Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The First Book of Kingdoms, Chapter 14ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΩΝ Α′ ΙΔ′

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

Jonathan's faith wins victory while Saul's rash oath and failing leadership deepen Israel's crisis.

Translation & textual notes

The Greek text of 1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 14 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. The chapter is a long, dramatically integrated narrative of Jonathan's faith-exploit and Saul's faltering leadership. It opens with Jonathan's secret resolve to cross to the Philistine garrison (μεσσαβ, a transliteration of Hebrew מַצָּב 'outpost/garrison', vv. 1–5), set against the topography of the two crags Bozez (Βαζες) and Senna (Σεννα). The theological centre is Jonathan's confession at v. 6 — οὐκ ἔστιν τῷ κυρίῳ συνεχόμενον σῴζειν ἐν πολλοῖς ἢ ἐν ὀλίγοις ('nothing hinders the LORD from saving by many or by few') — a maxim of pure faith. The agreed sign (vv. 8–10), the climb 'on hands and feet' (v. 13), the first slaughter of about twenty men, and the resulting ἔκστασις ('panic/trembling') sent παρὰ κυρίου with the quaking of the earth (v. 15) drive a divine rout. Saul, learning of the tumult, consults the ephod (vv. 16–19), and the LORD saves Israel that day (v. 23). The narrative pivots on Saul's rash curse-oath (vv. 24–30): ἐπικατάρατος ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὃς φάγεται ἄρτον ἕως ἑσπέρας ('cursed is the man who eats bread until evening'). Jonathan, who had not heard the oath, dips his staff in the honeycomb and his eyes brighten (ἀνέβλεψαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ, v. 27). The famished people then eat 'with the blood' (σὺν τῷ αἵματι, vv. 31–34), provoking Saul to build his first altar (v. 35). When God gives no answer (v. 37), the sacred lot (δῆλοι / ὁσιότης, v. 41) falls on Jonathan, but the people ransom him from the death-oath (vv. 43–45). The chapter closes with a summary of Saul's wars on every side and a register of his family (vv. 47–52).

1

καὶ γίνεται ἡμέρα καὶ εἶπεν Ιωναθαν υἱὸς Σαουλ τῷ παιδαρίῳ τῷ αἴροντι τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ δεῦρο καὶ διαβῶμεν εἰς μεσσαβ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων τὴν ἐν τῷ πέραν ἐκείνῳ καὶ τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἀπήγγειλεν

And it happened one day that Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, 'Come, let us cross over to the garrison of the Philistines that is on the other side yonder.' But he did not tell his father.

New narrative episode (paratactic onset)καὶ γίνεται ἡμέρα
The temporal opener καὶ γίνεται ἡμέρα ('and a day came/it happened one day') is a Hebraizing narrative formula (וַיְהִי הַיּוֹם) that segments a new episode; the historic present γίνεται lends immediacy. The closing clause καὶ τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἀπήγγειλεν supplies the dramatic premise of the whole chapter: Jonathan acts in secret from Saul.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γίνεταιit happens / comes to bePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (impersonal temporal formula)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι: 'come to be / happen'; the historic present γίνεται with ἡμέρα renders the Hebrew narrative formula וַיְהִי הַיּוֹם ('and the day came / one day'), a standard episode-marker (cf. 1 Sam 1:4); the present tense heightens narrative vividness at the threshold of the exploit.
ἡμέραdayNominativesubject of γίνεται (temporal)→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: meaning 'day'; it serves as subject of γίνεται (temporal).
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 stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliteration of Hebrew יוֹנָתָן ('YHWH has given'); indeclinable in the LXX; Saul's eldest son and the hero of the chapter, whose faith-initiative contrasts throughout with his father's faltering.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositional nominative (with Σαουλ: 'son of Saul')→ participant prominenceυἱὸς: meaning 'son'; it serves as appositional nominative (with Σαουλ: 'son of Saul').
ΣαουλSaulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Saul').
τῷto theDativearticle (with παιδαρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίῳyoung man / servantDativeindirect object (dative of recipient of speech)→ sphere or referenceπαιδαρίῳ: meaning 'young man'; it serves as indirect object (dative of recipient of speech).
τῷtheDativearticle (attributive, governing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἴροντιwho carriesPres Act Ptc Masc Dat Sg · αἴρωattributive participle (modifying παιδαρίῳ)→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: 'lift / carry / bear'; the articular participle ὁ αἴρων τὰ σκεύη ('the one carrying the weapons') is the standard LXX designation for the armor-bearer (נֹשֵׂא כֵלִים); it recurs as a refrain through the chapter (vv. 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηweapons / armorAccusativedirect object of αἴροντι→ object specificationσκεύη: meaning 'weapons'; it serves as direct object of αἴροντι.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Jonathan's weapons)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Jonathan's weapons).
δεῦροcome!adverb of summons (functioning as interjection/imperative)→ clausal contributionδεῦρο: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διαβῶμενlet us cross overAor Act Subj 1 Pl · διαβαίνωhortatory subjunctive (main exhortation)→ verbal action or stateδιαβαίνω: 'cross over / pass through'; the hortatory subjunctive 'let us cross' proposes the daring passage to the enemy outpost; the compound δια- marks the traversal of the ravine between the two crags.
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
μεσσαβgarrison / outpostaccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable loanword)→ clausal contributionμεσσαβ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive of possession (the garrison's owners)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος ('of another tribe / foreigner'): the standard LXX rendering of פְּלִשְׁתִּים ('Philistines'); literally 'those of another race', it casts the Philistines as the archetypal alien enemy of Israel throughout 1 Kingdoms.
τὴνthe oneAccusativearticle (feminine, resuming μεσσαβ as fem.; introducing relative phrase)→ noun-phrase markingἡ (τήν): the feminine article picks up the garrison (construed as fem.) and governs the locative phrase 'the one on the far side yonder', specifying which outpost.
ἐνon / inpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle (with πέραν, substantivized)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πέρανother sideDativesubstantivized adverb (locative: 'the far side')→ sphere or referenceπέραν: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἐκείνῳthat / yonderDativedemonstrative adjective (deictic: 'that yonder side')→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that (one) / yonder'; the far demonstrative adds deictic distance — 'the far side over there' — emphasizing the remoteness and danger of the objective.
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (adversative in force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle (with πατρὶ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὶfatherDativeindirect object of ἀπήγγειλεν (the one not informed)→ sphere or referenceπατρὶ: meaning 'father'; it serves as indirect object of ἀπήγγειλεν (the one not informed).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (Jonathan's father)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Jonathan's father).
οὐκnotnegative particle (negating ἀπήγγειλεν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀπήγγειλενhe told / reportedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (concluding narratorial note)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce / bring word'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); the verb of formal reporting recurs in the chapter for the war-dispatches (vv. 18, 22); here it carries the private but explosive news of pregnancy.
2

καὶ Σαουλ ἐκάθητο ἐπ᾿ ἄκρου τοῦ βουνοῦ ὑπὸ τὴν ῥόαν τὴν ἐν Μαγδων καὶ ἦσαν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ὡς ἑξακόσιοι ἄνδρες

And Saul was sitting at the edge of the hill under the pomegranate tree that is in Magdon, and there were with him about six hundred men.

Scene-setting (background description, off-line)καὶ Σαουλ ἐκάθητο
A circumstantial, off-the-storyline tableau: the imperfects ἐκάθητο and ἦσαν paint Saul's static, passive posture — seated under a tree with a small remnant force — in deliberate contrast to Jonathan's forward motion in v. 1. The fronted subject Σαουλ marks the topic-shift to the king.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (topic-shift)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable proper noun, fronted as topic)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun, fronted as topic).
ἐκάθητοwas sittingImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb (durative background)→ verbal action or stateκάθημαι: 'sit / be seated'; the imperfect ἐκάθητο conveys David's tense, ongoing wait between the gates for news of the battle — and of his son.
ἐπ᾿at / onpreposition + genitive (position, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position, elided before vowel).
ἄκρουedge / outermost partGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (position: 'at the edge')→ relational specificationἄκρον: 'extremity / top / edge'; renders קָצֶה / end-point; ἐπ᾿ ἄκρου τοῦ βουνοῦ locates Saul at the outermost rim of the hill, on the periphery of the action.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βουνοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βουνοῦhillGenitivegenitive (with ἄκρου: 'edge of the hill')→ relational specificationβουνός: 'hill / mound'; renders גִּבְעָה; the location near Gibeah (Saul's home base) anchors the scene geographically (cf. Γαβεε, v. 5, 16).
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (position: 'under')→ spatial or relational framingὑπὸ: meaning 'under'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (position: 'under').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ῥόαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥόανpomegranate (tree)Accusativeaccusative object of ὑπό (position)→ object specificationῥόα (= ῥοιά): 'pomegranate / pomegranate tree'; renders רִמּוֹן; the Hebrew Migron/Rimmon underlies the local landmark; here a single notable tree marks Saul's seat.
τὴνthe oneAccusativearticle (attributive, introducing locative phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΜαγδωνMagdondative object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΜαγδων: transliteration of a Hebrew place-name (cf. מִגְרוֹן Migron, 1 Sam 14:2 MT); indeclinable in the LXX; the locale near Gibeah where Saul encamped under the pomegranate.
καὶandcoordinate 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, background)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be / exist'; the imperfect ἦσαν introduces the troop-count, a background detail underscoring how few were with Saul — about six hundred, the depleted remnant of 1 Sam 13:15.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (accompaniment)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (accompaniment).
ὡςaboutadverb of approximation (with numeral)→ clausal contributionὡς: 'as / about / approximately'; with numerals it marks an estimate ('about six hundred'); renders כְּ-.
ἑξακόσιοιsix hundredNominativeattributive numeral (modifying ἄνδρες)→ measure or countἑξακόσιοι: meaning 'six hundred'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of ἦσαν (predicate of existence)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; renders אִישׁ; the fighting men remaining with Saul, the small force that frames the 'many or few' theme of v. 6.
3

καὶ Αχια υἱὸς Αχιτωβ ἀδελφοῦ Ιωχαβηδ υἱοῦ Φινεες υἱοῦ Ηλι ἱερεὺς τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν Σηλωμ αἴρων εφουδ καὶ ὁ λαὸς οὐκ ᾔδει ὅτι πεπόρευται Ιωναθαν

And Ahijah son of Ahitub, brother of Ichabod, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, priest of God in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod; and the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.

Scene-setting (genealogical aside introducing the priest)καὶ Αχια
A second background note introduces the priest who bears the ephod, traced through the disgraced house of Eli (Phinehas, Ichabod). The clause καὶ ὁ λαὸς οὐκ ᾔδει ('and the people did not know') reinforces the secrecy theme of v. 1: not only Saul but the whole camp is unaware that Jonathan has set out.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (topic-shift)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑχιαAhijahsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑχια: transliteration of Hebrew אֲחִיָּה ('brother of YHWH'); indeclinable in the LXX; the priest of Eli's line who bears the ephod and whom Saul consults (v. 18).
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositional nominative (genealogy)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; opens the multi-generation genealogy linking Ahijah to the doomed priestly house of Eli.
ΑχιτωβAhitubgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Ahitub')→ participant identificationΑχιτωβ: transliteration of Hebrew אֲחִיטוּב; indeclinable; Ahijah's father in the priestly line.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive in apposition (Ahitub as brother of Ichabod)→ relational specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; renders אָח; identifies Ahitub as brother of Ichabod, born when the ark was captured (1 Sam 4:21).
ΙωχαβηδIchabodgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωχαβηδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition (continuing genealogy)→ relational specificationυἱός (gen.): continues the descent — Ichabod (and his line) son of Phinehas.
ΦινεεςPhinehasgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦινεες: transliteration of Hebrew פִּינְחָס; indeclinable; the wicked son of Eli who perished with the ark's capture (1 Sam 4:11).
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition (continuing genealogy)→ relational specificationυἱοῦ: meaning 'son'; it serves as genitive in apposition (continuing genealogy).
ΗλιEligenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΗλι: transliteration of Hebrew עֵלִי; indeclinable; the priest-judge at Shiloh under whose house judgment fell; the genealogy quietly marks the compromised legitimacy of the priesthood Saul consults.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativepredicate nominative / apposition (Ahijah's office)→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the office that authorizes Ahijah to bear the ephod and mediate the oracle Saul will seek.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with θεοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive (priest 'of God')→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; 'priest of God' designates Ahijah's sacral function as mediator of divine guidance.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΣηλωμShilohdative object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΣηλωμ: transliteration of Hebrew שִׁלֹה (Shiloh); indeclinable; the old cultic center where Eli's house had served, here naming the priestly seat associated with Ahijah.
αἴρωνwearing / bearingPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · αἴρωpredicative participle (describing Ahijah's act)→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: 'lift / bear / carry'; here 'bearing / wearing' the ephod; the same verb used of the armor-bearer (v. 1) now describes the priest's bearing of the sacred vestment, the instrument of oracular inquiry.
εφουδephoddirect object of αἴρων (indeclinable cultic loanword)→ clausal contributionεφουδ: untranslated transliteration of Hebrew אֵפוֹד ('ephod'); indeclinable; the priestly vestment (with Urim and Thummim) used to seek divine verdicts; its bearer's presence sets up Saul's consultation in vv. 18–19.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing parallel note)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ᾔδει→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; here Saul's army; their collective ignorance parallels Saul's, deepening the motif of secrecy.
οὐκnotnegative particle (negating ᾔδει)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ᾔδειknewPlpf Act Indic 3 Sg · οἶδαmain verb (state of knowledge, with present force)→ verbal action or stateοἶδα (plpf. ᾔδει with imperfect/past sense): 'know'; renders יָדַע; the verb makes Joab's act premeditated — he knew exactly where the valiant defenders were and placed Uriah there on purpose.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing object clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πεπόρευταιhad gonePerf Mid Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιverb of object clause (completed action)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / travel'; the perfect πεπόρευται ('has gone') views the departure as a completed state with present relevance — the man is gone and his trail can be followed.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject of πεπόρευται (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: the named subject of the people's unawareness; the secrecy that began the chapter (v. 1) is now total — neither father nor army knows.
4

καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς διαβάσεως οὗ ἐζήτει Ιωναθαν διαβῆναι εἰς τὴν ὑπόστασιν τῶν ἀλλοφύλων καὶ ἀκρωτήριον πέτρας ἔνθεν καὶ ἀκρωτήριον πέτρας ἔνθεν ὄνομα τῷ ἑνὶ Βαζες καὶ ὄνομα τῷ ἄλλῳ Σεννα

And in the middle of the pass where Jonathan sought to cross over to the garrison of the Philistines, there was a rocky crag on this side and a rocky crag on that side; the name of the one was Bozez and the name of the other Senna.

Scene-setting (topographical description)καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς διαβάσεως
The narrator pauses to describe the terrain of the crossing: a defile flanked by two rocky promontories, each named. The repeated ἀκρωτήριον πέτρας ἔνθεν … ἔνθεν ('a rock-crag on this side … on that side') frames the natural chokepoint that makes Jonathan's two-man assault both perilous and tactically conceivable.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰin the (midst)preposition (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον: 'between / in the middle of')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: in the fixed phrase ἀνὰ μέσον ('in the midst of / between'); a Hebraism rendering בֵּין / בְּתוֹךְ; locates the action within the pass.
μέσονmiddleAccusativesubstantive in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον (governing genitive)→ object specificationμέσος: 'middle / midst'; with ἀνά forms the locative idiom 'in the middle of (the pass)'.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with διαβάσεως)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαβάσεωςpass / crossingGenitivegenitive governed by ἀνὰ μέσον→ relational specificationδιαβάσεως: meaning 'pass'; it serves as genitive governed by ἀνὰ μέσον.
οὗwhererelative adverb (locative: 'where')→ participant referenceοὗ: meaning 'where'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative adverb (locative: 'where').
ἐζήτειwas seekingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ζητέωverb of relative clause (durative intent)→ verbal action or stateζητέω: 'seek / look for'; the idiom ζητεῖν τὴν ψυχήν ('seek the life') renders בִּקֵּשׁ אֶת נֶפֶשׁ ('seek to kill'); the imperfect depicts Saul's persistent pursuit of David — the murderers' rationale for the killing.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject of ἐζήτει (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐζήτει (indeclinable proper noun).
διαβῆναιto cross overAor Act Inf · διαβαίνωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἐζήτει)→ verbal action or stateδιαβαίνω: 'cross over' (עָבַר); the aorist infinitive points to the completed act of v. 8 as the now-past circumstance.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ὑπόστασιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑπόστασινgarrison / outpostAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal of crossing)→ object specificationὑπόστασις: lit. 'that which stands under / standing-place'; here 'garrison / military post', a Greek rendering of the same מַצָּב elsewhere transliterated μεσσαβ; the variation shows the translator alternating between loanword and translation for the Philistine outpost.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive of possession (the garrison's owners)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines; see v. 1.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the apodosis-like description)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκρωτήριονcrag / promontoryNominativesubject (existential: 'a crag was there')→ participant prominenceἀκρωτήριον: 'topmost point / promontory / jutting crag'; renders שֵׁן הַסֶּלַע ('tooth of the rock'); the sharp rock-tooth on the first side of the defile.
πέτραςof rockGenitivegenitive of material/description (with ἀκρωτήριον)→ relational specificationπέτρα: 'rock / cliff'; renders סֶלַע; defines the crag as a rocky outcrop.
ἔνθενon this sideadverb of place (the first flank)→ clausal contributionἔνθεν: 'from here / on this side'; the first member of the pair ἔνθεν … ἔνθεν ('on this side … on that side'), framing the two-sided defile.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκρωτήριονcrag / promontoryNominativesubject (existential, parallel to first)→ participant prominenceἀκρωτήριον: the second rock-crag, on the opposite flank of the pass.
πέτραςof rockGenitivegenitive of material/description→ relational specificationπέτρας: meaning 'of rock'; it serves as genitive of material/description.
ἔνθενon that sideadverb of place (the second flank)→ clausal contributionἔνθεν: the second member of the pair ('on that side'); together the two crags hem in the crossing.
ὄνομαnameNominativenominative (naming formula: 'the name [was]')→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; renders שֵׁם; the naming formula ὄνομα τῷ ἑνὶ … καὶ ὄνομα τῷ ἄλλῳ ('the name of the one … and of the other') is a standard Hebraic etiological device (cf. Gen 2:11, 13).
τῷto theDativearticle (with ἑνί)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑνὶoneDativedative of possession (the first crag, in naming formula)→ sphere or referenceεἷς (dat. ἑνί): 'one'; the dative of possession in the naming idiom — 'the name belonging to the one (crag)'.
ΒαζεςBozezpredicate (name of the first crag, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαζες: transliteration of Hebrew בּוֹצֵץ (Bozez, 'shining / slippery'); indeclinable; the name of the first rock-crag at the pass of Michmash.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativenominative (naming formula, second member)→ participant prominenceὄνομα: meaning 'name'; it serves as nominative (naming formula, second member).
τῷto theDativearticle (with ἄλλῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄλλῳotherDativedative of possession (the second crag)→ sphere or referenceἄλλος: 'other'; the dative ('to the other') completes the naming pair for the second crag.
ΣενναSenna / Senehpredicate (name of the second crag, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣεννα: transliteration of Hebrew סֶנֶּה (Seneh, 'thorn / crag'); indeclinable; the name of the second rock-crag opposite Bozez.
5

ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ μία ἀπὸ βορρᾶ ἐρχομένῳ Μαχμας καὶ ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ ἄλλη ἀπὸ νότου ἐρχομένῳ Γαβεε

The one road came from the north toward Machmas, and the other road from the south toward Gabee.

Scene-setting (topographical detail, continued)ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ μία
The description of the two crags (v. 4) is completed by the two approaches: one road from the north toward Michmash, the other from the south toward Gibeah/Geba. The verbless, paratactic listing (ἡ μία … ἡ ἄλλη) is characteristic of Hebraic topographic notation.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
theNominativearticle (with ὁδὸς)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδὸςroad / wayNominativesubject (verbless clause)→ participant prominenceὁδός: 'road / way / path'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; here the first of the two approaches to the pass between the crags.
theNominativearticle (attributive, with μία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μίαoneNominativeattributive numeral (ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ μία: 'the one road')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the attributive ἡ μία pairs with ἡ ἄλλη below to distinguish the two approaches to the defile.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source/direction)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source/direction).
βορρᾶnorthGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (direction: 'from the north')→ relational specificationβορρᾶς: 'north / the north wind'; renders צָפוֹן; marks the northern approach toward Michmash.
ἐρχομένῳto one comingPres Mid Ptc Masc Dat Sg · ἔρχομαιparticiple (dative of reference: 'for one coming/going')→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; the dative participle ἐρχομένῳ ('for one going') is an idiom of orientation — 'as you go toward Machmas' — a common LXX way of giving directions (cf. Gen 13:10).
ΜαχμαςMachmas (Michmash)accusative of direction (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΜαχμας: transliteration of Hebrew מִכְמָשׂ (Michmash); indeclinable; the Philistine encampment north of the pass (cf. Μαχεμας, v. 31; Μαχμας, 1 Sam 13:23).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle (with ὁδὸς)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδὸςroad / wayNominativesubject (verbless clause, parallel)→ participant prominenceὁδός: the second of the two approaches; see above.
theNominativearticle (attributive, with ἄλλη)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄλληotherNominativeattributive adjective (ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ ἄλλη: 'the other road')→ participant prominenceἄλλος: 'other'; ἡ ἄλλη balances ἡ μία above, marking the southern approach.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source/direction)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source/direction).
νότουsouthGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (direction: 'from the south')→ relational specificationνότος: 'south / the south wind'; renders נֶגֶב; marks the southern approach toward Geba/Gibeah.
ἐρχομένῳto one comingPres Mid Ptc Masc Dat Sg · ἔρχομαιparticiple (dative of reference: 'as one goes')→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: the directional dative participle again ('for one going toward Gabee'); see v. 5a.
ΓαβεεGabee (Geba/Gibeah)accusative of direction (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓαβεε: transliteration of Hebrew גֶּבַע / גִּבְעָה (Geba/Gibeah); indeclinable; the locale south of the pass associated with Saul's tribe of Benjamin (cf. v. 16, Γαβεε Βενιαμιν).
6

καὶ εἶπεν Ιωναθαν πρὸς τὸ παιδάριον τὸ αἶρον τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ δεῦρο διαβῶμεν εἰς μεσσαβ τῶν ἀπεριτμήτων τούτων εἴ τι ποιήσαι ἡμῖν κύριος ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν τῷ κυρίῳ συνεχόμενον σῴζειν ἐν πολλοῖς ἢ ἐν ὀλίγοις

And Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, 'Come, let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the LORD will act for us, for nothing hinders the LORD from saving by many or by few.'

Foreground speech: theological centre of the episodeκαὶ εἶπεν Ιωναθαν
Jonathan's confession is the heart of the chapter. The optative ποιήσαι (with εἴ τι, 'perhaps the LORD will act') expresses hopeful, non-presumptuous faith; the maxim οὐκ ἔστιν τῷ κυρίῳ συνεχόμενον σῴζειν ἐν πολλοῖς ἢ ἐν ὀλίγοις ('nothing hinders the LORD from saving by many or by few') states the theological principle that divine deliverance is independent of human numbers — directly answering the 'six hundred men' of v. 2.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with παιδάριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριονyoung man / servantAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (addressee)→ object specificationπαιδάριον: meaning 'young man'; it serves as accusative object of πρός (addressee).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (attributive, governing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἶρονcarryingPres Act Ptc Neut Acc Sg · αἴρωattributive participle (modifying παιδάριον)→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: the neuter participle τὸ αἶρον agrees with the neuter παιδάριον; the armor-bearer refrain (see v. 1).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηweapons / armorAccusativedirect object of αἶρον→ object specificationσκεῦος: the battle-gear; see v. 1.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
δεῦροcome!adverb of summons (interjection)→ clausal contributionδεῦρο: 'come!'; reprises the summons of v. 1, now framed by the explicit faith-rationale that follows.
διαβῶμενlet us cross overAor Act Subj 1 Pl · διαβαίνωhortatory subjunctive (main exhortation)→ verbal action or stateδιαβαίνω: 'let us cross over'; the renewed exhortation to assault the post (cf. v. 1).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
μεσσαβgarrison / outpostaccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable loanword)→ clausal contributionμεσσαβ: the Philistine garrison (see v. 1); the loanword for מַצָּב.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ἀπεριτμήτων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀπεριτμήτωνuncircumcisedGenitivesubstantival adjective (genitive of possession: 'of the uncircumcised')→ relational specificationἀπερίτμητος: 'uncircumcised'; renders עֲרֵלִים; a contemptuous designation of the Philistines as outside the covenant (cf. Judg 14:3; 1 Sam 17:26); it frames the assault as a covenantal contest, not merely a military one.
τούτωνtheseGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἀπεριτμήτων)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'these'; the deictic τούτων points to the very enemy at hand, sharpening the contempt and immediacy.
εἴif / perhapsconjunction (introducing hopeful condition with optative)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; with the optative ποιήσαι and indefinite τι it expresses a hopeful, tentative wish ('perhaps / it may be that the LORD will act'), the language of faith without presumption.
τιsomethingAccusativeindefinite pronoun (object of ποιήσαι)→ participant referenceτι: meaning 'something'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indefinite pronoun (object of ποιήσαι).
ποιήσαιmay act / doAor Act Opt 3 Sg · ποιέωoptative of wish/possibility (in εἰ-clause)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do / act / work'; the rare optative ποιήσαι expresses the possibility/wish that the LORD may act on their behalf; the construction εἴ τι ποιήσαι is a Hebraistic rendering of אוּלַי יַעֲשֶׂה ('perhaps he will work'), the very posture of humble faith.
ἡμῖνfor usDativedative of advantage (beneficiary of divine action)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'for us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (beneficiary of divine action).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ποιήσαι (divine agent)→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'LORD'; it serves as subject of ποιήσαι (divine agent).
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (grounding the hope)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (negating ἔστιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential, with συνεχόμενον)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be / exist'; the gnomic οὐκ ἔστιν … συνεχόμενον ('there is no hindrance') states a timeless theological axiom about divine freedom to save.
τῷfor theDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of reference/possession ('for the LORD there is no...')→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the dative τῷ κυρίῳ ('for/to the LORD') governs the axiom — for YHWH there is nothing that constrains his saving power, regardless of numbers.
συνεχόμενονhindrance / constraintPres Mid Ptc Neut Nom Sg · συνέχωparticiple as substantive (subject of ἔστιν: 'a thing constraining')→ verbal action or stateσυνέχω (mid./pass. ptc.): 'hold together / constrain / hinder'; the neuter substantival participle συνεχόμενον ('a constraint / hindrance') renders the Hebrew idiom אֵין … מַעְצוֹר ('there is no restraint'), 1 Sam 14:6; the sense is that nothing can hold the LORD back from saving.
σῴζεινto savePres Act Inf · σῴζωepexegetic infinitive (defining the unhindered action)→ verbal action or stateσῴζω: meaning 'to save'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as epexegetic infinitive (defining the unhindered action).
ἐνby / withpreposition + dative (means/circumstance)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (means/circumstance).
πολλοῖςmanyDativedative of means (substantival: 'by many')→ sphere or referenceπολύς: 'many / much'; renders רַב; the first term of the merism 'by many or by few' — divine deliverance is indifferent to the size of the human instrument.
ordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; the disjunction sets 'many' against 'few', stating their irrelevance to YHWH's power.
ἐνby / withpreposition + dative (means/circumstance)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (means/circumstance).
ὀλίγοιςfewDativedative of means (substantival: 'by few')→ sphere or referenceὀλίγοις: meaning 'few'; it serves as dative of means (substantival: 'by few').
7

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ αἴρων τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ ποίει πᾶν ὃ ἐὰν ἡ καρδία σου ἐκκλίνῃ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ μετὰ σοῦ ὡς ἡ καρδία σοῦ καρδία μοῦ

And his armor-bearer said to him, 'Do all to which your heart inclines; behold, I am with you; as your heart is, so is my heart.'

Foreground speech: the armor-bearer's pledge of solidarityκαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ αἴρων
The armor-bearer responds with total commitment. The present imperative ποίει ('do, keep doing') endorses Jonathan's lead; ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ μετὰ σοῦ ('behold, I am with you') and the heart-for-heart formula (ὡς ἡ καρδία σοῦ καρδία μοῦ) express complete unanimity, modeling the loyalty Jonathan himself shows David later.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces the armor-bearer's reply of solidarity.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Jonathan)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Jonathan).
theNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἴρωνarmor-bearer (the one carrying)Pres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · αἴρωsubstantival participle (subject: 'the one bearing')→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: ὁ αἴρων τὰ σκεύη ('the one carrying the weapons') = 'the armor-bearer'; the refrain designation (see v. 1).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηweapons / armorAccusativedirect object of αἴρων→ object specificationσκεῦος: the battle-gear; see v. 1.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ποίειdoPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (imperative of endorsement)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do / make'; the present imperative ποίει sanctions David's plan; the irony is that the LORD will say οὐ σὺ οἰκοδομήσεις ('you shall not build', v. 5), correcting Nathan's well-meant but uncommissioned approval.
πᾶνall / everythingAccusativedirect object of ποίει (antecedent of the relative)→ object specificationπᾶν: meaning 'all'; it serves as direct object of ποίει (antecedent of the relative).
whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object within relative clause)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; with ἐάν forms an indefinite relative ('whatever').
ἐὰνeverparticle (with relative + subjunctive: indefinite)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: here generalizing the relative ('whatever your heart inclines to'), taking the subjunctive ἐκκλίνῃ.
theNominativearticle (with καρδία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of ἐκκλίνῃ→ participant prominenceκαρδία: meaning 'heart'; it serves as subject of ἐκκλίνῃ.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with καρδία)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with καρδία).
ἐκκλίνῃinclines / turnsPres Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐκκλίνωverb of indefinite relative clause (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ verbal action or stateἐκκλίνω: 'turn / incline / bend toward'; renders נָטָה; here of the heart's inclination — 'wherever your heart turns'; the subjunctive marks the indefinite scope of the pledge.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (interjection)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; the deictic particle dramatizes the armor-bearer's self-offering — 'here I am, with you'.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun, verbless clause)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic pronoun foregrounds the speaker's personal commitment ('I — I am with you').
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά (accompaniment)→ relational specificationσύ: 'you'; ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ μετὰ σοῦ ('behold, I am with you') is the language of total accompaniment, echoing covenantal 'I am with you' assurances.
ὡςascomparative particle ('as … so')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; introduces the heart-for-heart comparison of perfect accord.
theNominativearticle (with καρδία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject (verbless comparison: 'as your heart [is]')→ participant prominenceκαρδία: meaning 'heart'; it serves as subject (verbless comparison: 'as your heart [is]').
σοῦyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καρδίαheartNominativepredicate nominative (verbless: 'so [is] my heart')→ participant prominenceκαρδία: the matching second member ('my heart'); the repetition seals the identity of wills.
μοῦmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμοῦ: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
8

καὶ εἶπεν Ιωναθαν ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς διαβαίνομεν πρὸς τοὺς ἄνδρας καὶ κατακυλισθησόμεθα πρὸς αὐτούς

And Jonathan said, 'Behold, we are crossing over to the men, and we will roll down upon them.'

Foreground speech: the plan and the sign-protocol beginsκαὶ εἶπεν Ιωναθαν
Jonathan lays out the tactic. The futuristic present διαβαίνομεν ('we are crossing') presents the act as imminent; κατακυλισθησόμεθα ('we will roll/tumble down upon them') vividly evokes descending the crag toward the enemy. This sets up the sign-test of vv. 9–10.
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 stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; marks the announcement of the plan.
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἡμεῖς: the emphatic 'we' underscores that the two of them alone will make the crossing.
διαβαίνομενwe are crossing overPres Act Indic 1 Pl · διαβαίνωmain verb (futuristic present)→ verbal action or stateδιαβαίνω: meaning 'we are crossing over'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (futuristic present).
πρὸςto / towardpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἄνδρας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the Philistine garrison)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; here the Philistine garrison-soldiers toward whom they cross.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατακυλισθησόμεθαwe will roll down / tumble uponFut Pass Indic 1 Pl · κατακυλίωmain verb (future of the planned descent)→ verbal action or stateκατακυλίω (fut. pass. with middle sense): 'roll down / tumble down'; the vivid verb pictures the two warriors descending/hurling themselves down the crag upon the garrison; renders the Hebrew גָּלָה ('reveal/expose ourselves') in a dynamic rendering — they will let themselves be seen and rush down.
πρὸςupon / topreposition + accusative (direction/goal)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction/goal).
αὐτούςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the Philistines)→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (the Philistines).
9

ἐὰν τάδε εἴπωσιν πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀπόστητε ἐκεῖ ἕως ἂν ἀπαγγείλωμεν ὑμῖν καὶ στησόμεθα ἐφ᾿ ἑαυτοῖς καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀναβῶμεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτούς

If they say this to us, 'Stay there until we report to you,' then we will stand still where we are and will not go up against them.

Foreground speech: the first horn of the sign-testἐὰν τάδε εἴπωσιν
Jonathan frames a divinatory sign in two conditional branches. This first branch (ἐάν … ἀπόστητε) is the negative omen: if the Philistines tell them to wait, the pair will stand fast and not attack. The emphatic οὐ μὴ ἀναβῶμεν ('we will surely not go up') marks the abstention.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the first branch of the conditional sign, taking the subjunctive εἴπωσιν.
τάδεthis / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of εἴπωσιν, cataphoric)→ participant referenceὅδε: 'this'; τάδε ('these things') anticipates the quoted words that follow; a standard pointer to direct speech.
εἴπωσινthey sayAor Act Subj 3 Pl · λέγωverb of protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the aorist subjunctive in the protasis ('if they say'); the Philistines' response is treated as the sign that discloses the divine will.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
ἀπόστητεstay back / stand offAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀφίστημιimperative (quoted Philistine command)→ verbal action or stateἀφίστημι: 'withdraw / stand off / keep away'; the quoted Philistine command ἀπόστητε ('stay back / hold off') would signal the negative omen — the enemy does not invite them up.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; locates the imagined halting-spot.
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction (with ἄν + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; with ἄν and the subjunctive marks an indefinite time-limit ('until we report').
ἂν(ever)modal particle (with ἕως + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle conferring indefiniteness on the ἕως-clause.
ἀπαγγείλωμενwe reportAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀπαγγέλλωverb of temporal clause (subjunctive)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / bring word'; within the quoted Philistine words ('until we report to you'); cf. v. 1.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
καὶthen / andconjunction (introducing apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: introduces the apodosis ('then we will stand still').
στησόμεθαwe will standFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb of apodosis→ verbal action or stateἵστημι (fut. mid.): 'stand / take a stand / stay put'; στησόμεθα ἐφ᾿ ἑαυτοῖς ('we will stand on our own ground') marks the abstention from attack if the negative omen comes.
ἐφ᾿on / inpreposition + dative (position, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐφ᾿: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (position, elided).
ἑαυτοῖςourselves / our placeDativereflexive pronoun (dative: 'on our own ground')→ participant reference or interestἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'ourselves'; ἐφ᾿ ἑαυτοῖς ('on/by ourselves', 'in our own place') = staying put rather than advancing.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative particle (part of emphatic οὐ μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μὴnotnegative particle (emphatic οὐ μή + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ μή: the doubled negative with the aorist subjunctive forms an emphatic denial ('we will certainly not go up').
ἀναβῶμενgo upAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀναβαίνωsubjunctive (with emphatic οὐ μή)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; the key verb of the sign — 'going up' against the post is the attack; with οὐ μή it is firmly excluded under the negative omen. Contrast the positive ἀναβησόμεθα of v. 10.
ἐπ᾿againstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction, elided).
αὐτούςthemAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the Philistines)→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (the Philistines).
10

καὶ ἐὰν τάδε εἴπωσιν πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀνάβητε πρὸς ἡμᾶς καὶ ἀναβησόμεθα ὅτι παραδέδωκεν αὐτοὺς κύριος εἰς τὰς χεῖρας ἡμῶν τοῦτο ἡμῖν τὸ σημεῖον

But if they say this to us, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up, for the LORD has delivered them into our hands; this will be the sign for us.

Foreground speech: the second, positive horn of the sign-testκαὶ ἐὰν τάδε εἴπωσιν
The second branch is the positive omen: if the Philistines say 'come up', it confirms that the LORD has handed them over (παραδέδωκεν, resultative perfect). The closing τοῦτο ἡμῖν τὸ σημεῖον ('this is the sign for us') formally names the whole protocol a sign-seeking — a legitimate, faith-shaped inquiry into God's will.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶbut / andconjunction (introducing the contrasting branch)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: introduces the second, positive branch of the sign.
τάδεthisAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of εἴπωσιν, cataphoric)→ participant referenceὅδε: 'this'; points forward to the quoted invitation.
εἴπωσινthey sayAor Act Subj 3 Pl · λέγωverb of protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'if they say'; the Philistine word again functions as the disclosing sign.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
ἀνάβητεcome up!Aor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀναβαίνωimperative (quoted Philistine invitation)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: the quoted ἀνάβητε ('come up to us') is the positive omen-word; the same imperative the Philistines actually utter in v. 12, fulfilling the sign.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
καὶthenconjunction (introducing apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: introduces the apodosis ('then we will go up').
ἀναβησόμεθαwe will go upFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb of apodosis→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω (fut. mid.): 'we will go up'; the positive counterpart to οὐ μὴ ἀναβῶμεν (v. 9) — under the favorable omen they will attack.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; grounds the resolve in the conviction that YHWH has already given victory.
παραδέδωκενhas delivered / handed overPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb of causal clause (perfect of certainty)→ verbal action or stateπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver up'; renders נָתַן (בְּיַד); the perfect παραδέδωκεν treats the victory as already accomplished in the divine purpose ('the LORD has handed them over') — faith reading the omen as decisive. Cf. the aorist παρέδωκεν, v. 12.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of παραδέδωκεν→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of παραδέδωκεν.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of παραδέδωκεν (divine agent)→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'LORD'; it serves as subject of παραδέδωκεν (divine agent).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom: 'into the hands')→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; εἰς τὰς χεῖρας ('into the hands of') is the standard idiom for handing over power/victory; renders בְּיַד.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession (with χεῖρας)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with χεῖρας).
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative (subject of verbless clause)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; sums up the whole two-branch protocol as the sign.
ἡμῖνfor usDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'for us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with σημεῖον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σημεῖονsignNominativepredicate nominative (verbless: 'this [is] the sign')→ participant prominenceσημεῖον: 'sign / token'; renders אוֹת; the omen-word names the inquiry a legitimate sign-seeking, like Gideon's fleece — faith asking God to confirm his will before acting.
11

καὶ εἰσῆλθον ἀμφότεροι εἰς μεσσαβ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων καὶ λέγουσιν οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι ἰδοὺ οἱ Εβραῖοι ἐκπορεύονται ἐκ τῶν τρωγλῶν αὐτῶν οὗ ἐκρύβησαν ἐκεῖ

And the two of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines, and the Philistines said, 'Look, the Hebrews are coming out of their holes where they hid themselves!'

Foreground narrative: the pair reveal themselves, eliciting the signκαὶ εἰσῆλθον ἀμφότεροι
The action resumes: both men come into the garrison's view. The Philistines' mocking exclamation (ἰδοὺ οἱ Εβραῖοι ἐκπορεύονται ἐκ τῶν τρωγλῶν) reflects the demoralized state of Israel hiding in caves (cf. 1 Sam 13:6) — contempt that the narrative is about to overturn.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθονthey entered / came in (to view)Aor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (the decisive approach)→ verbal action or stateεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; here 'came in(to view) of the garrison' — the pair expose themselves so as to elicit the sign-word; renders the Hebrew sense of disclosing themselves (cf. the parallel גָּלָה motif in v. 8).
ἀμφότεροιbothNominativesubject (substantival: 'the two together')→ participant prominenceἀμφότεροι: meaning 'both'; it serves as subject (substantival: 'the two together').
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
μεσσαβgarrison / outpostaccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable loanword)→ clausal contributionμεσσαβ: the Philistine garrison (see v. 1); here the place/troop into whose sight the pair come.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines; see v. 1.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λέγουσινthey sayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (historic present, speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the historic present λέγουσιν makes the Philistines' taunt immediate and vivid; the very words become the sign of v. 10.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀλλόφυλοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject of λέγουσιν→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines as speakers of the taunt.
ἰδοὺlook!presentative particle (interjection)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'look / behold'; here a contemptuous 'look at that!' as the Philistines spot the two Hebrews.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with Εβραῖοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕβραῖοιHebrewsNominativesubject of ἐκπορεύονται→ participant prominenceἙβραῖος: 'Hebrew'; renders עִבְרִי; the term used by foreigners (and of Israel before foreigners) for the people; on Philistine lips it is dismissive.
ἐκπορεύονταιare coming outPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐκπορεύομαιmain verb of quotation (vivid present)→ verbal action or stateἐκπορεύομαι: 'come/go out'; the present pictures the Hebrews emerging — the Philistines read it as cornered fugitives creeping from hiding, not as attackers.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with τρωγλῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρωγλῶνholes / cavesGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (source)→ relational specificationτρώγλη: 'hole / burrow / cave'; renders חֹר; recalls 1 Sam 13:6, where the terrified Israelites hid in caves and holes; the taunt assumes Israel's cowering weakness.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οὗwhererelative adverb (locative)→ participant referenceοὗ: 'where'; introduces the relative clause describing the hiding-places.
ἐκρύβησανthey hid themselvesAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κρύπτωverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateκρύπτω (aor. pass.): 'hide / conceal'; the passive ἐκρύβησαν ('they hid themselves / were hidden') recalls Israel's flight into hiding; the mockery sets up the reversal as the 'hidden' now strike.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (resumptive with οὗ)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the resumptive adverb after the relative οὗ is a Hebraism (אֲשֶׁר … שָׁם, 'where … there').
12

καὶ ἀπεκρίθησαν οἱ ἄνδρες μεσσαβ πρὸς Ιωναθαν καὶ πρὸς τὸν αἴροντα τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ καὶ λέγουσιν ἀνάβητε πρὸς ἡμᾶς καὶ γνωριοῦμεν ὑμῖν ῥῆμα καὶ εἶπεν Ιωναθαν πρὸς τὸν αἴροντα τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ ἀνάβηθι ὀπίσω μου ὅτι παρέδωκεν αὐτοὺς κύριος εἰς χεῖρας Ισραηλ

And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor-bearer and said, 'Come up to us, and we will show you a thing!' And Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, 'Come up after me, for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.'

Foreground narrative: the sign is fulfilled and the attack orderedκαὶ ἀπεκρίθησαν οἱ ἄνδρες μεσσαβ
The Philistines utter the very omen-word of v. 10 (ἀνάβητε πρὸς ἡμᾶς, 'come up to us'). Jonathan instantly reads it as God's confirmation: ἀνάβηθι ὀπίσω μου ('come up after me'), grounding the order in παρέδωκεν αὐτοὺς κύριος ('the LORD has handed them over'). The taunting γνωριοῦμεν ὑμῖν ῥῆμα ('we'll teach you a lesson') is ironically inverted.
Word-by-word analysis· 42 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεκρίθησανansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / respond'; renders עָנָה; the Philistines' response is the awaited sign-word.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of ἀπεκρίθησαν→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; οἱ ἄνδρες μεσσαβ = 'the men of the garrison'.
μεσσαβof the garrisonindeclinable genitive-equivalent (attributive: 'of the garrison')→ clausal contributionμεσσαβ: the garrison (see v. 1); here in attributive relation, 'the men of the outpost'.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΙωναθανJonathanaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἴρονταarmor-bearer (the one carrying)Pres Act Ptc Masc Acc Sg · αἴρωsubstantival participle (object of πρός)→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: the armor-bearer; see v. 1.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηweapons / armorAccusativedirect object of αἴροντα→ object specificationσκεῦος: the battle-gear; see v. 1.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive 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.
λέγουσινthey sayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the historic present introduces the actual omen-words.
ἀνάβητεcome up!Aor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀναβαίνωimperative (the fulfilled sign-word)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω (aor. impv. ἀνάβητε): 'go up / ascend'; renders עֲלוּ; the command to advance into the hill country and take the land; its refusal was the great failure of unbelief at Kadesh (Num 13:30–31; 14:1–4).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γνωριοῦμενwe will make known / teachFut Act Indic 1 Pl · γνωρίζωmain verb (Philistine threat)→ verbal action or stateγνωρίζω: 'make known / show'; the Philistine boast γνωριοῦμεν ὑμῖν ῥῆμα ('we'll show you a thing / teach you a lesson') is a contemptuous threat soon to be ironically reversed.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
ῥῆμαa thing / wordAccusativedirect object of γνωριοῦμεν→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / matter / thing'; renders דָּבָר; here in the idiomatic sense 'a thing (you won't forget)' — the taunt's bravado.
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 stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἴρονταarmor-bearerPres Act Ptc Masc Acc Sg · αἴρωsubstantival participle (object of πρός)→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: the armor-bearer; see v. 1.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηweapons / armorAccusativedirect object of αἴροντα→ object specificationσκεύη: meaning 'weapons'; it serves as direct object of αἴροντα.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἀνάβηθιcome upAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (command to the armor-bearer)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω (aor. impv.): the LORD's terse one-word command ἀνάβηθi ('go up') grants the requested sanction; the imperative answers the deliberative subjunctive of David's question.
ὀπίσωafter / behindpreposition + genitive (position: 'behind/after')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position: 'behind/after').
μουmeGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; grounds the attack in the divine handover.
παρέδωκενdelivered / handed overAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb of causal clause→ verbal action or stateπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver'; the aorist παρέδωκεν (cf. the perfect παραδέδωκεν, v. 10) declares the victory already granted by YHWH into Israel's hand.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of παρέδωκεν→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of παρέδωκεν.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of παρέδωκεν (divine agent)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the LORD, not the two warriors, is the victor.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
χεῖραςhand(s)Accusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; εἰς χεῖρας Ισραηλ ('into the hand of Israel') — the victory belongs to the whole people, not merely the two men.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable; the covenant people, into whose hand the LORD gives the Philistines.
13

καὶ ἀνέβη Ιωναθαν ἐπὶ τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ καὶ ὁ αἴρων τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπέβλεψαν κατὰ πρόσωπον Ιωναθαν καὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτούς καὶ ὁ αἴρων τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ ἐπεδίδου ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ

And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and on his feet, and his armor-bearer with him; and they looked toward the face of Jonathan, and he struck them down, and his armor-bearer kept finishing them off behind him.

Foreground narrative: the climb and the first slaughterκαὶ ἀνέβη Ιωναθαν
The climb 'on hands and feet' up the crag vividly conveys the difficulty and audacity of the assault. The team-action is choreographed: Jonathan strikes (ἐπάταξεν, aorist of decisive blows), the armor-bearer dispatches the fallen behind him (ἐπεδίδου, imperfect of repeated finishing-off).
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβηwent up / climbedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (the ascent)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up / climb'; ἀνέβη fulfills the order ἀνάβηθι of v. 12; the verb of the whole sign-protocol now becomes deed.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (means/manner of climbing)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (means/manner of climbing).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (manner of ascent)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἐπὶ τὰς χεῖρας … καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας ('on hands and feet') vividly conveys scaling the steep crag on all fours; renders עַל יָדָיו וְעַל רַגְלָיו.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive 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.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (manner)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (manner).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with πόδας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόδαςfeetAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (manner of ascent)→ object specificationπούς: 'foot'; the second member of 'hands and feet', completing the picture of a near-vertical scramble.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive 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.
theNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἴρωνarmor-bearerPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · αἴρωsubstantival participle (subject, elliptical: '[climbed] too')→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: the armor-bearer climbs with him; the verb ἀνέβη is gapped ('and his armor-bearer [climbed] with him').
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηweapons / armorAccusativedirect object of αἴρων→ object specificationσκεῦος: the battle-gear; see v. 1.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (accompaniment)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (accompaniment).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέβλεψανthey looked / fell (before)Aor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιβλέπωmain verb (the Philistines facing Jonathan)→ verbal action or stateἐπιβλέπω: 'look toward / turn'; here of Benjamin turning (their gaze/course) toward the wilderness road in flight.
κατὰtoward / beforepreposition + accusative (direction: 'in front of')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'toward / before'; κατὰ πρόσωπον ('before the face of') is a Hebraism (לִפְנֵי).
πρόσωπονface / presenceAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (idiom: 'before the face')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: meaning 'face'; it serves as accusative object of κατά (idiom: 'before the face').
ΙωναθανJonathangenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Jonathan')→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Jonathan').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξενstruck downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (Jonathan's blows)→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike, smite'; the assassination-verb.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξεν→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐπάταξεν.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἴρωνarmor-bearerPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · αἴρωsubstantival participle (subject of ἐπεδίδου)→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: the armor-bearer; see v. 1.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηweapons / armorAccusativedirect object of αἴρων→ object specificationσκεύη: meaning 'weapons'; it serves as direct object of αἴρων.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐπεδίδουkept dispatching / finishing offImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιδίδωμιmain verb (repeated action of the armor-bearer)→ verbal action or stateἐπιδίδωμι: meaning 'kept dispatching'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (repeated action of the armor-bearer).
ὀπίσωbehindpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: meaning 'behind'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω.
14

καὶ ἐγενήθη ἡ πληγὴ ἡ πρώτη ἣν ἐπάταξεν Ιωναθαν καὶ ὁ αἴρων τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ ὡς εἴκοσι ἄνδρες ἐν βολίσι καὶ ἐν πετροβόλοις καὶ ἐν κόχλαξιν τοῦ πεδίου

And the first slaughter that Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck was about twenty men, within the range of arrows and slingstones and the flints of the field.

Foreground narrative: summary of the first slaughterκαὶ ἐγενήθη ἡ πληγὴ ἡ πρώτη
A summary statement quantifies the opening blow: about twenty men killed in a confined space — measured by the range of a throw of arrows, slingstones, and the scattered flints of the field. The detail underscores how small a feat humanly began the rout that God will turn into national victory.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηcame to be / wasAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (existential, summarizing)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. pass.): 'come to be / happen'; ἐγενήθη ἡ πληγή ('the slaughter amounted to') introduces the tally of the first blow.
theNominativearticle (with πληγὴ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πληγὴslaughter / blowNominativesubject of ἐγενήθη→ participant prominenceπληγή: 'blow / stroke / slaughter'; renders מַכָּה; here the death-toll of the assault; cf. the same term for the Egyptian plagues (Exod 11).
theNominativearticle (attributive, with πρώτη)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρώτηfirstNominativeattributive adjective (modifying πληγὴ: 'the first slaughter')→ participant prominenceπρῶτος: 'first'; ἡ πληγὴ ἡ πρώτη ('the first slaughter') marks this as the opening blow that triggers the wider rout.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐπάταξεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, cognate-object of ἐπάταξεν ('the slaughter which they struck').
ἐπάταξενstruckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike, smite'; the assassination-verb.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἴρωνarmor-bearerPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · αἴρωsubstantival participle (second subject)→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: the armor-bearer; see v. 1.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηweapons / armorAccusativedirect object of αἴρων→ object specificationσκεύη: meaning 'weapons'; it serves as direct object of αἴρων.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὡςaboutadverb of approximation (with numeral)→ clausal contributionὡς: 'about / approximately' with the numeral; see v. 2.
εἴκοσιtwentynumeral (indeclinable, modifying ἄνδρες)→ measure or countεἴκοσι: 'twenty'; indeclinable numeral; renders עֶשְׂרִים; the modest count of the first slaughter.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativepredicate nominative (the count: 'about twenty men')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the twenty Philistines who fell in the first blow.
ἐνwithin / bypreposition + dative (range/means)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'within'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (range/means).
βολίσιarrows / dartsDativedative (range/extent: 'within a bowshot')→ sphere or referenceβολίς: 'missile / dart / arrow'; ἐν βολίσι likely measures the killing-ground 'within a bowshot' (the Hebrew here is difficult, lit. 'as in half a furrow of an acre of field'); the LXX renders by missile-ranges.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνwithin / bypreposition + dative (range/means)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'within'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (range/means).
πετροβόλοιςslingstonesDativedative (range/means)→ sphere or referenceπετροβόλος: 'stone-throwing (sling) / slingstone'; ἐν πετροβόλοις adds a second range-measure ('within a slingshot'); the LXX's concrete military imagery for a textually obscure Hebrew phrase.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνamong / bypreposition + dative→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative.
κόχλαξινflints / pebblesDativedative (location: 'among the flints')→ sphere or referenceκόχλαξ: 'pebble / flint / shingle'; ἐν κόχλαξιν τοῦ πεδίου ('among the flints of the field') locates the killing on the stony ground of the plain; part of the LXX's rendering of an obscure Hebrew measure.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with πεδίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πεδίουfield / plainGenitivegenitive (with κόχλαξιν: 'flints of the field')→ relational specificationπεδίον: 'plain / open field'; renders שָׂדֶה; the level ground where the flints lay and the slaughter occurred.
15

καὶ ἐγενήθη ἔκστασις ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ καὶ ἐν ἀγρῷ καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς οἱ ἐν μεσσαβ καὶ οἱ διαφθείροντες ἐξέστησαν καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐκ ἤθελον ποιεῖν καὶ ἐθάμβησεν ἡ γῆ καὶ ἐγενήθη ἔκστασις παρὰ κυρίου

And a panic arose in the camp and in the field; and all the people, those in the garrison and the raiders, were terrified; and they themselves would not act, and the earth quaked, and a panic came from the LORD.

Foreground narrative: the God-sent panic (climax of section B)καὶ ἐγενήθη ἔκστασις
The decisive theological note: the human exploit triggers a supernatural ἔκστασις ('terror / panic'). The inclusio ἐγενήθη ἔκστασις … ἐγενήθη ἔκστασις παρὰ κυρίου frames the whole verse and attributes the rout explicitly to YHWH; the quaking earth (ἐθάμβησεν ἡ γῆ) marks a theophanic dimension to the victory.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηcame to be / aroseAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (the panic arises)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. pass.): 'come to be / arise'; ἐγενήθη ἔκστασις ('a panic arose') opens the inclusio that frames the verse and is repeated, climactically, with παρὰ κυρίου at its close.
ἔκστασιςpanic / terrorNominativesubject of ἐγενήθη→ participant prominenceἔκστασις: 'displacement of mind / terror / panic'; renders חֲרָדָה ('trembling / dread'); not ecstasy in the mystical sense but a divinely sent battlefield panic (cf. the 'terror of God', Gen 35:5).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with παρεμβολῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῇcampDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceπαρεμβολή: 'camp / army encampment / battle-array'; renders מַחֲנֶה; the standard LXX term for a military camp; the panic strikes the whole Philistine encampment.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ἀγρῷfield / countrysideDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceἀγρός: 'field / open country'; renders שָׂדֶה; the panic spreads beyond the camp into the surrounding countryside — its scope is total.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeadjective (with ὁ λαὸς: 'all the people')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; πᾶς ὁ λαός ('all the people') = the entire Philistine host.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeople / hostNominativesubject of ἐξέστησαν→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; here the Philistine army (not Israel); the whole force is seized with terror.
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantival: 'those in the garrison')→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
μεσσαβthe garrisonindeclinable (object of ἐν: 'in the garrison')→ clausal contributionμεσσαβ: the garrison (see v. 1); οἱ ἐν μεσσαβ = 'the garrison troops'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαφθείροντεςraiders / destroyersPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Pl · διαφθείρωsubstantival participle (subject: 'the raiders')→ verbal action or stateδιαφθείρω: 'destroy / ravage'; οἱ διαφθείροντες ('the destroyers / raiders') are the Philistine raiding-parties (cf. 1 Sam 13:17, the three companies of spoilers); they too are gripped by panic.
ἐξέστησανwere terrified / panickedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξίστημιmain verb (the people's terror)→ verbal action or stateἐξίστημι: 'be beside oneself / be amazed / panic'; cognate with ἔκστασις; ἐξέστησαν ('they were thrown into confusion') describes the collapse of Philistine nerve.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτοὶthey themselvesNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the intensive 'they themselves'; stresses that even the seasoned raiders were paralyzed.
οὐκnotnegative particle (negating ἤθελον)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἤθελονwere willing / wouldImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · θέλωmain verb (durative inability of will)→ verbal action or stateθέλω: 'wish / be willing'; the imperfect οὐκ ἤθελον ποιεῖν ('they would not / could not bring themselves to act') depicts the will-sapping effect of the divine panic — the enemy is incapable of organized resistance.
ποιεῖνto act / doPres Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἤθελον)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do / act'; the infinitive completes ἤθελον — they had no will to do anything (i.e., to mount a defense).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐθάμβησενquaked / was astoundedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θαμβέωmain verb (the earth's reaction)→ verbal action or stateθαμβέω: 'be astounded / struck with awe'; here, with ἡ γῆ as subject, the LXX renders the Hebrew וַתִּרְגַּז הָאָרֶץ ('the earth trembled / quaked') — a theophanic earthquake (cf. the 'trembling of God', חֶרְדַּת אֱלֹהִים); the personified earth shares in the dread.
theNominativearticle (with γῆ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆearth / landNominativesubject of ἐθάμβησεν→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'earth / land'; renders אֶרֶץ; the quaking land lends the rout a cosmic, theophanic dimension.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (closing inclusio)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηcame / wasAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (closing the inclusio)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι: the repeated ἐγενήθη ἔκστασις closes the inclusio of the verse, now qualified decisively as 'from the LORD'.
ἔκστασιςpanic / terrorNominativesubject of ἐγενήθη→ participant prominenceἔκστασις: the panic, now named as divine in origin; the repetition underscores that the whole event is YHWH's doing.
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'from')→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + gen.: 'from (the side of)'; marks YHWH as the source of the panic — the theological key to the whole victory.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive of source (object of παρά)→ relational specificationκυρίου: meaning 'the LORD'; it serves as genitive of source (object of παρά).
16

καὶ εἶδον οἱ σκοποὶ τοῦ Σαουλ ἐν Γαβεε Βενιαμιν καὶ ἰδοὺ ἡ παρεμβολὴ τεταραγμένη ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν

And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the camp was thrown into confusion, this way and that.

Foreground narrative: scene shifts back to Saul's sideκαὶ εἶδον οἱ σκοποὶ τοῦ Σαουλ
The camera returns to Saul's camp. His watchmen at Gibeah of Benjamin see the Philistine host melting in confusion. The presentative ἰδού + perfect participle τεταραγμένη ('thrown into disorder') and ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν ('this way and that') depict the visible chaos of the rout begun in v. 15.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδονsaw / lookedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (perception)→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see / look'; the watchmen catch sight of the Philistine collapse; renders רָאָה.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with σκοποὶ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκοποὶwatchmen / lookoutsNominativesubject of εἶδον→ participant prominenceσκοπός: 'watchman / lookout / scout'; renders צֹפֶה; Saul's sentries posted to observe the enemy.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with Σαουλ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: the king (see v. 1); the watchmen belong to his force.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΓαβεεGibeahdative object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓαβεε: Gibeah/Geba (see v. 5); here Saul's base; with Βενιαμιν it is 'Gibeah of Benjamin', his tribal home.
Βενιαμινof Benjamingenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Benjamin')→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: transliteration of Hebrew בִּנְיָמִין; indeclinable; Saul's tribe; 'Gibeah of Benjamin' fixes the locale of his camp.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the spectacle)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; presents through the watchmen's eyes the unfolding chaos.
theNominativearticle (with παρεμβολὴ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολὴcamp / hostNominativesubject (of the verbless/periphrastic clause)→ participant prominenceπαρεμβολή: 'camp / army'; see v. 15; here the Philistine host now visibly disintegrating.
τεταραγμένηthrown into confusionPerf Pass Ptc Fem Nom Sg · ταράσσωpredicative participle (periphrastic with implied 'was')→ verbal action or stateταράσσω (perf. pass. ptc.): 'stir up / throw into confusion'; the perfect τεταραγμένη describes the camp as settled in a state of turmoil; renders the Hebrew נָמוֹג ('melting / in commotion').
ἔνθενthis wayadverb of place (in idiom ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν)→ clausal contributionἔνθεν: 'on this side'; ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν ('this way and that') depicts the host surging chaotically in every direction (cf. v. 4).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔνθενthat wayadverb of place (second member of idiom)→ clausal contributionἔνθεν: the second member ('and that way'); the doubled adverb conveys total disarray.
17

καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ τῷ λαῷ τῷ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐπισκέψασθε δὴ καὶ ἴδετε τίς πεπόρευται ἐξ ὑμῶν καὶ ἐπεσκέψαντο καὶ ἰδοὺ οὐχ εὑρίσκετο Ιωναθαν καὶ ὁ αἴρων τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ

And Saul said to the people who were with him, 'Take a muster now and see who has gone from us.' And they mustered, and behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not to be found.

Foreground narrative: Saul investigates the causeκαὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ τῷ λαῷ
Saul, sensing something amiss, orders a muster to find who is missing. The result confirms the secrecy of v. 1: Jonathan and his armor-bearer are absent. The imperfect οὐχ εὑρίσκετο ('they were not being found') marks the ongoing, fruitless search.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's order to muster the troops.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τῷto theDativearticle (with λαῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeopleDativeindirect object (addressee)→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people'; here Saul's troops; see v. 2.
τῷtheDativearticle (attributive, with prepositional phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
ἐπισκέψασθεmuster / take countAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἐπισκέπτομαιmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateἐπισκέπτομαι: 'inspect / muster / number'; renders פָּקַד; the military census-verb; Saul orders a head-count to find who is missing.
δὴnow / prayparticle (entreaty/urgency with imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: enclitic particle of urgency ('now / come'); softens or sharpens the imperative; renders נָא.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἴδετεseeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (command, coordinate)→ verbal action or stateὁράω: 'see / ascertain'; ἴδετε ('see / find out') pairs with the muster — determine who is gone.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of indirect question)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative 'who'; introduces the indirect question 'who has gone from us'.
πεπόρευταιhas gonePerf Mid Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιverb of indirect question→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / travel'; the perfect πεπόρευται ('has gone') views the departure as a completed state with present relevance — the man is gone and his trail can be followed.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source/partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source/partitive).
ὑμῶνyou / usGenitivegenitive (partitive: 'from among you')→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (partitive: 'from among you').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπεσκέψαντοthey musteredAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐπισκέπτομαιmain verb (execution of the order)→ verbal action or stateἐπισκέπτομαι: the muster is carried out; the same verb as the command, marking obedience.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; presents the result of the muster.
οὐχnotnegative particle (negating εὑρίσκετο)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὑρίσκετοwas foundImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (the missing men)→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω: meaning 'was found'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (the missing men).
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἴρωνarmor-bearerPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · αἴρωsubstantival participle (second subject)→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: the armor-bearer; see v. 1; he too is found missing.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηweapons / armorAccusativedirect object of αἴρων→ object specificationσκεύη: meaning 'weapons'; it serves as direct object of αἴρων.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
18

καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ τῷ Αχια προσάγαγε τὸ εφουδ ὅτι αὐτὸς ἦρεν τὸ εφουδ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἐνώπιον Ισραηλ

And Saul said to Ahijah, 'Bring near the ephod,' for he was wearing the ephod on that day before Israel.

Foreground narrative: Saul seeks an oracleκαὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ τῷ Αχια
Saul turns to the priest Ahijah (v. 3) for an oracle, calling for the ephod (the LXX reads ephod where MT has the ark). The narratorial aside (ὅτι αὐτὸς ἦρεν … ἐνώπιον Ισραηλ) explains that Ahijah was the bearer of the ephod that day, setting up the interrupted inquiry of v. 19.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's command to the priest.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τῷtoDativearticle (with Αχια)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑχιαAhijahindirect object (indeclinable, with article)→ participant identificationΑχια: the priest (see v. 3); the bearer of the ephod whom Saul commands.
προσάγαγεbring nearAor Act Impv 2 Sg · προσάγωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateπροσάγω: 'bring near / present'; renders הַגִּישָׁה / קָרֵב; the cultic term for presenting the ephod to seek a divine verdict.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with εφουδ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εφουδephoddirect object of προσάγαγε (indeclinable loanword)→ clausal contributionεφουδ: the ephod (see v. 3); here the LXX has 'ephod' where MT reads 'ark of God'; the instrument of oracular inquiry that Saul wishes consulted.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (introducing aside)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the narratorial explanation of why Saul addresses Ahijah.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativesubject (intensive pronoun: Ahijah)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the intensive 'he himself' identifies Ahijah as the one then bearing the ephod.
ἦρενwas wearing / boreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · αἴρωmain verb of causal clause→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: 'lift / bear / carry'; here of bearing the ephod (cf. v. 3, αἴρων εφουδ); the aorist ἦρεν marks Ahijah as the ephod-bearer on that occasion.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with εφουδ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εφουδephoddirect object of ἦρεν (indeclinable loanword)→ clausal contributionεφουδ: the ephod; see v. 3.
ἐνon / inpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ἐκείνῃ: 'on that day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ('on that day') is a frequent LXX temporal formula; renders בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the far demonstrative fixes the time of the day of battle.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism rendering לִפְנֵי; Ahijah bore the ephod publicly 'before Israel'.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive object of ἐνώπιον (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the people; see v. 12; the priest's bearing of the ephod was a public act before the nation.
19

καὶ ἐγενήθη ὡς ἐλάλει Σαουλ πρὸς τὸν ἱερέα καὶ ὁ ἦχος ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων ἐπορεύετο πορευόμενος καὶ ἐπλήθυνεν καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ πρὸς τὸν ἱερέα συνάγαγε τὰς χεῖράς σου

And it happened, while Saul was speaking to the priest, that the uproar in the camp of the Philistines kept growing greater and greater; and Saul said to the priest, 'Withdraw your hand.'

Foreground narrative: the interrupted inquiryκαὶ ἐγενήθη ὡς ἐλάλει Σαουλ
The escalating tumult (ἐπορεύετο πορευόμενος καὶ ἐπλήθυνεν, an intensifying Hebraic figura etymologica: 'went on going and increased') overtakes Saul's deliberation. Impatient, he tells the priest to 'withdraw your hand' (συνάγαγε τὰς χεῖράς σου), aborting the oracle in favor of immediate action — a characteristic Saulide rashness.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηit happenedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (temporal formula)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. pass.): 'happen'; καὶ ἐγενήθη ὡς … ('and it came to pass as …') is a standard LXX temporal frame rendering וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר.
ὡςwhile / astemporal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / while'; here temporal, setting Saul's speech and the rising tumult in simultaneity.
ἐλάλειwas speakingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of temporal clause (durative background)→ verbal action or stateλαλέω: 'speak'; the imperfect ἐλάλει ('was speaking') sets Saul's consultation as the durative backdrop against which the tumult swells.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἱερέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερέαpriestAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Ahijah)→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; see v. 3; the priest Ahijah, mediator of the oracle Saul abandons.
καὶthat / andconjunction (apodosis of the ἐγενήθη-frame)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: introduces the main clause of the temporal frame ('that the uproar …'); a Hebraism (the apodotic waw).
theNominativearticle (with ἦχος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἦχοςnoise / uproarNominativesubject of ἐπορεύετο→ participant prominenceἦχος: 'sound / din / uproar'; renders הָמוֹן; the swelling roar of the panicking Philistine camp.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with παρεμβολῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῇcampDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceπαρεμβολή: the Philistine camp; see v. 15.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines; see v. 1.
ἐπορεύετοwent on / grewImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (with cognate participle: intensification)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / proceed'; with the cognate participle πορευόμενος it forms a Hebraic intensifying idiom (figura etymologica, הָלוֹךְ וְ-) meaning 'went on growing / increased more and more'.
πορευόμενοςgoing on / continuallyPres Mid Ptc Masc Nom Sg · πορεύομαιcognate participle (intensifying ἐπορεύετο)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι (ptc.): the cognate participle reinforces ἐπορεύετο; ἐπορεύετο πορευόμενος καὶ ἐπλήθυνεν = 'kept on growing and increasing', rendering the Hebrew הָלוֹךְ וָרָב construction for steady escalation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπλήθυνενincreased / grew greatImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · πληθύνωmain verb (intensifying continuation)→ verbal action or stateπληθύνω: 'multiply / increase'; here intransitive ('grew greater'); completes the idiom of mounting tumult that hurries Saul's decision.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's command to break off the inquiry.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἱερέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερέαpriestAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationἱερεύς: the priest Ahijah; see v. 3.
συνάγαγεwithdraw / draw backAor Act Impv 2 Sg · συνάγωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateσυνάγω: 'gather / draw together'; συνάγαγε τὰς χεῖράς σου ('draw back / withdraw your hands') tells the priest to stop the oracular procedure (the hands raised over the ephod); Saul cuts off the inquiry to act at once.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖράς)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράςhandsAccusativedirect object of συνάγαγε→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the priest's hands engaged in the oracular act; 'withdraw your hands' = cease the inquiry.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
20

καὶ ἀνεβόησεν Σαουλ καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὁ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔρχονται ἕως τοῦ πολέμου καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγένετο ῥομφαία ἀνδρὸς ἐπὶ τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ σύγχυσις μεγάλη σφόδρα

And Saul and all the people who were with him raised the war-cry, and they came to the battle, and behold, every man's sword was against his neighbor — an exceedingly great confusion.

Foreground narrative: Saul joins the routκαὶ ἀνεβόησεν Σαουλ
Saul and his troops rush into the fray, only to find the rout already self-perpetuating: the panicked Philistines turn their swords on one another (ῥομφαία ἀνδρὸς ἐπὶ τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ), the classic motif of divinely-induced internecine slaughter (cf. Judg 7:22). The verdict σύγχυσις μεγάλη σφόδρα ('a very great confusion') caps the scene.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνεβόησενraised a shout / war-cryAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβοάωmain verb (the battle-cry)→ verbal action or stateἀναβοάω: 'cry out / shout aloud'; renders זָעַק; here the war-cry/muster-shout with which Saul rallies his men to charge; the singular verb governs the compound subject.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeadjective (with ὁ λαὸς)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole of Saul's force joins the charge.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (compound with Σαουλ)→ participant prominenceλαός: Saul's troops; see v. 2.
theNominativearticle (attributive, with prepositional phrase)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔρχονταιthey comePres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; the historic present ἔρχονται makes the arrival at the battle vivid and immediate.
ἕωςto / as far aspreposition + genitive (extent: 'up to')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; here marking the goal reached — 'right up to the battle'.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with πολέμου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πολέμουbattle / warGenitivegenitive object of ἕως→ relational specificationπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; renders מִלְחָמָה; here the scene of fighting Saul's men reach.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the spectacle)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; presents the astonishing sight of self-slaughter.
ἐγένετοwas / had come to beAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (existential)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι: 'come to be / happen'; ἐγένετο ῥομφαία ἀνδρός … ('every man's sword came to be against his neighbor').
ῥομφαίαswordNominativesubject of ἐγένετο→ participant prominenceῥομφαία: 'sword / large blade'; renders חֶרֶב; the weapon now turned in confusion against fellow Philistines.
ἀνδρὸςof a man / each man'sGenitivegenitive of possession (distributive: 'each man's')→ relational specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; ῥομφαία ἀνδρὸς ἐπὶ τὸν πλησίον ('a man's sword against his neighbor') is the idiom of internecine panic-slaughter (cf. Judg 7:22; 2 Chr 20:23).
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πλησίον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλησίονneighbor / fellowAccusativesubstantivized adverb (object of ἐπί: 'his neighbor')→ object specificationπλησίον: 'neighbor / fellow'; substantivized adverb (see Exod 11:2); here 'his comrade' — the Philistines slay one another in the panic.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
σύγχυσιςconfusion / tumultNominativesubject (verbless summary clause)→ participant prominenceσύγχυσις: 'confusion / commotion'; renders מְהוּמָה; the term echoes the 'confusion' of Babel (Gen 11:9 LXX, σύγχυσις) — total disorder among the enemy.
μεγάληgreatNominativeattributive adjective (with σύγχυσις)→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great'; intensifies the confusion.
σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying μεγάλη)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'exceedingly / very'; renders מְאֹד; σύγχυσις μεγάλη σφόδρα ('a very great confusion') is the climactic verdict on the rout.
21

καὶ οἱ δοῦλοι οἱ ὄντες ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτην ἡμέραν μετὰ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων οἱ ἀναβάντες εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν ἐπεστράφησαν καὶ αὐτοὶ εἶναι μετὰ Ισραηλ τῶν μετὰ Σαουλ καὶ Ιωναθαν

And the slaves who had been with the Philistines yesterday and the day before, who had gone up with them into the camp, also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

Foreground narrative: defectors rally to Israelκαὶ οἱ δοῦλοι
The rout draws the Hebrew conscripts/servants who had been pressed into Philistine service to switch sides. The phrase ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτην ἡμέραν ('yesterday and the day before') is a Hebraism (תְּמוֹל שִׁלְשׁוֹם) for 'previously / formerly'. The infinitive εἶναι functions loosely (Hebraizing) as a finite verb of result.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with δοῦλοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δοῦλοιslaves / servantsNominativesubject of ἐπεστράφησαν→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'slave / servant'; renders עֲבָדִים; here Hebrews who had been subject to or conscripted by the Philistines, now defecting back to Israel.
οἱthe (who)Nominativearticle (attributive, governing participle ὄντες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄντεςbeing / who werePres Act Ptc Masc Nom Pl · εἰμίattributive participle (describing the slaves)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (ptc.): 'be'; οἱ ὄντες … μετὰ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων ('those who had been with the Philistines') describes their prior allegiance.
ἐχθὲςyesterdayadverb of time (in idiom)→ clausal contributionἐχθές: 'yesterday'; ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτην ἡμέραν ('yesterday and the third day [before]') is a Hebraism (תְּמוֹל שִׁלְשׁוֹם) for 'formerly / hitherto'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τρίτηνthirdAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἡμέραν, in idiom)→ object specificationτρίτος: 'third'; in the time-idiom 'the third day (before)' = 'the day before yesterday'.
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative of time (in idiom 'yesterday and before')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative of time in the formula for 'formerly'.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (association).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines; see v. 1; the former masters of these defecting servants.
οἱthe (who)Nominativearticle (attributive, governing participle ἀναβάντες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναβάντεςhaving gone upAor Act Ptc Masc Nom Pl · ἀναβαίνωattributive participle (describing the slaves)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; οἱ ἀναβάντες εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν ('who had gone up into the camp [with them]') notes their prior service in the Philistine encampment.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with παρεμβολὴν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολὴνcampAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationπαρεμβολή: the Philistine camp; see v. 15.
ἐπεστράφησανturned / went overAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (the defection)→ verbal action or stateἐπιστρέφω: 'turn around / return / go over'; renders שׁוּב; the slaves 'turned' to join Israel — the rout reverses their allegiance.
καὶalso / andadverbial/coordinate (with αὐτοί: 'they too')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'also'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτοὶthey themselvesNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'they themselves / they too'; stresses that even the conscripts rallied to Israel.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive (Hebraizing, functioning as finite/result: 'so as to be')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (inf.): 'be'; the loose infinitive εἶναι ('to be / so as to be with Israel') is a Hebraizing construction expressing result/purpose — they turned so as to side with Israel.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (association).
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive object of μετά (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the covenant people; see v. 12.
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (substantival, with prepositional phrase: 'those with Saul')→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (association).
ΣαουλSaulgenitive object of μετά (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωναθανJonathangenitive object of μετά (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: named with Saul as the leadership the defectors join.
22

καὶ πᾶς Ισραηλ οἱ κρυπτόμενοι ἐν τῷ ὄρει Εφραιμ καὶ ἤκουσαν ὅτι πεφεύγασιν οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι καὶ συνάπτουσιν καὶ αὐτοὶ ὀπίσω αὐτῶν εἰς πόλεμον

And all the Israelites who were hiding in Mount Ephraim also heard that the Philistines had fled, and they too joined in the pursuit against them in battle.

Foreground narrative: the hidden Israelites rejoin the fightκαὶ πᾶς Ισραηλ οἱ κρυπτόμενοι
A second wave swells Israel's ranks: those who had been hiding (κρυπτόμενοι, cf. the caves of 1 Sam 13:6) emerge on hearing of the Philistine flight and join the chase. The historic present συνάπτουσιν ('they join battle') lends immediacy to the reversal — the once-cowering now pursue.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeadjective (with Ισραηλ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; πᾶς Ισραηλ ('all Israel') — collective, here the hidden remnant who now rally.
ΙσραηλIsraelsubject (indeclinable, collective)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the people; the collective is resumed by the plural participle and verbs.
οἱthe (who)Nominativearticle (attributive, governing participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κρυπτόμενοιhiding / who were hiddenPres Mid Ptc Masc Nom Pl · κρύπτωattributive participle (describing the Israelites)→ verbal action or stateκρύπτω (mid./pass. ptc.): 'hide / conceal oneself'; οἱ κρυπτόμενοι ('those hiding') recalls Israel's fearful concealment (cf. v. 11, ἐκρύβησαν; 1 Sam 13:6); now they emerge to fight.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle (with ὄρει)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρειmountain / hill countryDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceὄρος: 'mountain / hill country'; ἐν τῷ ὄρει Εφραιμ ('in the hill country of Ephraim') is the highland region where Israelites had taken refuge.
ΕφραιμEphraimgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Ephraim')→ participant identificationΕφραιμ: transliteration of Hebrew אֶפְרַיִם; indeclinable; the central hill-country region.
καὶalso / andconjunction (Hebraizing resumptive before main verb)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: the resumptive καί before ἤκουσαν is a Hebraism (waw resuming a fronted subject).
ἤκουσανheardAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (perception)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear'; renders שָׁמַע; the report of the Philistine flight reaches the hidden Israelites and rouses them.
ὅτιthatconjunction (object clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of what they heard.
πεφεύγασινhave fledPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · φεύγωverb of object clause→ verbal action or stateφεύγω: 'flee'; the perfect πεφεύγασιν ('have fled / are in flight') reports the accomplished rout as a present reality; renders נָסוּ.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀλλόφυλοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject of πεφεύγασιν→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines; see v. 1.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνάπτουσινthey join (battle)Pres Act Indic 3 Pl · συνάπτωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateσυνάπτω: 'join together / engage (in battle)'; συνάπτειν (πόλεμον) is the idiom for 'joining battle'; the historic present makes the once-hidden Israelites' entry into the fight vivid.
καὶalsoadverbial (with αὐτοί: 'they too')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'also'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτοὶthey themselvesNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'they too'; like the defecting slaves of v. 21, the hidden Israelites also join the pursuit.
ὀπίσωafter / in pursuit ofpreposition + genitive (pursuit)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; ὀπίσω αὐτῶν ('after them') = in pursuit of the fleeing Philistines.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω.
εἰςinto / forpreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose/goal).
πόλεμονbattle / warAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose: 'for battle')→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; εἰς πόλεμον ('into battle') marks the goal of the pursuit.
23

καὶ ἔσωσεν κύριος ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τὸν Ισραηλ καὶ ὁ πόλεμος διῆλθεν τὴν Βαιθων καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἦν μετὰ Σαουλ ὡς δέκα χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν καὶ ἦν ὁ πόλεμος διεσπαρμένος εἰς ὅλην τὴν πόλιν ἐν τῷ ὄρει Εφραιμ

And the LORD saved Israel on that day, and the battle passed beyond Beth-Aven; and all the people with Saul were about ten thousand men, and the battle was scattered throughout the whole city in the hill country of Ephraim.

Foreground narrative: theological summary of the victory (close of section C)καὶ ἔσωσεν κύριος
The narrator's verdict: καὶ ἔσωσεν κύριος … τὸν Ισραηλ ('and the LORD saved Israel'), the σῴζειν of Jonathan's confession (v. 6) now realized — and credited to YHWH, not Saul. The battle spreads far (διῆλθεν τὴν Βαιθων) and wide (διεσπαρμένος), the rout become a national deliverance.
Word-by-word analysis· 39 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσωσενsaved / deliveredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σῴζωmain verb (the climactic deliverance)→ verbal action or stateσῴζω: 'save / deliver / preserve'; renders Hebrew יָשַׁע (Hiphil); the refrain ἔσωσεν κύριος τὸν Δαυιδ ('the LORD preserved David') attributes David's victories to YHWH, not to military skill; repeated at v. 14.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἔσωσεν (divine agent)→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'LORD'; it serves as subject of ἔσωσεν (divine agent).
ἐνon / inpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ἐκείνῃ)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ('on that day'); see v. 18.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the day of deliverance.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Ισραηλ, marking definite object)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraeldirect object of ἔσωσεν (indeclinable, articular)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the people whom the LORD saved; the article τόν marks it as the definite object.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle (with πόλεμος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεμοςbattle / warNominativesubject of διῆλθεν→ participant prominenceπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; here the spreading front of the fighting.
διῆλθενpassed through / beyondAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διέρχομαιmain verb (the battle's spread)→ verbal action or stateδιέρχομαι: 'pass through / go across'; the battle 'passed beyond Beth-Aven', the front moving across the terrain as the Philistines fled.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with Βαιθων)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒαιθωνBeth-Aven / Beth-Onaccusative object of διῆλθεν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒαιθων: transliteration of Hebrew בֵּית אָוֶן (Beth-Aven, near Bethel/Michmash); indeclinable; the place the battle passed; the article τήν construes it as a region/locale.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeadjective (with ὁ λαὸς)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole force now numbered with Saul.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἦν→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; Saul's force, now swelled by the defectors and the formerly hidden — about ten thousand, a dramatic increase from the six hundred of v. 2.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential, background)→ participant referenceεἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect introduces the new troop-count, contrasting with the six hundred of v. 2.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
ΣαουλSaulgenitive object of μετά (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (indeclinable).
ὡςaboutadverb of approximation (with numeral)→ clausal contributionὡς: 'about / approximately'; with the numeral; see v. 2.
δέκαtennumeral (indeclinable, with χιλιάδες)→ measure or countδέκα: 'ten'; indeclinable; with χιλιάδες ('ten thousand').
χιλιάδεςthousandsNominativepredicate (the count: 'ten thousand')→ participant prominenceχιλιάς: 'thousand / unit of a thousand'; δέκα χιλιάδες ('ten thousand'); renders אֲלָפִים; the swelling of the force testifies to the scale of the victory.
ἀνδρῶνof menGenitivegenitive (partitive/of content: 'thousands of men')→ relational specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the genitive of content with the numeral.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίauxiliary (periphrastic with διεσπαρμένος)→ participant referenceεἰμί: 'be'; with the perfect participle διεσπαρμένος forms a periphrastic pluperfect/imperfect ('the battle was spread out').
theNominativearticle (with πόλεμος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεμοςbattle / warNominativesubject of the periphrastic verb→ participant prominenceπόλεμος: the fighting, now dispersed across the region.
διεσπαρμένοςscattered / spread outPerf Pass Ptc Masc Nom Sg · διασπείρωpredicative participle (periphrastic with ἦν)→ verbal action or stateδιασπείρω (perf. pass. ptc.): 'scatter / disperse'; the perfect διεσπαρμένος ('spread out / scattered') describes the battle dispersed over the whole region in pursuit.
εἰςthroughout / intopreposition + accusative (extent)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'throughout'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (extent).
ὅληνwholeAccusativeattributive adjective (with πόλιν)→ object specificationὅλος: 'whole / entire'; εἰς ὅλην τὴν πόλιν ('throughout the whole city/region') marks the wide extent of the dispersed fighting.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcity / regionAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (extent)→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; here loosely the inhabited region/territory over which the battle spread; renders עִיר.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle (with ὄρει)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρειhill countryDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceὄρος: 'mountain / hill country'; the highlands of Ephraim where the pursuit ranged; see v. 22.
ΕφραιμEphraimgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Ephraim')→ participant identificationΕφραιμ: the hill-country region; see v. 22.
24

καὶ Σαουλ ἠγνόησεν ἄγνοιαν μεγάλην ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ καὶ ἀρᾶται τῷ λαῷ λέγων ἐπικατάρατος ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὃς φάγεται ἄρτον ἕως ἑσπέρας καὶ ἐκδικήσω τὸν ἐχθρόν μου καὶ οὐκ ἐγεύσατο πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἄρτου

And Saul committed a great folly on that day, and he laid a curse on the people, saying, 'Cursed is the man who eats bread until evening, until I take vengeance on my enemy.' And none of the people tasted bread.

Foreground narrative: the rash oath (opening of section D)καὶ Σαουλ ἠγνόησεν ἄγνοιαν μεγάλην
The narrator's blunt verdict — Σαουλ ἠγνόησεν ἄγνοιαν μεγάλην ('Saul committed a great folly', a cognate-accusative Hebraism) — frames the rash curse-oath as sin from the outset. The curse formula ἐπικατάρατος ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὃς φάγεται ('cursed is the man who eats') ironically endangers Jonathan, the very instrument of victory, and saps the people's strength.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable, fronted as topic)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: the king; the fronted name marks the pivot from divine victory to Saul's folly.
ἠγνόησενcommitted folly / erredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀγνοέωmain verb (cognate-accusative construction)→ verbal action or stateἀγνοέω: 'be ignorant / err / act foolishly'; with the cognate accusative ἄγνοιαν it forms a Hebraizing emphatic construction ('committed a great error/folly'); the verb frames the oath as culpable misjudgment, not zeal.
ἄγνοιανfolly / errorAccusativecognate accusative (with ἠγνόησεν)→ object specificationἄγνοια: 'ignorance / error / folly'; the cognate accusative ἠγνόησεν ἄγνοιαν ('erred a great error') intensifies the verb (figura etymologica), stressing the magnitude of Saul's blunder.
μεγάληνgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἄγνοιαν)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; ἄγνοιαν μεγάλην ('a great folly') — the narrator's emphatic indictment.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ἐκείνῃ)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the very day of the LORD's deliverance (v. 23) is marred by Saul's folly.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; see v. 18.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀρᾶταιlays a curse / adjuresPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀράομαιmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἀράομαι: 'pray / invoke a curse / adjure'; renders אָלָה / קָלַל; the historic present ἀρᾶται dramatizes Saul's binding the army under a curse-oath; cognate with ἀρά ('curse').
τῷtheDativearticle (with λαῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeopleDativedative (the people bound by the curse)→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people'; the army on whom Saul imposes the oath; the dative marks them as the ones adjured.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · λέγωparticiple of speaking (introducing direct discourse)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (ptc.): 'saying'; the redundant participle λέγων before direct speech is a Hebraism (לֵאמֹר).
ἐπικατάρατοςcursedNominativepredicate adjective (curse-formula: 'cursed [be]')→ participant prominenceἐπικατάρατος: 'accursed / under a curse'; renders אָרוּר; the standard LXX curse-formula (cf. Deut 27:15–26; Gen 3:14); 'cursed is the man who…' invokes covenantal sanction on the violator.
theNominativearticle (with ἄνθρωπος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποςman / personNominativesubject of the curse-clause→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: meaning 'man'; it serves as subject of the curse-clause.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of φάγεται)→ participant referenceὅς: relative 'who'; defines the cursed one as anyone who eats before evening.
φάγεταιeatsFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωverb of relative clause (future in conditional-generic sense)→ verbal action or stateἐσθίω (fut. φάγεται): 'eat'; the future in the relative clause has a generic-conditional force ('whoever shall eat'); the prohibition is on taking any food during the pursuit.
ἄρτονbread / foodAccusativedirect object of φάγεται→ object specificationἄρτος: 'bread / food'; renders לֶחֶם; here 'food' generally; the oath forbids eating until evening.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; ἕως ἑσπέρας ('until evening') sets the term of the fast — until the day's vengeance is complete.
ἑσπέραςeveningGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal)→ relational specificationἑσπέρα: 'evening'; renders עֶרֶב; the time-limit of the oath.
καὶand / untilcoordinate conjunction (purpose/result of the fast)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: links the fast to its goal — 'until I avenge myself'.
ἐκδικήσωI take vengeance / avengeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐκδικέωmain verb (Saul's stated purpose)→ verbal action or stateἐκδικέω: 'avenge / exact vengeance'; renders נָקַם; Saul's self-centered framing — 'my enemy', 'I will avenge' — contrasts with the LORD-centered deliverance of v. 23, exposing the folly of the oath.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἐχθρόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθρόνenemyAccusativedirect object of ἐκδικήσω→ object specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy'; renders אֹיֵב; 'my enemy' (singular, collective) — the Philistines; the possessive 'my' betrays Saul's personalizing of a victory that was the LORD's.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (negating ἐγεύσατο)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐγεύσατοtastedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γεύομαιmain verb (the people's compliance)→ verbal action or stateγεύομαι: meaning 'tasted'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (the people's compliance).
πᾶςall / anyNominativeadjective (with ὁ λαὸς: 'none of the people')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; with the negation, 'not all' = 'none of the people'.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἐγεύσατο→ participant prominenceλαός: the army, obedient to the oath at cost of their strength (cf. v. 28, ἐξελύθη ὁ λαός).
ἄρτουbread / foodGenitivegenitive object of ἐγεύσατο (partitive with verb of tasting)→ relational specificationἄρτος: 'bread / food'; the genitive with γεύομαι ('taste of') is regular; none touched food.
25

καὶ πᾶσα ἡ γῆ ἠρίστα καὶ ιααρ δρυμὸς ἦν μελισσῶνος κατὰ πρόσωπον τοῦ ἀγροῦ

And all the land was taking a meal; and there was a wood, a forest of honeycomb, before the face of the field.

Scene-setting (background to the honey episode)καὶ πᾶσα ἡ γῆ ἠρίστα
A background note sets up the temptation. The Greek transliterates the Hebrew יַעַר ('forest') as ιααρ and then glosses it δρυμός ('wood'), a doublet. The honey-rich woodland (δρυμὸς μελισσῶνος, 'forest of beehive/honey') lies in the army's path — the snare against which Saul's oath will be tested.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσαallNominativeadjective (with ἡ γῆ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; πᾶσα ἡ γῆ ('all the land' = everyone in the area / the whole company).
theNominativearticle (with γῆ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆland / people of the landNominativesubject of ἠρίστα→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'earth / land'; here by metonymy 'all the land' = all the people in the region/army; renders אֶרֶץ.
ἠρίσταwas taking a meal / diningImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀριστάωmain verb (durative background)→ verbal action or stateἀριστάω: 'take a meal / breakfast / dine'; the imperfect ἠρίστα sets the mealtime context — the difficult Hebrew here is variously understood ('came into the forest'), but the LXX reads the whole land at its meal, sharpening the irony that the army may not eat.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ιααρyaar (forest)transliterated subject (indeclinable loanword, glossed by δρυμὸς)→ clausal contributionιααρ: an untranslated transliteration of Hebrew יַעַר ('forest / wood'); indeclinable; the translator carries over the Hebrew word and then glosses it with δρυμός, a characteristic LXX doublet.
δρυμὸςwood / thicketNominativeappositional/predicate nominative (glossing ιααρ)→ participant prominenceδρυμός: 'wood / thicket / forest'; the Greek gloss of ιααρ; δρυμὸς μελισσῶνος = a wood full of honey.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential, background)→ participant referenceεἰμί: 'be'; introduces the existence of the honey-wood in the army's path.
μελισσῶνοςof a beehive / honeyGenitivegenitive of description (with δρυμὸς: 'wood of honey')→ relational specificationμελισσῶνος: meaning 'of a beehive'; it serves as genitive of description (with δρυμὸς: 'wood of honey').
κατὰbefore / on the face ofpreposition + accusative (idiom: 'in front of')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'before / facing'; κατὰ πρόσωπον ('before the face of') is a Hebraism (עַל פְּנֵי); see v. 13.
πρόσωπονface / surfaceAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (idiom)→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / surface'; κατὰ πρόσωπον τοῦ ἀγροῦ ('on the surface of the field') locates the honey-wood out in the open field.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with ἀγροῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγροῦfieldGenitivegenitive (with πρόσωπον: 'face of the field')→ relational specificationἀγρός: 'field / open country'; see v. 15; the open ground over which the honey lay accessible.
26

καὶ εἰσῆλθεν ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὸν μελισσῶνα καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐπορεύετο λαλῶν καὶ ἰδοὺ οὐκ ἦν ἐπιστρέφων τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ὅτι ἐφοβήθη ὁ λαὸς τὸν ὅρκον κυρίου

And the people came into the place of honey, and behold, the honey was flowing freely, yet no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath of the LORD.

Foreground narrative: the people abstain out of fearκαὶ εἰσῆλθεν ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὸν μελισσῶνα
Entering the honey-rich wood, the famished army nonetheless will not eat — οὐκ ἦν ἐπιστρέφων τὴν χεῖρα … εἰς τὸ στόμα ('no one put his hand to his mouth') — for fear of the oath. The motivation clause ὅτι ἐφοβήθη … τὸν ὅρκον κυρίου ('they feared the oath of the LORD') shows the curse treated as binding before God, intensifying the coming crisis over Jonathan.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθενcame in / enteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb→ verbal action or stateεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; the army comes into the honey-wood, into the heart of the temptation.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of εἰσῆλθεν→ participant prominenceλαός: the army; see v. 2.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with μελισσῶνα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μελισσῶναplace of honey / beehiveAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationμελισσών: 'bee-garden / honey-wood'; see v. 25; the place dripping with honey.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing observation)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; presents the scene of flowing honey.
ἐπορεύετοwas flowing / runningImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (the honey, durative)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / proceed'; here, with the honey as implied subject, 'was running / flowing' (the Hebrew הֹלֵךְ דְּבַשׁ, 'the honey was dropping/flowing'); the honey is abundantly available.
λαλῶνspeaking / (flowing)Pres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · λαλέωpredicative participle (Hebraizing, with ἐπορεύετο)→ verbal action or stateλαλέω: 'speak'; the participle reflects a difficult Hebrew text; some take it of the people 'talking' as they went, others as a misreading of the honey-flow; the LXX ἐπορεύετο λαλῶν most naturally means the people 'went along talking' even amid the flowing honey, yet none ate.
καὶand / yetnarrative conjunction (adversative in force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('yet'), contrasting the available honey with the people's abstention.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; underscores the remarkable restraint.
οὐκnotnegative particle (negating periphrastic ἦν ἐπιστρέφων)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίauxiliary (periphrastic with ἐπιστρέφων)→ participant referenceεἰμί: with the participle ἐπιστρέφων forms a periphrastic imperfect ('no one was putting').
ἐπιστρέφωνturning / puttingPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · ἐπιστρέφωpredicative participle (periphrastic with ἦν)→ verbal action or stateἐπιστρέφω: meaning 'turning'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as predicative participle (periphrastic with ἦν).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραhandAccusativedirect object of ἐπιστρέφων→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the hand that would carry honey to the mouth, here held back.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with στόμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στόμαmouthAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationστόμα: 'mouth'; renders פֶּה; the destination of the withheld hand.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; grounds the abstention in fear of the oath.
ἐφοβήθηfearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · φοβέομαιmain verb of causal clause→ verbal action or stateφοβέομαι: 'fear / be afraid'; renders יָרֵא; the people feared the curse-oath as a binding sacral sanction.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἐφοβήθη→ participant prominenceλαός: the army; their fear of the oath governs their behavior.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ὅρκον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅρκονoathAccusativedirect object of ἐφοβήθη→ object specificationὅρκος: 'oath / sworn curse'; renders שְׁבוּעָה; τὸν ὅρκον κυρίου ('the oath of the LORD') treats Saul's curse as sworn before YHWH, hence binding and fearful.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (the oath sworn by/before the LORD)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; ὅρκον κυρίου ('oath of the LORD') — sworn in YHWH's name, which is why the people dare not violate it even when famished.
27

καὶ Ιωναθαν οὐκ ἀκηκόει ἐν τῷ ὁρκίζειν τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ τὸν λαόν καὶ ἐξέτεινεν τὸ ἄκρον τοῦ σκήπτρου αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔβαψεν αὐτὸ εἰς τὸ κηρίον τοῦ μέλιτος καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀνέβλεψαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ

But Jonathan had not heard his father putting the people under oath; so he stretched out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb, and brought his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.

Foreground narrative: Jonathan eats in ignoranceκαὶ Ιωναθαν οὐκ ἀκηκόει
The pivotal irony: Jonathan, the victor, had not heard the oath (the pluperfect οὐκ ἀκηκόει, 'had not heard'). His simple act — dipping his staff-tip in the honeycomb and tasting — has immediate effect: ἀνέβλεψαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ ('his eyes brightened'), the restoration of vigor the rest of the army lacks. The contrast with v. 26 (ἐπέστρεψεν vs. οὐκ ἦν ἐπιστρέφων) is pointed.
Word-by-word analysis· 46 words
καὶbut / andnarrative conjunction (adversative in force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable, fronted as topic)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable, fronted as topic).
οὐκnotnegative particle (negating ἀκηκόει)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀκηκόειhad heardPlpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (prior state of ignorance)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: meaning 'had heard'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (prior state of ignorance).
ἐνin / whenpreposition + dative articular infinitive (temporal: 'when')→ spatial or relational framingἐν τῷ + infinitive: a temporal construction ('when / while'), rendering the Hebrew בְּ + infinitive; 'when his father adjured the people'.
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive ὁρκίζειν)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁρκίζεινputting under oath / adjuringPres Act Inf · ὁρκίζωarticular infinitive (temporal, governing accusative subject and object)→ verbal action or stateὁρκίζω: meaning 'putting under oath'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as articular infinitive (temporal, governing accusative subject and object).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πατέρα, accusative subject of infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive (Saul)→ object specificationπατήρ: 'father'; Saul as the one who adjured; the accusative subject of the articular infinitive.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (Jonathan's father)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Jonathan's father).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with λαόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativeobject of the infinitive ὁρκίζειν→ object specificationλαός: the army Saul adjured.
καὶand / sonarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξέτεινενstretched out / reachedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκτείνωmain verb→ verbal action or stateἐκτείνω: 'stretch out / extend'; renders שָׁלַח (יָד); Absalom extends his hand not to receive homage but to lift up and embrace the petitioner.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἄκρον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄκρονtip / endAccusativedirect object of ἐξέτεινεν→ object specificationἄκρον: 'tip / end / extremity'; see v. 2; here the end of his staff, used to dip into the honeycomb.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with σκήπτρου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκήπτρουstaff / rodGenitivegenitive (with ἄκρον: 'tip of the staff')→ relational specificationσκήπτρου: meaning 'staff'; it serves as genitive (with ἄκρον: 'tip of the staff').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τοῦthe (which)Genitivearticle (attributive, with prepositional phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with χειρὶ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρὶhandDativedative of place (the staff 'in his hand')→ sphere or referenceχειρὶ: meaning 'hand'; it serves as dative of place (the staff 'in his hand').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive 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.
ἔβαψενdippedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βάπτωmain verb→ verbal action or stateβάπτω: 'dip / immerse'; soaking the cloth in water makes it heavy and airtight, an effective instrument of suffocation.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of ἔβαψεν (the staff-tip)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'it'; the staff-tip he dipped.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with κηρίον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κηρίονhoneycombAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationκηρίον: 'honeycomb'; τὸ κηρίον τοῦ μέλιτος ('the comb of honey') — the source of the forbidden sweetness.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μέλιτος)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μέλιτοςhoneyGenitivegenitive of material (with κηρίον)→ relational specificationμέλιτος: meaning 'honey'; it serves as genitive of material (with κηρίον).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέστρεψενbrought back / putAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb→ verbal action or stateἐπιστρέφω: 'turn / bring back'; ἐπέστρεψεν τὴν χεῖρα … εἰς τὸ στόμα ('brought his hand to his mouth') — the very gesture the rest withheld (οὐκ ἦν ἐπιστρέφων, v. 26); the verbal echo sharpens the contrast.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραhandAccusativedirect object of ἐπέστρεψεν→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the hand bearing honey to his mouth.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with στόμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στόμαmouthAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationστόμα: 'mouth'; see v. 26.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβλεψανbrightened / regained sightAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβλέπωmain verb (the effect of the honey)→ verbal action or stateἀναβλέπω: 'look up / recover sight / brighten'; renders אוֹר (the eyes); ἀνέβλεψαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ ('his eyes brightened') signifies restored vigor and clarity — the very strength the famished army lacked (cf. v. 29).
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ὀφθαλμοὶ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοὶeyesNominativesubject of ἀνέβλεψαν→ participant prominenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; renders עַיִן; the brightening eyes are an idiom for renewed strength (cf. 1 Sam 14:29, 'see how my eyes have brightened').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
28

καὶ ἀπεκρίθη εἷς ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ εἶπεν ὁρκίσας ὥρκισεν ὁ πατήρ σου τὸν λαὸν λέγων ἐπικατάρατος ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὃς φάγεται ἄρτον σήμερον καὶ ἐξελύθη ὁ λαός

And one of the people answered and said, 'Your father strictly bound the people with an oath, saying, "Cursed is the man who eats bread today"; and so the people are exhausted.'

Foreground speech: Jonathan is told of the oathκαὶ ἀπεκρίθη εἷς ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ
A soldier informs Jonathan of the curse. The emphatic ὁρκίσας ὥρκισεν ('he solemnly/strictly adjured', a cognate-participle Hebraism for the infinitive absolute) conveys how binding the oath was. The closing καὶ ἐξελύθη ὁ λαός ('and the people are faint') reports the very cost of the oath that Jonathan will protest in vv. 29–30.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / respond / testify'; here 'has answered/witnessed against you' (κατὰ σοῦ), a forensic sense — the man's own statement stands as testimony condemning him.
εἷςoneNominativesubject (substantival numeral: 'one [man]')→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; εἷς ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ ('one of the people') — an unnamed soldier who reports the oath.
ἐκfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with λαοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive (partitive: 'of the people')→ relational specificationλαός: the army; the partitive 'one of the people'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces the report of the oath.
ὁρκίσαςhaving adjured / strictlyAor Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · ὁρκίζωcognate participle (intensifying ὥρκισεν: Hebraism)→ verbal action or stateὁρκίζω (ptc.): the cognate participle ὁρκίσας ὥρκισεν ('adjuring he adjured' = 'he strictly/solemnly bound') renders the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute הַשְׁבֵּעַ הִשְׁבִּיעַ, stressing the severity and bindingness of Saul's oath.
ὥρκισενbound by oath / adjuredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁρκίζωmain verb (with cognate participle)→ verbal action or stateὁρκίζω: 'put under oath'; with ὁρκίσας it forms the figura etymologica for emphatic adjuration; see v. 27.
theNominativearticle (with πατήρ)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατήρfatherNominativesubject of ὥρκισεν→ participant prominenceπατήρ: meaning 'father'; it serves as subject of ὥρκισεν.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (Jonathan's father)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Jonathan's father).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with λαὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ὥρκισεν→ object specificationλαός: the army bound by the oath.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · λέγωparticiple of speaking (introducing the quoted oath)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (ptc.): redundant 'saying' (Hebraism, לֵאמֹר); introduces the curse-formula verbatim.
ἐπικατάρατοςcursedNominativepredicate adjective (curse-formula)→ participant prominenceἐπικατάρατος: 'accursed'; see v. 24; the soldier quotes Saul's curse verbatim (with σήμερον for ἕως ἑσπέρας).
theNominativearticle (with ἄνθρωπος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject of the curse-clause→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man / anyone'; the generic subject of the curse; see v. 24.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of φάγεται)→ participant referenceὅς: relative 'who'; see v. 24.
φάγεταιeatsFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateἐσθίω (fut. φάγεται): 'eat'; see v. 24.
ἄρτονbread / foodAccusativedirect object of φάγεται→ object specificationἄρτος: 'bread / food'; see v. 24.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; here replacing 'until evening' (v. 24) as the term of the oath in the soldier's report.
καὶand sonarrative conjunction (consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: introduces the consequence — the people's exhaustion.
ἐξελύθηwas exhausted / faintedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐκλύωmain verb (the people's faintness)→ verbal action or stateἐκλύω (aor. pass. ἐξελύθη): 'be unstrung / grow weary / faint'; renders עָיֵף; David's battle-fatigue exposes him to the giant's attack and motivates the army's later vow that he fight no more.
theNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόςpeopleNominativesubject of ἐξελύθη→ participant prominenceλαός: the famished army, weakened by enforced fasting.
29

καὶ ἔγνω Ιωναθαν καὶ εἶπεν ἀπήλλαχεν ὁ πατήρ μου τὴν γῆν ἰδὲ δὴ ὅτι εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου ὅτι ἐγευσάμην βραχὺ τοῦ μέλιτος τούτου

And Jonathan understood and said, 'My father has brought trouble on the land; see now how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.'

Foreground speech: Jonathan's critique of the oathκαὶ ἔγνω Ιωναθαν
Jonathan, now understanding, openly criticizes Saul: ἀπήλλαχεν ὁ πατήρ μου τὴν γῆν ('my father has troubled the land'). He offers himself as living proof of the oath's folly — ἰδὲ δὴ … εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου ('see how my eyes have brightened') — the honey restored his strength, whereas the oath has weakened the 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.
ἔγνωunderstood / realizedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (perception)→ verbal action or stateγινώσκω: 'know / perceive / discern'; renders יָדַע; here a verb of perception by which Joab reads David's inner disposition — the catalyst for the whole stratagem.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ἀπήλλαχενhas troubled / brought ruin onPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαλλάσσωmain verb (Jonathan's verdict)→ verbal action or stateἀπαλλάσσω: 'remove / set free', but here in a negative sense 'has done away with / troubled / brought ruin on' (rendering the Hebrew עָכַר, 'trouble / bring disaster on'); the perfect ἀπήλλαχεν stresses the abiding harm Saul's oath has wrought on the land.
theNominativearticle (with πατήρ)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατήρfatherNominativesubject of ἀπήλλαχεν→ participant prominenceπατήρ: meaning 'father'; it serves as subject of ἀπήλλαχεν.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of ἀπήλλαχεν→ object specificationγῆ: 'land / country'; here by metonymy the people of the land; Saul has 'troubled the land' = harmed his own army.
ἰδὲseeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (imperative of appeal)→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. impv. ἰδέ): 'see / look'; renders רְאֵה; γνῶθι καὶ ἰδέ ('consider and see') is a doubled imperative pressing David to resolve.
δὴnow / indeedparticle (urgency with imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: 'now / indeed'; intensifies the appeal; see v. 17.
ὅτιhow / thatconjunction (introducing object of ἰδέ)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'how'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδονhave brightened / seeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb of object clause (the eyes 'see' = are bright)→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'; here with ὀφθαλμοί as subject ('my eyes see [clearly]'), an idiom for restored vigor; the LXX renders the Hebrew אֹרוּ עֵינַי ('my eyes have brightened'); cf. ἀνέβλεψαν, v. 27.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ὀφθαλμοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοίeyesNominativesubject of εἶδον→ participant prominenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the brightened eyes are the proof of strength regained from a mere taste of honey; see v. 27.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; grounds the brightened eyes in the tasting of honey.
ἐγευσάμηνI tastedAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · γεύομαιmain verb of causal clause→ verbal action or stateγεύομαι: 'taste'; see v. 24; βραχὺ τοῦ μέλιτος ('a little of the honey') — a tiny amount sufficed to restore him, exposing the oath's folly.
βραχὺa littleAccusativeadverbial accusative / object (small amount tasted)→ object specificationβραχύς: 'short / small / little'; βραχὺ τοῦ μέλιτος ('a little of the honey') stresses how slight the cause and how great the effect.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μέλιτος)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μέλιτοςhoneyGenitivepartitive genitive (object of ἐγευσάμην)→ relational specificationμέλι: 'honey'; see v. 27.
τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (with μέλιτος)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; the deictic 'this honey' points to the very comb at hand.
30

ἀλλ᾿ ὅτι εἰ ἔφαγεν ἔσθων ὁ λαὸς σήμερον τῶν σκύλων τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτῶν ὧν εὗρεν ὅτι νῦν ἂν μείζων ἦν ἡ πληγὴ ἐν τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις

Surely, if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found, the slaughter among the Philistines would now have been greater!

Foreground speech: Jonathan's counterfactual indictmentἀλλ᾿ ὅτι εἰ ἔφαγεν
Jonathan presses his point with a counterfactual (contrary-to-fact) condition: had the army eaten of the spoil, the rout would have been even greater. The cognate construction ἔφαγεν ἔσθων ('eating, they ate' = 'eaten freely') intensifies the verb; νῦν ἂν μείζων ἦν ('would now have been greater') is the unrealized apodosis — the oath cost Israel a fuller victory.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ἀλλ᾿but / surelyadversative particle (strong contrast, elided)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but / rather'; here introducing an emphatic asseveration ('surely / how much more if…').
ὅτιthat / forconjunction (introducing the asseveration)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: here a Hebraistic particle reinforcing the assertion (כִּי); 'how much more, if only…'.
εἰifconditional conjunction (contrary-to-fact protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; with the aorist indicative ἔφαγεν and ἄν in the apodosis it forms a contrary-to-fact condition ('if the people had eaten…').
ἔφαγενhad eatenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωverb of contrary-to-fact protasis→ verbal action or stateἐσθίω (aor. ἔφαγεν): 'eat'; with the cognate participle ἔσθων forms an emphatic 'eaten freely / heartily'; the aorist indicative marks the condition as contrary to fact (they did not eat).
ἔσθωνeating / freelyPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · ἐσθίωcognate participle (intensifying ἔφαγεν: Hebraism)→ verbal action or stateἐσθίω (ptc.): the cognate participle ἔφαγεν ἔσθων ('eating he ate' = 'eaten heartily/freely') renders the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute אָכֹל אָכַל; stresses unrestricted eating.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἔφαγεν→ participant prominenceλαός: the army; had they eaten, they would have fought more effectively.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; see v. 28; the very day of battle.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with σκύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκύλωνspoil / plunderGenitivepartitive genitive (object of ἔφαγεν: 'of the spoil')→ relational specificationσκῦλον (pl. σκῦλα): 'spoil / plunder / booty'; renders שָׁלָל; the captured enemy provisions the army could have eaten lawfully.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ἐχθρῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθρῶνenemiesGenitivegenitive of possession (with σκύλων: 'spoil of their enemies')→ relational specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy'; see v. 24; the Philistines whose plunder lay available.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὧνwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (object of εὗρεν, attracted to genitive)→ relational specificationὅς: relative pronoun; genitive by attraction to σκύλων; 'which they found'.
εὗρενfoundAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω: 'find'; see v. 17; the spoil the army found but could not eat because of the oath.
ὅτιthat / —conjunction (resumptive, introducing apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: here a resumptive/emphatic particle reintroducing the apodosis after the long protasis (a Hebraism); best left untranslated in English.
νῦνnowadverb of time (in apodosis)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; νῦν ἂν … ἦν ('would now have been') locates the unrealized result in the present moment of speaking.
ἂνwouldmodal particle (contrary-to-fact apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: the modal particle marking the apodosis as contrary to fact ('would have been').
μείζωνgreaterNominativepredicate adjective (comparative, with ἦν)→ participant prominenceμέγας (compar. μείζων): 'greater'; the unrealized fuller victory — the slaughter would have been greater had the army been fed.
ἦνwould have beenImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of contrary-to-fact apodosis (with ἄν)→ participant referenceεἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦν with ἄν expresses the unrealized result of the counterfactual.
theNominativearticle (with πληγὴ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πληγὴslaughter / blowNominativesubject of ἦν→ participant prominenceπληγή: 'blow / slaughter'; see v. 14; the toll inflicted on the Philistines, which the oath diminished.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ἀλλοφύλοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλοιςPhilistinesDativedative of place (among the Philistines)→ sphere or referenceἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines; see v. 1; the enemy whose defeat could have been more complete.
31

καὶ ἐπάταξεν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἐκ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων ἐν Μαχεμας καὶ ἐκοπίασεν ὁ λαὸς σφόδρα

And on that day he struck the Philistines from Machmas, and the people grew exceedingly weary.

Foreground narrative: the pursuit and its toll (opening of section E)καὶ ἐπάταξεν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ
A transitional summary: the pursuit of the Philistines from Michmash continued, but the cost of Saul's oath now tells — ἐκοπίασεν ὁ λαὸς σφόδρα ('the people grew exceedingly weary'), the exhaustion that drives the sin of vv. 32–34.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 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 (impersonal/collective: 'they struck')→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; see v. 13; here of Israel striking the Philistines through the day's pursuit; the singular has a collective/indefinite subject ('one struck / they struck').
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ἐκείνῃ)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; see v. 18; the day of the great victory and the oath.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; see v. 18.
ἐκfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (partitive: 'of the Philistines')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / of'; ἐκ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων = '(some) of the Philistines', the objects of the striking.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivepartitive genitive (object of ἐπάταξεν)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines; see v. 1.
ἐνin / frompreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΜαχεμαςMachmas (Michmash)dative object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΜαχεμας: variant transliteration of Michmash (cf. Μαχμας, v. 5); indeclinable; the Philistine base from which the pursuit ran.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκοπίασενgrew weary / labored to exhaustionAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κοπιάωmain verb (the people's exhaustion)→ verbal action or stateκοπιάω: 'toil / grow weary / be exhausted'; renders יָעֵף; ἐκοπίασεν ὁ λαὸς σφόδρα ('the people were utterly worn out') — the consequence of fighting all day without food, the immediate cause of the blood-eating in v. 32.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἐκοπίασεν→ participant prominenceλαός: the famished, exhausted army.
σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying ἐκοπίασεν)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'exceedingly'; see v. 20; underscores the severity of the exhaustion.
32

καὶ ἐκλίθη ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὰ σκῦλα καὶ ἔλαβεν ὁ λαὸς ποίμνια καὶ βουκόλια καὶ τέκνα βοῶν καὶ ἔσφαξεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ ἤσθιεν ὁ λαὸς σὺν τῷ αἵματι

And the people turned to the spoil, and the people took sheep and oxen and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground, and the people ate with the blood.

Foreground narrative: the people sin by eating with the bloodκαὶ ἐκλίθη ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὰ σκῦλα
Famished, the people fall on the spoil and slaughter animals on the bare ground, eating σὺν τῷ αἵματι ('with the blood') — a violation of the fundamental prohibition (Lev 17:10–14; Gen 9:4). The threefold ὁ λαός hammers the corporate transgression that Saul's oath has indirectly provoked.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκλίθηturned / fell uponAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κλίνωmain verb (the people's rush to the spoil)→ verbal action or stateκλίνω (aor. pass.): 'incline / turn / bend'; ἐκλίθη … εἰς τὰ σκῦλα ('turned/swooped upon the spoil') depicts the famished army falling greedily on the plunder; renders the Hebrew וַיַּעַשׂ / וַיַּעַט ('pounced').
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἐκλίθη→ participant prominenceλαός: the exhausted army (v. 31), now ravenous.
εἰςto / uponpreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκῦλα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκῦλαspoil / plunderAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationσκῦλον: 'spoil / plunder'; see v. 30; here the captured livestock.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take / seize'; the people seize the captured animals.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἔλαβεν→ participant prominenceλαός: the army; the repeated subject stresses the corporate act.
ποίμνιαflocks / sheepAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationποίμνιον: 'flock / sheep'; renders צֹאן; part of the captured livestock.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βουκόλιαherds / cattleAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationβουκόλιον: 'herd of cattle / oxen'; renders בָּקָר; the larger livestock seized.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τέκναyoung / calvesAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν (with βοῶν: 'calves')→ object specificationτέκνον: 'child / offspring / young'; τέκνα βοῶν ('young of cattle / calves') renders בְּנֵי בָקָר; the youngest animals taken.
βοῶνof oxen / cattleGenitivegenitive of relationship (with τέκνα: 'young of oxen')→ relational specificationβοῦς: 'ox / cattle'; the genitive βοῶν specifies the calves as offspring of the herd.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσφαξενslaughteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σφάζωmain verb→ verbal action or stateσφάζω: 'slay / slaughter / butcher'; renders שָׁחַט; here the hurried, improper slaughtering on the bare ground without draining the blood — the root of the sin.
ἐπὶon / uponpreposition + accusative (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (position).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνground / earthAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (position)→ object specificationγῆ: 'earth / ground'; ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ('on the ground') — slaughtering directly on the earth, so the blood was eaten with the meat, contrary to law.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤσθιενwas eating / ateImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (durative: the ongoing eating)→ verbal action or stateἐσθίω: 'eat'; the imperfect ἤσθιεν depicts the ongoing, widespread eating with the blood — a continuing transgression.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἤσθιεν→ participant prominenceλαός: the army; the third occurrence in the verse, underlining corporate guilt.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingσύν: 'with / together with'; σὺν τῷ αἵματι ('with the blood') marks the precise violation.
τῷtheDativearticle (with αἵματι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἵματιbloodDativedative object of σύν→ sphere or referenceαἷμα: 'blood'; renders דָּם; eating flesh 'with the blood' violates the Noahic and Levitical prohibition (Gen 9:4; Lev 17:10–14), since the life is in the blood; this is the sin Saul moves to correct in vv. 33–34.
33

καὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Σαουλ λέγοντες ἡμάρτηκεν ὁ λαὸς τῷ κυρίῳ φαγὼν σὺν τῷ αἵματι καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ ἐν Γεθθεμ κυλίσατέ μοι λίθον ἐνταῦθα μέγαν

And it was reported to Saul, saying, 'The people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood.' And Saul said, at Geththem, 'Roll me a great stone here.'

Foreground narrative: Saul acts to stop the sinκαὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Σαουλ
Saul is told of the people's transgression (ἡμάρτηκεν ὁ λαὸς τῷ κυρίῳ, perfect of the standing guilt). He responds decisively, ordering a great stone rolled to serve as a proper place of slaughter — a measure to halt the eating with the blood. The construction ad sensum (λέγοντες, masc. pl., with the impersonal passive ἀπηγγέλη) is a Hebraism.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπηγγέληit was reportedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (impersonal passive)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω (aor. pass.): 'report / announce'; see v. 1; the impersonal 'it was reported to Saul' followed by the masc. pl. participle λέγοντes is a Hebraistic constructio ad sensum.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Σαουλ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαουλSaulindirect object (indeclinable, with article)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: the king, informed of the people's sin.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Pl · λέγωparticiple of speaking (constructio ad sensum, introducing the report)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (ptc.): 'saying'; the masc. pl. participle agrees with the implied reporters, not the impersonal ἀπηγγέλη — a Hebraism (לֵאמֹר).
ἡμάρτηκενhas sinned / is sinningPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἁμαρτάνωmain verb of the report→ verbal action or stateἁμαρτάνω: 'sin / miss the mark'; renders חָטָא; the perfect ἡμάρτηκεν ('has sinned / is in a state of sin') marks the people's standing guilt before the LORD for eating with the blood.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἡμάρτηκεν→ participant prominenceλαός: the army, guilty of the blood-eating.
τῷagainst theDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of disadvantage (sinning 'against the LORD')→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; ἡμάρτηκεν … τῷ κυρίῳ ('has sinned against the LORD') — the blood-eating is a cultic offense against YHWH, whose law reserves the blood.
φαγὼνby eatingAor Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · ἐσθίωparticiple of means (modifying ὁ λαὸς)→ verbal action or stateἐσθίω (aor. ptc. φαγών): 'eat'; the participle of means specifies how they sinned — 'by eating with the blood'.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingσὺν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (accompaniment).
τῷtheDativearticle (with αἵματι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἵματιbloodDativedative object of σύν→ sphere or referenceαἷμα: 'blood'; see v. 32; the forbidden component eaten with the meat.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's corrective command.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἐνat / inpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΓεθθεμGeththemdative object of ἐν (indeclinable; uncertain reading)→ participant identificationΓεθθεμ: an obscure transliteration; the LXX appears to have read a place-name where the MT has the verb בְּגַדְתֶּם ('you have dealt treacherously'); indeclinable, here taken as a locale ('at Geththem').
κυλίσατέrollAor Act Impv 2 Pl · κυλίωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateκυλίω: 'roll'; renders גָּלַל; Saul orders a great stone rolled over, to serve as a slaughter-block where blood can be properly drained.
μοιfor meDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'for me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage.
λίθονstoneAccusativedirect object of κυλίσατε→ object specificationλίθος: 'stone'; renders אֶבֶן; the great stone to be the place of lawful slaughter.
ἐνταῦθαhereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐνταῦθα: 'here / to this place'; renders הֲלֹם; designates the spot for the slaughter-stone.
μέγανgreat / largeAccusativeattributive adjective (with λίθον)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great / large'; λίθον … μέγαν ('a large stone') big enough for the whole army to bring their animals and slaughter properly.
34

καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ διασπάρητε ἐν τῷ λαῷ καὶ εἴπατε αὐτοῖς προσαγαγεῖν ἐνταῦθα ἕκαστος τὸν μόσχον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἕκαστος τὸ πρόβατον αὐτοῦ καὶ σφαζέτω ἐπὶ τούτου καὶ οὐ μὴ ἁμάρτητε τῷ κυρίῳ τοῦ ἐσθίειν σὺν τῷ αἵματι καὶ προσῆγεν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἕκαστος τὸ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔσφαζον ἐκεῖ

And Saul said, 'Scatter among the people and say to them that each is to bring here his calf and each his sheep, and let him slaughter it on this stone, and you shall not sin against the LORD by eating with the blood.' And all the people brought, each what was in his hand, and they slaughtered there.

Foreground narrative: Saul institutes proper slaughterκαὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ διασπάρητε ἐν τῷ λαῷ
Saul commands a controlled, lawful slaughter on the stone so the blood can be drained, with the explicit goal οὐ μὴ ἁμάρτητε τῷ κυρίῳ ('that you not sin against the LORD'). The people comply (προσῆγεν … ἔσφαζον). This is one of Saul's more responsible cultic acts, redressing the sin his oath provoked, and leads to his building of an altar (v. 35).
Word-by-word analysis· 50 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's instructions for proper slaughter.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
διασπάρητεscatter / spread outAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · διασπείρωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateδιασπείρω: 'scatter / disperse'; see v. 23; here 'go out / spread among the people' to relay the order; the passive has middle/reflexive force ('disperse yourselves').
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῷtheDativearticle (with λαῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeopleDativedative of place (among the people)→ sphere or referenceλαός: the army to whom the order is relayed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἴπατεsay / tellAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say / tell'; relays the instruction to the people.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
προσαγαγεῖνto bring nearAor Act Inf · προσάγωinfinitive of indirect command (after εἴπατε)→ verbal action or stateπροσάγω: 'bring near / present'; see v. 18; the infinitive conveys the content of the order ('that each bring his animal').
ἐνταῦθαhereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐνταῦθα: 'here'; see v. 33; to the slaughter-stone.
ἕκαστοςeach oneNominativesubject (distributive, nominative with infinitive ad sensum)→ participant prominenceἕκαστος: 'each / every one'; see Exod 11:2; the distributive subject — every man brings his own animal.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with μόσχον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μόσχονcalf / oxAccusativedirect object of προσαγαγεῖν→ object specificationμόσχος: 'calf / young bull'; renders שׁוֹר; the bovine each man is to bring.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive 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 oneNominativesubject (distributive, parallel)→ participant prominenceἕκαστος: the distributive repeated for the sheep.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with πρόβατον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρόβατονsheepAccusativedirect object of προσαγαγεῖν→ object specificationπρόβατον: 'sheep'; renders שֶׂה; the ovine each man is to bring.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive 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.
σφαζέτωlet him slaughterPres Act Impv 3 Sg · σφάζωmain verb (third-person command)→ verbal action or stateσφάζω: 'slay / slaughter'; see v. 32; here the lawful slaughter on the stone, allowing the blood to drain.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position).
τούτουthis (stone)Genitivedemonstrative (object of ἐπί: 'on this [stone]')→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; ἐπὶ τούτου ('on this [stone]') refers to the great stone of v. 33.
καὶand socoordinate conjunction (result/purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and so'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative particle (emphatic οὐ μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μὴnotnegative particle (emphatic οὐ μή + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ μή: emphatic negation with the subjunctive ('you shall by no means sin'); see v. 9.
ἁμάρτητεsinAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἁμαρτάνωsubjunctive (with οὐ μή: prohibition/assurance)→ verbal action or stateἁμαρτάνω: 'sin'; see v. 33; the purpose of the proper-slaughter command is precisely to avoid sinning against the LORD.
τῷagainst theDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of disadvantage (sinning 'against the LORD')→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the proper slaughter keeps the people from offending YHWH; see v. 33.
τοῦby / ofGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive of means)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐσθίεινeatingPres Act Inf · ἐσθίωarticular infinitive of means (τοῦ ἐσθίειν: 'by eating')→ verbal action or stateἐσθίω: 'eat'; the articular infinitive τοῦ ἐσθίειν σὺν τῷ αἵματι ('by eating with the blood') specifies the manner of sin to be avoided.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingσὺν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (accompaniment).
τῷtheDativearticle (with αἵματι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἵματιbloodDativedative object of σύν→ sphere or referenceαἷμα: 'blood'; see v. 32.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (compliance)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσῆγενwas bringing / broughtImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · προσάγωmain verb (durative compliance)→ verbal action or stateπροσάγω: 'bring near'; the imperfect προσῆγεν depicts the army bringing their animals one after another to the stone, obeying Saul's order.
πᾶςallNominativeadjective (with ὁ λαὸς)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole army complies.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of προσῆγεν→ participant prominenceλαός: the army, now obedient.
ἕκαστοςeach oneNominativesubject (distributive, in apposition to ὁ λαὸς)→ participant prominenceἕκαστος: 'each one'; each man brings his own animal.
τὸthe (thing)Accusativearticle (substantival, with prepositional phrase: 'what was in his hand')→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with χειρὶ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρὶhandDativedative of place ('what was in his hand')→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; τὸ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ ('what was in his hand') = whatever animal each man had with him.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive 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.
ἔσφαζονthey were slaughteringImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · σφάζωmain verb (durative compliance)→ verbal action or stateσφάζω: 'slaughter'; the imperfect ἔσφαζον depicts the ongoing, now-lawful slaughtering at the stone — the sin of v. 32 corrected.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (at the stone)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; at the great stone, the designated place of slaughter.
35

καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐκεῖ Σαουλ θυσιαστήριον τῷ κυρίῳ τοῦτο ἤρξατο Σαουλ οἰκοδομῆσαι θυσιαστήριον τῷ κυρίῳ

And Saul built there an altar to the LORD; this was the first altar Saul began to build to the LORD.

Foreground narrative: Saul's first altar (close of section E)καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐκεῖ Σαουλ θυσιαστήριον
The episode closes with Saul building an altar to the LORD at the stone. The narratorial note τοῦτο ἤρξατο … οἰκοδομῆσαι ('this he began to build' = this was the first altar he built) marks a notable, if belated, act of piety — Saul's first altar, raised in the wake of the people's sin he had helped occasion.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ᾠκοδόμησενbuiltAor Act Indic 3 Sg · οἰκοδομέωmain verb→ verbal action or stateοἰκοδομέω: 'build / construct'; renders בָּנָה; Saul builds an altar at the slaughter-stone, sanctifying the place.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; at the stone of v. 33–34.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativedirect object of ᾠκοδόμησεν→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar / place of sacrifice'; renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the LXX's standard term for the altar of YHWH.
τῷto theDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of recipient (altar 'to the LORD')→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the altar is dedicated to YHWH.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (object/adverbial: 'this [altar]')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; refers to the altar just built — the first Saul began to build.
ἤρξατοbeganAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἄρχωmain verb (with complementary infinitive)→ verbal action or stateἄρχω (mid. ἄρχομαι): 'begin'; renders הֵחֵל; τοῦτο ἤρξατο … οἰκοδομῆσαι ('this he began to build') idiomatically = 'this was the first altar he built' to YHWH.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
οἰκοδομῆσαιto buildAor Act Inf · οἰκοδομέωcomplementary infinitive (with ἤρξατο)→ verbal action or stateοἰκοδομέω (inf.): 'to build'; completes ἤρξατο — the first altar Saul built.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativedirect object of οἰκοδομῆσαι→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; see above.
τῷto theDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of recipient→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the altar's dedicatee.
36

καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ καταβῶμεν ὀπίσω τῶν ἀλλοφύλων τὴν νύκτα καὶ διαρπάσωμεν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἕως διαφαύσῃ ἡ ἡμέρα καὶ μὴ ὑπολίπωμεν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἄνδρα καὶ εἶπαν πᾶν τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐνώπιόν σου ποίει καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἱερεύς προσέλθωμεν ἐνταῦθα πρὸς τὸν θεόν

And Saul said, 'Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder among them until the day dawns, and let us not leave a single man among them.' And they said, 'Do all that is good in your eyes.' But the priest said, 'Let us draw near here to God.'

Foreground speech: night-pursuit proposed, oracle urged (opening of section F)καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ καταβῶμεν
Saul proposes a night pursuit to annihilate the Philistines (μὴ ὑπολίπωμεν … ἄνδρα, 'let us not leave a man'). The people consent (πᾶν τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐνώπιόν σου ποίει, a deferential formula), but the priest counsels first seeking God — προσέλθωμεν … πρὸς τὸν θεόν — reintroducing the oracle Saul had earlier cut short (v. 19).
Word-by-word analysis· 40 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's proposal of a night pursuit.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καταβῶμενlet us go downAor Act Subj 1 Pl · καταβαίνωhortatory subjunctive→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; the hortatory 'let us go down after the Philistines' proposes the pursuit; renders יָרַד.
ὀπίσωafter / in pursuit ofpreposition + genitive (pursuit)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; in pursuit of the Philistines; see v. 22.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines; see v. 1.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with νύκτα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νύκταnightAccusativeaccusative of time (extent: 'through the night')→ object specificationνύξ: 'night'; τὴν νύκτα (accusative of duration) = 'during the night / by night'; renders לַיְלָה.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διαρπάσωμενlet us plunderAor Act Subj 1 Pl · διαρπάζωhortatory subjunctive→ verbal action or stateδιαρπάζω: 'plunder / despoil thoroughly'; renders בָּזַז; 'let us plunder them' — strip the fleeing Philistines through the night.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative object of ἐν (among them)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (among them).
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; with the subjunctive διαφαύσῃ marks the term — 'until daybreak'.
διαφαύσῃdawnsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · διαφαύσκωverb of temporal clause (subjunctive)→ verbal action or stateδιαφαύσκω: 'shine through / dawn'; ἕως διαφαύσῃ ἡ ἡμέρα ('until the day dawns') sets the night-long pursuit's endpoint; renders אוֹר הַבֹּקֶר.
theNominativearticle (with ἡμέρα)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραdayNominativesubject of διαφαύσῃ→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: 'day / daylight'; the dawning day that ends the pursuit.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegative particle (with hortatory subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: 'not'; negates the hortatory ὑπολίπωμεν.
ὑπολίπωμενlet us leave / spareAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ὑπολείπωhortatory subjunctive (with μή: prohibition)→ verbal action or stateὑπολείπω: 'leave behind / leave remaining'; μὴ ὑπολίπωμεν … ἄνδρα ('let us not leave a single man') expresses Saul's aim of total annihilation; renders שָׁאַר (Hiphil).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative object of ἐν→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐν.
ἄνδραa manAccusativedirect object of ὑπολίπωμεν→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; 'not a man' = not a single survivor.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the people's reply)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπαν): the people answer with deferential consent.
πᾶνallAccusativeadjective (with τὸ ἀγαθὸν)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; πᾶν τὸ ἀγαθόν ('all the good') — whatever Saul deems best.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἀγαθὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγαθὸνgoodAccusativesubstantival adjective (object of ποίει)→ object specificationἀγαθός: 'good'; τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐνώπιόν σου ('what is good in your sight') is a deferential idiom of consent (cf. v. 40); renders הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ.
ἐνώπιόνbefore / in the sight ofpreposition + genitive (evaluative perspective)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the eyes of'; see Exod 11:3; 'in your sight' = as you judge best.
σουyourGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐνώπιον.
ποίειdoPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (deferential imperative)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do / act'; ποίει ('do [as you see fit]') completes the people's consent; cf. v. 40.
καὶbut / andnarrative conjunction (introducing the priest's counsel)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here mildly adversative ('but'), as the priest introduces a corrective.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces the priest's counsel to seek God.
theNominativearticle (with ἱερεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεύςpriestNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; Ahijah (v. 3); he counsels consulting God before the pursuit, restoring the oracle Saul aborted (v. 19).
προσέλθωμενlet us draw nearAor Act Subj 1 Pl · προσέρχομαιhortatory subjunctive→ verbal action or stateπροσέρχομαι: 'come/draw near / approach'; προσέλθωμεν … πρὸς τὸν θεόν ('let us draw near to God') — a cultic call to seek the divine verdict before acting.
ἐνταῦθαhereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐνταῦθα: 'here'; see v. 33; at the altar just built.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with θεόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόνGodAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the priest urges seeking God's guidance for the night pursuit.
37

καὶ ἐπηρώτησεν Σαουλ τὸν θεόν εἰ καταβῶ ὀπίσω τῶν ἀλλοφύλων εἰ παραδώσεις αὐτοὺς εἰς χεῖρας Ισραηλ καὶ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ

And Saul inquired of God, 'Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?' But he did not answer him on that day.

Foreground narrative: the silent oracleκαὶ ἐπηρώτησεν Σαουλ τὸν θεόν
Saul inquires of God with a double question, but the ominous result — οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ ('he did not answer him') — signals divine displeasure. The silence is the hinge of section F: it provokes the search for the cause of the sin (vv. 38–39) that uncovers Jonathan's unwitting violation of the oath.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπηρώτησενinquired / askedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπερωτάωmain verb (oracular inquiry)→ verbal action or stateἐπερωτάω: 'ask / inquire of'; renders שָׁאַל (of seeking an oracle); the technical verb for consulting God through priest/ephod.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with θεόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόνGodAccusativedirect object of ἐπηρώτησεν→ object specificationθεός: 'God'; the object of inquiry; see v. 36.
εἰwhether / shallinterrogative particle (introducing direct question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if / whether'; in oracular inquiry εἰ introduces a direct yes/no question ('shall I…?'); a Hebraism (הֲ).
καταβῶshall I go downAor Act Subj 1 Sg · καταβαίνωdeliberative subjunctive (in question)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'go down'; the deliberative subjunctive 'shall I go down (in pursuit)?'; see v. 36.
ὀπίσωafterpreposition + genitive (pursuit)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after'; in pursuit of the Philistines; see v. 22.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines; see v. 1.
εἰwhether / willinterrogative particle (second question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: introduces the second question of the inquiry ('will you give…?').
παραδώσειςwill you give overFut Act Indic 2 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (second question)→ verbal action or stateπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver'; see v. 10; 'will you give them into Israel's hand?' — the decisive question the silence leaves unanswered.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of παραδώσεις→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of παραδώσεις.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
χεῖραςhand(s)Accusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; εἰς χεῖρας Ισραηλ ('into the hand of Israel'); see v. 12.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the people; see v. 12.
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (adversative in force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('but'), introducing the ominous silence.
οὐκnotnegative particle (negating ἀπεκρίθη)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (the divine non-response)→ verbal action or stateἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer'; see v. 12; οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη ('he did not answer') — divine silence, a sign of displeasure that drives the inquiry into hidden sin (cf. 1 Sam 28:6).
αὐτῷhimDativeindirect object (Saul)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Saul).
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ἐκείνῃ)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; see v. 18; the day of the unanswered inquiry.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; see v. 18.
38

καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ προσαγάγετε ἐνταῦθα πάσας τὰς γωνίας τοῦ Ισραηλ καὶ γνῶτε καὶ ἴδετε ἐν τίνι γέγονεν ἡ ἁμαρτία αὕτη σήμερον

And Saul said, 'Bring here all the corners of Israel, and know and see in whom this sin has occurred today.'

Foreground speech: Saul investigates the cause of the silenceκαὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ προσαγάγετε
Reading the silence as evidence of hidden sin, Saul summons the 'corners' (leaders/chiefs) of Israel to determine in whom the guilt lies. The military-administrative idiom πάσας τὰς γωνίας ('all the corners' = the chief men) renders the Hebrew פִּנּוֹת ('cornerstones / leaders').
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's summons of the leaders.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
προσαγάγετεbring nearAor Act Impv 2 Pl · προσάγωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateπροσάγω: 'bring near'; see v. 18; here 'bring forward the leaders' for the inquiry by lot.
ἐνταῦθαhereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐνταῦθα: 'here'; see v. 33.
πάσαςallAccusativeadjective (with τὰς γωνίας)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; all the chief men of the people.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with γωνίας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γωνίαςcorners / chiefsAccusativedirect object of προσαγάγετε→ object specificationγωνία: 'corner / cornerstone'; here metaphorically 'leaders / chief men' (rendering פִּנּוֹת, the 'cornerstones' = heads of the people; cf. Judg 20:2; Isa 19:13); Saul gathers the leadership for the lot.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with Ισραηλ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the people; see v. 12.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γνῶτεknow / find outAor Act Impv 2 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateγινώσκω: 'know / ascertain'; γνῶτε καὶ ἴδετε ('know and see') is a doubled imperative urging careful investigation; see v. 29.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἴδετεseeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (command, coordinate)→ verbal action or stateὁράω: 'see / ascertain'; see v. 17; paired with γνῶτε for emphatic inquiry.
ἐνin / bypreposition + dative (with interrogative: 'in whom')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (with interrogative: 'in whom').
τίνιwhomDativeinterrogative pronoun (indirect question: 'in whom')→ participant reference or interestτίς: interrogative 'who / what'; ἐν τίνι ('in whom') seeks to identify the guilty party.
γέγονενhas occurred / come aboutPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb of indirect question (perfect of result)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (perf. γέγονεν): 'become / happen / occur'; the perfect 'has come about (and remains)' frames the sin as a present, unresolved state needing exposure.
theNominativearticle (with ἁμαρτία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁμαρτίαsinNominativesubject of γέγονεν→ participant prominenceἁμαρτία: meaning 'sin'; it serves as subject of γέγονεν.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative adjective (with ἁμαρτία)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the present, identified-by-its-effects sin.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; see v. 28; the day's hidden offense.
39

ὅτι ζῇ κύριος ὁ σώσας τὸν Ισραηλ ὅτι ἐὰν ἀποκριθῇ κατὰ Ιωναθαν τοῦ υἱοῦ μου θανάτῳ ἀποθανεῖται καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἀποκρινόμενος ἐκ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ

'For as the LORD lives, who has saved Israel, even if it falls upon Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.' And there was no one who answered him from all the people.

Foreground speech: Saul's second rash oathὅτι ζῇ κύριος
Saul swears a second, even more dangerous oath by the living LORD — and, with tragic irony, names the very possibility he refuses to imagine: κατὰ Ιωναθαν τοῦ υἱοῦ μου ('against Jonathan my son'). The Hebraic θανάτῳ ἀποθανεῖται ('he shall surely die') is absolute. The people's silence (οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἀποκρινόμενος) foreshadows that they already suspect where the lot will fall.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
ὅτιforcausal/asseverative conjunction (introducing oath)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; here introducing the oath-asseveration.
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (oath-formula)→ verbal action or stateζάω: 'live'; ζῇ κύριος ('as the LORD lives') is the standard LXX oath-formula (חַי יהוה), invoking the living God as guarantor; the most binding form of oath.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ζῇ (the divine guarantor of the oath)→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'LORD'; it serves as subject of ζῇ (the divine guarantor of the oath).
the (who)Nominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σώσαςwho has savedAor Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · σῴζωsubstantival participle (in apposition to κύριος)→ verbal action or stateσῴζω: meaning 'who has saved'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as substantival participle (in apposition to κύριος).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Ισραηλ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraeldirect object of σώσας (indeclinable, articular)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the people the LORD saved; see v. 23.
ὅτιthat / even ifconjunction (introducing oath-content)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: introduces the substance sworn ('that even if…').
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποκριθῇit falls / answers (against)Aor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιverb of protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ verbal action or stateἀποκρίνομαι: meaning 'it falls'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verb of protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν).
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (hostile: 'against')→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (hostile: 'against').
ΙωναθανJonathangenitive object of κατά (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: Saul's son, named in the oath — dramatic irony at its sharpest.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with υἱοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition to Ιωναθαν→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; τοῦ υἱοῦ μου ('my son') heightens the pathos — Saul binds himself to kill his own heir.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
θανάτῳby death / surelyDativecognate dative (Hebraism, intensifying ἀποθανεῖται)→ sphere or referenceθάνατος: 'death'; the cognate dative θανάτῳ ἀποθανεῖται ('he shall surely die') renders the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute מוֹת יָמוּת (cf. Gen 2:17; Exod 11 cruxes) — an absolute, unconditional death-sentence.
ἀποθανεῖταιhe shall dieFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (oath-content, apodosis)→ verbal action or stateἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; with the cognate dative θανάτῳ, an emphatic 'he shall surely die'; the sworn penalty that the people will overturn in v. 45.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (negating ἦν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἦνthere wasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential, periphrastic with participle)→ participant referenceεἰμί: 'be'; οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἀποκρινόμενος ('there was no one answering') reports the people's heavy silence.
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀποκρινόμενοςanswering / one who answeredPres Mid Ptc Masc Nom Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιsubstantival participle (predicate with ἦν)→ verbal action or stateἀποκρίνομαι: meaning 'answering'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as substantival participle (predicate with ἦν).
ἐκfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
παντὸςallGenitiveadjective (with τοῦ λαοῦ)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; ἐκ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ ('from all the people') — not one of the whole army responded.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with λαοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive (partitive: 'of the people')→ relational specificationλαός: the army; their silence is eloquent.
40

καὶ εἶπεν παντὶ Ισραηλ ὑμεῖς ἔσεσθε εἰς δουλείαν καὶ ἐγὼ καὶ Ιωναθαν ὁ υἱός μου ἐσόμεθα εἰς δουλείαν καὶ εἶπεν ὁ λαὸς πρὸς Σαουλ τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐνώπιόν σου ποίει

And he said to all Israel, 'You shall be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other.' And the people said to Saul, 'Do what is good in your eyes.'

Foreground speech: division for the lotκαὶ εἶπεν παντὶ Ισραηλ
Saul divides the assembly for the casting of lots: the people on one side, he and Jonathan on the other. The LXX renders the division with the difficult εἰς δουλείαν ('to/for servitude'?), apparently construing the Hebrew לְעֵבֶר אֶחָד ('to one side') as 'into servitude/subjection'. The people again defer (τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐνώπιόν σου ποίει, cf. v. 36).
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's division of the people for the lot.
παντὶallDativeadjective (with Ισραηλ)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; παντὶ Ισραηλ ('to all Israel') — the whole assembly addressed.
ΙσραηλIsraelindirect object (indeclinable, dative)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the people; see v. 12.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceὑμεῖς: emphatic 'you' — the people set on one side of the division.
ἔσεσθεyou shall beFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (future of arrangement)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (fut. ἔσεσθε): 'be'; 'you shall be (on one side)'; the future arranges the two parties for the lot.
εἰςfor / onpreposition + accusative (state/position)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (state/position).
δουλείανservitude / one sideAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (predicate of state)→ object specificationδουλεία: 'slavery / servitude'; the LXX's εἰς δουλείαν here is a difficult rendering — it appears to misread or reinterpret the Hebrew לְעֵבֶר ('to [one] side') as עֲבֹדָה/servitude; the sense in context is the positional 'you shall be on one side (in subjection/for the casting)'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγὼ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (emphatic pronoun).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable, coordinate with ἐγώ)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: Saul places his son with himself, the second party for the lot.
theNominativearticle (with υἱός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱόςsonNominativeapposition (Jonathan 'my son')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; ὁ υἱός μου ('my son') — the relationship that makes the coming verdict tragic.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἐσόμεθαwe shall beFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (future of arrangement)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (fut. ἐσόμεθα): 'be'; 'we [two] shall be (on the other side)'; completes the two-party arrangement for the lot.
εἰςfor / onpreposition + accusative (state/position)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (state/position).
δουλείανservitude / the other sideAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (predicate of state)→ object specificationδουλείαν: meaning 'servitude'; it serves as accusative object of εἰς (predicate of state).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces the people's deferential reply.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceλαός: the army, consenting to the procedure.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΣαουλSaulaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἀγαθὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγαθὸνgoodAccusativesubstantival adjective (object of ποίει)→ object specificationἀγαθός: 'good'; τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐνώπιόν σου ('what is good in your sight') — deferential consent; see v. 36.
ἐνώπιόνbefore / in the sight ofpreposition + genitive (evaluative perspective)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the eyes of'; see Exod 11:3; v. 36.
σουyourGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐνώπιον.
ποίειdoPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (deferential imperative)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do'; the deferential 'do as you see fit'; see v. 36.
41

καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ κύριε ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ τί ὅτι οὐκ ἀπεκρίθης τῷ δούλῳ σου σήμερον εἰ ἐν ἐμοὶ ἢ ἐν Ιωναθαν τῷ υἱῷ μου ἡ ἀδικία κύριε ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ δὸς δήλους καὶ ἐὰν τάδε εἴπῃς ἐν τῷ λαῷ σου Ισραηλ δὸς δὴ ὁσιότητα καὶ κληροῦται Ιωναθαν καὶ Σαουλ καὶ ὁ λαὸς ἐξῆλθεν

And Saul said, 'O LORD, God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant today? If the guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O LORD, God of Israel, give Urim; but if you say this is in your people Israel, give Thummim.' And Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the people went free.

Foreground speech: the sacred-lot prayer (the longer LXX text)καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ κύριε ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ
The LXX preserves a fuller text than MT, making explicit the mechanism of the sacred lot: Saul prays to YHWH to 'give δήλους' (Urim) if the guilt lies with him or Jonathan, or 'give ὁσιότητα' (Thummim) if with the people. The δῆλοι/ὁσιότης pairing is the LXX's rendering of the Urim and Thummim. The lot takes Jonathan and Saul; the people go free.
Word-by-word analysis· 53 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's lot-prayer to God.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative (address to God)→ direct addressκύριος (voc. κύριε): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the vocative addresses YHWH directly in prayer — Saul invokes the covenant God for the verdict.
theNominativearticle (with θεὸς, in apposition to κύριε)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative for vocative (apposition: 'God of Israel')→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ ('the God of Israel') in apposition to κύριε; the nominative-for-vocative is common in the LXX.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the covenant people whose God Saul addresses.
τίwhyinterrogative (with ὅτι: 'why is it that')→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative; τί ὅτι ('why is it that') is a Hebraistic idiom (מַדּוּעַ / לָמָּה) for 'why'.
ὅτιthatconjunction (in idiom τί ὅτι: 'why')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: with τί forms the idiom 'why is it that…'.
οὐκnotnegative particle (negating ἀπεκρίθης)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀπεκρίθηςyou answeredAor Pass Indic 2 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (of the prayer-question)→ verbal action or stateἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer'; see v. 12; Saul presses God on the silence of v. 37 — 'why did you not answer your servant?'
τῷtheDativearticle (with δούλῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούλῳservantDativeindirect object (Saul as God's servant)→ sphere or referenceδοῦλος: 'slave / servant'; τῷ δούλῳ σου ('your servant') is the standard deferential self-reference before God; renders עַבְדְּךָ.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; see v. 28.
εἰifconditional particle (first horn of the lot-question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location of guilt)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location of guilt).
ἐμοὶmeDativedative object of ἐν→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. ἐμοί): 'me'; 'in me' = if the guilt is mine.
ordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location of guilt)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location of guilt).
ΙωναθανJonathandative object of ἐν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (indeclinable).
τῷtheDativearticle (with υἱῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῷsonDativeapposition (Jonathan 'my son')→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; τῷ υἱῷ μου ('my son').
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
theNominativearticle (with ἀδικία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδικίαguilt / iniquityNominativesubject (verbless: 'the guilt [is]')→ participant prominenceἀδικία: 'wrongdoing / iniquity / guilt'; renders עָוֹן; the offense causing the divine silence, whose locus the lot is to reveal.
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative (renewed address to God)→ direct addressκύριος (voc.): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the renewed vocative intensifies the petition; see above.
theNominativearticle (with θεὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative for vocative (apposition)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God of Israel'; see above.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: see above.
δὸςgiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (petition)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give / hand over'; renders נָתַן; the demand to surrender the killer for execution.
δήλουςUrim / clear-tokensAccusativedirect object of δὸς→ object specificationδήλους: meaning 'Urim'; it serves as direct object of δὸς.
καὶbut / andcoordinate conjunction (second horn)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: introduces the alternative — if the guilt is with the people.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; the second branch of the lot-prayer.
τάδεthis / thusAccusativedemonstrative (object of εἴπῃς)→ object specificationὅδε: 'this / thus'; 'if you say thus' = if the verdict points to the people.
εἴπῃςyou sayAor Act Subj 2 Sg · λέγωverb of protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; God's 'saying' = the verdict rendered through the lot.
ἐνin / concerningpreposition + dative (location of guilt)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location of guilt).
τῷtheDativearticle (with λαῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeopleDativedative object of ἐν (the people as locus)→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people'; τῷ λαῷ σου Ισραηλ ('your people Israel') — the alternative locus of guilt.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (God's people)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (God's people).
ΙσραηλIsraelapposition (indeclinable: 'your people, Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the people; in apposition to τῷ λαῷ σου.
δὸςgiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (petition, second branch)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give / hand over'; renders נָתַן; the demand to surrender the killer for execution.
δὴnow / prayparticle (entreaty with imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: 'now / pray'; intensifies the petition; see v. 17.
ὁσιότηταThummim / holiness-tokenAccusativedirect object of δὸς→ object specificationὁσιότης: 'holiness / piety'; here the LXX's rendering of the Thummim (תֻּמִּים, 'perfections'), the complementary sacred-lot token to δῆλοι (Urim); together δῆλοι/ὁσιότης = Urim and Thummim.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result of the lot)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κληροῦταιis taken by lotPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · κληρόωmain verb (historic present, the lot's result)→ verbal action or stateκληρόω: meaning 'is taken by lot'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (historic present, the lot's result).
ΙωναθανJonathansubject of κληροῦται (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: taken by the lot together with Saul.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαουλSaulsubject of κληροῦται (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of κληροῦται (indeclinable).
καὶand / butnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἐξῆλθεν→ participant prominenceλαός: the people, cleared by the lot.
ἐξῆλθενwent out / went freeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the people acquitted)→ verbal action or stateἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come out'; ὁ λαὸς ἐξῆλθεν ('the people went out [free / clear]') — acquitted by the lot, they are dismissed from suspicion.
42

καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ βάλετε ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον Ιωναθαν τοῦ υἱοῦ μου ὃν ἂν κατακληρώσηται κύριος ἀποθανέτω καὶ εἶπεν ὁ λαὸς πρὸς Σαουλ οὐκ ἔστιν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο καὶ κατεκράτησεν Σαουλ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ βάλλουσιν ἀνὰ μέσον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον Ιωναθαν τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ καὶ κατακληροῦται Ιωναθαν

And Saul said, 'Cast the lot between me and Jonathan my son; whomever the LORD takes by lot, let him die.' And the people said to Saul, 'This thing must not be.' But Saul prevailed over the people, and they cast the lot between him and Jonathan his son, and Jonathan was taken.

Foreground narrative: the lot narrows to Jonathanκαὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ βάλετε
Saul presses on, casting the lot between himself and Jonathan, with the death-sentence attached (ὃν ἂν κατακληρώσηται … ἀποθανέτω). The people object (οὐκ ἔστιν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο, 'this must not be'), but Saul overrides them (κατεκράτησεν τοῦ λαοῦ). The lot falls on Jonathan — the climactic indictment of the innocent victor.
Word-by-word analysis· 50 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's order to cast the second lot.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
βάλετεcast (the lot)Aor Act Impv 2 Pl · βάλλωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateβάλλω: meaning 'cast (the lot)'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (command).
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον: 'between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: in the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον ('between'); see v. 4.
μέσονbetween / midstAccusativesubstantive in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'between'; it serves as substantive in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive governed by ἀνὰ μέσον→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. ἐμοῦ): 'me'; Saul as one party of the lot.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον).
μέσονbetween / midstAccusativesubstantive in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον→ object specificationμέσος: the second member of the 'between … and' idiom.
ΙωναθανJonathangenitive governed by ἀνὰ μέσον (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: the other party of the lot.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with υἱοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῦsonGenitiveapposition (Jonathan 'my son')→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; τοῦ υἱοῦ μου ('my son').
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of κατακληρώσηται)→ participant referenceὅς: relative 'whom'; with ἄν indefinite ('whomever the lot takes').
ἂνevermodal particle (with relative + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: confers indefiniteness ('whomever').
κατακληρώσηταιtakes by lot / designatesAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · κατακληρόομαιverb of indefinite relative clause (subjunctive)→ verbal action or stateκατακληρόομαι: 'designate/assign by lot'; the intensive κατα- compound of κληρόω (v. 41); 'whomever the LORD designates by lot' — the verdict attributed to YHWH's choosing.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of κατακληρώσηται (divine agent of the lot)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the lot is regarded as YHWH's own designation (cf. Prov 16:33).
ἀποθανέτωlet him dieAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (third-person command: the death-sentence)→ verbal action or stateἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; ἀποθανέτω ('let him die') attaches the death-penalty to the lot, in keeping with Saul's oath (v. 39).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces the people's protest.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceλαός: the army, now protesting against the death-procedure.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΣαουλSaulaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
οὐκnotnegative particle (negating ἔστιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔστινis / must bePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (the people's objection)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be'; οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῖς = 'which do not have.'
τὸtheNominativearticle (with ῥῆμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαthing / matterNominativesubject of ἔστιν→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / matter / thing'; see v. 12; τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο ('this thing') = the proposed procedure/sentence.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative adjective (with ῥῆμα)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the death-procedure the people reject.
καὶbut / andnarrative conjunction (adversative in force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('but'), as Saul overrules the people.
κατεκράτησενprevailed over / overruledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατακρατέωmain verb (Saul overrides the people)→ verbal action or stateκατακρατέω: 'prevail over / overpower'; κατεκράτησεν τοῦ λαοῦ ('overruled the people') — Saul forces the procedure despite their objection, the imperious counterpart to his rashness.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with λαοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive object of κατεκράτησεν (verb of overpowering)→ relational specificationλαός: the army Saul overruled.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βάλλουσινthey cast (the lot)Pres Act Indic 3 Pl · βάλλωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateβάλλω: 'cast (the lot)'; the historic present βάλλουσιν dramatizes the decisive casting.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον).
μέσονbetween / midstAccusativesubstantive in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον→ object specificationμέσος: see v. 4; the lot cast between the two.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive governed by ἀνὰ μέσον (Saul)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive governed by ἀνὰ μέσον (Saul).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον).
μέσονbetween / midstAccusativesubstantive in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον→ object specificationμέσος: see above.
ΙωναθανJonathangenitive governed by ἀνὰ μέσον (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: the other party of the lot.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with υἱοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῦsonGenitiveapposition (Jonathan 'his son')→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ ('his son').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (the verdict)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατακληροῦταιis taken by lotPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · κατακληρόομαιmain verb (historic present, the verdict)→ verbal action or stateκατακληρόομαι: meaning 'is taken by lot'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (historic present, the verdict).
ΙωναθανJonathansubject of κατακληροῦται (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: indicted by the lot — the man whose faith won the day now condemned by his father's oath.
43

καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ πρὸς Ιωναθαν ἀπάγγειλόν μοι τί πεποίηκας καὶ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῷ Ιωναθαν καὶ εἶπεν γευσάμενος ἐγευσάμην ἐν ἄκρῳ τῷ σκήπτρῳ τῷ ἐν τῇ χειρί μου βραχὺ μέλι ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποθνῄσκω

And Saul said to Jonathan, 'Tell me what you have done.' And Jonathan told him and said, 'I did indeed taste a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand; here I am, I am ready to die.'

Foreground speech: Jonathan's confession and acceptanceκαὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ πρὸς Ιωναθαν
Jonathan freely confesses (γευσάμενος ἐγευσάμην, emphatic 'I did indeed taste') the tiny act — βραχὺ μέλι ('a little honey') — and submits to death with dignity (ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποθνῄσκω, 'here I am, I am ready to die'). His honesty and composure heighten the injustice of the sentence and prepare the people's intervention (v. 45).
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's demand for confession.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΙωναθανJonathanaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
ἀπάγγειλόνtell / reportAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce / bring word'; renders הִגִּיד / נָגַד; David's command that the man deliver the full account.
μοιto meDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of πεποίηκας)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative 'what'; introduces the indirect question 'what you have done'.
πεποίηκαςyou have donePerf Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωverb of indirect question (perfect)→ verbal action or stateποιέω (perf. πεποίηκας): 'do'; 'what you have done (with present consequence)' — the perfect underscores the act's abiding result (the death-lot).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπήγγειλενtold / reportedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (Jonathan's compliance)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce / bring word'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); the verb of formal reporting recurs in the chapter for the war-dispatches (vv. 18, 22); here it carries the private but explosive news of pregnancy.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Saul)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Saul).
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
γευσάμενοςtasting / indeedAor Mid Ptc Masc Nom Sg · γεύομαιcognate participle (intensifying ἐγευσάμην: Hebraism)→ verbal action or stateγεύομαι: meaning 'tasting'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as cognate participle (intensifying ἐγευσάμην: Hebraism).
ἐγευσάμηνI tastedAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · γεύομαιmain verb (the confessed act)→ verbal action or stateγεύομαι: 'taste'; see v. 24; with γευσάμενος, the emphatic confession of the tasting.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrument)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrument).
ἄκρῳtip / endDativedative of instrument (with τῷ σκήπτρῳ: 'with the tip of the staff')→ sphere or referenceἄκρον: 'tip / end'; see vv. 2, 27; ἐν ἄκρῳ τῷ σκήπτρῳ ('with the tip of the staff') — the instrument of the tasting.
τῷtheDativearticle (with σκήπτρῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκήπτρῳstaff / rodDativedative of instrument→ sphere or referenceσκήπτρῳ: meaning 'staff'; it serves as dative of instrument.
τῷthe (which)Dativearticle (attributive, with prepositional phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with χειρί)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρίhandDativedative of place ('in my hand')→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; τῷ ἐν τῇ χειρί μου ('that was in my hand'); see v. 27.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
βραχὺa littleAccusativeadjective (with μέλι: 'a little honey')→ object specificationβραχύς: 'small / little'; see v. 29; 'a little honey' — the smallness of the act against the magnitude of the threatened penalty.
μέλιhoneyAccusativedirect object of ἐγευσάμην→ object specificationμέλι: 'honey'; see v. 27.
ἰδοὺbehold / herepresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδοὺ: meaning 'behold'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγὼ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (emphatic pronoun).
ἀποθνῄσκωI am dying / ready to diePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (Jonathan's acceptance)→ verbal action or stateἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the present ἀποθνῄσκω ('I am dying / I am ready to die') voices calm acceptance of the sentence — the innocent's submission that moves the people to act.
44

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Σαουλ τάδε ποιήσαι μοι ὁ θεὸς καὶ τάδε προσθείη ὅτι θανάτῳ ἀποθανῇ σήμερον

And Saul said to him, 'May God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die today, Jonathan!'

Foreground speech: Saul's self-imprecation reaffirming the sentenceκαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Σαουλ τάδε ποιήσαι μοι ὁ θεὸς
Saul binds himself with a self-imprecation oath formula (τάδε ποιήσαι μοι ὁ θεὸς καὶ τάδε προσθείη, 'may God do so to me and more') and reaffirms the death-sentence with the absolute θανάτῳ ἀποθανῇ ('you shall surely die'). His rigidity over his own oath drives toward the catastrophe the people will avert.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's self-imprecation.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Jonathan)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Jonathan).
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τάδεthus / soAccusativedemonstrative (object of ποιήσαι, in oath-formula)→ object specificationὅδε: 'thus / these things'; τάδε ποιήσαι … καὶ τάδε προσθείη ('may [God] do thus … and add thus') is the standard self-imprecation oath-formula (כֹּה יַעֲשֶׂה … וְכֹה יוֹסִיף).
ποιήσαιmay doAor Act Opt 3 Sg · ποιέωoptative of wish (oath-imprecation)→ verbal action or stateποιέω (opt. ποιήσαι): 'do'; the optative of wish in the self-imprecation — Saul invokes divine punishment on himself if he fails to execute the sentence.
μοιto meDativeindirect object (Saul, object of the self-curse)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Saul, object of the self-curse).
theNominativearticle (with θεὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ποιήσαι/προσθείη→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the divine guarantor invoked in the self-imprecation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τάδεmore also / thusAccusativedemonstrative (object of προσθείη)→ object specificationὅδε: 'thus'; the second member of the oath-formula ('and add thus' = 'and more also').
προσθείηmay addAor Act Opt 3 Sg · προστίθημιoptative of wish (oath-imprecation)→ verbal action or stateπροστίθημι (opt. προσθείη): 'add / increase'; καὶ τάδε προσθείη ('and may he add more') completes the self-imprecation; renders יוֹסִיף.
ὅτιfor / surelyconjunction (introducing the sworn content)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / that'; introduces the substance of the oath — the death-sentence.
θανάτῳby death / surelyDativecognate dative (Hebraism, intensifying ἀποθανῇ)→ sphere or referenceθάνατος: 'death'; θανάτῳ ἀποθανῇ ('you shall surely die') is the cognate-dative rendering of the Hebrew infinitive absolute מוֹת תָּמוּת; see v. 39; an absolute death-sentence.
ἀποθανῇyou shall dieFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (the reaffirmed sentence)→ verbal action or stateἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; with the cognate dative, 'you shall surely die' — Saul's rigid reaffirmation, soon overturned by the people.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; see v. 28; the day of victory turned to the threat of execution.
45

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ λαὸς πρὸς Σαουλ εἰ σήμερον θανατωθήσεται ὁ ποιήσας τὴν σωτηρίαν τὴν μεγάλην ταύτην ἐν Ισραηλ ζῇ κύριος εἰ πεσεῖται τῆς τριχὸς τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ὅτι ὁ λαὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ἐποίησεν τὴν ἡμέραν ταύτην καὶ προσηύξατο ὁ λαὸς περὶ Ιωναθαν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ καὶ οὐκ ἀπέθανεν

And the people said to Saul, 'Shall the one who has wrought this great salvation in Israel be put to death today? As the LORD lives, not a hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for the people of God have accomplished this day!' And the people ransomed Jonathan that day, and he did not die.

Foreground speech: the people's ransom of Jonathan (climax of section F)καὶ εἶπεν ὁ λαὸς πρὸς Σαουλ
The people decisively intervene, countering Saul's oath with their own (ζῇ κύριος, 'as the LORD lives') and the proverbial pledge of total protection — εἰ πεσεῖται τῆς τριχὸς τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ ('not a hair of his head shall fall'). Their ground is theological: Jonathan wrought 'this great salvation' (τὴν σωτηρίαν τὴν μεγάλην) with God (μετὰ θεοῦ in MT; here ὁ λαὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ἐποίησεν). They ransom him, and he does not die.
Word-by-word analysis· 52 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces the people's protective oath.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceλαὸς: meaning 'people'; it serves as subject of εἶπεν.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΣαουλSaulaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
εἰshall? / surely notinterrogative/negative-oath particle→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: here introducing an indignant rhetorical question ('shall…?') with the force of strong denial; in oath-contexts εἰ functions as an emphatic negative (Hebraism, אִם).
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; see v. 28.
θανατωθήσεταιshall be put to deathFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · θανατόωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ verbal action or stateθανατόω: 'put to death / kill'; renders מוּת (Hiphil); the people protest the execution of the victor — 'shall he be put to death?' expects an emphatic 'no'.
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποιήσαςwho wrought / accomplishedAor Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · ποιέωsubstantival participle (subject: 'the one who wrought')→ verbal action or stateποιέω: meaning 'who wrought'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as substantival participle (subject: 'the one who wrought').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with σωτηρίαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σωτηρίανsalvation / deliveranceAccusativedirect object of ποιήσας→ object specificationσωτηρίαν: meaning 'salvation'; it serves as direct object of ποιήσας.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (attributive, with μεγάλην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μεγάληνgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (with σωτηρίαν)→ object specificationμεγάλην: meaning 'great'; it serves as attributive adjective (with σωτηρίαν).
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (with σωτηρίαν)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the very deliverance just won.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
ΙσραηλIsraeldative object of ἐν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the people in/for whom the deliverance was wrought.
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (oath-formula)→ verbal action or stateζάω: 'live / be alive'; in the oath ζῇ ἡ ψυχή σου ('your soul lives'), the formula by which Uriah swears by the king's own life; renders the Hebrew asseverative חֵי.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ζῇ (the divine guarantor)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the living YHWH guarantees the people's oath of protection.
εἰsurely notoath-particle (emphatic negative)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: in the oath ζῇ κύριος εἰ … ('as the LORD lives, [not]…') εἰ has the force of an emphatic negative — the Hebrew oath idiom אִם guaranteeing 'surely not'.
πεσεῖταιshall fallFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (oath-content, emphatic negation)→ verbal action or stateπίπτω: 'fall'; εἰ πεσεῖται τῆς τριχὸς … ('not a hair shall fall') is a proverbial pledge of total preservation (cf. 2 Sam 14:11; 1 Kgs 1:52; Luke 21:18); renders אִם יִפֹּל.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with τριχὸς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τριχὸςhairGenitivepartitive genitive (subject of πεσεῖται: 'not [a single] hair')→ relational specificationθρίξ (gen. τριχός): 'hair'; the partitive genitive in the idiom 'not a hair of his head shall fall' = he will be entirely preserved.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with κεφαλῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλῆςheadGenitivegenitive (with τριχός: 'hair of the head')→ relational specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; 'a hair of his head' — the totality-of-protection idiom.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Jonathan's)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Jonathan's).
ἐπὶto / uponpreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνground / earthAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (goal)→ object specificationγῆ: 'earth / ground'; 'to the ground' completes the idiom — not even a hair will be lost.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; grounds the protection in the divine cooperation in the day's deeds.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἐποίησεν→ participant prominenceλαὸς: meaning 'people'; it serves as subject of ἐποίησεν.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with θεοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive (with λαὸς: 'the people of God')→ relational specificationθεοῦ: meaning 'God'; it serves as genitive (with λαὸς: 'the people of God').
ἐποίησενaccomplished / wroughtAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of causal clause→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do / accomplish'; ἐποίησεν τὴν ἡμέραν ταύτην ('accomplished this day' = brought about this day's victory) grounds the people's plea — the deliverance was God's people's doing, divinely aided.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἡμέραν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρανdayAccusativedirect object of ἐποίησεν (idiom: 'wrought this day')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; ἐποίησεν τὴν ἡμέραν ταύτην ('brought about this day') = achieved this day's deliverance.
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (with ἡμέραν)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the day of victory.
καὶand sonarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and so'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσηύξατοransomed / interceded forAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προσεύχομαιmain verb (the people's action for Jonathan)→ verbal action or stateπροσεύχομαι: 'pray'; renders הִתְפַּלֵּל; the prophet's prayer to YHWH is the true source of the raising — the miracle is petitionary, not magical.
theNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of προσηύξατο→ participant prominenceλαὸς: meaning 'people'; it serves as subject of προσηύξατο.
περὶfor / concerningpreposition + genitive (on behalf of)→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (on behalf of).
ΙωναθανJonathangenitive object of περί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: the one ransomed/interceded for.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ἐκείνῃ)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; see v. 18.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκείνῃ: meaning 'that'; it serves as demonstrative adjective (with ἡμέρᾳ).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (negating ἀπέθανεν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (the deliverance accomplished)→ verbal action or stateἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; see v. 7.
46

καὶ ἀνέβη Σαουλ ἀπὸ ὄπισθεν τῶν ἀλλοφύλων καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῶν

And Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went away to their own place.

Foreground narrative: the pursuit breaks offκαὶ ἀνέβη Σαουλ
The episode of the day ends abruptly: Saul withdraws from the pursuit (the planned night-chase of v. 36 abandoned, the oracle having gone unanswered), and the Philistines escape to their own territory. The incomplete victory tacitly confirms Jonathan's lament of v. 30 — the oath cost Israel a fuller triumph.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβηwent up / withdrewAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; here 'withdrew / broke off' the pursuit (ἀνέβη ἀπὸ ὄπισθεν, 'went up from following'); see v. 13.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
ὄπισθενbehind / pursuingadverb (with ἀπό: 'from after/following')→ clausal contributionὄπισθεν: 'from behind / after'; ἀπὸ ὄπισθεν τῶν ἀλλοφύλων ('from pursuing the Philistines') — Saul stops chasing them; renders מֵאַחֲרֵי.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive object of ὄπισθεν→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines; see v. 1.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀλλόφυλοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject of ἀπῆλθον→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines, now free to retreat.
ἀπῆλθονwent away / departedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb→ verbal action or stateἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the Philistines withdraw to their territory, the day's fighting over.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τόπον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationτόπος: 'place / region'; εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῶν ('to their own place') = back to Philistine territory; renders מְקוֹמָם.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
47

καὶ Σαουλ κατακληροῦται ἔργον ἐπὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἐπολέμει κύκλῳ πάντας τοὺς ἐχθροὺς αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν Μωαβ καὶ εἰς τοὺς υἱοὺς Αμμων καὶ εἰς τοὺς υἱοὺς Εδωμ καὶ εἰς τὸν Βαιθεωρ καὶ εἰς βασιλέα Σουβα καὶ εἰς τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους οὗ ἂν ἐστράφη ἐσῴζετο

And Saul took up the rule over Israel, and he warred on every side against all his enemies — against Moab and against the Ammonites and against the Edomites and against Beth-Beor and against the king of Zobah and against the Philistines; wherever he turned, he was victorious.

Narratorial summary (opening of section G: Saul's reign and wars)καὶ Σαουλ κατακληροῦται ἔργον ἐπὶ Ισραηλ
A summarizing report of Saul's reign begins. He 'takes up the task/rule' (κατακληροῦται ἔργον, the LXX's rendering of לָכַד הַמְּלוּכָה, 'seized the kingship') and wars against enemies on every side (κύκλῳ). The list — Moab, Ammon, Edom, Beth-Beor, Zobah, Philistines — and the refrain οὗ ἂν ἐστράφη ἐσῴζετο ('wherever he turned he prevailed') present Saul, for once, as a successful deliverer.
Word-by-word analysis· 42 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable, fronted)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: the king; the summary of his reign opens with his name fronted.
κατακληροῦταιtakes up / secures (the rule)Pres Mid Indic 3 Sg · κατακληρόομαιmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateκατακληρόομαι: lit. 'obtain by lot / take possession'; here the LXX renders the Hebrew לָכַד ('seized / took hold of') the kingship — 'Saul secured the rule over Israel'; the same verb used of the lot in vv. 41–42, here in the sense of taking up office.
ἔργονtask / ruleAccusativedirect object of κατακληροῦται→ object specificationἔργον: 'work / task / office'; here the royal task/rule ('took up the work of kingship over Israel'); a free rendering of the Hebrew הַמְּלוּכָה ('the kingship').
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (rule over)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'over'; ἐπὶ Ισραηλ ('over Israel') — the sphere of Saul's rule.
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the people over whom Saul reigns.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπολέμειwarred / foughtImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · πολεμέωmain verb (durative, summarizing reign)→ verbal action or stateπολεμέω: 'wage war / fight'; the imperfect ἐπολέμει summarizes Saul's repeated campaigns against surrounding enemies; renders נִלְחַם.
κύκλῳround about / on every sideadverb (dative form) of place→ clausal contributionκύκλῳ: 'in a circle / round about / on every side'; renders סָבִיב; Saul fought enemies on all sides.
πάνταςallAccusativeadjective (with τοὺς ἐχθροὺς)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; all his surrounding enemies.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἐχθροὺς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθροὺςenemiesAccusativedirect object of ἐπολέμει→ object specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy'; see v. 24; the surrounding nations Saul fought.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: here 'against' (hostile), listing the foes one by one.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Μωαβ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜωαβMoabaccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliteration of Hebrew מוֹאָב; indeclinable; the trans-Jordanian nation east of the Dead Sea, a perennial enemy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with υἱοὺς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (with Αμμων)→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Αμμων ('the sons of Ammon' = the Ammonites) is the standard LXX designation; renders בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן.
ΑμμωνAmmongenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Ammon')→ participant identificationΑμμων: transliteration of Hebrew עַמּוֹן; indeclinable; the Ammonites, whose oppression Saul had earlier broken (1 Sam 11).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with υἱοὺς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (with Εδωμ)→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Εδωμ ('the sons of Edom' = the Edomites).
ΕδωμEdomgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Edom')→ participant identificationΕδωμ: transliteration of Hebrew אֱדוֹם; indeclinable; the nation south of the Dead Sea, descended from Esau.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Βαιθεωρ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒαιθεωρBeth-Beoraccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒαιθεωρ: a transliterated place-name (the LXX appears to read a 'Beth-Beor' where MT has בֵּית רְחוֹב or relates to the kings of Zobah); indeclinable; one of the enemies in the campaign-list.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; βασιλέα Σουβα ('the king of Zobah'); renders מַלְכֵי צוֹבָה; Zobah was an Aramean kingdom to the north.
ΣουβαZobahgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Zobah')→ participant identificationΣουβα: transliteration of Hebrew צוֹבָה (Zobah); indeclinable; an Aramean state north of Israel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀλλοφύλους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλουςPhilistinesAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines; see v. 1; the last and chief of Saul's enemies (cf. v. 52).
οὗwhereverrelative adverb (locative: 'wherever')→ participant referenceοὗ: 'where'; with ἄν indefinite ('wherever he turned'); see v. 4.
ἂνevermodal particle (indefinite, with ἐστράφη)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: confers indefiniteness on the relative ('wherever').
ἐστράφηhe turnedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · στρέφωverb of indefinite relative clause→ verbal action or stateστρέφω (aor. pass.): 'turn'; οὗ ἂν ἐστράφη ('wherever he turned') — in whatever direction he campaigned; renders אֲשֶׁר יִפְנֶה.
ἐσῴζετοhe was victorious / prevailedImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · σῴζωmain verb (refrain of success)→ verbal action or stateσῴζω (impf. mid.): 'save / be saved / be victorious'; here in the sense 'he was delivered / came off victorious' — the refrain οὗ ἂν ἐστράφη ἐσῴζετο ('wherever he turned he prevailed') sums up Saul's military success; the Hebrew יַרְשִׁיעַ ('he acted with might / inflicted punishment') is rendered with the σῴζω root, tying Saul's wars to the chapter's salvation-theme.
48

καὶ ἐποίησεν δύναμιν καὶ ἐπάταξεν τὸν Αμαληκ καὶ ἐξείλατο τὸν Ισραηλ ἐκ χειρὸς τῶν καταπατούντων αὐτόν

And he gathered an army and struck Amalek and delivered Israel from the hand of those who trampled him.

Narratorial summary (Saul's Amalekite victory)καὶ ἐποίησεν δύναμιν
The summary continues: Saul raised a force (ἐποίησεν δύναμιν), defeated Amalek (anticipating ch. 15), and 'delivered Israel' (ἐξείλατο τὸν Ισραηλ) from its oppressors. The deliverance-language (ἐξείλατο, σῴζω-cognate themes) presents Saul, in summary, as a genuine rescuer of his people — a high note before the tragedy of ch. 15.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησενmade / gatheredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do / make'; ἐποίησεν δύναμιν ('mustered an army / acted with might'); the idiom עָשָׂה חַיִל can mean 'gather a force' or 'do valiantly'.
δύναμινarmy / mightAccusativedirect object of ἐποίησεν→ object specificationδύναμις: 'power / might / army / host'; renders חַיִל; here either the force Saul raised or the valor he showed.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξενstruck / defeatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike / smite / defeat'; see v. 13; Saul's defeat of Amalek anticipates the fuller account of ch. 15.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Αμαληκ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμαληκAmalekdirect object of ἐπάταξεν (indeclinable, articular)→ participant identificationΑμαληκ: transliteration of Hebrew עֲמָלֵק; indeclinable; the desert nation under perpetual ḥerem (Exod 17:14–16; Deut 25:17–19), Saul's defeat of whom is the subject of ch. 15.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξείλατοdelivered / rescuedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐξαιρέωmain verb (the deliverance)→ verbal action or stateἐξαιρέω (mid. ἐξείλατο): 'take out / rescue / deliver'; renders נָצַל (Hiphil); ἐξείλατο τὸν Ισραηλ ('delivered Israel') casts Saul as a true rescuer of his people from their oppressors.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Ισραηλ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraeldirect object of ἐξείλατο (indeclinable, articular)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the people Saul delivered.
ἐκfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (source/separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source/separation).
χειρὸςhandGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (idiom: 'from the hand of')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἐκ χειρὸς ('from the hand/power of') is the standard idiom for deliverance from oppression; renders מִיַּד.
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καταπατούντωνthose trampling / plunderersPres Act Ptc Masc Gen Pl · καταπατέωsubstantival participle (genitive: 'those who trampled')→ verbal action or stateκαταπατέω: 'trample down / tread under'; οἱ καταπατοῦντες ('those trampling [Israel]') = the oppressors/plunderers from whom Saul rescued the people; renders שֹׁסֵהוּ ('his despoilers').
αὐτόνhim / itAccusativedirect object of καταπατούντων (Israel)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'him'; refers to Israel (treated as masculine collective), the one trampled by the enemies.
49

καὶ ἦσαν υἱοὶ Σαουλ Ιωναθαν καὶ Ιεσσιου καὶ Μελχισα καὶ ὀνόματα τῶν δύο θυγατέρων αὐτοῦ ὄνομα τῇ πρωτοτόκῳ Μεροβ καὶ ὄνομα τῇ δευτέρᾳ Μελχολ

And the sons of Saul were Jonathan and Jessiou and Melchisa; and the names of his two daughters: the name of the firstborn was Merob and the name of the second Melchol.

Narratorial summary (Saul's family register, part 1)καὶ ἦσαν υἱοὶ Σαουλ
A genealogical register of Saul's household begins (vv. 49–51), a typical concluding summary for a reign-notice. His three sons are named (Jonathan first), and his two daughters Merab and Michal — the latter destined to become David's wife. The naming formula ὄνομα τῇ πρωτοτόκῳ … καὶ ὄνομα τῇ δευτέρᾳ mirrors v. 4.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (existential, register)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be'; ἦσαν υἱοὶ Σαουλ ('the sons of Saul were…') opens the family register.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἦσαν→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the sons of Saul listed here.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: the king whose family is registered.
ΙωναθανJonathanpredicate nominative (indeclinable; first son)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: the hero of the chapter, listed first among Saul's sons (cf. 1 Sam 31:2).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙεσσιουJessiou (Ishvi)predicate nominative (indeclinable; second son)→ participant identificationΙεσσιου: transliteration corresponding to Hebrew יִשְׁוִי (Ishvi); indeclinable; Saul's second son (cf. Ishbosheth/Ishvi traditions).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜελχισαMelchisa (Malchishua)predicate nominative (indeclinable; third son)→ participant identificationΜελχισα: transliteration of Hebrew מַלְכִּי־שׁוּעַ (Malchishua); indeclinable; Saul's third son, who fell with him at Gilboa (1 Sam 31:2).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀνόματαnamesNominativesubject (verbless naming clause)→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; ὀνόματα τῶν δύο θυγατέρων ('the names of the two daughters') introduces the daughters' register; see v. 4.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with θυγατέρων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δύοtwoGenitivenumeral (indeclinable, with θυγατέρων)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable; Saul's two daughters.
θυγατέρωνdaughtersGenitivegenitive (with ὀνόματα: 'names of the daughters')→ relational specificationθυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; renders בַּת; the two daughters Merab and Michal.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Saul's)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Saul's).
ὄνομαnameNominativenominative (naming formula)→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; ὄνομα τῇ πρωτοτόκῳ … ('the name of the firstborn [daughter]'); the naming formula of v. 4.
τῇto theDativearticle (with πρωτοτόκῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωτοτόκῳfirstbornDativedative of possession (the firstborn daughter)→ sphere or referenceπρωτότοκος: 'firstborn'; see Exod 11:5; here the elder daughter Merab; the dative of possession in the naming idiom.
ΜεροβMerob (Merab)predicate (name of the firstborn daughter, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜεροβ: transliteration of Hebrew מֵרַב (Merab); indeclinable; Saul's elder daughter, later given to Adriel (1 Sam 18:19).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativenominative (naming formula, second daughter)→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the second member of the naming pair.
τῇto theDativearticle (with δευτέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δευτέρᾳsecondDativedative of possession (the second daughter)→ sphere or referenceδεύτερος: 'second'; the younger daughter Michal; the dative of possession in the naming idiom.
ΜελχολMelchol (Michal)predicate (name of the second daughter, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜελχολ: transliteration of Hebrew מִיכַל (Michal); indeclinable; Saul's younger daughter, who became David's wife (1 Sam 18:20–27).
50

καὶ ὄνομα τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ Αχινοομ θυγάτηρ Αχιμαας καὶ ὄνομα τῷ ἀρχιστρατήγῳ Αβεννηρ υἱὸς Νηρ υἱοῦ οἰκείου Σαουλ

And the name of his wife was Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaas; and the name of his commander-in-chief was Abner son of Ner, a kinsman of Saul.

Narratorial summary (Saul's family register, part 2)καὶ ὄνομα τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ
The register continues with Saul's wife Ahinoam and his army-commander Abner son of Ner, identified as Saul's kinsman (οἰκεῖος). The naming-formula and the note on Abner's relation prepare for his prominence in the ensuing narrative (the Saulide-Davidide conflict).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativenominative (naming formula)→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the naming formula continues with Saul's wife.
τῇto theDativearticle (with γυναικὶ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναικὶwifeDativedative of possession (the wife, in naming idiom)→ sphere or referenceγυνή: 'woman / wife'; see Exod 11:2; ὄνομα τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ ('the name of his wife').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Saul's)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Saul's).
ΑχινοομAhinoampredicate (name of Saul's wife, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑχινοομ: transliteration of Hebrew אֲחִינֹעַם (Ahinoam); indeclinable; Saul's wife, daughter of Ahimaas.
θυγάτηρdaughterNominativeappositional nominative (Ahinoam 'daughter of Ahimaas')→ participant prominenceθυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; see v. 49; the patronymic for Ahinoam.
ΑχιμααςAhimaasgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Ahimaas')→ participant identificationΑχιμαας: transliteration of Hebrew אֲחִימַעַץ (Ahimaaz); indeclinable; Ahinoam's father.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativenominative (naming formula)→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the naming formula now for Saul's commander.
τῷto theDativearticle (with ἀρχιστρατήγῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀρχιστρατήγῳcommander-in-chiefDativedative of possession (the commander, in naming idiom)→ sphere or referenceἀρχιστράτηγος: 'commander-in-chief / captain of the host'; renders שַׂר הַצָּבָא; the supreme military officer — Abner; the LXX term is also used of the divine 'commander of the LORD's army' (Josh 5:14).
ΑβεννηρAbnerpredicate (name of the commander, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεννηρ: transliteration of Hebrew אַבְנֵר (Abner); indeclinable; Saul's army-commander and cousin, a major figure in the following narrative.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositional nominative (Abner 'son of Ner')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the patronymic for Abner.
ΝηρNergenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Ner')→ participant identificationΝηρ: transliteration of Hebrew נֵר (Ner); indeclinable; Abner's father; cf. v. 51.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition (continuing the relationship)→ relational specificationυἱός (gen.): continuing the lineage — Ner, a kinsman/son of Saul's house; the syntax is loose, marking Abner's kinship to Saul.
οἰκείουkinsman / of the householdGenitivegenitive (substantival adjective: 'a kinsman')→ relational specificationοἰκεῖος: 'belonging to the household / kinsman / relative'; renders דּוֹד ('uncle / kinsman'); identifies Abner (through Ner) as Saul's relative — Ner being Saul's uncle/kinsman (cf. v. 51).
ΣαουλSaulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: the king to whom Abner was kin.
51

καὶ Κις πατὴρ Σαουλ καὶ Νηρ πατὴρ Αβεννηρ υἱὸς Ιαμιν υἱοῦ Αβιηλ

And Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was son of Jamin, son of Abiel.

Narratorial summary (Saul's family register, part 3: paternal lineage)καὶ Κις πατὴρ Σαουλ
The register closes with the paternal lineage tying Saul and Abner together through a common ancestry (Abiel). Kish is Saul's father; Ner, Abner's father, is traced through Jamin to Abiel — establishing the kinship of the royal and military houses. The verse is a verbless genealogical note.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΚιςKishsubject (verbless clause, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΚις: transliteration of Hebrew קִישׁ (Kish); indeclinable; Saul's father (cf. 1 Sam 9:1).
πατὴρfatherNominativepredicate nominative (Kish 'father of Saul')→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father'; identifies Kish as Saul's father.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: the king, son of Kish.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΝηρNersubject (verbless clause, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝηρ: Abner's father; see v. 50.
πατὴρfatherNominativepredicate nominative (Ner 'father of Abner')→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father'; identifies Ner as Abner's father.
ΑβεννηρAbnergenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Abner')→ participant identificationΑβεννηρ: the commander; see v. 50.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositional nominative (Ner 'son of Jamin')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; continues the lineage of Ner.
ΙαμινJamingenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Jamin')→ participant identificationΙαμιν: a transliterated name in the lineage (cf. אֲבִיאֵל traditions); indeclinable; an ancestor linking Ner to Abiel.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition (continuing lineage)→ relational specificationυἱός (gen.): continues the descent — Jamin son of Abiel.
ΑβιηλAbielgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Abiel')→ participant identificationΑβιηλ: transliteration of Hebrew אֲבִיאֵל (Abiel); indeclinable; the common ancestor of Saul's and Abner's lines (cf. 1 Sam 9:1).
52

καὶ ἦν ὁ πόλεμος κραταιὸς ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας Σαουλ καὶ ἰδὼν Σαουλ πάντα ἄνδρα δυνατὸν καὶ πάντα ἄνδρα υἱὸν δυνάμεως καὶ συνήγαγεν αὐτοὺς πρὸς αὐτόν

And the war against the Philistines was fierce all the days of Saul; and whenever Saul saw any mighty man or any valiant man, he gathered him to himself.

Narratorial summary (close of chapter: perpetual war and recruitment)καὶ ἦν ὁ πόλεμος κραταιὸς
The chapter closes with two summary notes: the war with the Philistines was relentless all Saul's days (πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας), and Saul continually conscripted every able and valiant man (πάντα ἄνδρα δυνατόν … υἱὸν δυνάμεως) into his service. This recruitment-note quietly anticipates the introduction of David, the supreme 'mighty man' Saul will draw to himself.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 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 (existential, summarizing)→ participant referenceεἰμί: 'be'; ἦν ὁ πόλεμος κραταιός ('the war was fierce') summarizes the perpetual Philistine conflict of Saul's reign.
theNominativearticle (with πόλεμος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεμοςwarNominativesubject of ἦν→ participant prominenceπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; see v. 20; the ongoing war with the Philistines.
κραταιὸςfierce / mightyNominativepredicate adjective (with ἦν: 'was fierce')→ participant prominenceκραταιός: 'strong / mighty / fierce'; renders חֲזָקָה; the war was severe and unrelenting throughout Saul's reign.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀλλοφύλους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλουςPhilistinesAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines; see v. 1; the chief and constant enemy of Saul's reign.
πάσαςallAccusativeadjective (with τὰς ἡμέρας)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ('all the days') — throughout Saul's whole reign.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with ἡμέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration (extent of time)→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας Σαουλ ('all the days of Saul') = throughout his reign; accusative of duration.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: the king whose reign-long war is noted.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδὼνseeing / whenever he sawAor Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · ὁράωcircumstantial participle (temporal/conditional: 'whenever he saw')→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. ptc. ἰδών): 'see'; ἰδὼν … συνήγαγεν ('having seen … he gathered') has iterative force here — 'whenever Saul saw any able man, he recruited him'; renders the Hebrew frequentative.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πάνταeveryAccusativeadjective (with ἄνδρα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'every'; πάντα ἄνδρα δυνατόν ('every mighty man') — Saul's universal recruitment of warriors.
ἄνδραmanAccusativedirect object of ἰδών→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the warrior Saul spotted and conscripted.
δυνατὸνmighty / ableAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἄνδρα)→ object specificationδυνατός: 'powerful / mighty / able'; renders גִּבּוֹר; a man of strength and prowess.
καὶand / orcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταeveryAccusativeadjective (with ἄνδρα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'every'; the second category of recruit.
ἄνδραmanAccusativedirect object of ἰδών (parallel)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the valiant man, the second class of recruit.
υἱὸνsonAccusativeaccusative in apposition (idiom: 'son of valor')→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; υἱὸν δυνάμεως ('son of strength/valor' = a valiant man) is a Hebraism (בֶּן־חַיִל), 'son of' denoting one characterized by the quality.
δυνάμεωςof strength / valorGenitivegenitive of quality (with υἱὸν: 'son of valor')→ relational specificationδύναμις: 'power / strength / valor'; see v. 48; υἱὸς δυνάμεως ('son of valor') = a courageous warrior.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (apodosis of the iterative ἰδών)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: introduces the main clause after the participle ('whenever he saw … he gathered'); apodotic καί (Hebraism).
συνήγαγενgathered / drewAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συνάγωmain verb (Saul's recruitment)→ verbal action or stateσυνάγω: 'gather / bring together'; see v. 19; συνήγαγεν αὐτοὺς πρὸς αὐτόν ('he gathered them to himself') — Saul's standing practice of recruiting every able warrior, the note that closes the chapter and looks ahead to David's entry into his service.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of συνήγαγεν→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'them'; the able and valiant men Saul conscripted.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
αὐτόνhimselfAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Saul)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'himself'; Saul gathered the warriors to his own service — the chapter's closing note, anticipating David.