6
καὶ ἐξῆλθον αἱ χορεύουσαι εἰς συνάντησιν Δαυιδ ἐκ πασῶν πόλεων Ισραηλ ἐν τυμπάνοις καὶ ἐν χαρμοσύνῃ καὶ ἐν κυμβάλοις
And the dancing women came out to meet David from all the cities of Israel with tambourines and with rejoicing and with cymbals.
The chapter opens in medias res with καί-parataxis; because the LXX lacks MT vv. 1–5, this victory-celebration is the first surviving scene. The dancing women's procession sets up the song of v. 7 and the jealousy of v. 8 — the narrative engine of the whole chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: the paratactic καί rendering Hebrew wāw-consecutive; it opens the surviving Old Greek narrative, the LXX having no equivalent to MT 18:1–5.
ἐξῆλθονcame outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb→ verbal action or stateἐξέρχομαι: 'go/come out'; renders יָצָא; the women come out of the cities to meet the returning army — a standard motif of public victory celebration (cf. Judg 11:34; Exod 15:20).
αἱtheNominativearticle (with substantival participle)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χορεύουσαιdancing womenPres Act Ptcp Nom Fem Pl · χορεύωsubstantival participle (subject of ἐξῆλθον)→ verbal action or stateχορεύω: 'dance (in a ring/chorus)'; the substantival participle αἱ χορεύουσαι ('the dancing women') renders the Hebrew מְחֹלוֹת / participial sense; the dance with timbrels is the female celebratory form (cf. Miriam, Exod 15:20).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (purpose/direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose/direction).
συνάντησινmeetingAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom: 'to meet')→ object specificationσυνάντησις: 'a meeting / encounter'; the idiom εἰς συνάντησιν + gen. renders לִקְרַאת ('to meet'), a fixed LXX equivalent for going out to encounter someone (cf. Gen 14:17).
ΔαυιδDavidobjective genitive of συνάντησιν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliteration of Hebrew דָּוִד; indeclinable in the LXX, here functioning as the genitive complement of συνάντησιν ('to meet David').
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
πασῶνallGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying πόλεων)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all / every'; the feminine genitive plural πασῶν agrees with πόλεων, stressing the nationwide scope of the celebration.
πόλεωνcitiesGenitivegenitive of source (object of ἐκ)→ relational specificationπόλις: 'city'; renders עָרֵי; the women come from all the towns of Israel, marking the celebration as a national, not local, event.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'cities of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here the genitive 'of Israel' qualifies πόλεων.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental/accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here instrumental ('with'), a Hebraism rendering בְּ; introduces the musical accompaniment of the dance.
τυμπάνοιςtambourinesDativedative of instrument→ sphere or referenceτύμπανον: 'hand-drum / timbrel / tambourine'; renders תֹּף; the characteristic instrument of women's victory songs (cf. Exod 15:20; Judg 11:34).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (manner)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (manner).
χαρμοσύνῃrejoicingDativedative of manner ('with joy')→ sphere or referenceχαρμοσύνη: 'joy / gladness / festivity'; a noun of celebration; its placement between the two instruments may render a Hebrew term for festive song or simply the joyful character of the procession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental).
κυμβάλοιςcymbalsDativedative of instrument→ sphere or referenceκύμβαλον: 'cymbal'; renders the percussion instruments of celebration (cf. שָׁלִישִׁים in MT, 'three-stringed/musical instruments', which the LXX here construes as cymbals).
7
καὶ ἐξῆρχον αἱ γυναῖκες καὶ ἔλεγον ἐπάταξεν Σαουλ ἐν χιλιάσιν αὐτοῦ καὶ Δαυιδ ἐν μυριάσιν αὐτοῦ
And the women led off, and they were saying, 'Saul struck down in his thousands, and David in his tens of thousands.'
The women's antiphonal refrain is the hinge of the whole chapter. The imperfects ἐξῆρχον / ἔλεγον depict the repeated, chant-like performance. The fatal contrast χιλιάσιν (thousands, Saul) vs. μυριάσιν (ten-thousands, David) is what Saul will quote back resentfully in v. 8.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆρχονled off / began (the song)Impf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξάρχωmain verb (imperfect of repeated/customary action)→ verbal action or stateἐξάρχω: 'lead off / strike up (a song) / sing antiphonally'; the technical verb for leading the responsorial chant; the imperfect depicts the ongoing call-and-response performance of the victory song.
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναῖκεςwomenNominativesubject→ participant prominenceγυνή: 'woman'; here the celebrating women of v. 6, now identified as the singers of the refrain.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλεγονwere sayingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (imperfect introducing the chant)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (impf.): the imperfect ἔλεγον ('they kept saying') marks the refrain as repeatedly chanted, a customary feature of the antiphonal victory song.
ἐπάταξενstruck downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb of the song (with double subject Saul/David)→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike / smite / slay'; renders הִכָּה; the single verb governs both Saul (thousands) and David (ten-thousands), the gapped construction sharpening the numerical contrast.
ΣαουλSaulsubject of ἐπάταξεν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliteration of Hebrew שָׁאוּל; indeclinable in the LXX; nominative subject (case-form unmarked).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (measure/quantity)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here distributive/numerical ('in his thousands'), rendering בְּ; the construction quantifies the slaughter.
χιλιάσινthousandsDativedative of measure (object of ἐν)→ sphere or referenceχιλιάς: 'a thousand (as a unit)'; renders אֲלָפִים; the lesser figure assigned to Saul, contrasted with David's μυριάσιν — the slight that ignites Saul's jealousy.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with χιλιάσιν)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; the possessive personalizes the tally — Saul's own thousands.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (parallelism)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject of implied ἐπάταξεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: the second member of the antiphonal couplet; the verb ἐπάταξεν is gapped, so David too 'struck down' — but in tens of thousands.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (measure)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (measure).
μυριάσινtens of thousandsDativedative of measure (object of ἐν)→ sphere or referenceμυριάς: 'ten thousand / myriad'; renders רְבָבוֹת; the tenfold superiority assigned to David is the offense Saul cannot abide — the song appears to acclaim the younger man over the king.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with μυριάσιν)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; David's own ten-thousands, the climactic and politically dangerous half of the couplet.
8
καὶ πονηρὸν ἐφάνη τὸ ῥῆμα ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς Σαουλ περὶ τοῦ λόγου τούτου καὶ εἶπεν τῷ Δαυιδ ἔδωκαν τὰς μυριάδας καὶ ἐμοὶ ἔδωκαν τὰς χιλιάδας
And the matter appeared evil in the eyes of Saul concerning this saying, and he said, 'To David they have given the ten-thousands, but to me they have given the thousands.'
Saul's interior reaction is reported with the Hebraism 'it was evil in his eyes.' His paraphrase reverses the song's order (now David's ten-thousands first), foregrounding the wound; the τῷ Δαυιδ at the head of his speech is best read as the indirect object 'to David', the antithesis to ἐμοί ('to me').
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πονηρὸνevilNominativepredicate adjective (with ἐφάνη)→ participant prominenceπονηρός: 'evil / bad / grievous'; renders רַע; the fronted predicate πονηρόν stresses the offense — the song struck Saul as wicked/displeasing.
ἐφάνηappeared / seemedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · φαίνωmain verb (impersonal-like: 'it seemed')→ verbal action or stateφαίνω (aor. pass. ἐφάνη): 'appear / seem'; with ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς it renders the Hebrew idiom וַיֵּרַע בְּעֵינֵי ('it was evil in the eyes of'), expressing subjective displeasure.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαmatter / sayingNominativesubject of ἐφάνη→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / matter / thing'; renders דָּבָר, which spans both 'word' and 'affair'; here the women's refrain understood as a troubling 'matter'.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (Hebraic idiom)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (Hebraic idiom).
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative (idiom: 'in the eyes of')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the idiom ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς + gen. ('in the eyes/estimation of') renders בְּעֵינֵי, a recurring formula in this chapter (cf. vv. 20, 23, 26) for subjective judgment.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; here the possessor in the 'eyes of Saul' idiom.
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + gen.: 'concerning / about'; specifies what displeased Saul — 'this saying'.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγουsaying / wordGenitivegenitive object of περί→ relational specificationλόγος: 'word / saying / report'; here the substance of the women's refrain; paired with ῥῆμα above, a doubling characteristic of Hebraizing narrative.
τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying λόγου)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative points back to the refrain of v. 7.
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 resentful interior speech, voicing the grievance the song has planted.
τῷtoDativearticle (dative of indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDaviddative of indirect object ('to David', with ἔδωκαν)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; with the article τῷ it functions as dative — 'to David they gave the ten-thousands', the antithesis to ἐμοί.
ἔδωκανthey gaveAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb of quoted speech (impersonal 'they')→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give'; the indefinite 3rd-plural ('they gave') refers to the singing women; Saul reads the song as a public assignment of glory.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μυριάδαςten-thousandsAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκαν→ object specificationμυριάς: 'ten thousand'; Saul fronts David's larger figure, the very datum that galls him.
καὶbutcoordinate conjunction (adversative force here)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here with adversative nuance ('but'), setting Saul's lesser share against David's.
ἐμοὶto meDativedative of indirect object (emphatic, fronted)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. ἐμοί): the emphatic, fronted 'to me' underscores Saul's wounded self-regard — he gets only the thousands.
ἔδωκανthey gaveAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (repeated for the second member)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: the repetition of ἔδωκαν in both halves heightens the parallel and Saul's sense of slight.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χιλιάδαςthousandsAccusativedirect object of the second ἔδωκαν→ object specificationχιλιάς: 'a thousand'; Saul's lesser allotment; the bare numerical contrast (myriads vs. thousands) is, in Saul's mind, a verdict on his kingship — 'what more can he have but the kingdom?' (so MT's continuation).
9
καὶ ἦν Σαουλ ὑποβλεπόμενος τὸν Δαυιδ ἀπὸ τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης καὶ ἐπέκεινα
And Saul was eyeing David with suspicion from that day on and afterward.
The periphrastic imperfect (ἦν + present participle ὑποβλεπόμενος) depicts Saul's suspicion as a durative, settled disposition rather than a single act. The temporal phrase ἀπὸ τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης καὶ ἐπέκεινα ('from that day and beyond') marks a permanent turning point in the Saul–David relationship.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίauxiliary of periphrastic imperfect→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf.): the auxiliary of the periphrastic construction ἦν … ὑποβλεπόμενος ('was eyeing'), a Hebraizing periphrasis (הָיָה + participle) expressing continuous action.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; nominative subject (case-form unmarked).
ὑποβλεπόμενοςeyeing with suspicionPres Mid Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · ὑποβλέπομαιparticiple of periphrastic imperfect (with ἦν)→ verbal action or stateὑποβλέπομαι: 'look askance at / eye with suspicion or envy'; the compound ὑπο- gives the sense of a sidelong, grudging glance; the vivid verb captures the onset of Saul's paranoid jealousy toward David.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Δαυιδ as object)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of ὑποβλεπόμενος (articular, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the article τόν marks it as the accusative object of the participle.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (temporal source)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (temporal source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (temporal)→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the phrase ἀπὸ τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης ('from that day') renders מֵהַיּוֹם הַהוּא, a standard formula marking a decisive turning point.
ἐκείνηςthatGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ relational specificationἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the day of the song becomes the dividing line in Saul's regard for David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέκειναonward / beyondadverb (temporal extension)→ clausal contributionἐπέκεινα: 'beyond / further on'; here temporal ('and onward'), rendering וָהָלְאָה; together with 'from that day' it stresses the permanence of Saul's jealous watchfulness.
12
καὶ ἐφοβήθη Σαουλ ἀπὸ προσώπου Δαυιδ
And Saul was afraid before David.
Because the Old Greek omits the first spear-throwing of MT vv. 10–11, this short clause follows directly on v. 9. Saul's fear (ἐφοβήθη) is the controlling emotion of the next section; in the MT it is grounded in the explicit statement that the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul, a theme the LXX carries in v. 14.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφοβήθηwas afraidAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · φοβέομαιmain verb→ verbal action or stateφοβέομαι: 'fear / be afraid'; renders יָרֵא; the deponent/passive aorist marks the onset of Saul's dread of David — fear that will modulate into the wary εὐλαβέομαι of vv. 15, 29.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; nominative subject.
ἀπὸbefore / frompreposition + genitive (idiom: 'before the face of')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: in the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου ('from before the face of') renders מִפְּנֵי; with verbs of fear it expresses the object dreaded.
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (idiom)→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; the Hebraism ἀπὸ προσώπου renders מִפְּנֵי, 'from before' — Saul fears David's very presence.
ΔαυιδDavidgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of David')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the genitive object of προσώπου.
13
καὶ ἀπέστησεν αὐτὸν ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ κατέστησεν αὐτὸν ἑαυτῷ χιλίαρχον καὶ ἐξεπορεύετο καὶ εἰσεπορεύετο ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ λαοῦ
And he removed him from himself and appointed him for himself a commander of a thousand; and he would go out and come in before the people.
Saul's removal of David (ἀπέστησεν) is a calculated distancing, but the appointment as χιλίαρχος and the 'going out and coming in before the people' (a Hebraism for military leadership) ironically increase David's public stature — the very outcome Saul fears. The imperfects ἐξεπορεύετο / εἰσεπορεύετο depict his customary command on campaign.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστησενremovedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίστημιmain verb→ verbal action or stateἀφίστημι (transitive aor.): 'remove / set apart / cause to depart'; Saul removes David from his immediate presence — outwardly a posting, inwardly an attempt to neutralize a rival.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (= David)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'him'; the accusative object referring to David.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation; elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; with ἀφίστημι expresses the separation of David from Saul's presence.
αὐτοῦhimselfGenitivegenitive object of ἀπ᾿ (= Saul)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'him(self)'; reflexive in sense — David is removed from Saul's own circle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέστησενappointedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίστημιmain verb (with double accusative)→ verbal action or stateκαθίστημι: 'set / appoint / establish (in office)'; takes a double accusative (him … as commander); renders שׂוּם / נָתַן in the sense of installing in rank.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (= David)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'him'; object of κατέστησεν.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativedative of advantage/reflexive (= Saul)→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; the dative ἑαυτῷ ('for himself') keeps David nominally under Saul's own command structure.
χιλίαρχονcommander of a thousandAccusativepredicate accusative (office to which David is appointed)→ object specificationχιλίαρχος: 'commander of a thousand / chiliarch'; renders שַׂר אֶלֶף; the rank both honors and removes David — sending him out to war (where Saul perhaps hopes he will fall).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξεπορεύετοwould go outImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκπορεύομαιmain verb (imperfect of customary action)→ verbal action or stateἐκπορεύομαι: 'go out / march out'; the pair 'go out and come in' (ἐξεπορεύετο / εἰσεπορεύετο) is the Hebraism יָצָא וָבוֹא for leading troops on campaign (cf. v. 16; Num 27:17).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσεπορεύετοwould come inImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσπορεύομαιmain verb (imperfect of customary action)→ verbal action or stateεἰσπορεύομαι: 'come/go in'; the second half of the 'go out and come in' idiom, denoting David's effective military leadership before the troops.
ἔμπροσθενbefore / at the head ofpreposition + genitive (position: 'in front of')→ spatial or relational framingἔμπροσθεν: 'before / in front of'; renders לִפְנֵי; David leads from the front, increasing the people's regard for him.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive object of ἔμπροσθεν→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; here the army/troops David commands, whose love for him grows (v. 16).
14
καὶ ἦν Δαυιδ ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ὁδοῖς αὐτοῦ συνίων καὶ κύριος μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ
And David was acting prudently in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.
The periphrastic imperfect ἦν … συνίων and the verbless clause κύριος μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ together state the theological key of the chapter: David's success is the visible effect of the LORD's presence. συνίημι here blends 'understand / act wisely' and 'prosper', the dual sense of the Hebrew הִשְׂכִּיל.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίauxiliary of periphrastic imperfect→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf.): auxiliary in the periphrastic ἦν … συνίων ('was prospering'), expressing David's continuous, habitual success.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; nominative subject.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
πάσαιςallDativeattributive adjective (modifying ὁδοῖς)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; the feminine dative plural πάσαις agrees with ὁδοῖς — David prospers in every undertaking, without exception.
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδοῖςwaysDativedative of sphere (object of ἐν)→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'way / road / course of action'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the plural 'ways' = all of David's enterprises and conduct.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with ὁδοῖς)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; David's own ways.
συνίωνacting prudently / prosperingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · συνίημιparticiple of periphrastic imperfect (with ἦν)→ verbal action or stateσυνίημι: 'understand / be prudent / act wisely (and so prosper)'; renders הִשְׂכִּיל, which carries both 'have insight' and 'have success'; this verb is the leitmotif of David's rise (recurs in v. 15).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing verbless clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of verbless clause ('the LORD [was] with him')→ participant prominenceκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; here unmistakably the divine name — the clause κύριος μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ('the LORD was with him') is the theological cause of David's συνίων and the ground of Saul's fear (v. 12).
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment; elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with'; the formula 'the LORD with X' denotes divine favor and enabling presence (cf. Gen 39:2–3, 21 of Joseph).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετ᾿ (= David)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'him'; the LORD is with David — the refrain that recurs at v. 28.
15
καὶ εἶδεν Σαουλ ὡς αὐτὸς συνίει σφόδρα καὶ εὐλαβεῖτο ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ
And Saul saw that he was acting very prudently, and he stood in dread before him.
Saul's seeing (εἶδεν) of David's prudence produces not admiration but εὐλαβεῖτο — a wary, religious-tinged dread. The recurrence of συνίει (now of Saul's perception of it) ties this verse back to v. 14; the imperfect εὐλαβεῖτο depicts dread as Saul's continuing condition.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (perception)→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / perceive'; renders רָאָה; Saul's perception of David's success deepens his fear rather than allaying it.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; nominative subject.
ὡςthat / howconjunction introducing object clause→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: here 'that / how', introducing the content of Saul's perception; renders כִּי / אֲשֶׁר.
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject of συνίει (emphatic: David)→ participant prominenceαὐτός: the intensive/emphatic nominative 'he himself' — David — subject of συνίει.
συνίειwas acting prudentlyImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · συνίημιverb of object clause→ verbal action or stateσυνίημι (impf.): 'understand / act prudently / prosper'; the leitmotif verb of v. 14 recurs; the imperfect with σφόδρα marks David's exceptional, sustained success that Saul cannot ignore.
σφόδραvery / exceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying συνίει)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very much / exceedingly'; standard LXX rendering of מְאֹד; David acts prudently 'to an extreme degree' — the more so, the greater Saul's dread.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐλαβεῖτοstood in dreadImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · εὐλαβέομαιmain verb→ verbal action or stateεὐλαβέομαι: 'be wary / cautious / stand in awe or dread'; a stronger, more reflective fear than φοβέομαι (v. 12); the verb (recurring in v. 29) frames Saul's emotion as an almost superstitious dread of the LORD-favored David.
ἀπὸbefore / frompreposition + genitive (idiom: 'before the face of')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: in ἀπὸ προσώπου, the Hebraism מִפְּנֵי, expressing the object of dread.
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (idiom)→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ = 'because of him / in his presence', echoing v. 12.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive of possession (= David)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'him'; David, the object of Saul's dread.
16
καὶ πᾶς Ισραηλ καὶ Ιουδας ἠγάπα τὸν Δαυιδ ὅτι αὐτὸς ἐξεπορεύετο καὶ εἰσεπορεύετο πρὸ προσώπου τοῦ λαοῦ
And all Israel and Judah loved David, because he would go out and come in before the people.
The narrator sets the people's love (ἠγάπα) over against Saul's dread (v. 15): the very leadership Saul resents is what endears David to all Israel and Judah. The ὅτι-clause grounds their love in David's military leadership, repeating the 'go out and come in' idiom of v. 13.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying Ισραηλ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; πᾶς Ισραηλ ('all Israel') is a stock totalizing phrase; with Ιουδας it embraces the whole nation, north and south.
ΙσραηλIsraelsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; here the northern tribes / the nation as a whole, paired with Judah.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙουδαςJudahNominativesubject (declinable proper noun)→ participant prominenceΙουδας: the tribe/territory of Judah; unlike the indeclinable place-names, Ιουδας is here inflected as a first-declension masculine noun (nom. -ας); the pairing 'Israel and Judah' anticipates David's later kingship over both.
ἠγάπαlovedImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀγαπάωmain verb (singular with compound subject)→ verbal action or stateἀγαπάω: 'love / be devoted to'; renders אָהֵב; the singular verb with the compound subject treats Israel-and-Judah as one body; their love (recurring at v. 28) is the popular legitimation of David that so threatens Saul.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with object Δαυιδ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of ἠγάπα (articular, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the article τόν marks the accusative object.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the ground of the people's love — David's effective leadership.
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject of ἐξεπορεύετο (emphatic)→ participant prominenceαὐτός: emphatic 'he himself' — David personally led the troops.
ἐξεπορεύετοwould go outImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκπορεύομαιverb of causal clause (customary imperfect)→ verbal action or stateἐκπορεύομαι: 'go out'; first half of the 'go out and come in' idiom (cf. v. 13) for military command.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσεπορεύετοwould come inImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσπορεύομαιverb of causal clause (customary imperfect)→ verbal action or stateεἰσπορεύομαι: 'come in'; the second half of the idiom; David's leading the army out and home safely is the basis of the people's devotion.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (position: 'in front of')→ spatial or relational framingπρό + gen.: 'before / in front of'; with προσώπου renders לִפְנֵי; varies the ἔμπροσθεν of v. 13.
προσώπουface / frontGenitivegenitive object of πρό (idiom: 'before the face of')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / front'; πρὸ προσώπου τοῦ λαοῦ = 'at the head of the people', i.e. David led from the front.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive of relationship (with προσώπου)→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; here the troops/nation whom David led — and who therefore loved him.
20
καὶ ἠγάπησεν Μελχολ ἡ θυγάτηρ Σαουλ τὸν Δαυιδ καὶ ἀπηγγέλη Σαουλ καὶ ηὐθύνθη ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ
And Michal the daughter of Saul loved David, and it was reported to Saul, and it was right in his eyes.
With MT vv. 17–19 (the Merab offer) absent, the marriage subplot in the Old Greek begins directly with Michal's love. Her love (ἠγάπησεν) gives Saul his opening; the idiom ηὐθύνθη ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ ('it was straight/pleasing in his eyes') signals Saul's calculating approval — pleasing not for affection's sake but for the trap he now devises (v. 21).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠγάπησενlovedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀγαπάωmain verb→ verbal action or stateἀγαπάω: 'love'; renders אָהֵב; Michal's love for David is one of the rare biblical notices of a woman's love for a man, and it becomes the lever for Saul's scheme.
ΜελχολMichalsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΜελχολ: transliteration of Hebrew מִיכַל (Michal); indeclinable in the LXX; Saul's younger daughter, who loves David and will be given to him as wife (v. 27).
ἡtheNominativearticle (with appositive θυγάτηρ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγάτηρdaughterNominativenominative in apposition to Μελχολ→ participant prominenceθυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; renders בַּת; the appositive 'the daughter of Saul' underscores the dynastic stakes — marrying her makes David the king's son-in-law.
Σαουλof Saulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; genitive 'of Saul' qualifying θυγάτηρ.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with object Δαυιδ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of ἠγάπησεν (articular, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the article τόν marks the accusative object.
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'; the impersonal passive 'it was reported to Saul' (dative Σαουλ) renders the Hebrew passive/impersonal; the news of Michal's love reaches the king.
Σαουλto Sauldative of indirect object (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; here functioning as dative ('to Saul'), the recipient of the report.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ηὐθύνθηit was right / pleasingAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · εὐθύνωmain verb (impersonal)→ verbal action or stateεὐθύνω (aor. pass. ηὐθύνθη): 'make straight'; in the idiom εὐθύνω ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ('be straight/pleasing in the eyes') renders יָשַׁר בְּעֵינֵי ('it was right in the eyes of'); the matter pleases Saul — but as opportunity, not affection (cf. v. 26 εὐθύνθη).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (Hebraic idiom)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (Hebraic idiom).
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative (idiom: 'in the eyes of')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the idiom ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ ('in his eyes') for subjective approval; recurs throughout the chapter (vv. 8, 23, 26).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (= Saul)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; Saul's eyes — the matter pleased him because it served his design.
21
καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ δώσω αὐτὴν αὐτῷ καὶ ἔσται αὐτῷ εἰς σκάνδαλον καὶ ἦν ἐπὶ Σαουλ χεὶρ ἀλλοφύλων
And Saul said, 'I will give her to him, and she shall be to him for a snare.' And the hand of the Philistines was against Saul.
Saul's quoted resolve exposes the trap: the marriage is a σκάνδαλον ('snare') by which the Philistines may destroy David. The closing narratorial clause 'the hand of the Philistines was against Saul' grounds the scheme — Saul is at war with the Philistines and means to use that war as the instrument of David's death.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 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 private resolve, revealing the malign motive behind the marriage offer.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; nominative subject.
δώσωI will giveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb of quoted speech→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give'; the future δώσω expresses Saul's settled intention to give Michal to David — the bait of the trap.
αὐτὴνherAccusativedirect object (= Michal)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'her'; the accusative object referring to Michal.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (= David)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to him'; David, the recipient of the marriage offer.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιshe shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of quoted speech→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'will be'; with εἰς + acc. it forms the Hebraism 'become for / serve as' (הָיָה לְ) — Michal will 'become a snare' to David.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of (dis)advantage (= David)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to/for him'; David, to whom Michal will prove a snare in Saul's design.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (Hebraism: 'as/for')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: in the 'become for' idiom (הָיָה לְ), marking the predicate result.
σκάνδαλονsnare / stumbling-blockAccusativepredicate accusative (with εἰς)→ object specificationσκάνδαλον: meaning 'snare'; it serves as predicate accusative (with εἰς).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing explanatory clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (verbless-style explanatory clause)→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf.): 'was'; states the background condition — ongoing hostilities with the Philistines that Saul means to exploit.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'against'; with χείρ denotes hostile pressure — the Philistine 'hand' was against Saul.
ΣαουλSaulaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; here the object of ἐπί ('against Saul').
χεὶρhandNominativesubject of ἦν→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; the idiom 'the hand of X' (יַד) denotes power/hostile force; the Philistine threat is the very weapon Saul hopes to turn against David.
ἀλλοφύλωνof foreigners / PhilistinesGenitivegenitive of possession (with χεὶρ)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: lit. 'of another tribe / foreigner'; the standard LXX rendering of פְּלִשְׁתִּים ('Philistines') in Samuel–Kings; the genitive plural 'of the Philistines' qualifies χείρ.
22
καὶ ἐνετείλατο Σαουλ τοῖς παισὶν αὐτοῦ λέγων λαλήσατε ὑμεῖς λάθρᾳ τῷ Δαυιδ λέγοντες ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεὺς θέλει ἐν σοί καὶ πάντες οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ ἀγαπῶσίν σε καὶ σὺ ἐπιγάμβρευσον τῷ βασιλεῖ
And Saul commanded his servants, saying, 'Speak secretly to David, saying, "Behold, the king delights in you, and all his servants love you; so you, become the king's son-in-law."'
Saul executes the scheme through intermediaries and secrecy (λάθρᾳ). The flattering message — the king delights in you, all love you — is designed to overcome David's reluctance to marry into royalty (cf. his protest in v. 23). The double participial framing (λέγων … λέγοντες) is a Hebraizing layering of speech.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb→ verbal action or stateἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge / give orders'; renders צִוָּה; Saul issues a covert directive to his retainers to recruit David into the marriage.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; nominative subject.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with παισίν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παισὶνservantsDativedative of indirect object (recipients of the command)→ sphere or referenceπαῖς: 'servant / attendant / courtier'; renders עֲבָדִים; here Saul's court officials, the agents of his intrigue.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with παισίν)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; Saul's own servants.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · λέγωparticiple of speech (Hebraism: לֵאמֹר)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (ptcp.): the participle λέγων introducing direct discourse is the standard LXX calque of Hebrew לֵאמֹר ('saying').
λαλήσατεspeakAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λαλέωmain verb of Saul's command (imperative)→ verbal action or stateλαλέω: 'speak'; renders דַּבֵּר; the plural imperative addresses the servants charged with approaching David.
ὑμεῖςyou (pl.)Nominativesubject (emphatic, redundant with imperative)→ participant referenceσύ (pl. ὑμεῖς): the emphatic 'you yourselves' singles out the servants as Saul's instruments.
λάθρᾳsecretlyadverb of manner→ clausal contributionλάθρᾳ: 'secretly / privately'; the secrecy conceals Saul's hostile intent behind a friendly overture (cf. κρυφῇ at Exod 11:2).
τῷtheDativearticle (dative with Δαυιδ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDaviddative of indirect object ('to David', articular, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; with τῷ functions as dative — the one to be addressed.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Pl · λέγωparticiple of speech (second layer of direct discourse)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (ptcp. pl.): a second λέγοντες nests the servants' message inside Saul's command — the Hebraizing double 'saying' layers the quotation.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; a discourse marker calling David's attention to the flattering news.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of θέλει→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; 'the king' = Saul, here referred to in the third person in the servants' scripted overture.
θέλειdelights / wishesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · θέλωmain verb of the message→ verbal action or stateθέλω: 'wish / be pleased with / delight in'; the construction θέλει ἐν σοί ('delights in you') is a Hebraism (חָפֵץ בְּ), expressing the king's supposed favor toward David.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (Hebraism with θέλω)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: in the idiom θέλω ἐν ('delight in'), rendering חָפֵץ בְּ.
σοίyouDativedative object of θέλει ἐν (= David)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοί): 'you'; David, the object of the king's professed delight.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying παῖδες)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; reinforces the flattery — not just the king but his whole court loves David.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with παῖδες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject of ἀγαπῶσιν→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / courtier'; the king's officials — the very men delivering this message claim collective affection for David.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with παῖδες)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; the king's servants.
ἀγαπῶσίνlovePres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀγαπάωmain verb of the message→ verbal action or stateἀγαπάω: 'love'; the present tense asserts a standing affection of the court for David, part of the persuasive flattery.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπῶσιν (= David)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σε): 'you'; David, object of the courtiers' professed love.
καὶand socoordinate conjunction (consequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here with mild consequential force ('and so'), introducing the appeal that follows from the flattery.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic, with imperative)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic 'you (for your part)', urging David to act on the king's favor.
ἐπιγάμβρευσονbecome son-in-lawAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐπιγαμβρεύωmain verb of the appeal (imperative)→ verbal action or stateἐπιγαμβρεύω: 'become a son-in-law / ally by marriage'; renders the Hithpael הִתְחַתֵּן ('make oneself a son-in-law'); the key verb of the marriage subplot (recurs vv. 23, 26, 27).
τῷtheDativearticle (dative with βασιλεῖ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativedative object of ἐπιγάμβρευσον ('become son-in-law to the king')→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the dative complement of ἐπιγαμβρεύω — David is urged to ally himself by marriage to Saul.
23
καὶ ἐλάλησαν οἱ παῖδες Σαουλ εἰς τὰ ὦτα Δαυιδ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ εἰ κοῦφον ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ὑμῶν ἐπιγαμβρεῦσαι βασιλεῖ κἀγὼ ἀνὴρ ταπεινὸς καὶ οὐχὶ ἔνδοξος
And the servants of Saul spoke these words into the ears of David, and David said, 'Is it a light thing in your eyes to become son-in-law to a king? For I am a lowly man, and not held in honor.'
The servants deliver the message (εἰς τὰ ὦτα, 'into the ears', the Hebraism for private speech), and David demurs with self-deprecation: marriage into royalty is no light thing for a poor, undistinguished man. David's protest of low status (ἀνὴρ ταπεινός) sets up Saul's counter-proposal of a martial bride-price in v. 25.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησανspokeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωmain verb→ verbal action or stateλαλέω: 'speak'; the servants carry out Saul's command of v. 22, conveying the flattering overture to David.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with παῖδες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / courtier'; Saul's agents, now executing the secret instruction.
Σαουλof Saulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; genitive 'of Saul' qualifying παῖδες.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the ears')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: in the idiom 'speak into the ears of' (λαλέω εἰς τὰ ὦτα), rendering דִּבֶּר בְּאָזְנֵי — private, confidential speech.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὦτα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὦταearsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationοὖς (pl. ὦτα): 'ear'; the idiom 'into the ears of David' marks the message as private/secret (cf. λάθρᾳ in v. 22).
Δαυιδof Davidgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'the ears of David')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; genitive qualifying ὦτα.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ῥήματα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαwordsAccusativedirect object of ἐλάλησαν→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / saying'; renders דְּבָרִים; 'these words' = the message of v. 22.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ῥήματα)→ object specificationοὗτος: 'these'; pointing to the flattering overture just commanded.
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 David's reply — a modest demurral.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; nominative subject.
εἰis it (a light thing)?interrogative/conditional particle (introducing a question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: here introduces a (rhetorical) question, a Hebraism rendering the interrogative ה / a deliberative clause — 'is it a small matter…?'
κοῦφονlight / a small thingNominativepredicate adjective (substantival: 'a light matter')→ participant prominenceκοῦφος: 'light / trifling / easy'; renders נְקַלָּה ('a light/easy thing'); David asks whether becoming royal son-in-law is so trivial a matter — given his poverty.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (Hebraic idiom)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (Hebraic idiom).
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative (idiom: 'in your eyes')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the recurring idiom ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ('in the eyes/estimation of'); David appeals to the servants' own judgment.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with ὀφθαλμοῖς)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'your'; the servants whom David addresses.
ἐπιγαμβρεῦσαιto become son-in-lawAor Act Inf · ἐπιγαμβρεύωepexegetic infinitive (explaining κοῦφον)→ verbal action or stateἐπιγαμβρεύω: 'become a son-in-law'; the infinitive is the logical subject of κοῦφον ('is it a light thing — to become son-in-law?'); same verb as v. 22.
βασιλεῖto a kingDativedative complement of ἐπιγαμβρεῦσαι→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; anarthrous here — 'to a king', stressing the elevated rank David feels unworthy of.
κἀγὼand I / for INominativesubject (crasis of καὶ ἐγώ; explanatory)→ participant prominenceκἀγώ: crasis of καὶ ἐγώ ('and I'); here with explanatory/concessive force — 'seeing that I am a lowly man'; the emphatic pronoun underscores David's humble self-assessment.
ἀνὴρmanNominativepredicate nominative (with implied 'am')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; renders אִישׁ; the predicate 'a lowly man' explains David's hesitation.
ταπεινὸςlowly / poorNominativepredicate adjective (modifying ἀνήρ)→ participant prominenceταπεινός: 'lowly / humble / of low estate'; renders רָשׁ ('poor') / נִקְלֶה ('lightly esteemed'); David protests his low social and economic standing.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐχὶnotnegative adverb (emphatic)→ clausal contributionοὐχί: emphatic 'not'; strengthened form of οὐ, sharpening David's denial of any claim to honor.
ἔνδοξοςhonored / distinguishedNominativepredicate adjective (with implied 'am')→ participant prominenceἔνδοξος: 'held in honor / glorious / distinguished'; renders נִכְבָּד; David disclaims the social distinction a royal marriage would presume — a humility the narrator's audience knows is misplaced.
24
καὶ ἀπήγγειλαν οἱ παῖδες Σαουλ αὐτῷ κατὰ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα ἃ ἐλάλησεν Δαυιδ
And the servants of Saul reported to him according to these words which David spoke.
A brief connecting verse: the servants report David's demurral back to the king, prompting Saul's counter-move in v. 25. The relative clause ἃ ἐλάλησεν Δαυιδ ties the report exactly to David's words of v. 23.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπήγγειλανreportedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / bring back word'; the servants relay David's response to Saul, closing the communication loop.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with παῖδες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / courtier'; Saul's agents.
Σαουλof Saulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; genitive 'of Saul'.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (= Saul)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to him'; Saul, the recipient of the report.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/correspondence)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; introduces the content reported — exactly David's words.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ῥήματα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαwordsAccusativeaccusative object of κατά→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / saying'; here David's words of self-deprecation from v. 23.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ῥήματα)→ object specificationοὗτος: 'these'; pointing to David's reply.
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐλάλησεν)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. pl. n. ἅ): 'which'; the relative clause specifies the words as those David himself had spoken.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateλαλέω: 'speak'; the relative clause ἃ ἐλάλησεν Δαυιδ ('which David spoke') guarantees the report's fidelity to David's actual words.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject of ἐλάλησεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; nominative subject of the relative clause.
25
καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ τάδε ἐρεῖτε τῷ Δαυιδ οὐ βούλεται ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐν δόματι ἀλλ᾿ ἢ ἐν ἑκατὸν ἀκροβυστίαις ἀλλοφύλων ἐκδικῆσαι εἰς ἐχθροὺς τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ Σαουλ ἐλογίσατο αὐτὸν ἐμβαλεῖν εἰς χεῖρας τῶν ἀλλοφύλων
And Saul said, 'Thus you shall say to David: "The king does not wish for a gift, but only for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king's enemies."' But Saul reckoned to cast him into the hands of the Philistines.
Saul meets David's poverty with a non-monetary bride-price: not a δόμα ('gift/dowry') but a hundred Philistine foreskins — a martial feat. The closing narratorial aside (Σαουλ ἐλογίσατο … ἐμβαλεῖν εἰς χεῖρας τῶν ἀλλοφύλων) unmasks the murderous intent: the 'price' is a death-sentence in disguise.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's counter-instruction to his servants.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; nominative subject.
τάδεthus / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of ἐρεῖτε)→ participant referenceὅδε (acc. pl. n. τάδε): 'these things / thus'; τάδε ἐρεῖτε ('thus you shall say') is a messenger-formula echoing prophetic τάδε λέγει, here put in Saul's mouth.
ἐρεῖτεyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb (future as command)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (fut. ἐρεῖτε): 'you will/shall say'; the future used imperativally, directing the servants what to relay to David.
τῷtheDativearticle (dative with Δαυιδ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDaviddative of indirect object ('to David', articular, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; with τῷ functions as dative.
οὐnotnegative adverb (with βούλεται)→ participant referenceοὐ: 'not'; negates βούλεται — the king does not want a monetary gift.
βούλεταιwishesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · βούλομαιmain verb of the message→ verbal action or stateβούλομαι: 'wish / want / desire'; the king professes to want no dowry-gift, only a martial token — the deceptive framing of the death-trap.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of βούλεται→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; Saul, spoken of in the third person in the scripted message.
ἐνin / forpreposition + dative (object of desire, Hebraism)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with βούλομαι ('want in/for'), a Hebraizing construction marking the thing desired.
δόματιgift / dowryDativedative object of βούλεται ἐν→ sphere or referenceδόματι: meaning 'gift'; it serves as dative object of βούλεται ἐν.
ἀλλ᾿butadversative conjunction (elided ἀλλά)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but'; with ἢ forms the strong exceptive 'but rather / except', setting the real demand against the rejected one.
ἢthan / exceptparticle (with ἀλλά: exceptive 'but only')→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'than / or'; in the combination ἀλλ᾿ ἤ ('but only / except') it introduces the sole condition Saul will accept.
ἐνin / forpreposition + dative (the alternative price)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: parallel to the earlier ἐν δόματι — the desired thing is now 'in a hundred foreskins'.
ἑκατὸνa hundrednumeral (modifying ἀκροβυστίαις; indeclinable cardinal)→ measure or countἑκατόν: 'a hundred'; the indeclinable cardinal sets the steep, deadly price — a hundred Philistine foreskins.
ἀκροβυστίαιςforeskinsDativedative (the demanded price, with ἐν)→ sphere or referenceἀκροβυστία: 'foreskin / uncircumcision'; renders עָרְלוֹת; the foreskins of the (uncircumcised) Philistines serve as proof of kills — a token requiring David to engage them in lethal combat.
ἀλλοφύλωνof PhilistinesGenitivegenitive of source/possession (with ἀκροβυστίαις)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'foreigner / Philistine'; the LXX's standard term for פְּלִשְׁתִּים; the foreskins of the uncircumcised Philistines are the required price.
ἐκδικῆσαιto take vengeanceAor Act Inf · ἐκδικέωinfinitive of purpose→ verbal action or stateἐκδικέω: 'avenge / exact vengeance'; renders נָקַם; the stated purpose dresses the lethal task in patriotic colors — vengeance on the king's enemies.
εἰςon / againstpreposition + accusative (object of vengeance)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 'against / upon'; marks the objects of the vengeance — the king's enemies.
ἐχθροὺςenemiesAccusativeaccusative object of ἐκδικῆσαι εἰς→ object specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy'; renders אֹיֵב; the Philistines as the king's foes — though Saul's true target is David himself.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςking'sGenitivegenitive of possession (with ἐχθρούς)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; 'the king's enemies' = Saul's enemies, the Philistines.
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (introducing narratorial aside)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here introducing the narrator's exposure of Saul's true intent ('but Saul reckoned…').
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; nominative subject of the disclosing clause.
ἐλογίσατοreckoned / plannedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · λογίζομαιmain verb→ verbal action or stateλογίζομαι: meaning 'reckoned'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive ἐμβαλεῖν (= David)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'him'; David, the object of Saul's lethal calculation.
ἐμβαλεῖνto cast / throwAor Act Inf · ἐμβάλλωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἐλογίσατο)→ verbal action or stateἐμβάλλω: 'throw in / cast into'; the idiom 'cast into the hands of' (ἐμβαλεῖν εἰς χεῖρας) = deliver up to; Saul plans to deliver David into Philistine hands to die.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction: 'into the hands')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 'into'; in the idiom 'into the hands of' (εἰς χεῖρας), rendering בְּיַד — handing over to an enemy's power.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; 'into the hands of the Philistines' = into their deadly power; the inversion of v. 21's 'the hand of the Philistines was against Saul'.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνof the PhilistinesGenitivegenitive of possession (with χεῖρας)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistine'; 'the hands of the Philistines' — the agency through which Saul hopes David will die.
26
καὶ ἀπαγγέλλουσιν οἱ παῖδες Σαουλ τῷ Δαυιδ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα καὶ εὐθύνθη ὁ λόγος ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς Δαυιδ ἐπιγαμβρεῦσαι τῷ βασιλεῖ
And the servants of Saul reported these words to David, and the word was right in the eyes of David, to become son-in-law to the king.
The historic present ἀπαγγέλλουσιν enlivens the report. The proposal now 'is right in David's eyes' (εὐθύνθη ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς Δαυιδ) — the same idiom used of Saul in v. 20, but here with dramatic irony: what pleases David is precisely the task Saul designed to kill him. David accepts; the trap is sprung — on Saul.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπαγγέλλουσινreportPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce'; the historic present ἀπαγγέλλουσιν heightens the immediacy of the scene as the servants bring Saul's terms to David.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with παῖδες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceπαῖδες: meaning 'servants'; it serves as subject.
Σαουλof Saulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; genitive 'of Saul'.
τῷtheDativearticle (dative with Δαυιδ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Δαυιδto Daviddative of indirect object (articular, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; with τῷ functions as dative — recipient of the report.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ῥήματα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαwordsAccusativedirect object of ἀπαγγέλλουσιν→ object specificationῥήματα: meaning 'words'; it serves as direct object of ἀπαγγέλλουσιν.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ῥήματα)→ object specificationοὗτος: 'these'; pointing to Saul's stated terms.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐθύνθηwas right / pleasingAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · εὐθύνωmain verb (impersonal idiom)→ verbal action or stateεὐθύνω (aor. pass.): 'make straight'; in the idiom εὐθύνω ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ('be right/pleasing in the eyes') renders יָשַׁר בְּעֵינֵי; the same idiom as v. 20, now with dramatic irony — the deadly task pleases David.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λόγος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγοςword / matterNominativesubject of εὐθύνθη→ participant prominenceλόγος: meaning 'word'; it serves as subject of εὐθύνθη.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (Hebraic idiom)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (Hebraic idiom).
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative (idiom: 'in the eyes of')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the recurring idiom ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ('in the eyes of'); here David's judgment, ironically delighted by the lethal terms.
Δαυιδof Davidgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the possessor in the 'eyes of David' idiom.
ἐπιγαμβρεῦσαιto become son-in-lawAor Act Inf · ἐπιγαμβρεύωepexegetic infinitive (explaining ὁ λόγος)→ verbal action or stateἐπιγαμβρεύω: 'become a son-in-law'; the infinitive specifies what pleased David — the prospect of allying with the king by marriage; the chapter's leitmotif verb (vv. 22, 23, 27).
τῷtheDativearticle (dative with βασιλεῖ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativedative complement of ἐπιγαμβρεῦσαι→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the dative object — David accepts becoming son-in-law to the king.
27
καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ καὶ ἐπορεύθη αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπάταξεν ἐν τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις ἑκατὸν ἄνδρας καὶ ἀνήνεγκεν τὰς ἀκροβυστίας αὐτῶν τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ ἐπιγαμβρεύεται τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ δίδωσιν αὐτῷ τὴν Μελχολ θυγατέρα αὐτοῦ αὐτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα
And David arose and went, he and his men, and struck down among the Philistines a hundred men, and brought their foreskins to the king; and he became son-in-law to the king, and he gave him Michal his daughter to him as wife.
A rapid sequence of verbs (ἀνέστη … ἐπορεύθη … ἐπάταξεν … ἀνήνεγκεν) traces David's triumphant execution of the task; the shift to historic presents (ἐπιγαμβρεύεται, δίδωσιν) brings the marriage vividly to the foreground. Saul's lethal scheme yields the opposite of its intent: David survives, the price is paid, and he gains the king's daughter.
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστηaroseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb→ verbal action or stateἀνίστημι (intrans. aor.): 'rise / get up / set out'; renders קוּם; the 'arose and went' pairing marks decisive, prompt action — David eagerly undertakes the task.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; nominative subject.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep.): 'go / travel / journey'; renders הָלַךְ; the messenger sets out from the front to Jerusalem with Joab's report.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeintensive pronoun (in apposition to subject)→ participant referenceαὐτός: intensive 'he himself', emphasizing David's personal leadership of the expedition.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (joined to αὐτός: 'he and his men')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; David's followers/warriors who accompany him on the raid.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with ἄνδρες)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; David's own men.
καὶandcoordinate 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→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike / slay'; the same verb as the women's song (v. 7); David now literally 'strikes down' Philistines, fulfilling the deadly bride-price.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (locative/partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here 'among / in (the ranks of)', a Hebraizing construction (בְּ) with πατάσσω — 'struck among the Philistines'.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ἀλλοφύλοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλοιςPhilistinesDativedative object of ἐν→ sphere or referenceἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistine'; the enemy among whom David inflicts the required casualties.
ἑκατὸνa hundrednumeral (modifying ἄνδρας; indeclinable cardinal)→ measure or countἑκατόν: 'a hundred'; David fulfills exactly the demanded number (in the MT he doubles it to two hundred); the Old Greek here states a hundred — the precise price Saul named.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξεν→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the hundred Philistine men slain to provide the foreskins.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνήνεγκενbrought up / broughtAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναφέρωmain verb→ verbal action or stateἀναφέρω: 'carry up / bring up'; renders הֶעֱלָה; David brings the bones up from Jabesh (in the lower Jordan valley) to Benjamin for burial.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀκροβυστίας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀκροβυστίαςforeskinsAccusativedirect object of ἀνήνεγκεν→ object specificationἀκροβυστία: 'foreskin'; the gruesome tokens demanded as bride-price (v. 25), now delivered in full.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (with ἀκροβυστίας)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their'; the slain Philistines' foreskins.
τῷtheDativearticle (dative with βασιλεῖ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativedative of indirect object (recipient of the foreskins)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; Saul, to whom David brings the proof of the completed price.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιγαμβρεύεταιbecomes son-in-lawPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιγαμβρεύωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἐπιγαμβρεύω: 'become a son-in-law'; the historic present dramatizes the realization of what the whole subplot pursued — David is now the king's son-in-law (cf. vv. 22, 23, 26).
τῷtheDativearticle (dative with βασιλεῖ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativedative complement of ἐπιγαμβρεύεται→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; David becomes son-in-law to Saul.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δίδωσινgivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give'; subject is Saul — he gives Michal to David, fulfilling (against his will) the promise of v. 21; the historic present keeps the action immediate.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (= David)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (= David).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with Μελχολ)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜελχολMichalaccusative object of δίδωσιν (articular, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜελχολ: indeclinable; with τήν functions as accusative — the daughter given to David in marriage.
θυγατέραdaughterAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Μελχολ→ object specificationθυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; the appositive 'his daughter' reasserts the dynastic significance of the union (cf. v. 20).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (= Saul's daughter)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; Saul's daughter.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (resumptive: = David)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to him'; a resumptive dative reduplicating the recipient (a Hebraizing redundancy), reinforcing that Michal is given to David.
εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (Hebraism: 'as a wife')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: in the idiom 'give X for/as a wife' (לְאִשָּׁה), marking the predicate result of δίδωσιν.
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativepredicate accusative (with εἰς)→ object specificationγυνή: 'woman / wife'; the idiom εἰς γυναῖκα ('as a wife') renders לְאִשָּׁה; the marriage is consummated, and Saul's snare has failed.
28
καὶ εἶδεν Σαουλ ὅτι κύριος μετὰ Δαυιδ καὶ πᾶς Ισραηλ ἠγάπα αὐτόν
And Saul saw that the LORD was with David, and that all Israel loved him.
The verse gathers the chapter's two great themes — κύριος μετὰ Δαυιδ (v. 14) and the people's love (v. 16) — into Saul's own perception. His seeing (εἶδεν) of both the divine favor and the popular devotion sets up the final note of intensified dread (v. 29).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (perception)→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / perceive'; Saul comes to recognize plainly what the narrator has told the reader since v. 14 — the LORD is with David.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; nominative subject.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing object clause→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of Saul's perception (a double clause: the LORD with David, and Israel's love).
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of verbless clause ('the LORD [was] with David')→ participant prominenceκύριος: the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; here unmistakably the divine name; the verbless clause κύριος μετὰ Δαυιδ echoes v. 14 and is the theological crux Saul cannot overcome.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with'; the formula of divine favor (cf. v. 14).
ΔαυιδDavidgenitive object of μετά (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the one with whom the LORD is present.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second clause of perception)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying Ισραηλ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; πᾶς Ισραηλ ('all Israel'), echoing v. 16, totalizes the nation's love for David.
ΙσραηλIsraelsubject of ἠγάπα (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the nation as a whole, devoted to David.
ἠγάπαlovedImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀγαπάωverb of the second object clause (customary imperfect)→ verbal action or stateἀγαπάω: 'love'; the imperfect ἠγάπα (as in v. 16) marks Israel's settled affection for David — the popular legitimacy that, with divine favor, seals Saul's dread.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἠγάπα (= David)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'him'; David, the object of all Israel's love.
29
καὶ προσέθετο εὐλαβεῖσθαι ἀπὸ Δαυιδ ἔτι
And he continued to stand in dread of David still.
The chapter closes on Saul's escalating dread. The Hebraism προσέθετο + infinitive ('he added to fear' = 'he feared still more / continued to fear') renders יָסַף; with the final ἔτι ('still / yet more') it leaves the reader with Saul locked into a fear of David that, in the MT, hardens into lifelong enmity. The Old Greek ends the chapter here, without the MT's further additions.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσέθετοcontinued / did yet moreAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (Hebraistic auxiliary with infinitive)→ verbal action or stateπροστίθημι (mid.): 'add / proceed to do again'; the construction προσέθετο + infinitive is the standard LXX calque of Hebrew יָסַף לְ ('continue/do still more to…'); here 'he continued/increased to stand in dread of David'.
εὐλαβεῖσθαιto stand in dreadPres Mid Inf · εὐλαβέομαιcomplementary infinitive (with προσέθετο)→ verbal action or stateεὐλαβέομαι: 'be wary / stand in dread'; the same verb as v. 15; the present infinitive depicts Saul's dread as a continuing condition, now intensified.
ἀπὸof / frompreposition + genitive (object of dread, Hebraism)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: with εὐλαβέομαι ('be in dread of') marks the object feared, rendering מִפְּנֵי / מִן.
ΔαυιδDavidgenitive object of ἀπό (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the object of Saul's continuing dread.
ἔτιstill / yet moreadverb (temporal/intensive)→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / further'; renders עוֹד; the final word leaves Saul's dread of David open-ended and intensifying — the seed of the relentless persecution that follows in the chapters ahead.