificationἐναντίος: 'opposite / facing'; the prepositional idiom ἐξ ἐναντίας ('opposite, over against') renders Hebrew נֹכַח / מִקֶּדֶם; positions the camp facing Beth-aven.
ΒαιθωνBeth-avenindeclinable place namegenitive object of ἐξ ἐναντίας (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαιθων: transliteration of Hebrew בֵּית אָוֶן (Beth-aven, 'house of iniquity'); indeclinable in the LXX; a site near Bethel marking the Philistine front.
κατὰtowardpreposition + genitive (direction)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'toward'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (direction).
νότουthe southnoun, gen sg mascgenitive object of κατά (direction: 'southward')→ relational specificationνότος: 'south / south wind'; renders נֶגֶב; κατὰ νότου ('to the south / southward') gives the orientation of the encampment relative to Beth-aven.
6

καὶ ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ εἶδεν ὅτι στενῶς αὐτῷ μὴ προσάγειν αὐτόν καὶ ἐκρύβη ὁ λαὸς ἐν τοῖς σπηλαίοις καὶ ἐν ταῖς μάνδραις καὶ ἐν ταῖς πέτραις καὶ ἐν τοῖς βόθροις καὶ ἐν τοῖς λάκκοις

And the men of Israel saw that they were in a desperate strait, that they could not draw near; and the people hid themselves in the caves and in the thickets and in the rocks and in the pits and in the cisterns.

Consequence: Israel's panic and concealment before the hostκαὶ ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ εἶδεν
The collective ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ ('the men of Israel') perceive (εἶδεν) their hopeless position (στενῶς αὐτῷ, 'it was tight/desperate for them'). The five-fold list of hiding places (caves, thickets, rocks, pits, cisterns) is a rhetorical accumulation conveying total demoralization, the foil against which Jonathan's later faith (ch. 14) will stand out.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὴρthe men / a man (of)noun, nom sg mascsubject (collective: 'the men of Israel')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the singular ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ is a collective ('the men of Israel'), rendering אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל; the fighting men of the nation viewed as one body.
Ισραηλof Israelindeclinable proper noungenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; 'of Israel' qualifying ἀνήρ.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (perception, with ὅτι-clause)→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / perceive / realize'; renders רָאָה; here in the sense of grasping their plight, governing the ὅτι-clause.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing object clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of what they perceived.
στενῶςin a strait / hard-pressedadverbadverb (predicate of distress: 'it was tight for them')→ clausal contributionστενῶς: 'narrowly / in distress'; the impersonal idiom στενῶς αὐτῷ ('it is straitened for them') renders Hebrew נִגַּשׂ הָעָם / צַר־לוֹ; expresses being hard-pressed, in a tight corner.
αὐτῷfor them / himpronoun, dat sg mascdative of reference (with impersonal στενῶς)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: the dative of reference (singular agreeing with collective ἀνήρ) — 'it was a desperate strait for them.'
μὴnotnegative (with infinitive)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: negative used with the infinitive προσάγειν.
προσάγεινto draw near / advancePres Act Infin · προσάγωepexegetic infinitive (explaining the strait)→ verbal action or stateπροσάγω: 'bring near / approach / advance'; the infinitive explains the distress — they could not draw near (to give battle); the construction renders the Hebrew sense that the people were so pressed they dared not engage.
αὐτόνhim / itpronoun, acc sg mascaccusative (subject/object of the infinitive)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the accusative with the infinitive, reflecting a somewhat awkward literal rendering of the Hebrew; the sense is that 'he/it' (the people) could not press forward.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκρύβηhid themselvesAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κρύπτωmain verb (concealment)→ verbal action or stateκρύπτω (aor. pass. ἐκρύβη): 'hide / conceal'; the passive with reflexive sense ('hid themselves'); renders נֶחְבָּא / הִתְחַבֵּא; the singular agrees with collective ὁ λαός.
thearticle, nom sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeoplenoun, nom sg mascsubject of ἐκρύβη→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the demoralized populace seeking refuge.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τοῖςthearticle, dat pl neutarticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπηλαίοιςcavesnoun, dat pl neutdative of place (with ἐν)→ sphere or referenceσπήλαιον: 'cave / cavern'; renders מְעָרָה; the first of five hiding places, all natural or improvised refuges of a beaten people.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
ταῖςthearticle, dat pl femarticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μάνδραιςthickets / enclosuresnoun, dat pl femdative of place (with ἐν)→ sphere or referenceμάνδρα: 'enclosure / fold / thicket'; here rendering Hebrew חֲוָח ('thicket / bramble') or similar; a place of concealment.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
ταῖςthearticle, dat pl femarticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πέτραιςrocks / cragsnoun, dat pl femdative of place (with ἐν)→ sphere or referenceπέτρα: 'rock / crag'; renders סֶלַע; the rocky clefts of the hill country offering refuge.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τοῖςthearticle, dat pl mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βόθροιςpitsnoun, dat pl mascdative of place (with ἐν)→ sphere or referenceβόθρος: 'pit / hole'; a dug or natural hollow used for concealment.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τοῖςthearticle, dat pl mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λάκκοιςcisternsnoun, dat pl mascdative of place (with ἐν)→ sphere or referenceλάκκος: 'cistern / pit / dungeon'; renders בּוֹר; the last of the five hiding-places — dry water-cisterns serving as hideouts; the accumulation underscores Israel's terror.
7

καὶ οἱ διαβαίνοντες διέβησαν τὸν Ιορδάνην εἰς γῆν Γαδ καὶ Γαλααδ καὶ Σαουλ ἔτι ἦν ἐν Γαλγαλοις καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἐξέστη ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ

And those who crossed over went across the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead; and Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people behind him were in panic.

Continuation: flight across the Jordan and Saul's isolation at Gilgalκαὶ οἱ διαβαίνοντες διέβησαν
The figura etymologica οἱ διαβαίνοντες διέβησαν ('the crossers crossed') emphasizes the flight to Transjordan. The note that Saul ἔτι ἦν ἐν Γαλγαλοις ('was still at Gilgal') sets up the seven-day countdown of v. 8, while ἐξέστη ('was in panic / trembled') captures the disintegration of his army.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱthosearticle, nom pl mascarticle (substantizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαβαίνοντεςthose crossing overPres Act Ptcp nom pl masc · διαβαίνωsubstantival participle (subject)→ verbal action or stateδιαβαίνω (ptcp.): 'cross over'; the substantival participle οἱ διαβαίνοντες ('the ones crossing') with cognate aorist διέβησαν forms a Hebraizing figura etymologica stressing the act of fleeing across the river.
διέβησανcrossed overAor Act Indic 3 Pl · διαβαίνωmain verb→ verbal action or stateδιαβαίνω: 'cross / pass over'; renders עָבַר; the crossing of the Jordan to escape the Philistine threat.
τὸνthearticle, acc sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνηνJordannoun (place name), acc sg mascdirect object of διέβησαν→ object specificationΙορδάνης: rendering of Hebrew יַרְדֵּן (the Jordan); declined in the LXX as a first-declension masculine (acc. Ιορδάνην); the river boundary into Transjordan.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
γῆνlandnoun, acc sg femaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; 'the land of Gad and Gilead' = the Transjordanian region of refuge.
ΓαδGadindeclinable proper noungenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΓαδ: transliteration of Hebrew גָּד (Gad); indeclinable in the LXX; the Transjordanian tribal territory.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΓαλααδGileadindeclinable place namegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΓαλααδ: transliteration of Hebrew גִּלְעָד (Gilead); indeclinable in the LXX; the highland region east of the Jordan.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (contrastive: 'but Saul')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper nounsubject of ἦν→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἦν.
ἔτιstill / yetadverbtemporal adverb (with ἦν)→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet'; renders עוֹד / עֲדַיִן; emphasizes that Saul remained at Gilgal awaiting Samuel, setting up the crisis of the delay.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (locative state)→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf.): 'was'; the durative imperfect underlines Saul's continued waiting at Gilgal.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
ΓαλγαλοιςGilgalplace name, dat pl neutdative of place→ sphere or referenceΓαλγαλα: Gilgal; see v. 4; the waiting-place of the impending sacrifice.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςalladjective, nom sg mascattributive (with ὁ λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole remnant of the people still with Saul.
thearticle, nom sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeoplenoun, nom sg mascsubject of ἐξέστη→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the troops remaining with Saul, gripped by fear.
ἐξέστηwas in panic / trembledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξίστημιmain verb (state of terror)→ verbal action or stateἐξίστημι: 'be amazed / be beside oneself / be in terror'; renders חָרַד ('tremble'); the people 'were in consternation' behind Saul — their morale collapsing as they followed him in fear.
ὀπίσωafter / behindpreposition + genitive (following)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; 'behind him' = those still following Saul, in distinction from the deserters and refugees.
αὐτοῦhimpronoun, gen sg mascgenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω.
8

καὶ διέλιπεν ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας τῷ μαρτυρίῳ ὡς εἶπεν Σαμουηλ καὶ οὐ παρεγένετο Σαμουηλ εἰς Γαλγαλα καὶ διεσπάρη ὁ λαὸς αὐτοῦ ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ

And he waited seven days, for the appointed time that Samuel had said; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and his people began to be scattered from him.

Crisis setup: the lapse of the seven appointed daysκαὶ διέλιπεν ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας
The verse establishes the conditions of Saul's transgression: the seven-day appointment (cf. 1 Kgdms 10:8), Samuel's non-arrival (οὐ παρεγένετο Σαμουηλ), and the scattering of the army (διεσπάρη ὁ λαός) — three pressures that Saul will cite in self-defense (v. 11).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διέλιπενhe waited / delayedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαλείπωmain verb (Saul's waiting)→ verbal action or stateδιαλείπω: 'leave an interval / wait / cease'; here 'he waited (a period)'; renders יָחֶל ('wait'); Saul keeps the seven-day appointment, at least to its limit.
ἑπτὰsevenindeclinable numeralnumeral (modifying ἡμέρας)→ measure or countἑπτά: 'seven'; indeclinable; the appointed waiting period (cf. 1 Kgdms 10:8).
ἡμέραςdaysnoun, acc pl femaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative of duration — 'for seven days.'
τῷfor thearticle, dat sg neutarticle (with μαρτυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίῳappointed time / testimonynoun, dat sg neutdative of reference (the appointed term)→ sphere or referenceμαρτύριον: 'testimony / witness / appointed sign'; here it renders Hebrew מוֹעֵד ('appointed time') by way of the cognate עֵדוּת ('testimony'); the LXX understands the seven days as 'the appointed term' Samuel had set (cf. the same word at v. 11).
ὡςascomparative conjunction (introducing clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / just as'; introduces the clause specifying Samuel's prior instruction.
εἶπενhad saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of the comparative clause→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor.): refers back to Samuel's earlier appointment of the seven days (cf. 1 Kgdms 10:8).
ΣαμουηλSamuelindeclinable proper nounsubject of εἶπεν→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: transliteration of Hebrew שְׁמוּאֵל (Samuel); indeclinable in the LXX; the prophet-judge whose delay precipitates the crisis.
καὶbut / andnarrative conjunction (adversative force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative (with παρεγένετο)→ participant referenceοὐ: negative particle; marks Samuel's failure to arrive in time.
παρεγένετοcame / arrivedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · παραγίνομαιmain verb (negated arrival)→ verbal action or stateπαραγίνομαι: 'arrive / be present / come'; renders בּוֹא; Samuel's non-arrival within the seven days is the pivot of the episode.
ΣαμουηλSamuelindeclinable proper nounsubject of παρεγένετο→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of παρεγένετο.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
ΓαλγαλαGilgalplace name, acc pl neutaccusative of destination (with εἰς)→ object specificationΓαλγαλα: Gilgal; see v. 4; here the accusative-plural form as destination.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διεσπάρηwas scatteredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · διασπείρωmain verb (dispersal of the army)→ verbal action or stateδιασπείρω (aor. pass.): 'scatter / disperse'; renders נָפַץ / פּוּץ; the army's desertion from Saul mounts the pressure that leads to his rash sacrifice.
thearticle, nom sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeoplenoun, nom sg mascsubject of διεσπάρη→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; Saul's troops, melting away.
αὐτοῦhispronoun, gen sg mascgenitive of possession (with λαός)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with λαός).
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation, elided ἀπό)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation, elided ἀπό).
αὐτοῦhimpronoun, gen sg mascgenitive object of ἀπ᾿ (separation)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'from him' — the people were scattering away from Saul, deserting their king.
9

καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ προσαγάγετε ὅπως ποιήσω ὁλοκαύτωσιν καὶ εἰρηνικάς καὶ ἀνήνεγκεν τὴν ὁλοκαύτωσιν

And Saul said, 'Bring near to me, that I may offer a burnt offering and peace offerings'; and he offered up the burnt offering.

The transgression: Saul performs the sacrifice himselfκαὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ προσαγάγετε
The decisive act: Saul commands the offerings be brought (προσαγάγετε) and himself offers (ἀνήνεγκεν) the burnt offering — usurping the priestly-prophetic role reserved for Samuel. The terse syntax (command, purpose, execution) underscores the haste that Samuel will condemn.
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 (aor. εἶπεν): introduces Saul's order to bring the offerings.
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper nounsubject→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
προσαγάγετεbring near / presentAor Act Impv 2 Pl · προσάγωmain verb of the quotation (command)→ verbal action or stateπροσάγω: 'bring near / present / offer'; here a cultic command 'bring (the offerings) here'; renders הַגִּישׁוּ; the imperative initiates the unauthorized sacrifice.
ὅπωςthat / so thatpurpose conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅπως: 'in order that'; introduces the purpose clause with the subjunctive ποιήσω.
ποιήσωI may make / offerAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ποιέωsubjunctive of purpose (with ὅπως)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'make / do / offer'; here in the cultic sense 'offer (a sacrifice)', a common LXX idiom rendering עָשָׂה of sacrifices; Saul intends to perform the rite himself.
ὁλοκαύτωσινa burnt offeringnoun, acc sg femdirect object of ποιήσω→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωσις: 'whole burnt offering'; renders עֹלָה; the sacrifice wholly consumed on the altar; its offering by a non-priest king is the heart of the transgression.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰρηνικάςpeace offeringsadjective (substantival), acc pl femdirect object of ποιήσω (parallel to ὁλοκαύτωσιν)→ object specificationεἰρηνικός: 'pertaining to peace'; substantival plural αἱ εἰρηνικαί ('peace/fellowship offerings'); renders שְׁלָמִים; the communion sacrifices offered alongside the burnt offering.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνήνεγκενhe offered upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναφέρωmain verb (the act itself)→ verbal action or stateἀναφέρω: 'bring up / offer up'; the technical term for placing the offering on the altar (rendering הֶעֱלָה); the bald statement 'and he offered up the burnt offering' records Saul's fatal overreach.
τὴνthearticle, acc sg femarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁλοκαύτωσινburnt offeringnoun, acc sg femdirect object of ἀνήνεγκεν→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωσις: see above; the article now points back to the offering just commanded — the deed is done.
10

καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς συνετέλεσεν ἀναφέρων τὴν ὁλοκαύτωσιν καὶ Σαμουηλ παραγίνεται καὶ ἐξῆλθεν Σαουλ εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτῷ εὐλογῆσαι αὐτόν

And it came to pass, just as he finished offering up the burnt offering, that behold, Samuel arrived; and Saul went out to meet him, to bless him.

Dramatic timing: Samuel's arrival the instant the rite endsκαὶ ἐγένετο ὡς συνετέλεσεν
The temporal formula καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ('and it came to pass when', rendering וַיְהִי כְּ) frames the exquisite timing: the very moment Saul completes the forbidden offering, Samuel appears (historic present παραγίνεται). Saul's attempt to greet and bless Samuel makes his unawareness of his guilt all the more poignant.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (temporal-narrative formula)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. ἐγένετο): the formula καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς renders וַיְהִי כְּ, a standard LXX narrative connector introducing a temporal clause and its main event.
ὡςwhen / just astemporal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'when / as soon as'; introduces the temporal clause fixing the moment of completion.
συνετέλεσενhe finishedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συντελέωverb of temporal clause→ verbal action or stateσυντελέω: 'complete / finish'; renders כִּלָּה; marks the exact instant the offering is concluded — the worst possible moment for Samuel to arrive.
ἀναφέρωνoffering upPres Act Ptcp nom sg masc · ἀναφέρωcomplementary participle (with συνετέλεσεν)→ verbal action or stateἀναφέρω (ptcp.): the present participle complements συνετέλεσεν ('finished offering'); a Greek idiom for completing an ongoing action; cf. the same verb at v. 9.
τὴνthearticle, acc sg femarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁλοκαύτωσινburnt offeringnoun, acc sg femdirect object of ἀναφέρων→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωσις: 'whole burnt offering'; see v. 9.
καὶand (behold)apodotic conjunction (introducing the main event)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here the apodotic καί following the temporal clause (a Hebraism, ≈ 'then, behold'), introducing Samuel's arrival.
ΣαμουηλSamuelindeclinable proper nounsubject of παραγίνεται→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: indeclinable; the prophet arrives at the climactic instant.
παραγίνεταιarrivesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · παραγίνομαιmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateπαραγίνομαι: 'arrive / come'; the historic present heightens the dramatic timing of Samuel's appearance just as the rite concludes.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (Saul's movement)→ verbal action or stateἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come forth'; Saul goes out to receive the prophet, unaware of the rebuke to come.
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper nounsubject of ἐξῆλθεν→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐξῆλθεν.
εἰςto / forpreposition + accusative (purpose: meeting)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: meeting).
ἀπάντησινa meetingnoun, acc sg femaccusative object of εἰς (idiom: 'to meet')→ object specificationἀπάντησις: 'meeting / encounter'; the idiom εἰς ἀπάντησιν ('to meet') renders לִקְרַאת; a standard LXX expression for going out to receive someone.
αὐτῷhimpronoun, dat sg mascdative complement of ἀπάντησιν (the one met)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: dative governed by the meeting-idiom — 'to meet him (Samuel).'
εὐλογῆσαιto bless / greetAor Act Infin · εὐλογέωinfinitive of purpose→ verbal action or stateεὐλογέω: 'bless / greet with a blessing'; renders בֵּרַךְ; the purpose infinitive — Saul intends a respectful greeting, in ironic ignorance of his guilt.
αὐτόνhimpronoun, acc sg mascdirect object of εὐλογῆσαι→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of εὐλογῆσαι.
11

καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ τί πεποίηκας καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ ὅτι εἶδον ὡς διεσπάρη ὁ λαὸς ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ καὶ σὺ οὐ παρεγένου ὡς διετάξω ἐν τῷ μαρτυρίῳ τῶν ἡμερῶν καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι συνήχθησαν εἰς Μαχεμας

And Samuel said, 'What have you done?' And Saul said, 'Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and you did not come at the appointed time of the days as you commanded, and the Philistines were gathered at Michmash,'

Confrontation: Samuel's question and Saul's threefold excuseκαὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ τί πεποίηκας
Samuel's terse interrogation τί πεποίηκας ('What have you done?', perfect — 'what is this you have done?') echoes the divine question to Eve (Gen 3:13 LXX). Saul's reply is a chain of three ὅτι/causal clauses (people scattering, Samuel delayed, Philistines gathered) — a self-justification that shifts blame onto circumstance and even onto Samuel.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 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 (aor.): introduces Samuel's reproof.
ΣαμουηλSamuelindeclinable proper nounsubject→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
τίwhatinterrogative pronoun, acc sg neutinterrogative direct object of πεποίηκας→ participant referenceτίς, τί: interrogative pronoun; the accusative τί ('what?') is the object of the verb — a question of accusation, not information.
πεποίηκαςhave you donePerf Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of the question→ verbal action or stateποιέω (perf.): 'do / make'; the perfect πεποίηκας ('what have you done?') stresses the abiding consequence of the deed; cf. the same accusatory question at Gen 3:13; 4:10 LXX.
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 (Saul's reply)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor.): introduces Saul's defensive answer.
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper nounsubject→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (introducing the excuse)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: here causal, 'because'; introduces Saul's threefold justification.
εἶδονI sawAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb of the reply→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see / perceive'; Saul appeals to what he observed as the ground of his action.
ὡςthat / howconjunction (introducing object clause of εἶδον)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'that / how'; introduces the content of what Saul saw.
διεσπάρηwas scatteredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · διασπείρωverb of the object clause→ verbal action or stateδιασπείρω: 'scatter'; see v. 8; Saul cites the dispersal of his army as his first excuse.
thearticle, nom sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeoplenoun, nom sg mascsubject of διεσπάρη→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; Saul's deserting troops.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation, elided ἀπό)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation, elided ἀπό).
ἐμοῦmepronoun, gen sggenitive object of ἀπ᾿ (separation)→ relational specificationἐγώ: 'from me' — Saul personalizes the desertion.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second excuse)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σὺyoupersonal pronoun, nom sgemphatic subject of παρεγένου→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic 'you' shifts a measure of blame to Samuel himself — 'and you did not come.'
οὐnotnegative (with παρεγένου)→ participant referenceοὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negative (with παρεγένου).
παρεγένουyou cameAor Mid Indic 2 Sg · παραγίνομαιmain verb (negated, second excuse)→ verbal action or stateπαραγίνομαι: 'arrive / come'; see v. 8; Saul's second excuse — Samuel's failure to arrive on time.
ὡςascomparative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as'; introduces the reference to Samuel's own appointment.
διετάξωyou appointed / commandedAor Mid Indic 2 Sg · διατάσσωverb of comparative clause→ verbal action or stateδιατάσσω: 'arrange / appoint / command'; renders צִוָּה; Saul appeals to the very term Samuel had set, turning the prophet's word back on him.
ἐνat / withinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῷthearticle, dat sg neutarticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίῳappointed timenoun, dat sg neutdative of time (the appointed term)→ sphere or referenceμαρτύριον: 'appointed term'; see v. 8; 'at the appointed time of the days.'
τῶνof thearticle, gen pl femarticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμερῶνdaysnoun, gen pl femgenitive (defining the appointed term)→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; 'the appointed time of the (seven) days' — the term of v. 8.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (third excuse)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱthearticle, nom pl mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesadjective (substantival), nom pl mascsubject of συνήχθησαν→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος (pl.): 'the Philistines'; see v. 3; Saul's third excuse — the enemy's concentration at Michmash.
συνήχθησανwere gatheredAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · συνάγωmain verb (third excuse)→ verbal action or stateσυνάγω (aor. pass.): 'be gathered / assembled'; see v. 5; the Philistine muster pressing in on Saul.
εἰςat / topreposition + accusative (location after verb of motion)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (location after verb of motion).
ΜαχεμαςMichmashindeclinable place nameobject of εἰς (location)→ participant identificationΜαχεμας: Michmash; see v. 2; the Philistine staging point.
12

καὶ εἶπα νῦν καταβήσονται οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι πρός με εἰς Γαλγαλα καὶ τοῦ προσώπου τοῦ κυρίου οὐκ ἐδεήθην καὶ ἐνεκρατευσάμην καὶ ἀνήνεγκα τὴν ὁλοκαύτωσιν

and I said, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me to Gilgal, and I have not entreated the face of the LORD'; so I forced myself and offered up the burnt offering.

Continuation of Saul's defense: his inner reasoning and actκαὶ εἶπα νῦν καταβήσονται
Saul completes his apologia by quoting his own anxious reasoning (εἶπα, 'I said to myself') and confessing the religious fear that drove him: he had not yet 'entreated the face of the LORD' (τοῦ προσώπου τοῦ κυρίου οὐκ ἐδεήθην). The candid ἐνεκρατευσάμην ('I forced myself') admits internal pressure — a self-justification that nonetheless lays bare disobedience. κυρίου here renders the Tetragrammaton.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (continuing the speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπαI saidAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (quoting Saul's inner reasoning)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπα, late/Koine 1 sg.): 'I said (to myself)'; introduces Saul's self-talk that rationalizes the sacrifice.
νῦνnowadverbtemporal adverb (urgency)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; conveys the urgency Saul felt — the Philistines about to descend.
καταβήσονταιwill come downFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · καταβαίνωmain verb of the quoted thought→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'come down / descend'; renders יָרַד; Saul's fear that the enemy would strike before he had sought divine favor.
οἱthearticle, nom pl mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesadjective (substantival), nom pl mascsubject of καταβήσονται→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος (pl.): 'the Philistines'; see v. 3.
πρόςagainst / topreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
μεmepronoun, acc sgaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceἐγώ: 'against me' — Saul casts the threat in personal terms.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
ΓαλγαλαGilgalplace name, acc pl neutaccusative of destination→ object specificationΓαλγαλα: Gilgal; see v. 4; the place where Saul felt cornered.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῦthearticle, gen sg neutarticle (fronted object of ἐδεήθην)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσώπουface / presencenoun, gen sg neutgenitive object of ἐδεήθην (idiom: 'entreat the face')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; the idiom δεῖσθαι τοῦ προσώπου τοῦ κυρίου ('entreat the face of the LORD') renders חִלָּה אֶת־פְּנֵי יהוה ('to seek the favor / appease the face of YHWH'); fronted for emphasis.
τοῦthearticle, gen sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίουLORDnoun, gen sg mascgenitive (defining πρόσωπον: 'the face of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; 'the face of the LORD' is the object of religious entreaty Saul claims he had not yet performed — his pretext for the sacrifice.
οὐκnotnegative (with ἐδεήθην)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἐδεήθηνI entreatedAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · δέομαιmain verb (negated: 'I had not entreated')→ verbal action or stateδέομαι: 'beg / entreat / pray'; renders חִלָּה / בִּקֵּשׁ; takes the genitive of the one entreated; Saul's claim that the rite was needed before battle to seek YHWH's favor.
καὶand soconsecutive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and so'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνεκρατευσάμηνI forced myself / restrained myselfAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐγκρατεύομαιmain verb (Saul's compulsion)→ verbal action or stateἐγκρατεύομαι: 'control oneself / force oneself / take courage'; here 'I forced/compelled myself' (rendering הִתְאַפַּקְתִּי, 'I restrained/steeled myself'); a candid admission of the internal pressure under which Saul acted — a self-justification that paradoxically confirms his guilt.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνήνεγκαI offered upAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀναφέρωmain verb (the deed confessed)→ verbal action or stateἀναφέρω: 'offer up'; see v. 9; Saul confesses the act in the first person — 'I offered up the burnt offering.'
τὴνthearticle, acc sg femarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁλοκαύτωσινburnt offeringnoun, acc sg femdirect object of ἀνήνεγκα→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωσις: see v. 9.
13

καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ πρὸς Σαουλ μεματαίωταί σοι ὅτι οὐκ ἐφύλαξας τὴν ἐντολήν μου ἣν ἐνετείλατό σοι κύριος ὡς νῦν ἡτοίμασεν κύριος τὴν βασιλείαν σου ἕως αἰῶνος ἐπὶ Ισραηλ

And Samuel said to Saul, 'You have acted foolishly, for you have not kept my commandment which the LORD commanded you; for now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.'

Verdict (part 1): the charge of folly and the lost everlasting dynastyκαὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ πρὸς Σαουλ
Samuel's verdict opens with the impersonal μεματαίωταί σοι ('it has been made foolish for you' = 'you have acted foolishly', perfect of abiding state). The charge is covenantal disobedience (οὐκ ἐφύλαξας τὴν ἐντολήν), and the consequence is the forfeiture of a perpetual dynasty (τὴν βασιλείαν σου ἕως αἰῶνος) — a kingship that the LORD would otherwise have established. κύριος twice renders the Tetragrammaton.
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 (aor.): introduces Samuel's verdict.
ΣαμουηλSamuelindeclinable proper nounsubject→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper nounaccusative object of πρός→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
μεματαίωταίyou have acted foolishlyPerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · ματαιόωmain verb (impersonal verdict: 'it has been made vain for you')→ verbal action or stateματαιόω: 'make vain / act foolishly'; the impersonal perfect μεματαίωταί σοι ('it has been rendered foolish as regards you') renders נִסְכָּלְתָּ ('you have done foolishly'); the perfect stresses the irreversible folly of the act.
σοιfor youpronoun, dat sgdative of reference (with impersonal verb)→ participant reference or interestσύ: the dative of reference completes the impersonal idiom — 'you have acted foolishly.'
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (grounds of the verdict)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: causal, 'because'; introduces the charge.
οὐκnotnegative (with ἐφύλαξας)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἐφύλαξαςyou keptAor Act Indic 2 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb of the causal clause (negated)→ verbal action or stateφυλάσσω: 'keep / guard / observe'; renders שָׁמַר; the standard covenantal verb for obeying a command; its negation defines Saul's sin as covenant-breaking.
τὴνthearticle, acc sg femarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐντολήνcommandmentnoun, acc sg femdirect object of ἐφύλαξας→ object specificationἐντολή: 'commandment / charge'; renders מִצְוָה; Samuel's prophetic command (the seven-day appointment), here identified with the LORD's own command.
μουmypronoun, gen sggenitive of possession (with ἐντολήν)→ relational specificationἐγώ: 'my commandment' — Samuel's word, yet validated as the LORD's (next clause).
ἣνwhichrelative pronoun, acc sg femrelative pronoun (object of ἐνετείλατό)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; agrees with ἐντολήν; identifies the commandment as the LORD's.
ἐνετείλατόcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of the relative clause→ verbal action or stateἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge'; renders צִוָּה; the prophet's command is the LORD's command — disobeying Samuel is disobeying YHWH.
σοιyoupronoun, dat sgdative indirect object of ἐνετείλατό→ participant reference or interestσύ: 'to you' — Saul is the direct addressee of the divine command.
κύριοςLORDnoun, nom sg mascsubject of ἐνετείλατό→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the true author of the command Saul transgressed.
ὡςfor / inasmuch asconjunction (introducing what would have been)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: here introduces the consequence/contrary-to-fact result — 'whereas now (the LORD would have…)'; the LXX uses ὡς to render כִּי in its emphatic/causal sense.
νῦνnowadverbtemporal adverb→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; 'now (i.e. otherwise) the LORD would have established' — pointing to the kingship that is now lost.
ἡτοίμασενwould have established / preparedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἑτοιμάζωmain verb (contrary-to-fact / lost possibility)→ verbal action or stateἑτοιμάζω: 'prepare / establish / make ready'; renders הֵכִין; the aorist here expresses what the LORD was prepared to do — establish Saul's dynasty forever — had he obeyed.
κύριοςLORDnoun, nom sg mascsubject of ἡτοίμασεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the would-be establisher of an everlasting Saulide kingdom.
τὴνthearticle, acc sg femarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλείανkingdom / kingshipnoun, acc sg femdirect object of ἡτοίμασεν→ object specificationβασιλεία: 'kingdom / kingship / reign'; renders מַמְלָכָה; the dynastic rule that Saul forfeits — the central stake of the chapter.
σουyourpronoun, gen sggenitive of possession (with βασιλείαν)→ relational specificationσύ: 'your kingdom' — a Saulide dynasty that will not now endure.
ἕωςfor / untilpreposition + genitive (extent of time)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (extent of time).
αἰῶνοςforever / agenoun, gen sg mascgenitive object of ἕως (duration: 'forever')→ relational specificationαἰών: 'age / eternity'; the idiom ἕως αἰῶνος ('forever') renders עַד־עוֹלָם; the perpetuity now denied to Saul but later promised to David (2 Kgdms 7:13–16).
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (rule over)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (rule over).
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper nounaccusative object of ἐπί (the realm ruled)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the kingdom over which Saul's dynasty would have ruled.
14

καὶ νῦν ἡ βασιλεία σου οὐ στήσεται καὶ ζητήσει κύριος ἑαυτῷ ἄνθρωπον κατὰ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐντελεῖται κύριος αὐτῷ εἰς ἄρχοντα ἐπὶ τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ὅτι οὐκ ἐφύλαξας ὅσα ἐνετείλατό σοι κύριος

And now your kingdom shall not stand; and the LORD will seek for himself a man after his own heart, and the LORD will appoint him to be ruler over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.

Verdict (part 2): the dynasty falls and the man after God's heart is soughtκαὶ νῦν ἡ βασιλεία σου οὐ στήσεται
The climactic sentence of the chapter. ἡ βασιλεία σου οὐ στήσεται ('your kingdom shall not stand') pronounces the dynastic doom, and ζητήσει κύριος ἑαυτῷ ἄνθρωπον κατὰ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ ('the LORD will seek for himself a man after his own heart') points to David — the verse quoted by Paul at Acts 13:22. κύριος appears three times, each the Tetragrammaton.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowadverbtemporal adverb (decisive turn)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; marks the pronouncement of judgment as taking effect from this moment.
thearticle, nom sg femarticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλείαkingdom / kingshipnoun, nom sg femsubject of στήσεται→ participant prominenceβασιλεία: 'kingdom / kingship'; see v. 13; Saul's dynasty, now declared impermanent.
σουyourpronoun, gen sggenitive of possession→ relational specificationσύ: 'your kingdom.'
οὐnotnegative (with στήσεται)→ participant referenceοὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negative (with στήσεται).
στήσεταιshall stand / endureFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (the dynastic verdict)→ verbal action or stateἵστημι (fut. mid. στήσεται): 'stand / be established / endure'; renders קוּם / עָמַד; the negated future declares that Saul's dynasty will not be perpetuated.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ζητήσειwill seekFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ζητέωmain verb (divine search for a successor)→ verbal action or stateζητέω: 'seek / look for'; renders בִּקֵּשׁ; the LORD's quest for a worthy king — the messianic-Davidic trajectory begins here.
κύριοςLORDnoun, nom sg mascsubject of ζητήσει→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the sovereign who seeks out the new king.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfreflexive pronoun, dat sg mascdative of advantage (reflexive)→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ: reflexive; 'for himself' — the LORD chooses a king to his own purpose, in pointed contrast to Saul who chose troops 'for himself' (ἑαυτῷ, v. 2).
ἄνθρωπονa mannoun, acc sg mascdirect object of ζητήσει→ object specificationἄνθρωπος: 'man / person'; renders אִישׁ; the unnamed 'man after his own heart' — David (cf. 1 Kgdms 16; Acts 13:22).
κατὰaccording to / afterpreposition + accusative (conformity)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; κατὰ τὴν καρδίαν renders כִּלְבָבוֹ ('according to his heart').
τὴνthearticle, acc sg femarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίανheartnoun, acc sg femaccusative object of κατά (standard of conformity)→ object specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב / לֵבָב; 'a man after his (God's) own heart' — one whose disposition matches the divine will, the celebrated description of David.
αὐτοῦhispronoun, gen sg mascgenitive of possession (God's heart)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his' — most naturally the LORD's own heart, the standard to which the chosen man conforms.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐντελεῖταιwill appoint / chargeFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb (divine commissioning)→ verbal action or stateἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge / appoint'; renders צִוָּה; here in the sense of commissioning/appointing the chosen man to office — the LORD will install him as ruler.
κύριοςLORDnoun, nom sg mascsubject of ἐντελεῖται→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the appointer of the new ruler.
αὐτῷhimpronoun, dat sg mascdative object of ἐντελεῖται (the one commissioned)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'him' — the chosen man, charged with rule.
εἰςas / to bepreposition + accusative (predicative: 'as ruler')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: the predicative idiom εἰς ἄρχοντα ('to be ruler / as ruler') renders the Hebrew לְנָגִיד; a Hebraizing use of εἰς for the role into which one is appointed.
ἄρχονταruler / leadernoun, acc sg mascpredicative accusative (role of appointment)→ object specificationἄρχων: 'ruler / leader / commander'; renders נָגִיד ('prince / leader-designate'); the office to which the man after God's heart is appointed over Israel.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (rule over)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (rule over).
τὸνthearticle, acc sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeoplenoun, acc sg mascaccusative object of ἐπί (the realm)→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; the LORD's people Israel, over whom the new ruler will be set.
αὐτοῦhispronoun, gen sg mascgenitive of possession (the LORD's people)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his people' — Israel belongs to the LORD, not to Saul; the king is steward, not owner.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (restating the ground)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: causal, 'because'; reiterates the grounds of the verdict (cf. v. 13).
οὐκnotnegative (with ἐφύλαξας)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἐφύλαξαςyou keptAor Act Indic 2 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb of the causal clause (negated)→ verbal action or stateφυλάσσω: 'keep / observe'; see v. 13; the repeated charge frames the verdict in an inclusio of disobedience.
ὅσαwhat / all thatrelative pronoun, acc pl neutrelative object of ἐφύλαξας / ἐνετείλατό→ object specificationὅσος: 'as much/many as / all that'; the neuter plural ὅσα ('all that') generalizes the command — everything the LORD enjoined.
ἐνετείλατόcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of the relative clause→ verbal action or stateἐντέλλομαι: 'command'; see v. 13; what the LORD commanded and Saul failed to keep.
σοιyoupronoun, dat sgdative indirect object of ἐνετείλατό→ participant reference or interestσύ: 'to you' — Saul as the addressee of the divine command.
κύριοςLORDnoun, nom sg mascsubject of ἐνετείλατό→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the divine commander whose word Saul disregarded.
15

καὶ ἀνέστη Σαμουηλ καὶ ἀπῆλθεν ἐκ Γαλγαλων εἰς ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸ κατάλειμμα τοῦ λαοῦ ἀνέβη ὀπίσω Σαουλ εἰς ἀπάντησιν ὀπίσω τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦ πολεμιστοῦ αὐτῶν παραγενομένων ἐκ Γαλγαλων εἰς Γαβαα Βενιαμιν καὶ ἐπεσκέψατο Σαουλ τὸν λαὸν τὸν εὑρεθέντα μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ὡς ἑξακοσίους ἄνδρας

And Samuel arose and departed from Gilgal on his way; and the remnant of the people went up after Saul to meet the warrior-people; and when they had come from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin, Saul mustered the people that were found with him, about six hundred men.

Aftermath: Samuel departs; Saul musters a remnant of six hundredκαὶ ἀνέστη Σαμουηλ καὶ ἀπῆλθεν
After the verdict, Samuel withdraws (ἀνέστη … ἀπῆλθεν), and the depleted force regroups. The verse closes with the muster (ἐπεσκέψατο) revealing the catastrophic shrinkage of Saul's army to ὡς ἑξακοσίους ἄνδρας ('about six hundred men') — the visible measure of the disaster, contrasting starkly with the three thousand of v. 2.
Word-by-word analysis· 44 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστηaroseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (Samuel's departure)→ verbal action or stateἀνίστημι: 'rise up / arise'; renders קוּם; often a narrative idiom marking the start of a journey or action; here Samuel sets off.
ΣαμουηλSamuelindeclinable proper nounsubject→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπῆλθενdepartedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (departure)→ verbal action or stateἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; renders הָלַךְ; Samuel leaves Saul to his diminished kingship.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ΓαλγαλωνGilgalplace name, gen pl neutgenitive object of ἐκ (source)→ relational specificationΓαλγαλα: Gilgal; see v. 4; here the genitive-plural form (Γαλγαλων) as point of departure.
εἰςon / topreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ὁδὸνway / roadnoun, acc sg femaccusative object of εἰς (idiom: 'on his way')→ object specificationὁδός: 'way / road / journey'; the idiom εἰς ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ ('on his way') renders לְדַרְכּוֹ; Samuel goes his own way, leaving Saul.
αὐτοῦhispronoun, gen sg mascgenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸthearticle, nom sg neutarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατάλειμμαremnantnoun, nom sg neutsubject of ἀνέβη→ participant prominenceκατάλειμμα: 'remnant / what is left over'; renders שְׁאֵרִית / יֶתֶר; the dwindled remainder of Saul's force, contrasting with the κατάλοιπον dismissed in v. 2.
τοῦof thearticle, gen sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeoplenoun, gen sg mascpartitive genitive (with κατάλειμμα)→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; the surviving troops.
ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (the remnant's movement)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; see v. 5; the remnant moves up after Saul into the hill country.
ὀπίσωafterpreposition + genitive (following)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; the remnant follows Saul.
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper noungenitive object of ὀπίσω→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω.
εἰςto / forpreposition + accusative (purpose: meeting)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: meeting).
ἀπάντησινmeetingnoun, acc sg femaccusative object of εἰς (idiom: 'to meet')→ object specificationἀπάντησις: 'meeting'; see v. 10; here the remnant goes up to join the fighting force.
ὀπίσωafter / behindpreposition + genitive (following, second occurrence)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: repeated; 'behind the warrior-people' — the remnant falls in behind the main body.
τοῦthearticle, gen sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeoplenoun, gen sg mascgenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; here qualified as the 'warrior-people' (next word).
τοῦthearticle, gen sg mascarticle (attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πολεμιστοῦwarrior / fightingnoun (attributive), gen sg mascattributive genitive (modifying λαοῦ: 'the fighting people')→ relational specificationπολεμιστής: 'warrior / fighting man'; renders אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה / גִּבּוֹר; here adjectivally 'the warrior-people' — the men of war who remained for battle.
αὐτῶνof thempronoun, gen pl mascgenitive (resumptive, with the following participle)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'of them'; resumes the subject for the genitive-absolute-like participial clause that follows.
παραγενομένωνhaving comeAor Mid Ptcp gen pl masc · παραγίνομαιgenitive absolute participle (temporal: 'when they had come')→ verbal action or stateπαραγίνομαι (ptcp.): 'arrive / come'; the genitive participle (with αὐτῶν) functions temporally — 'when they had come from Gilgal to Gibeah.'
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ΓαλγαλωνGilgalplace name, gen pl neutgenitive object of ἐκ (source)→ relational specificationΓαλγαλα: Gilgal; see v. 4.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
ΓαβααGibeahindeclinable place nameaccusative of destination (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΓαβαα: transliteration of Hebrew גִּבְעָה (Gibeah); indeclinable in this form; Saul's home town in Benjamin (distinct from Γαβεε/Geba, vv. 2, 16).
ΒενιαμινBenjaminindeclinable proper noungenitive of relationship (territory)→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: Benjamin; see v. 2; 'Gibeah of Benjamin.'
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπεσκέψατοmustered / numberedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπισκέπτομαιmain verb (the muster)→ verbal action or stateἐπισκέπτομαι: 'visit / inspect / muster / number'; renders פָּקַד; the military census revealing how few remained.
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper nounsubject of ἐπεσκέψατο→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐπεσκέψατο.
τὸνthearticle, acc sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeoplenoun, acc sg mascdirect object of ἐπεσκέψατο→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; the troops Saul still had.
τὸνthe (one)article, acc sg mascarticle (with participle εὑρεθέντα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὑρεθένταfoundAor Pass Ptcp acc sg masc · εὑρίσκωattributive participle (modifying λαόν)→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (aor. pass. ptcp.): 'be found'; renders נִמְצָא; 'the people found with him' = those who had not deserted.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided μετά)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided μετά).
αὐτοῦhimpronoun, gen sg mascgenitive object of μετ᾿→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετ᾿.
ὡςaboutadverb of approximation (with numeral)→ clausal contributionὡς: 'about / approximately'; with a number, renders the Hebrew כְּ ('about').
ἑξακοσίουςsix hundrednumeral, acc pl mascattributive numeral (modifying ἄνδρας)→ object specificationἑξακόσιοι: 'six hundred'; the pitifully reduced force — one fifth of the three thousand of v. 2 — measuring the cost of the Philistine threat and the desertions.
ἄνδραςmennoun, acc pl mascaccusative in apposition (the count of the people)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; 'about six hundred men' — the remnant under Saul as the war begins.
16

καὶ Σαουλ καὶ Ιωναθαν υἱὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ ὁ λαὸς οἱ εὑρεθέντες μετ᾿ αὐτῶν ἐκάθισαν ἐν Γαβεε Βενιαμιν καὶ ἔκλαιον καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι παρεμβεβλήκεισαν εἰς Μαχεμας

And Saul and Jonathan his son and the people that were found with them stayed at Geba of Benjamin and wept; and the Philistines had encamped at Michmash.

Scene-setting: the two camps face off across the passκαὶ Σαουλ καὶ Ιωναθαν υἱὸς αὐτοῦ
The verse positions the antagonists: Saul, Jonathan and their remnant stationed at Geba (and weeping, ἔκλαιον — a poignant detail of demoralization), while the Philistines lie entrenched at Michmash. The pluperfect παρεμβεβλήκεισαν ('had encamped') marks the enemy's prior, settled position, setting the stage for the raids of vv. 17–18 and Jonathan's exploit in ch. 14.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper nounsubject (first of compound subject)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (first of compound subject).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωναθανJonathanindeclinable proper nounsubject (second of compound subject)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (second of compound subject).
υἱὸςsonnoun, nom sg mascappositive to Ιωναθαν→ participant prominenceυἱὸς: meaning 'son'; it serves as appositive to Ιωναθαν.
αὐτοῦhispronoun, gen sg mascgenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; 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.
thearticle, nom sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeoplenoun, nom sg mascsubject (third of compound subject)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the six hundred remaining troops.
οἱthe (ones)article, nom pl mascarticle (with participle, constructio ad sensum)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὑρεθέντεςfoundAor Pass Ptcp nom pl masc · εὑρίσκωattributive participle (modifying λαός, plural ad sensum)→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (aor. pass. ptcp.): 'be found'; see v. 15; 'those found with them' = the loyal remnant; the plural participle agrees with the collective λαός by sense.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided μετά)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided μετά).
αὐτῶνthempronoun, gen pl mascgenitive object of μετ᾿→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετ᾿.
ἐκάθισανstayed / satAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καθίζωmain verb (the camp's position)→ verbal action or stateκαθίζω: 'sit / settle / remain'; renders יָשַׁב; here 'they stayed / took position' at Geba.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
ΓαβεεGebaindeclinable place nameobject of ἐν (location)→ participant identificationΓαβεε: Geba; see v. 2; the Israelite position opposite the Philistine camp.
ΒενιαμινBenjaminindeclinable proper noungenitive of relationship (territory)→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: Benjamin; see v. 2; 'Geba of Benjamin.'
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔκλαιονwere weepingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · κλαίωmain verb (durative state of grief)→ verbal action or stateκλαίω: 'weep / lament'; the imperfect ἔκλαιον depicts continuous weeping — a vivid note of the demoralization of Saul's tiny remnant in the face of the host.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (background circumstance)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱthearticle, nom pl mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesadjective (substantival), nom pl mascsubject of παρεμβεβλήκεισαν→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος (pl.): 'the Philistines'; see v. 3.
παρεμβεβλήκεισανhad encampedPlpf Act Indic 3 Pl · παρεμβάλλωmain verb (background pluperfect)→ verbal action or stateπαρεμβάλλω (plpf.): 'encamp'; see v. 5; the pluperfect marks the Philistines' prior and continuing entrenchment at Michmash as the backdrop to the standoff.
εἰςat / inpreposition + accusative (location after verb of settling)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (location after verb of settling).
ΜαχεμαςMichmashindeclinable place nameobject of εἰς (location)→ participant identificationΜαχεμας: Michmash; see v. 2; the entrenched Philistine camp.
17

καὶ ἐξῆλθεν διαφθείρων ἐξ ἀγροῦ ἀλλοφύλων τρισὶν ἀρχαῖς ἡ ἀρχὴ ἡ μία ἐπιβλέπουσα ὁδὸν Γοφερα ἐπὶ γῆν Σωγαλ

And a raiding party went out from the field of the Philistines in three companies; the one company faced the road to Ophrah, toward the land of Shual,

Philistine raiders deployed (company one)καὶ ἐξῆλθεν διαφθείρων
A raiding/destroying party (διαφθείρων, 'the destroyer/spoiler') sallies from the Philistine camp in three companies (τρισὶν ἀρχαῖς). The verse begins the threefold catalogue of their routes (continued in v. 18), illustrating Philistine dominance of the countryside; the first column heads toward Ophrah and the land of Shual.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the raiders' sortie)→ verbal action or stateἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / sally forth'; the singular agrees with the collective participle διαφθείρων ('the raiding party').
διαφθείρωνa destroyer / raiding partyPres Act Ptcp nom sg masc · διαφθείρωsubstantival participle (subject: the raiding force)→ verbal action or stateδιαφθείρω (ptcp.): 'destroy / ruin / ravage'; the substantival participle ὁ διαφθείρων ('the destroyer / spoiling-party') renders Hebrew הַמַּשְׁחִית ('the destroyer / raiders'); the Philistine plundering detachment.
ἐξfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ἀγροῦfield / campnoun, gen sg mascgenitive object of ἐξ (source)→ relational specificationἀγρός: 'field / open country / encampment'; renders שָׂדֶה / מַחֲנֶה; here 'the field/camp of the Philistines' — their staging area at Michmash from which the raiders emerge.
ἀλλοφύλωνof the Philistinesadjective (substantival), gen pl mascgenitive of possession (with ἀγροῦ)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος (pl. gen.): 'of the Philistines'; see v. 3.
τρισὶνthreenumeral, dat femattributive numeral (with ἀρχαῖς)→ sphere or referenceτρεῖς (dat. τρισίν): 'three'; the raiders deploy in three columns.
ἀρχαῖςcompanies / detachmentsnoun, dat pl femdative of manner (in three companies)→ sphere or referenceἀρχή: 'beginning / company / detachment'; here in the military sense 'company / division' (rendering רֹאשׁ, 'head / column'); the raiders split into three columns.
thearticle, nom sg femarticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀρχὴcompanynoun, nom sg femsubject (the first column)→ participant prominenceἀρχή: 'company / detachment'; see above; introduces the first of the three columns.
thearticle, nom sg femarticle (with μία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μίαonenumeral, nom sg femattributive numeral (ἡ ἀρχὴ ἡ μία: 'the one company')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; ἡ ἀρχὴ ἡ μία ('the first/one company') marks each column in turn (cf. v. 18).
ἐπιβλέπουσαfacing / looking towardPres Act Ptcp nom sg fem · ἐπιβλέπωattributive/circumstantial participle (modifying ἀρχή)→ verbal action or stateἐπιβλέπω (ptcp.): 'look upon / face toward'; here of a column 'facing / heading toward' a route; renders פָּנָה ('turn toward').
ὁδὸνthe road tonoun, acc sg femaccusative of direction (the road faced)→ object specificationὁδός: 'way / road'; the accusative ὁδόν ('toward the road of …') gives the direction of the column's advance.
ΓοφεραOphrahindeclinable place namegenitive of relationship (the road's destination)→ participant identificationΓοφερα: transliteration of Hebrew עָפְרָה (Ophrah); indeclinable in the LXX; a town north of Michmash, the goal of the first column.
ἐπὶtoward / againstpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'toward'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
γῆνthe landnoun, acc sg femaccusative object of ἐπί (region)→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; 'the land of Shual' — the district toward which the first column moved.
ΣωγαλShualindeclinable place namegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣωγαλ: transliteration of Hebrew שׁוּעָל (Shual, 'fox'); indeclinable in the LXX; the region named as the first column's objective.
18

καὶ ἡ μία ἀρχὴ ἐπιβλέπουσα ὁδὸν Βαιθωρων καὶ ἡ ἀρχὴ ἡ μία ἐπιβλέπουσα ὁδὸν Γαβεε τὴν εἰσκύπτουσαν ἐπὶ Γαι τὴν Σαβιν

and the second company faced the road to Beth-horon, and the third company faced the road to Geba, the one that looks down over the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

Philistine raiders deployed (companies two and three)καὶ ἡ μία ἀρχὴ ἐπιβλέπουσα
The catalogue concludes: the second column heads toward Beth-horon (west), the third toward the border overlooking the valley of Zeboim and the wilderness (east). The three-pronged dispersal of Philistine raiders dramatizes their unchecked control of Benjamin's countryside, the demoralizing backdrop to the smith-monopoly note (vv. 19–22).
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
thearticle, nom sg femarticle (with μία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μίαone / (second)numeral, nom sg femattributive numeral ('the one/next company')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; in the enumeration the repeated ἡ μία ἀρχή marks the next (second) column.
ἀρχὴcompanynoun, nom sg femsubject (the second column)→ participant prominenceἀρχή: 'company / detachment'; see v. 17.
ἐπιβλέπουσαfacingPres Act Ptcp nom sg fem · ἐπιβλέπωattributive participle (modifying ἀρχή)→ verbal action or stateἐπιβλέπω (ptcp.): 'face toward / head for'; see v. 17.
ὁδὸνthe road tonoun, acc sg femaccusative of direction→ object specificationὁδός: 'way / road'; the route of the second column.
ΒαιθωρωνBeth-horonindeclinable place namegenitive of relationship (destination)→ participant identificationΒαιθωρων: transliteration of Hebrew בֵּית חוֹרוֹן (Beth-horon); indeclinable in the LXX; a town on the western descent, the second column's objective.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
thearticle, nom sg femarticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀρχὴcompanynoun, nom sg femsubject (the third column)→ participant prominenceἀρχή: 'company / detachment'; see v. 17; the third and last column.
thearticle, nom sg femarticle (with μία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μίαone / (third)numeral, nom sg femattributive numeral ('the (other) one company')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; marks the third column.
ἐπιβλέπουσαfacingPres Act Ptcp nom sg fem · ἐπιβλέπωattributive participle (modifying ἀρχή)→ verbal action or stateἐπιβλέπω (ptcp.): 'face toward'; see v. 17.
ὁδὸνthe road tonoun, acc sg femaccusative of direction→ object specificationὁδός: 'way / road'; the route of the third column.
ΓαβεεGeba (Gibeah)indeclinable place namegenitive of relationship (destination)→ participant identificationΓαβεε: Geba; see v. 2; here the road toward Geba/the border district overlooking the valley.
τὴνthe (one)article, acc sg femarticle (with participle εἰσκύπτουσαν, modifying ὁδόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἰσκύπτουσανlooking down / overlookingPres Act Ptcp acc sg fem · εἰσκύπτωattributive participle (modifying ὁδόν: 'the road that overlooks')→ verbal action or stateεἰσκύπτω: 'stoop / peer / look down into'; here 'the road that looks down over' the valley; renders the Hebrew הַנִּשְׁקָף ('that overlooks').
ἐπὶover / towardpreposition + accusative (direction overlooked)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction overlooked).
Γαιthe valley / Gaiindeclinable place nameaccusative object of ἐπί (the valley overlooked)→ participant identificationΓαι: transliteration of Hebrew גַּי / גֵּי ('valley / ravine'); here the valley of Zeboim; indeclinable in the LXX.
τὴνthearticle, acc sg femarticle (with Σαβιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαβινZeboimindeclinable place nameappositive/qualifier of Γαι (the valley of Zeboim)→ participant identificationΣαβιν: transliteration of Hebrew צְבֹעִים (Zeboim); indeclinable in the LXX; names the valley toward the wilderness toward which the third column looked.
19

καὶ τέκτων σιδήρου οὐχ εὑρίσκετο ἐν πάσῃ γῇ Ισραηλ ὅτι εἶπον οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι μὴ ποιήσωσιν οἱ Εβραῖοι ῥομφαίαν καὶ δόρυ

And no worker in iron was to be found in all the land of Israel, for the Philistines had said, 'Lest the Hebrews make sword or spear.'

Explanatory note: the Philistine iron monopolyκαὶ τέκτων σιδήρου οὐχ εὑρίσκετο
A famous narratorial aside on Philistine technological domination: no smith (τέκτων σιδήρου, 'worker in iron') existed in Israel, by deliberate Philistine policy (ὅτι εἶπον οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι) — a prohibition (μὴ ποιήσωσιν) designed to deny Israel sword and spear. The imperfect εὑρίσκετο describes the chronic, systemic deprivation that explains the disarmed state of v. 22.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the aside)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τέκτωνcraftsman / smithnoun, nom sg mascsubject of εὑρίσκετο→ participant prominenceτέκτων: 'craftsman / artisan / smith'; renders חָרָשׁ; with σιδήρου, 'worker in iron / blacksmith' — the artisan banned from Israel.
σιδήρουof ironnoun, gen sg mascgenitive of material/specification (with τέκτων)→ relational specificationσίδηρος: 'iron'; renders בַּרְזֶל; the metal whose working the Philistines monopolized — the strategic core of their military advantage in the Iron Age transition.
οὐχnotnegative (with εὑρίσκετο)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐχ: negative (pre-rough-breathing form); 'was not to be found.'
εὑρίσκετοwas foundImpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (chronic state)→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (impf. pass.): 'be found'; renders נִמְצָא; the durative imperfect with negation depicts the systemic, ongoing absence of any smith throughout Israel.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
πάσῃalladjective, dat sg femattributive (with γῇ: 'all the land')→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; emphasizes the totality of the deprivation — not one smith in the entire land.
γῇlandnoun, dat sg femdative of place (with ἐν)→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land'; the territory of Israel.
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper noungenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; 'all the land of Israel.'
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (reason for the lack)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: causal, 'for / because'; introduces the Philistine policy that caused the deprivation.
εἶπονhad saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb of the causal clause→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. 3 pl. εἶπον): 'said / decreed'; the Philistines' policy-statement; the LXX renders the Hebrew with the verb of speaking introducing their resolve.
οἱthearticle, nom pl mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesadjective (substantival), nom pl mascsubject of εἶπον→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος (pl.): 'the Philistines'; see v. 3; the authors of the iron embargo.
μὴlestnegative purpose particle (introducing the fear/intent)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: 'lest / that … not'; introduces the negative purpose / apprehension behind the embargo — 'lest the Hebrews make weapons.'
ποιήσωσινshould makeAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ποιέωsubjunctive of negative purpose (with μή)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'make / fashion'; the subjunctive after μή expresses the Philistines' aim of preventing Israelite weapon-manufacture.
οἱthearticle, nom pl mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕβραῖοιHebrewsnoun, nom pl mascsubject of ποιήσωσιν→ participant prominenceἙβραῖος: 'Hebrew'; renders עִבְרִי; declinable gentilic noun (hence kind 'n'); 'the Hebrews' is the term often used for Israel from an outsider/Philistine perspective (cf. vv. 3, 7 MT).
ῥομφαίανswordnoun, acc sg femdirect object of ποιήσωσιν→ object specificationῥομφαία: 'sword / large blade'; renders חֶרֶב; the principal weapon Israel was prevented from forging.
καὶand / orcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δόρυspearnoun, acc sg neutdirect object of ποιήσωσιν (parallel to ῥομφαίαν)→ object specificationδόρυ: 'spear / lance'; renders חֲנִית; 'sword and spear' is the standard merism for offensive weaponry, both denied to Israel.
20

καὶ κατέβαινον πᾶς Ισραηλ εἰς γῆν ἀλλοφύλων χαλκεύειν ἕκαστος τὸ θέριστρον αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸ σκεῦος αὐτοῦ καὶ ἕκαστος τὴν ἀξίνην αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸ δρέπανον αὐτοῦ

And all Israel used to go down to the land of the Philistines, each to forge his sickle and his implement and his axe and his pruning-hook.

Consequence of the monopoly: dependence on Philistine smithsκαὶ κατέβαινον πᾶς Ισραηλ
The iterative imperfect κατέβαινον ('used to go down') depicts the habitual humiliation: even for farm tools — sickle, implement, axe, pruning-hook — every Israelite had to descend to Philistine territory. The distributive ἕκαστος ('each') stresses the universality of the dependence imposed by the embargo of v. 19.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέβαινονused to go downImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · καταβαίνωmain verb (iterative)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'go down'; renders יָרַד; the iterative imperfect with collective πᾶς Ισραηλ depicts the recurring, humiliating trips down to Philistine country for metalwork.
πᾶςalladjective, nom sg mascattributive (with Ισραηλ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; 'all Israel' as a collective, taking the plural verb κατέβαινον by sense.
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper nounsubject (collective)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the whole nation subject to the dependence.
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
γῆνlandnoun, acc sg femaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; 'the land of the Philistines' — enemy territory where the only smiths were.
ἀλλοφύλωνof the Philistinesadjective (substantival), gen pl mascgenitive of possession (with γῆν)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος (pl. gen.): 'of the Philistines'; see v. 3.
χαλκεύεινto forge / sharpenPres Act Infin · χαλκεύωinfinitive of purpose (with verb of motion)→ verbal action or stateχαλκεύω: 'work metal / forge / sharpen'; from χαλκεύς ('smith'); here of forging or sharpening iron tools; the purpose of the descent.
ἕκαστοςeach oneadjective (distributive), nom sg mascdistributive subject (of the infinitive's action)→ participant prominenceἕκαστος: 'each / every one'; distributive — every individual Israelite, underscoring universal dependence.
τὸthearticle, acc sg neutarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θέριστρονsickle / reaping-toolnoun, acc sg neutdirect object of χαλκεύειν→ object specificationθέριστρον: 'reaping implement / sickle' (from θερίζω, 'reap'); renders מַחֲרֵשָׁה ('ploughshare') here understood as a harvesting tool; one of the four farm implements needing Philistine forging.
αὐτοῦhispronoun, gen sg mascgenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; 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.
τὸthearticle, acc sg neutarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεῦοςimplement / vesselnoun, acc sg neutdirect object of χαλκεύειν→ object specificationσκεῦος: 'implement / tool / vessel'; renders כְּלִי; a general term for a farm tool/implement.
αὐτοῦhispronoun, gen sg mascgenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; 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.
ἕκαστοςeach oneadjective (distributive), nom sg mascdistributive subject (repeated)→ participant prominenceἕκαστος: 'each'; the repetition reinforces the distributive force across all the tools.
τὴνthearticle, acc sg femarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀξίνηνaxenoun, acc sg femdirect object of χαλκεύειν→ object specificationἀξίνη: 'axe'; renders קַרְדֹּם / מַחֲרֵשָׁה; another of the tools requiring Philistine metalwork.
αὐτοῦhispronoun, gen sg mascgenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; 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.
τὸthearticle, acc sg neutarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δρέπανονpruning-hook / sicklenoun, acc sg neutdirect object of χαλκεύειν→ object specificationδρέπανον: 'pruning-hook / sickle'; renders מַחֲרֵשָׁה / חֶרְמֵשׁ; the fourth implement; the catalogue of farm tools underscores that even peaceful agriculture depended on Philistine smiths.
αὐτοῦhispronoun, gen sg mascgenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
21

καὶ ἦν ὁ τρυγητὸς ἕτοιμος τοῦ θερίζειν τὰ δὲ σκεύη ἦν τρεῖς σίκλοι εἰς τὸν ὀδόντα καὶ τῇ ἀξίνῃ καὶ τῷ δρεπάνῳ ὑπόστασις ἦν ἡ αὐτή

And the harvest was ready for reaping, but the charge for the tools was three shekels for a tooth; and for the axe and the pruning-hook the rate was the same.

Detail of the monopoly: the fee charged for sharpeningκαὶ ἦν ὁ τρυγητὸς ἕτοιμος
A notoriously difficult verse (the Hebrew of MT 13:21 is corrupt). The LXX renders it as a note on the cost of metalwork: with the harvest ready (ὁ τρυγητὸς ἕτοιμος), the price for the implements (τὰ … σκεύη) was three shekels per 'tooth' (ὀδόντα = the edge/point of a tool), and the same rate (ὑπόστασις ἡ αὐτή) applied to axe and pruning-hook — the Philistines profiteering on Israel's enforced dependence.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (state)→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf.): 'was'; sets the agricultural circumstance — the harvest at hand, intensifying the need for serviceable tools.
thearticle, nom sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρυγητὸςharvest / vintagenoun, nom sg mascsubject of ἦν→ participant prominenceτρυγητός: 'harvest / vintage / gathering of crops'; renders קָצִיר / בָּצִיר; the ripe harvest that made functioning tools urgent.
ἕτοιμοςreadyadjective, nom sg mascpredicate adjective (with ἦν)→ participant prominenceἕτοιμος: 'ready / prepared'; the harvest 'was ready' — pressing the demand for sharpened implements.
τοῦfor thearticle, gen sg neut (articular infinitive)article (with infinitive θερίζειν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θερίζεινto reapPres Act Infin · θερίζωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ θερίζειν: 'for reaping')→ verbal action or stateθερίζω: 'reap / harvest'; the genitive articular infinitive τοῦ θερίζειν expresses purpose — 'ready for reaping.'
τὰthearticle, nom pl neutarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbut / nowpost-positive particle (mild contrast)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; here mildly contrastive, shifting from the harvest to the cost of the tools.
σκεύηtools / implementsnoun, nom pl neutsubject of the second ἦν→ participant prominenceσκεῦος (pl. σκεύη): 'tools / implements'; here the farm implements whose sharpening charge is now stated.
ἦνwas / costImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (price statement; sg with neut pl subject)→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf.): the singular verb with neuter-plural subject (regular Greek) introduces the price — 'the (charge for the) tools was three shekels.'
τρεῖςthreenumeral, nom mascattributive numeral (with σίκλοι)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; the fee in shekels.
σίκλοιshekelsnoun, nom pl mascpredicate nominative (the price)→ participant prominenceσίκλος: 'shekel' (a weight/coin of silver); renders שֶׁקֶל; the unit of the sharpening fee — evidence of Philistine profiteering.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (rate: 'per')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: here distributive 'for / per' — three shekels per tool-edge.
τὸνthearticle, acc sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀδόνταtooth / edge / pointnoun, acc sg mascaccusative object of εἰς (the item charged for)→ object specificationὀδούς (acc. ὀδόντα): 'tooth'; here the 'tooth / point / edge' of a tool (a literal rendering of an obscure Hebrew); the unit being sharpened — three shekels 'for the tooth.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῇfor thearticle, dat sg femarticle (with ἀξίνῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀξίνῃaxenoun, dat sg femdative of reference ('for the axe')→ sphere or referenceἀξίνη: 'axe'; see v. 20; the same rate applied to it.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷfor thearticle, dat sg neutarticle (with δρεπάνῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δρεπάνῳpruning-hooknoun, dat sg neutdative of reference ('for the pruning-hook')→ sphere or referenceδρέπανον: 'pruning-hook / sickle'; see v. 20.
ὑπόστασιςrate / charge / standing-costnoun, nom sg femsubject of the final ἦν→ participant prominenceὑπόστασις: 'substance / standing / fixed charge'; here in the sense 'the established rate / charge' (cf. the same word for the Philistine 'garrison/outpost' in v. 23 — a deliberate semantic range); the price for axe and pruning-hook is declared the same.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (predication of sameness)→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf.): 'was'; the rate 'was the same' for the other tools.
thearticle, nom sg femarticle (with αὐτή)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αὐτήthe sameintensive pronoun, nom sg fempredicate (ἡ αὐτή: 'the same')→ participant referenceαὐτός (ἡ αὐτή): 'the same'; the identifying use of αὐτός with the article — the charge was identical for all the implements.
22

καὶ ἐγενήθη ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τοῦ πολέμου Μαχεμας καὶ οὐχ εὑρέθη ῥομφαία καὶ δόρυ ἐν χειρὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦ μετὰ Σαουλ καὶ μετὰ Ιωναθαν καὶ εὑρέθη τῷ Σαουλ καὶ τῷ Ιωναθαν υἱῷ αὐτοῦ

And it came to pass in the days of the war of Michmash that there was found no sword or spear in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and with Jonathan; but with Saul and with Jonathan his son they were found.

Climactic result of the monopoly: a disarmed armyκαὶ ἐγενήθη ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τοῦ πολέμου
The narratorial note reaches its point: on the day of battle (πολέμου Μαχεμας) no sword or spear was found in the hand of the whole army — only Saul and Jonathan possessed them. The contrast of οὐχ εὑρέθη … καὶ εὑρέθη ('was not found … but was found') sharpens the pathos of Israel's near-total disarmament before the Philistine host.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 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-temporal frame)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. pass. ἐγενήθη): the formula καὶ ἐγενήθη ('and it came to pass') introduces a temporal setting (rendering וַיְהִי).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
ταῖςthearticle, dat pl femarticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραιςdaysnoun, dat pl femdative of time (with ἐν)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; 'in the days of the war' = at the time of the Michmash campaign.
τοῦof thearticle, gen sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πολέμουwar / battlenoun, gen sg mascgenitive (defining ἡμέραις)→ relational specificationπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; see v. 5; 'the war of Michmash.'
Μαχεμαςof Michmashindeclinable place namegenitive of relationship (the war's location)→ participant identificationΜαχεμας: Michmash; see v. 2; names the campaign.
καὶand / thatapodotic conjunction (after temporal frame)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic, introducing the main clause after the temporal setting (Hebraism).
οὐχnotnegative (with εὑρέθη)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐχ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
εὑρέθηwas foundAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (negated: no weapon found)→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (aor. pass. εὑρέθη): 'be found'; the negated statement records the army's disarmament — no sword or spear among the rank and file.
ῥομφαίαswordnoun, nom sg femsubject of εὑρέθη→ participant prominenceῥομφαία: 'sword'; see v. 19; absent from the people's hands.
καὶand / orcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δόρυspearnoun, nom sg neutsubject of εὑρέθη (parallel to ῥομφαία)→ participant prominenceδόρυ: 'spear'; see v. 19; the second weapon of the merism, likewise absent.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
χειρὶhandnoun, dat sg femdative of place (idiom: 'in the hand of')→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; the idiom 'in the hand of' (ἐν χειρί) renders בְּיַד — i.e. in the possession of the troops.
παντὸςof all / anyadjective, gen sg mascattributive (with λαοῦ)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all / any'; 'of all the people' — the whole rank and file, none armed.
τοῦthearticle, gen sg mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeoplenoun, gen sg mascgenitive of possession (with χειρί)→ relational specificationλαοῦ: meaning 'people'; it serves as genitive of possession (with χειρί).
τοῦthe (one)article, gen sg mascarticle (with the μετά-phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper noungenitive object of μετά→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
ΙωναθανJonathanindeclinable proper noungenitive object of μετά→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
καὶbut / andnarrative conjunction (adversative force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὑρέθηwas foundAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (the positive counterpart)→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (aor. pass.): 'be found'; the contrasting positive — weaponry was found with the king and his son alone.
τῷwith / forarticle, dat sg mascarticle (dative of possession)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαουλSaulindeclinable proper noundative of possession (the weapons were 'with/for Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; the article τῷ marks the dative of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷwith / forarticle, dat sg mascarticle (dative of possession)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙωναθανJonathanindeclinable proper noundative of possession→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of possession.
υἱῷsonnoun, dat sg mascappositive to Ιωναθαν (dative)→ sphere or referenceυἱῷ: meaning 'son'; it serves as appositive to Ιωναθαν (dative).
αὐτοῦhispronoun, gen sg mascgenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
23

καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐξ ὑποστάσεως τῶν ἀλλοφύλων τὴν ἐν τῷ πέραν Μαχεμας

And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass that was beyond Michmash.

Transitional close: the Philistine outpost advances to the passκαὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐξ ὑποστάσεως
The chapter ends on a hinge: the Philistine garrison/outpost (ὑπόστασις, here 'garrison / forward post') moves out to the pass beyond Michmash — the very crossing where Jonathan will perform his daring raid in the next chapter (1 Kgdms 14). The verse looks forward, leaving the two forces poised across the ravine.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the garrison's advance)→ verbal action or stateἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / sally'; the Philistine outpost moves forward to the pass, setting the stage for ch. 14.
ἐξfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ὑποστάσεωςgarrison / outpostnoun, gen sg femgenitive of source/subject (the garrison going out)→ relational specificationὑπόστασις: 'standing / station / garrison / outpost'; here a Philistine military post (rendering מַצָּב / נְצִיב); note the same word denoted the 'rate / fixed charge' in v. 21 — the LXX exploits the term's wide semantic range; the construction is awkward (the garrison is the subject 'going out from' its station).
τῶνof thearticle, gen pl mascarticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνof the Philistinesadjective (substantival), gen pl mascgenitive of possession (with ὑποστάσεως)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος (pl. gen.): 'of the Philistines'; see v. 3; the garrison belongs to them.
τὴνthe (one)article, acc sg femarticle (with the locative phrase: destination)→ noun-phrase markingἡ (acc. τήν): the article governs the prepositional phrase as the destination — 'to the (place/pass) that is beyond Michmash.'
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (location, with adverb πέραν)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location, with adverb πέραν).
τῷthearticle, dat sg neutarticle (substantizing πέραν)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πέρανthe region beyond / the far sideadverb (substantival)substantival adverb (τῷ πέραν: 'the far side / the crossing')→ clausal contributionπέραν: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ΜαχεμαςMichmashindeclinable place namegenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of/beyond Michmash')→ participant identificationΜαχεμας: Michmash; see v. 2; the chapter ends where it has centred, at the contested pass.