Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The First Book of Kingdoms, Chapter 21ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΩΝ Α′ ΚΑ′

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

David's flight to Nob and Gath shows holy provision under pressure while exposing the danger gathering behind him.

Translation & textual notes

The Greek text of 1 Kingdoms (1 Reigns = 1 Samuel) 21 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 LXX verse-numbering here runs one ahead of the Masoretic/English text: LXX 21:1 (David's departure and Jonathan's return to the city) corresponds to MT 20:42b, so that LXX 21:2–16 = MT/English 21:1–15. The chapter narrates two scenes at the opening of David's fugitive years. First, at NOB (LXX Νομβα) David comes alone to the priest Αβιμελεχ (MT Ahimelech) and, with a fabricated story of a royal commission, obtains the consecrated bread of the Presence — οἱ ἄρτοι τῆς προθέσεως / τοῦ προσώπου (vv. 7), the loaves removed from before the LORD — the very episode Jesus invokes to justify his disciples' sabbath plucking of grain (Mark 2:25–26; Matt 12:3–4; Luke 6:3–4). Present at the sanctuary is Δωηκ ὁ Σύρος (MT Doeg the Edomite), Saul's chief herdsman (v. 8), whose denunciation will trigger the massacre of the priests in ch. 22. David also receives the sword of Γολιαθ the Philistine, kept wrapped behind the ephod (vv. 9–10). Second, David flees to Αγχους (MT Achish) king of Γεθ (Gath); recognized by Achish's servants as the hero of the victory-song (ἐπάταξεν Σαουλ ἐν χιλιάσιν αὐτοῦ καὶ Δαυιδ ἐν μυριάσιν αὐτοῦ, v. 12 — the same refrain that ignited Saul's jealousy at 18:7), David takes fright (v. 13) and feigns madness, drumming on the city gates and letting his spittle run down his beard (v. 14), so that Achish dismisses him as an epileptic madman (ἄνδρα ἐπίλημπτον, vv. 15–16). The chapter is rich in LXX transliterations of unrendered Hebrew (νεεσσαραν, v. 8; Φελλανι Αλεμωνι, v. 3) and proper names (Νομβα, Αβιμελεχ, Δωηκ, Γολιαθ, Αγχους, Γεθ, Ηλα).

1

καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ καὶ ἀπῆλθεν καὶ Ιωναθαν εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὴν πόλιν

And David arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.

Narrative transition: parting of David and Jonathan (= MT 20:42b)καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ
This verse, numbered 21:1 in the LXX, corresponds to MT 20:42b and closes the David–Jonathan covenant scene: the two friends separate, David to flight and Jonathan back to Saul's city. The double καί-parataxis (ἀνέστη … ἀπῆλθεν … εἰσῆλθεν) traces the diverging paths with terse narrative economy, opening the fugitive narrative.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστηaroseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (narrative inception)→ verbal action or stateἀνίστημι (aor. ἀνέστη): 'rise up / set out'; renders קוּם; in the historical books the verb frequently marks the start of a journey or decisive action; here it inaugurates David's fugitive wanderings.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable transliteration of Hebrew דָּוִד; uninflected throughout the LXX; context supplies the nominative case as subject of ἀνέστη.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπῆλθενdepartedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (David's departure)→ verbal action or stateἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; renders הָלַךְ; Nathan withdraws, his prophetic task complete, and the narrative turns to the unfolding of the sentence.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (contrastive: the other path)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: indeclinable transliteration of Hebrew יְהוֹנָתָן / יוֹנָתָן; Saul's son and David's covenant friend; context supplies nominative as subject of εἰσῆλθεν.
εἰσῆλθενwent inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (Jonathan's return)→ verbal action or stateεἰσέρχομαι: 'go in / enter'; renders בּוֹא; the subject is Bathsheba ('she came in to him'); the idiom εἰσέρχομαι πρός can carry sexual overtones (cf. Gen 6:4; 16:2 LXX), preparing for ἐκοιμήθη.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction of entry)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of entry).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationπόλιν: meaning 'city'; it serves as accusative object of εἰς (destination).
2

καὶ ἔρχεται Δαυιδ εἰς Νομβα πρὸς Αβιμελεχ τὸν ἱερέα καὶ ἐξέστη Αβιμελεχ τῇ ἀπαντήσει αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ τί ὅτι σὺ μόνος καὶ οὐθεὶς μετὰ σοῦ

And David comes to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest; and Ahimelech was alarmed at meeting him, and said to him, 'Why is it that you are alone and no one is with you?'

Scene-setting: David's arrival at the sanctuary of Nobκαὶ ἔρχεται Δαυιδ
The historic present ἔρχεται ('comes') makes David's arrival vivid and immediate, shifting the narrative camera to Nob. The priest's alarm (ἐξέστη) and probing question establish the dramatic tension: David's solitary, unescorted appearance is abnormal for the king's son-in-law and commander, and demands explanation — the pretext David is about to supply.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔρχεταιcomesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι (pres. ἔρχεται): 'come / go'; renders בּוֹא; the historic present amid surrounding aorists dramatizes David's arrival at Nob, drawing the reader into the scene.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
ΝομβαNobaccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΝομβα: indeclinable LXX transliteration of Hebrew נֹב (Nob), the priestly town near Jerusalem where the tabernacle and the bread of the Presence were kept; the place of David's deception and, in ch. 22, of the priests' massacre.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward a person)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction toward a person).
ΑβιμελεχAhimelechaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: LXX transliteration of Hebrew אֲחִימֶלֶךְ (Ahimelech; the LXX form assimilates toward the more familiar Abimelech), the priest of Nob, son of Ahitub; he aids David here and is slaughtered with the priests by Doeg in ch. 22.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (in apposition to Αβιμελεχ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερέαpriestAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Αβιμελεχ ('Ahimelech the priest')→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the appositive identifies Ahimelech's office, which is essential to the scene — only a priest may dispense the consecrated bread and guard the ephod and sword.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξέστηwas alarmed / was astonishedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξίστημιmain verb (priest's reaction)→ verbal action or stateἐξίστημι (aor. ἐξέστη): 'be amazed / be alarmed / be beside oneself'; renders חָרַד ('tremble'); the priest's trembling at David's arrival registers the danger of receiving a man fleeing the king — fear, not mere surprise, colors the scene.
ΑβιμελεχAhimelechsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
τῇat theDativearticle (dative of cause/occasion)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀπαντήσειmeetingDativedative of cause ('at the meeting of him')→ sphere or referenceἀπάντησις: 'meeting / encounter'; renders לִקְרַאת; the dative τῇ ἀπαντήσει αὐτοῦ ('at meeting him') gives the cause of the priest's alarm — the very encounter with the lone fugitive.
αὐτοῦof himGenitiveobjective genitive (with ἀπαντήσει: 'meeting him')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'of him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as objective genitive (with ἀπαντήσει: 'meeting him').
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-introducing)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): 'say'; introduces the priest's anxious question to David.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (recipient of speech)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (recipient of speech).
τίwhy / whatinterrogative pronoun (introducing question)→ participant referenceτίς, τί: interrogative pronoun; the idiom τί ὅτι ('why is it that?') renders Hebrew מַדּוּעַ; here it presses David to explain his abnormal solitude.
ὅτιthatconjunction (in the idiom τί ὅτι = 'why')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: here paired with τί in the causal-interrogative idiom τί ὅτι ('why is it that …?'), a Hebraism for מַדּוּעַ / מַה־זֶּה.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic second-person pronoun underscores the priest's incredulity — 'you, of all people, alone?'
μόνοςaloneNominativepredicate adjective ('you are alone')→ participant prominenceμόνος: 'alone / only'; renders לְבַדְּךָ; the abnormality of a royal officer traveling unescorted is precisely what alarms the priest and prompts David's fabricated explanation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐθεὶςno oneNominativesubject (negative pronoun: 'no one is with you')→ participant referenceοὐθείς: 'no one / nobody'; the later Koine/Hellenistic by-form of οὐδείς (with -θ- for -δ-), common in the LXX; renders אֵין אִישׁ; reinforces μόνος — David has no companion at all.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά (accompaniment: 'with you')→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (accompaniment: 'with you').
3

καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ τῷ ἱερεῖ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐντέταλταί μοι ῥῆμα σήμερον καὶ εἶπέν μοι μηδεὶς γνώτω τὸ ῥῆμα περὶ οὗ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω σε καὶ ὑπὲρ οὗ ἐντέταλμαί σοι καὶ τοῖς παιδαρίοις διαμεμαρτύρημαι ἐν τῷ τόπῳ τῷ λεγομένῳ θεοῦ πίστις Φελλανι Αλεμωνι

And David said to the priest, 'The king has charged me with a matter today, and said to me, "Let no one know the matter for which I am sending you and concerning which I have given you orders"; and to the young men I have given solemn instruction at the place called "God's Faithfulness, Phellani Alemoni."'

David's deceptive pretext (response to the priest's question)καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ τῷ ἱερεῖ
David answers the priest's alarm with a fabricated tale of a secret royal commission so urgent and confidential that he travels alone and has appointed his (nonexistent) men a rendezvous. The repeated language of charge/command (ἐντέταλταί … ἐντέταλμαι … διαμεμαρτύρημαι) and secrecy (μηδεὶς γνώτω) lends the lie verisimilitude. The verse closes with two untranslated Hebrew transliterations (Φελλανι Αλεμωνι), the LXX's way of handling the obscure place-designation MT renders 'such and such a place.'
Word-by-word analysis· 41 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-introducing)→ verbal action or stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖpriestDativedative of indirect object (addressee)→ sphere or referenceἱερεύς (dat. ἱερεῖ): 'priest'; Ahimelech as the addressee of David's pretext.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (Saul, invoked in the pretext)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; David invokes Saul's royal authority to lend his fabricated errand official weight — the very king he is fleeing.
ἐντέταλταίhas charged / commandedPf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb (perfect of standing commission)→ verbal action or stateἐντέλλομαι (pf. ἐντέταλται): 'command / charge / give orders'; renders צִוָּה; the perfect presents the (fictitious) royal command as a still-binding order, explaining David's urgency and solitude.
μοιmeDativedative of indirect object (recipient of the charge)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (recipient of the charge).
ῥῆμαa matter / wordAccusativedirect object (the matter charged)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / thing / matter'; renders דָּבָר, which (like ῥῆμα here) covers both 'word' and 'affair/business'; the 'matter' is the supposed confidential royal mission.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; stresses the immediacy of the alleged commission, accounting for David's haste.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπένhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (reported royal speech within the pretext)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces the (invented) words of the king commanding secrecy.
μοιto meDativedative of indirect object→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object.
μηδεὶςno oneNominativesubject of γνώτω (negative pronoun with imperative)→ participant referenceμηδείς: 'no one'; the μη- form pairs with the imperative γνώτω; renders אַל … אִישׁ; the demand for total secrecy explains why David is alone and why the priest should ask no further.
γνώτωlet knowAor Act Impv 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (third-person prohibitive imperative)→ verbal action or stateγινώσκω (aor. impv. γνώτω): 'know / come to know'; the third-person imperative with μηδείς forms a prohibition — 'let no one know'; the secrecy motif is the linchpin of David's cover story.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαmatterAccusativedirect object of γνώτω (the secret matter)→ object specificationῥῆμα: meaning 'matter'; it serves as direct object of γνώτω (the secret matter).
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'concerning'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (reference).
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (object of περί)→ relational specificationὅς: relative pronoun; περὶ οὗ ('concerning which') links the secret matter to the errand on which David is supposedly sent.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun, in the king's reported words)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I' in the quoted royal speech — the king as the one sending David.
ἀποστέλλωI sendPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποστέλλωverb of relative clause (the sending)→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch (on a mission)'; renders שָׁלַח; the present presents David's (fictitious) dispatch as a current, ongoing assignment.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of ἀποστέλλω→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἀποστέλλω.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὑπὲρconcerning / forpreposition + genitive (reference, parallel to περί)→ spatial or relational framingὑπὲρ: meaning 'concerning'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (reference, parallel to περί).
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (object of ὑπέρ)→ relational specificationοὗ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (object of ὑπέρ).
ἐντέταλμαίI have chargedPf Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of relative clause (king's standing command)→ verbal action or stateἐντέλλομαι (pf. ἐντέταλμαι): 'command / charge'; the first-person perfect in the king's reported speech mirrors the third-person ἐντέταλται above, sealing the fiction of a binding royal order.
σοιyouDativedative of indirect object (recipient of the charge)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (recipient of the charge).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (David resumes his own speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίοιςyoung men / servantsDativedative of indirect object (those instructed)→ sphere or referenceπαιδάριον: 'lad / young man / servant'; diminutive of παῖς; renders נַעַר; David claims to have appointed his (fictitious) attendants a rendezvous — accounting for their absence.
διαμεμαρτύρημαιI have solemnly instructed / chargedPf Mid Indic 1 Sg · διαμαρτύρομαιmain verb (David's standing instruction to his men)→ verbal action or stateδιαμαρτύρομαι (pf. διαμεμαρτύρημαι): 'testify solemnly / charge earnestly / give solemn instruction'; the intensive δια- compound conveys a binding, witnessed charge; David claims to have set his men a secret meeting-place, completing his explanation for being alone.
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπῳplaceDativedative of place (the rendezvous)→ sphere or referenceτόπος: 'place / location'; renders מָקוֹם; the appointed meeting-place, designated by the cryptic name that follows.
τῷtheDativearticle (with participle λεγομένῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λεγομένῳcalled / namedPres Pass Ptcp · Dat Sg M · λέγωattributive participle (modifying τόπῳ: 'the place called …')→ verbal action or stateλέγω (pres. pass. ptcp. λεγομένῳ): 'being called / named'; the attributive participle introduces the place-name; a standard LXX way of naming a site ('the place called …').
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive (with πίστις: 'God's faithfulness')→ relational specificationθεός (gen. θεοῦ): 'God'; here in the place-designation θεοῦ πίστις ('faithfulness of God'), apparently a Greek gloss on, or expansion of, the obscure Hebrew, before the bare transliterations follow.
πίστιςfaithfulnessNominativepredicate noun (the designation 'God's Faithfulness')→ participant prominenceπίστις: 'faith / faithfulness / trust'; here component of the cryptic place-name θεοῦ πίστις; the LXX seems to render or gloss the obscure Hebrew designation MT leaves as 'such and such a place' (פְּלֹנִי אַלְמֹנִי).
ΦελλανιPhellaniindeclinable transliteration (place-designation)→ participant identificationΦελλανι: untranslated transliteration of Hebrew פְּלֹנִי ('a certain one / so-and-so'); the LXX carries over the Hebrew indefinite designation rather than rendering it, leaving the place deliberately vague.
ΑλεμωνιAlemoniindeclinable transliteration (place-designation)→ participant identificationΑλεμωνι: untranslated transliteration of Hebrew אַלְמֹנִי ('such-and-such / anonymous'); paired with Φελλανι it reproduces the Hebrew idiom פְּלֹנִי אַלְמֹנִי ('a certain unnamed place'); the LXX transliterates rather than translating the obscure phrase.
4

καὶ νῦν εἰ εἰσὶν ὑπὸ τὴν χεῖρά σου πέντε ἄρτοι δὸς εἰς χεῖρά μου τὸ εὑρεθέν

And now, if there are five loaves under your hand, give into my hand whatever is found.

Transition to request: the practical petition for breadκαὶ νῦν
The discourse-marker καὶ νῦν ('and now') pivots from the pretext (v. 3) to the concrete request. David asks for five loaves 'under your hand' (a Hebraic idiom for what is available), softening the demand to 'whatever is found.' This sets up the priest's reply that only consecrated bread is on hand — the heart of the episode Jesus will cite.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (in the idiom καὶ νῦν)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowdiscourse-transition adverb ('and now')→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; the formula καὶ νῦν renders וְעַתָּה, a standard Hebrew transition from premise to request or exhortation — here from David's cover story to his actual petition for food.
εἰifconditional conjunction (introducing protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; introduces a real condition — David tactfully premises his request on the availability of the loaves rather than demanding outright.
εἰσὶνthere arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίverb of conditional clause (existential)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (pres. εἰσίν): 'are / there are'; existential use in the protasis: 'if there are … loaves on hand.'
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (Hebraic idiom: 'at hand')→ spatial or relational framingὑπό + acc.: 'under'; the phrase ὑπὸ τὴν χεῖρά σου ('under your hand') is a Hebraism (תַּחַת יָדְךָ) meaning 'in your possession / available to you.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράhandAccusativeaccusative object of ὑπό (idiom: 'under your hand' = available)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; in the idiom ὑπὸ τὴν χεῖρά σου it denotes possession/availability; renders יָד; recurs in vv. 9 (David's empty hands) and as 'into my hand' below.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
πέντεfiveindeclinable numeral (modifying ἄρτοι)→ measure or countπέντε: 'five'; indeclinable cardinal; renders חֲמִשָּׁה; the specific number suits David's claim of a small party of men to feed.
ἄρτοιloavesNominativesubject of εἰσίν ('if five loaves are…')→ participant prominenceἄρτος: 'bread / loaf'; renders לֶחֶם; the request for ordinary loaves will be answered only by the holy bread of the Presence (v. 7) — the crux of the chapter and of Jesus' citation.
δὸςgiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (imperative: the apodosis)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι (aor. impv. δός): 'give'; renders נָתַן; the urgent imperative forms the apodosis of the condition — 'if there are loaves, give them.'
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (Hebraic idiom: 'into my hand')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: 'into'; εἰς χεῖρά μου ('into my hand') is a Hebraism (בְּיָדִי) for 'to me / into my possession'; balances ὑπὸ τὴν χεῖρά σου above.
χεῖράhandAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom: 'into my hand')→ object specificationχεῖρά: meaning 'hand'; it serves as accusative object of εἰς (idiom: 'into my hand').
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing the participle εὑρεθέν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὑρεθένwhat is foundAor Pass Ptcp · Acc Sg N · εὑρίσκωsubstantival participle (direct object of δός: 'whatever is found')→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (aor. pass. ptcp. εὑρεθέν): 'find'; the substantivized neuter τὸ εὑρεθέν ('the thing found / whatever is at hand') tactfully leaves the quantity and kind to the priest — opening the way for the offer of the consecrated bread.
5

καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ ἱερεὺς τῷ Δαυιδ καὶ εἶπεν οὐκ εἰσὶν ἄρτοι βέβηλοι ὑπὸ τὴν χεῖρά μου ὅτι ἀλλ᾿ ἢ ἄρτοι ἅγιοι εἰσίν εἰ πεφυλαγμένα τὰ παιδάριά ἐστιν ἀπὸ γυναικός καὶ φάγεται

And the priest answered David and said, 'There are no common loaves under my hand, but only holy loaves; if the young men have kept themselves from a woman, then they may eat.'

Priest's reply: only holy bread is available, conditioned on purityκαὶ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ ἱερεὺς
The priest's answer raises the central tension of the episode: no profane (βέβηλοι) bread is on hand, only the holy (ἅγιοι) loaves of the Presence. He makes their consumption conditional on the men's ritual purity from sexual contact (ἀπὸ γυναικός) — the very kind of cultic restriction Jesus' citation (Mark 2:25–26 and par.) sets in tension with human need.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 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 (response-introducing)→ verbal action or stateἀποκρίνομαι (aor. pass. dep. ἀπεκρίθη): 'answer / reply'; renders עָנָה; the deponent passive form is the standard LXX/Koine aorist; introduces the priest's response.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativesubject (Ahimelech)→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; Ahimelech, the one authorized to dispense or withhold the consecrated bread.
τῷto the / toDativearticle (with Δαυιδ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDaviddative of indirect object (indeclinable; case shown by article τῷ)→ noun-phrase markingΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the article τῷ marks the dative ('to David').
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-introducing, pleonastic with ἀπεκρίθη)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): the pairing ἀπεκρίθη … καὶ εἶπεν ('answered and said') is a Hebraism (וַיַּעַן … וַיֹּאמֶר) common throughout LXX narrative.
οὐκnotnegation (with εἰσίν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
εἰσὶνthere arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (existential denial: 'there are no…')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (pres. εἰσίν): existential; the priest denies the availability of ordinary bread.
ἄρτοιloavesNominativesubject (with βέβηλοι)→ participant prominenceἄρτος: 'loaf / bread'; cf. v. 4; here qualified as βέβηλοι ('common').
βέβηλοιcommon / profaneNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄρτοι)→ participant prominenceβέβηλος: 'profane / common / unconsecrated'; renders חֹל; the technical cultic opposite of ἅγιος ('holy'); the priest has no ordinary bread, only the sacred loaves — the distinction on which the whole episode turns.
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (Hebraic idiom: 'at hand')→ spatial or relational framingὑπό + acc.: in the idiom ὑπὸ τὴν χεῖρά μου ('under my hand' = in my possession), echoing David's words in v. 4.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράhandAccusativeaccusative object of ὑπό (idiom)→ object specificationχεῖρά: meaning 'hand'; it serves as accusative object of ὑπό (idiom).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὅτιbut / forconjunction (introducing the exceptive clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: here in the combination ὅτι ἀλλ᾿ ἢ, a heavy Hebraizing exceptive construction ('except only / but rather'), rendering כִּי אִם; sets the holy bread against the lacking common bread.
ἀλλ᾿butadversative particle (in exceptive idiom ἀλλ᾿ ἢ)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά (elided ἀλλ᾿): 'but'; combined with ἤ in the LXX exceptive idiom ἀλλ᾿ ἤ ('except / but only'), rendering כִּי אִם.
than / exceptparticle (completing exceptive idiom ἀλλ᾿ ἤ)→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or / than'; in ἀλλ᾿ ἤ it forms the exceptive 'but only / except'; a Hebraism marking the holy loaves as the sole available bread.
ἄρτοιloavesNominativesubject (with ἅγιοι)→ participant prominenceἄρτοι: meaning 'loaves'; it serves as subject (with ἅγιοι).
ἅγιοιholyNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄρτοι)→ participant prominenceἅγιος: 'holy / consecrated / set apart'; renders קֹדֶשׁ; the loaves are sacred, reserved by Lev 24:5–9 for the priests alone — which is precisely why David's eating of them becomes the locus classicus for mercy superseding ritual restriction (Mark 2:25–26 and par.).
εἰσίνthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula (with ἄρτοι ἅγιοι)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (pres. εἰσίν): copula affirming the loaves' holy status.
εἰifconditional conjunction (introducing purity condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; introduces the priest's condition for allowing David's men to eat the holy bread — ritual abstinence from women.
πεφυλαγμέναkept / having kept themselvesPf Mid/Pass Ptcp · Nom Pl N · φυλάσσωpredicative participle (periphrastic with ἐστιν: 'have been kept pure')→ verbal action or stateφυλάσσω (pf. mid./pass. ptcp. πεφυλαγμένα): 'guard / keep'; in the periphrasis πεφυλαγμένα … ἐστιν it conveys a settled state — 'have kept themselves (pure)'; the neuter plural agrees with the neuter τὰ παιδάρια; the reflexive sense ('abstained') concerns ritual purity from sexual contact (cf. Exod 19:15).
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριάyoung men / servantsNominativesubject (neuter plural)→ participant prominenceπαιδάριον: 'lad / young man / attendant'; David's supposed companions; their ritual state determines whether they may share the holy bread.
ἐστινis / arePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula of periphrasis (with πεφυλαγμένα; singular verb with neuter plural subject)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (pres. ἐστιν): the singular verb with the neuter plural subject τὰ παιδάρια follows the regular Greek rule (neuter plural takes singular verb); forms the periphrastic perfect with πεφυλαγμένα.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation: abstinence)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; here of abstinence/separation — kept 'from a woman' (sexual purity).
γυναικόςa womanGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (source of impurity abstained from)→ relational specificationγυνή (gen. γυναικός): 'woman / wife'; renders אִשָּׁה; abstinence ἀπὸ γυναικός denotes the ritual purity required for contact with holy things (cf. Exod 19:15; Lev 15:18).
καὶand / thencoordinate conjunction (apodosis link: 'then')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here introduces the apodosis of the condition ('if … then they may eat'), a Hebraizing use of waw.
φάγεταιhe/they may eatFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (apodosis: permission to eat)→ verbal action or stateἐσθίω (fut. mid. φάγεται, from the suppletive root φαγ-): 'eat'; the future expresses permission consequent on the purity condition; the singular generalizes ('one may eat') even with the plural subject in view.
6

καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Δαυιδ τῷ ἱερεῖ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἀλλὰ ἀπὸ γυναικὸς ἀπεσχήμεθα ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτην ἡμέραν ἐν τῷ ἐξελθεῖν με εἰς ὁδὸν γέγονε πάντα τὰ παιδάρια ἡγνισμένα καὶ αὐτὴ ἡ ὁδὸς βέβηλος διότι ἁγιασθήσεται σήμερον διὰ τὰ σκεύη μου

And David answered the priest and said to him, 'Indeed we have kept from a woman for the past three days; when I set out on the journey, all the young men were purified; and though this journey itself is profane, yet it will be sanctified today because of my vessels.'

David's affirmation of purity (meeting the priest's condition)καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Δαυιδ
David asserts that his men meet the purity requirement: they have abstained from women for three days, and were consecrated (ἡγνισμένα) at the journey's outset. The somewhat opaque final clause distinguishes the 'profane' (βέβηλος) ordinary journey from the present sanctified occasion 'because of my vessels' (διὰ τὰ σκεύη) — language suggesting holy equipment or the sacred character of the mission, completing David's case for receiving the holy bread.
Word-by-word analysis· 39 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 (response-introducing)→ verbal action or stateἀποκρίνομαι (aor. ἀπεκρίθη): 'answer'; cf. v. 5; David rejoins the priest.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖpriestDativedative of indirect object (addressee)→ sphere or referenceἱερεύς (dat. ἱερεῖ): Ahimelech as addressee.
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-introducing, pleonastic)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): part of the Hebraizing ἀπεκρίθη … καὶ εἶπεν idiom.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object.
ἀλλὰindeed / yesaffirmative particle (emphatic assent)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: normally adversative ('but'), here with affirmative/asseverative force ('indeed / certainly'), confirming the purity condition — 'yes, we have abstained.'
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation: abstinence)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation: abstinence).
γυναικὸςa womanGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (abstinence)→ relational specificationγυνή (gen. γυναικός): cf. v. 5; David affirms abstinence from women, the purity required for the holy bread.
ἀπεσχήμεθαwe have kept away / abstainedPf Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἀπέχωmain verb (David's affirmation of purity)→ verbal action or stateἀπέχω (pf. mid. ἀπεσχήμεθα): 'hold off / abstain / keep away from'; the middle ('keep oneself away') with ἀπό denotes deliberate abstinence; the perfect marks a state of purity persisting up to the present moment.
ἐχθὲςyesterdayadverb of time (in the idiom 'yesterday and the third day')→ clausal contributionἐχθές: 'yesterday'; the phrase ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτην ἡμέραν ('yesterday and the day before') is a Hebraism (תְּמוֹל שִׁלְשֹׁם) idiomatically meaning 'for the past few days / recently.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (within time idiom)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τρίτηνthirdAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἡμέραν: 'the third day')→ object specificationτρίτος: 'third'; in the idiom τρίτην ἡμέραν, part of the Hebraism for 'recently / these last days'; accusative of extent of time.
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative of time (extent)→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative of extent in the time-idiom; renders יוֹם.
ἐνin / whenpreposition + dative (with articular infinitive: temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with the articular infinitive τῷ ἐξελθεῖν ('when I set out'), a temporal construction rendering the Hebrew infinitive construct with בְּ.
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive ἐξελθεῖν)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξελθεῖνto set out / going outAor Act Inf · ἐξέρχομαιarticular infinitive (temporal: 'when I went out')→ verbal action or stateἐξέρχομαι (aor. inf. ἐξελθεῖν): 'go out / set out'; in ἐν τῷ ἐξελθεῖν με ('when I set out') the articular infinitive with accusative subject (με) forms a temporal clause locating the men's consecration at the journey's start.
μεI / meAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive ἐξελθεῖν→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of the infinitive ἐξελθεῖν.
εἰςon / intopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ὁδὸνa journey / wayAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the journey embarked on)→ object specificationὁδός: 'way / road / journey'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; here the journey/mission, contrasted below as βέβηλος ('profane') yet rendered sanctified.
γέγονεhave been / becamePf Act Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (periphrastic with ἡγνισμένα; singular with neuter plural subject)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (pf. γέγονε): 'become / come to be'; with the participle ἡγνισμένα it forms a periphrastic perfect ('have been consecrated'); the singular verb agrees with the neuter plural πάντα τὰ παιδάρια by the regular rule.
πάνταallNominativeattributive adjective (with τὰ παιδάρια)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; emphasizes that every one of the men is in the required state of purity.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριαyoung menNominativesubject (neuter plural)→ participant prominenceπαιδάριον: 'young man / attendant'; David's supposed company, declared consecrated.
ἡγνισμέναpurified / consecratedPf Mid/Pass Ptcp · Nom Pl N · ἁγνίζωpredicative participle (periphrastic with γέγονε)→ verbal action or stateἁγνίζω (pf. mid./pass. ptcp. ἡγνισμένα): 'purify / consecrate ritually'; renders קָדַשׁ / טָהֵר; the periphrastic perfect γέγονε … ἡγνισμένα asserts the men's accomplished and persisting consecration, satisfying the priest's condition.
καὶand / thoughcoordinate conjunction (concessive nuance)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὴitselfNominativeintensive pronoun (with ἡ ὁδός: 'the journey itself')→ participant referenceαὐτός: here intensive ('itself'); αὐτὴ ἡ ὁδός = 'this very journey,' setting up the contrast between the ordinary (profane) road and its present sanctification.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδὸςjourney / wayNominativesubject (with predicate βέβηλος)→ participant prominenceὁδός: 'way / journey'; cf. above; the journey is conceded to be in itself βέβηλος but is rendered holy by the occasion.
βέβηλοςprofane / commonNominativepredicate adjective ('the journey is profane')→ participant prominenceβέβηλος: 'profane / common'; cf. v. 5; David concedes that an ordinary journey is ritually 'common,' yet argues it is sanctified on this occasion — a somewhat obscure clause whose general sense is that the present mission is consecrated.
διότιbecause / yet becausecausal conjunction (introducing the ground of sanctification)→ discourse linkage or contrastδιότι: 'because / for'; introduces the reason the journey is nonetheless sanctified today — 'because of my vessels.'
ἁγιασθήσεταιit will be sanctifiedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἁγιάζωmain verb (predicting sanctification of the occasion)→ verbal action or stateἁγιάζω (fut. pass. ἁγιασθήσεται): 'sanctify / make holy / consecrate'; renders קָדַשׁ; the passive ('will be sanctified') asserts that the otherwise-common journey is consecrated today — the basis on which David claims fitness to receive the holy bread.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; the sanctification applies to the present day's mission.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + acc.: 'because of / on account of'; gives the cause of the sanctification — 'because of my vessels.'
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηvessels / equipmentAccusativeaccusative object of διά (cause of sanctification)→ object specificationσκεῦος (pl. σκεύη): 'vessel / implement / gear'; renders כְּלִי; here David's 'vessels' or equipment, possibly understood as holy gear of the mission; the clause is textually obscure, but the gist is that the present errand is consecrated; σκεύη recurs in v. 9 (David's missing weapons-gear).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
7

καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ Αβιμελεχ ὁ ἱερεὺς τοὺς ἄρτους τῆς προθέσεως ὅτι οὐκ ἦν ἐκεῖ ἄρτος ὅτι ἀλλ᾿ ἢ ἄρτοι τοῦ προσώπου οἱ ἀφῃρημένοι ἐκ προσώπου κυρίου παρατεθῆναι ἄρτον θερμὸν ᾗ ἡμέρᾳ ἔλαβεν αὐτούς

And Ahimelech the priest gave him the bread of the Presence, because there was no bread there except only the bread of the Presence, the loaves removed from before the LORD, so that hot bread might be set out on the day he took them away.

Climax of scene B: the showbread is given (Gospel cross-reference)καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ Αβιμελεχ ὁ ἱερεὺς
This verse is the climactic act and the chapter's most theologically resonant moment: the priest gives David οἱ ἄρτοι τῆς προθέσεως — the bread of the Presence/showbread, the loaves removed from before the LORD and replaced with fresh hot bread (Lev 24:5–9). This is the episode Jesus cites to defend his disciples' sabbath grain-plucking, arguing that human need and mercy may override ritual prescription: Mark 2:25–26; Matt 12:3–4; Luke 6:3–4. Mark uniquely (and notably) names the high priest as 'Abiathar' rather than the Ahimelech of this narrative.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (the priest's act of giving)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι (aor. ἔδωκεν): 'give'; renders נָתַן; the central act of the scene — the priest hands over the consecrated bread, the very deed Jesus appeals to as warrant for mercy over ritual law (Mark 2:26 and par.).
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).
ΑβιμελεχAhimelechsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: the priest of Nob; in the Gospel citation Mark 2:26 names 'Abiathar the high priest' (Ahimelech's son), a celebrated NT crux.
theNominativearticle (in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativenominative in apposition to Αβιμελεχ→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; restating Ahimelech's office, since only a priest may lawfully dispense the holy bread.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄρτουςloaves / breadAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκεν→ object specificationἄρτος (pl. ἄρτους): 'loaves'; here the consecrated loaves; the phrase οἱ ἄρτοι τῆς προθέσεως is the technical LXX term for the showbread.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προθέσεωςof the presentation / setting forthGenitivegenitive of description (defining the bread: 'of the Presence')→ relational specificationπρόθεσις: 'a setting forth / presentation'; οἱ ἄρτοι τῆς προθέσεως ('the bread of setting-forth') is the standard LXX/NT term for the showbread (Heb. לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, 'bread of the face/Presence'); the identical phrase is used in the Gospel accounts (Mark 2:26; Matt 12:4; Luke 6:4), directly linking this verse to Jesus' argument.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (explaining why only this bread was given)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the narrator's explanation that no other bread was available.
οὐκnotnegation (with ἦν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential: 'there was no…')→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf. ἦν): existential 'there was'; the imperfect describes the standing situation — no common bread was present.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders שָׁם; locates the lack of bread at the sanctuary of Nob.
ἄρτοςbreadNominativesubject of ἦν (existential)→ participant prominenceἄρτος: 'bread'; ordinary bread, which was lacking.
ὅτιbut / exceptconjunction (in exceptive idiom ὅτι ἀλλ᾿ ἤ)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: again paired in the exceptive ὅτι ἀλλ᾿ ἤ ('but only / except'), as in v. 5; a Hebraism (כִּי אִם).
ἀλλ᾿butadversative particle (exceptive idiom)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά (elided): in the exceptive ἀλλ᾿ ἤ ('except / but only').
than / exceptparticle (completing exceptive idiom)→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: completes the exceptive ἀλλ᾿ ἤ; only the bread of the Presence was on hand.
ἄρτοιloavesNominativesubject (in apposition to the exceptive clause)→ participant prominenceἄρτος (pl.): 'loaves'; here defined by τοῦ προσώπου ('of the Presence/face').
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσώπουof the Presence / faceGenitivegenitive of description ('bread of the face/Presence')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; ἄρτοι τοῦ προσώπου ('bread of the face') is the more literal LXX rendering of לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, parallel to τῆς προθέσεως above; the loaves stood 'before the face' of the LORD in the holy place.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with participle ἀφῃρημένοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀφῃρημένοιremoved / taken awayPf Mid/Pass Ptcp · Nom Pl M · ἀφαιρέωattributive participle (modifying ἄρτοι: 'the loaves having been removed')→ verbal action or stateἀφαιρέω (pf. mid./pass. ptcp. ἀφῃρημένοι): 'take away / remove'; renders הַמּוּסָרִים; the perfect participle describes the loaves as already removed from the holy table — the old bread taken away when fresh hot bread replaced it (Lev 24:8), and thus now available to be eaten by the priests (and exceptionally here by David).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source/separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source/separation).
προσώπουbefore / the presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (idiom: 'from before the LORD')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; ἐκ προσώπου κυρίου ('from before the LORD') renders מִלִּפְנֵי יְהוָה; the loaves had stood in the LORD's presence and are now removed from it.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (with προσώπου: 'before the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): here renders the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the bread stood before YHWH himself, marking its holiness — the very sanctity that makes David's eating of it the striking precedent Jesus invokes.
παρατεθῆναιto be set out / placed beforeAor Pass Inf · παρατίθημιinfinitive of purpose (the replacement of the bread)→ verbal action or stateπαρατίθημι (aor. pass. inf. παρατεθῆναι): 'set before / place alongside'; the infinitive expresses purpose: the old loaves are removed in order that fresh hot bread be set out in their place, per the weekly rite of Lev 24:8.
ἄρτονbreadAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive παρατεθῆναι→ object specificationἄρτος (acc. ἄρτον): the fresh 'hot bread' to be set out in place of the removed loaves.
θερμὸνhotAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄρτον: 'hot bread')→ object specificationθερμός: 'hot / warm'; ἄρτον θερμόν ('hot bread') stresses the freshness of the replacement loaves set out on the day the old were removed (cf. 1 Sam 21:6 MT).
on whichDativerelative pronoun (dative of time, with ἡμέρᾳ)→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. f. ᾗ): relative pronoun in the temporal idiom ᾗ ἡμέρᾳ ('on the day on which'), a dative of time.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time ('on the day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα (dat. ἡμέρᾳ): 'day'; ᾗ ἡμέρᾳ ἔλαβεν αὐτούς = 'on the day he took them' — the bread was removed and replaced on the appointed day of the rite.
ἔλαβενhe tookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωverb of relative-temporal clause→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω (aor. ἔλαβεν): 'take'; here of the priest's removing the old loaves from the table on the day of their replacement.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν (the removed loaves)→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἔλαβεν (the removed loaves).
8

καὶ ἐκεῖ ἦν ἓν τῶν παιδαρίων τοῦ Σαουλ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ συνεχόμενος νεεσσαραν ἐνώπιον κυρίου καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Δωηκ ὁ Σύρος νέμων τὰς ἡμιόνους Σαουλ

And there was there, on that day, one of Saul's servants detained before the LORD, named Doeg the Syrian, who pastured Saul's mules.

Ominous narrative aside: Doeg the Edomite is presentκαὶ ἐκεῖ ἦν
An ominous parenthetical: present at the sanctuary that very day is Δωηκ ὁ Σύρος (MT 'Doeg the Edomite'), Saul's chief herdsman, 'detained before the LORD.' His witness to David's reception of bread and sword will be reported to Saul and trigger the massacre of the priests of Nob (ch. 22). The transliterated νεεσσαραν renders an untranslated Hebrew term, probably describing his being 'detained / kept' at the shrine.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing aside)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; at the sanctuary of Nob; the fronted adverb stresses Doeg's fateful presence at the scene.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential: 'there was')→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf. ἦν): existential 'there was'; introduces the description of Doeg's presence.
ἓνoneNominativesubject (numeral: 'one of the servants')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the neuter ἕν agrees with the neuter παιδαρίων (partitive); 'one of Saul's servants.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (partitive genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίωνservants / young menGenitivepartitive genitive (with ἕν: 'one of the servants')→ relational specificationπαιδάριον (gen. pl. παιδαρίων): 'servant / attendant'; here Saul's retainers; Doeg is one of them.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with Σαουλ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Σαουλof Saulgenitive of possession (indeclinable; case shown by article τοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingΣαουλ: indeclinable transliteration of Hebrew שָׁאוּל; the article τοῦ marks the genitive ('of Saul'); the king whom Doeg serves and to whom he will betray David.
ἐνon / inpreposition + dative (time)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (time).
τῇtheDativearticle→ 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') underscores the fateful coincidence of Doeg's presence with David's visit.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the demonstrative marks the specific, ominous day.
συνεχόμενοςdetained / heldPres Mid/Pass Ptcp · Nom Sg M · συνέχωpredicative participle (describing Doeg: 'being detained')→ verbal action or stateσυνέχω (pres. mid./pass. ptcp. συνεχόμενος): 'hold together / detain / constrain'; the passive participle describes Doeg as 'detained / kept' at the sanctuary — perhaps for a vow or ritual obligation 'before the LORD'; this lingering placed him as eyewitness to David's dealings with the priest.
νεεσσαρανneessaran (detained)indeclinable transliteration (untranslated Hebrew term)→ clausal contributionνεεσσαραν: an untranslated transliteration of a Hebrew expression (probably related to נֶעְצָר, 'detained / kept back, before the LORD'); the LXX carries it over phonetically and glosses it with συνεχόμενος ('detained') just before; its precise sense is uncertain.
ἐνώπιονbefore / in the presence ofpreposition + genitive (location: before the LORD)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism rendering לִפְנֵי; Doeg's detention is 'before the LORD,' i.e., at the sanctuary.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): renders the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the sanctuary is the LORD's presence; ironically the betrayer lingers before the very God whose priests he will help slaughter.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the naming formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of nominal clause (Hebraic naming formula)→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the verbless clause καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Δωηκ ('and his name was Doeg') is a Hebraism (וּשְׁמוֹ) for introducing a character by name.
αὐτῷto him / hisDativedative of possession ('his name')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession ('his name').
ΔωηκDoegpredicate noun of naming clause (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔωηκ: indeclinable transliteration of Hebrew דֹּאֵג (Doeg); Saul's chief herdsman, who reports David's visit to Saul and then carries out the slaughter of the priests of Nob (1 Kgdms 22:9–19); Ps 51(52) is titled with reference to his treachery.
theNominativearticle (with Σύρος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Σύροςthe SyrianNominativeappositive (gentilic: 'the Syrian')→ participant prominenceΣύρος: 'Syrian / Aramean'; the LXX renders MT's 'the Edomite' (הָאֲדֹמִי) as ὁ Σύρος, probably a confusion of אֲדֹמִי (Edomite) and אֲרַמִּי (Aramean/Syrian); identifies Doeg's foreign origin.
νέμωνpasturing / tendingPres Act Ptcp · Nom Sg M · νέμωattributive participle (describing Doeg's office: 'who pastured')→ verbal action or stateνέμω (pres. act. ptcp. νέμων): 'pasture / tend / graze (animals)'; describes Doeg's role as keeper of Saul's livestock; MT calls him 'chief of Saul's herdsmen,' marking his standing in the royal household.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμιόνουςmulesAccusativedirect object of νέμων (the animals tended)→ object specificationἡμίονος: 'mule'; renders פֶּרֶד / אָתוֹן; Doeg tends Saul's mules, a royal charge marking his trusted status — and proximity to the king he will inform.
Σαουλof Saulgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'Saul's mules')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; here possessive genitive ('Saul's mules').
9

καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Αβιμελεχ ἰδὲ εἰ ἔστιν ἐνταῦθα ὑπὸ τὴν χεῖρά σου δόρυ ἢ ῥομφαία ὅτι τὴν ῥομφαίαν μου καὶ τὰ σκεύη οὐκ εἴληφα ἐν τῇ χειρί μου ὅτι ἦν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦ βασιλέως κατὰ σπουδήν

And David said to Ahimelech, 'See if there is here, under your hand, a spear or a sword, for I have not taken my own sword or my weapons in my hand, because the king's business was urgent.'

David's second request: for a weaponκαὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Αβιμελεχ
Having received bread, David now asks for a weapon, maintaining the fiction of an urgent royal errand (κατὰ σπουδήν, 'in haste') to explain why he is unarmed. The repeated ὑπὸ τὴν χεῖρά σου ('under your hand') echoes vv. 4–5, and the motif of David's empty hands prepares for the gift of Goliath's sword in v. 10.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 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-introducing)→ verbal action or stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: 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).
ΑβιμελεχAhimelechaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: the priest of Nob, addressee of David's request for a weapon.
ἰδὲsee / lookAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (imperative: 'see / find out')→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. impv. ἰδέ): 'see / look'; the imperative directs the priest to check whether a weapon is available; renders רְאֵה.
εἰif / whetherconjunction (introducing indirect question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if / whether'; introduces the indirect question after ἰδέ ('see whether there is…').
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of indirect question (existential)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (pres. ἔστιν): existential 'there is'; the accented form ἔστιν is regular at clause-head and in existential sense.
ἐνταῦθαhereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐνταῦθα: 'here / in this place'; renders פֹּה; locates the hoped-for weapon at the sanctuary.
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (Hebraic idiom: 'at hand')→ spatial or relational framingὑπό + acc.: in the idiom ὑπὸ τὴν χεῖρά σου ('under your hand' = in your possession), echoing vv. 4–5.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράhandAccusativeaccusative object of ὑπό (idiom: 'under your hand')→ object specificationχεῖρά: meaning 'hand'; it serves as accusative object of ὑπό (idiom: 'under your hand').
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
δόρυspearNominativesubject of ἔστιν (object sought)→ participant prominenceδόρυ: 'spear'; renders חֲנִית; one of the two weapons David hopes to find.
ordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; offering alternatives — spear or sword.
ῥομφαίαswordNominativesubject of ἔστιν (alternative object sought)→ participant prominenceῥομφαία: 'sword / large blade'; renders חֶרֶב; the term that will reappear as Goliath's sword in v. 10; properly a long, broad sword.
ὅτιbecause / forcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces David's explanation for being unarmed.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥομφαίανswordAccusativedirect object of εἴληφα (David's own sword)→ object specificationῥομφαία (acc. ῥομφαίαν): David's own sword, which he claims to have left behind in his haste.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; 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.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηweapons / gearAccusativedirect object of εἴληφα (coordinate with ῥομφαίαν)→ object specificationσκεῦος (pl. σκεύη): 'implements / gear / weapons'; here David's military equipment; the same noun as in v. 6, now clearly of his arms; the soldier's empty hands set up the gift of Goliath's sword.
οὐκnotnegation (with εἴληφα)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
εἴληφαI have takenPf Act Indic 1 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (David's explanation: 'I did not bring')→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω (pf. act. εἴληφα): 'take / bring'; the perfect with negation ('I have not taken') describes David's present weaponless state as a result of his hasty (claimed) departure; the perfect underlines the standing fact.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρίhandDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'in my hand')→ sphere or referenceχείρ (dat. χειρί): 'hand'; ἐν τῇ χειρί μου ('in my hand') = 'with me / on my person'; David has no weapon to hand.
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'; gives the reason David came unarmed — the urgency of the (fabricated) royal errand.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula: 'the matter was urgent')→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf. ἦν): copula; 'the king's matter was pressing.'
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαmatter / businessNominativesubject of ἦν ('the king's matter')→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / matter / affair'; cf. v. 3; here the (supposed) royal business that forced David's hurried, unequipped departure.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of possession ('the king's matter')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς (gen. βασιλέως): 'king'; Saul, invoked again to lend the pretext authority.
κατὰin / according topreposition + accusative (manner: 'in haste')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to / in (the manner of)'; in the idiom κατὰ σπουδήν ('with haste / urgently').
σπουδήνhaste / urgencyAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (manner: 'in haste')→ object specificationσπουδή: 'haste / eagerness / urgency'; κατὰ σπουδήν ('in haste') renders בְּחִפָּזוֹן / נֶחְפָּז; the urgency excuse caps David's explanation for arriving unarmed and alone.
10

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἱερεύς ἰδοὺ ἡ ῥομφαία Γολιαθ τοῦ ἀλλοφύλου ὃν ἐπάταξας ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι Ηλα καὶ αὐτὴ ἐνειλημένη ἐν ἱματίῳ εἰ ταύτην λήμψῃ σεαυτῷ λαβέ ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἑτέρα πάρεξ ταύτης ἐνταῦθα καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ ἰδοὺ οὐκ ἔστιν ὥσπερ αὐτή δός μοι αὐτήν

And the priest said, 'Behold, the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the valley of Elah, is here, wrapped in a cloak; if you will take it for yourself, take it, for there is no other except this one here.' And David said, 'Behold, there is none like it; give it to me.'

Climax of scene C: the sword of Goliath given to Davidκαὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἱερεύς
The priest reveals that the only weapon at the shrine is the sword of Goliath — the very giant David felled in the valley of Elah (1 Kgdms 17), kept wrapped behind the ephod as a war-trophy dedicated at the sanctuary. The narrative irony is rich: David, fleeing for his life and weaponless, is rearmed with the trophy of his greatest victory. His eager reply ('there is none like it') confirms its singular value.
Word-by-word analysis· 44 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-introducing)→ verbal action or stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεύςpriestNominativesubject (Ahimelech)→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; Ahimelech, who guards the dedicated sword behind the ephod.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; a frozen aorist imperative form functioning as a presentative particle, drawing attention to the sword.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥομφαίαswordNominativesubject (the presented weapon)→ participant prominenceῥομφαία: 'sword'; cf. v. 9; here specifically Goliath's great sword, a famed trophy.
Γολιαθof Goliathgenitive of possession (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΓολιαθ: indeclinable transliteration of Hebrew גָּלְיָת (Goliath); the Philistine champion David killed (1 Kgdms 17); his sword was dedicated at the sanctuary as a war-trophy.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλουPhilistine / foreignerGenitiveappositive genitive (describing Goliath: 'the Philistine')→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: lit. 'of another tribe / foreigner'; the standard LXX rendering of פְּלִשְׁתִּי ('Philistine'); the regular term for Israel's coastal enemies throughout 1–2 Kingdoms.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐπάταξας)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. ὅν): relative pronoun referring to Goliath, object of 'you struck.'
ἐπάταξαςyou struck downAor Act Indic 2 Sg · πατάσσωverb of relative clause (David's victory recalled)→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω (aor. ἐπάταξας): 'strike / smite / kill'; renders הִכָּה / נָכָה; recalls David's defeat of Goliath; the second person directly credits David — the trophy returns to its winner.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κοιλάδιvalleyDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'in the valley')→ sphere or referenceκοιλάς: 'valley / hollow'; renders עֵמֶק; the site of the Goliath combat.
Ηλαof Elahgenitive of relationship (indeclinable place-name: 'valley of Elah')→ participant identificationΗλα: indeclinable transliteration of Hebrew הָאֵלָה (Elah); the valley of Elah where David defeated Goliath (1 Kgdms 17:2, 19).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὴit / the sameNominativesubject (referring to the sword)→ participant referenceαὐτός: here 'it' (the sword), subject of the periphrasis describing its storage.
ἐνειλημένηwrapped / rolled upPf Mid/Pass Ptcp · Nom Sg F · ἐνειλέωpredicative participle (periphrastic: 'is wrapped')→ verbal action or stateἐνειλέω (pf. mid./pass. ptcp. ἐνειλημένη): 'wrap up / roll in'; the perfect participle describes the sword's stored state — wrapped in a cloak behind the ephod (1 Sam 21:9 MT); the feminine agrees with ῥομφαία.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location/means of wrapping)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location/means of wrapping).
ἱματίῳa cloak / garmentDativedative of means/place (wrapped in a cloak)→ sphere or referenceἱμάτιον: 'garment / cloak / outer robe'; renders שִׂמְלָה; the cloth in which the trophy-sword was kept behind the ephod.
εἰifconditional conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; introduces the priest's offer conditional on David's wish to take it.
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of λήμψῃ: 'this one')→ participant referenceοὗτος (acc. f. ταύτην): 'this'; refers to Goliath's sword as the object David may take.
λήμψῃyou will takeFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · λαμβάνωverb of conditional clause (protasis)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω (fut. mid. λήμψῃ): 'take / receive'; the Koine spelling λήμψῃ (with intrusive -μ-) is regular in the LXX; in the protasis: 'if you would take this for yourself.'
σεαυτῷfor yourselfDativereflexive dative of advantage ('for yourself')→ sphere or referenceσεαυτοῦ (dat. σεαυτῷ): 'yourself'; the reflexive dative of advantage marks David as beneficiary of taking the sword.
λαβέtakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (imperative: apodosis of offer)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω (aor. impv. λαβέ): 'take'; the imperative forms the apodosis — 'if you want it, take it'; the priest freely grants the dedicated weapon.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; gives the reason — no other weapon is present.
οὐκnotnegation (with ἔστιν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential: 'there is none')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (pres. ἔστιν): existential; 'there is no other (sword).'
ἑτέραanotherNominativesubject (substantival: 'another one')→ participant prominenceἕτερος: 'other / another'; substantival ἑτέρα ('another sword'); none exists at the shrine.
πάρεξexcept / besidespreposition + genitive (exception)→ spatial or relational framingπάρεξ: 'except / besides / apart from'; takes the genitive (ταύτης); 'no other except this one.'
ταύτηςthisGenitivegenitive object of πάρεξ (the excepted sword)→ relational specificationοὗτος (gen. f. ταύτης): 'this'; the excepted sword of Goliath.
ἐνταῦθαhereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐνταῦθα: 'here'; cf. v. 9; locates the sole available weapon at Nob.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (David's reply)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing)→ verbal action or stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; here introducing David's emphatic agreement.
οὐκnotnegation (with ἔστιν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential: 'there is none')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (pres. ἔστιν): existential; David affirms that no sword equals Goliath's.
ὥσπερlike / such ascomparative particle ('like it')→ discourse linkage or contrastὥσπερ: 'just as / like'; here 'there is none like it' — David prizes the sword as incomparable.
αὐτήitNominativesubject of the comparison ('none like it')→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'it'; the sword itself, declared peerless.
δόςgiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (imperative: David's request)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι (aor. impv. δός): 'give'; David's eager demand to be given the sword; cf. v. 4.
μοιmeDativedative of indirect object→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object.
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object of δός (the sword)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. f. αὐτήν): 'it'; the sword of Goliath, which David takes for his flight.
11

καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὴν αὐτῷ καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ καὶ ἔφυγεν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἐκ προσώπου Σαουλ καὶ ἦλθεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Αγχους βασιλέα Γεθ

And he gave it to him; and David arose and fled on that day from before Saul, and David came to Achish king of Gath.

Transition: David's flight to Gath (scene D begins)καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὴν αὐτῷ
The priest hands over the sword, and the narrative pivots to David's flight 'from before Saul' to enemy territory — Αγχους king of Γεθ (Gath), the Philistine city of Goliath himself. The irony deepens: armed with the Philistine champion's sword, David seeks refuge among the Philistines. The chain of aorists (ἔδωκεν … ἀνέστη … ἔφυγεν … ἦλθεν) drives the action forward swiftly.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (the priest hands over the sword)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι (aor. ἔδωκεν): 'give'; the priest grants David the sword of Goliath.
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκεν (the sword)→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἔδωκεν (the sword).
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).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστηaroseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (David sets out)→ verbal action or stateἀνίστημι (aor. ἀνέστη): 'rise / set out'; cf. v. 1; marks the resumption of David's flight.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔφυγενfledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φεύγωmain verb (David's flight)→ verbal action or stateφεύγω (aor. ἔφυγεν): 'flee / escape'; renders בָּרַח; the defining verb of David's fugitive years now begins in earnest.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (time)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (time).
τῇtheDativearticle→ 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'; the same fateful day of the visit to Nob.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; specifies the day of flight.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation, in idiom 'from before')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / out of'; in the Hebraism ἐκ προσώπου ('from before / from the presence of'), rendering מִפְּנֵי.
προσώπουbefore / the presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (idiom: 'from before Saul')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; ἐκ προσώπου Σαουλ ('from before Saul') is a Hebraism for fleeing from Saul's reach/pursuit.
Σαουλof Saulgenitive (indeclinable: 'from before Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; the king from whose presence David flees.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (David's arrival at Gath)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθεν): 'come / go'; renders בּוֹא; David comes to Philistine Gath, seeking refuge among Israel's enemies.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward a person)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction toward a person).
ΑγχουςAchishaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑγχους: indeclinable transliteration of Hebrew אָכִישׁ (Achish), the Philistine king of Gath; David later returns to him as a vassal (1 Kgdms 27).
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Αγχους ('Achish king')→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. βασιλέα): 'king'; identifies Achish's office as ruler of Gath.
Γεθof Gathgenitive of relationship (indeclinable place-name: 'king of Gath')→ participant identificationΓεθ: indeclinable transliteration of Hebrew גַּת (Gath), one of the five Philistine cities and the home of Goliath (1 Kgdms 17:4); David carries Goliath's sword into Goliath's own city.
12

καὶ εἶπαν οἱ παῖδες Αγχους πρὸς αὐτόν οὐχὶ οὗτος Δαυιδ ὁ βασιλεὺς τῆς γῆς οὐχὶ τούτῳ ἐξῆρχον αἱ χορεύουσαι λέγουσαι ἐπάταξεν Σαουλ ἐν χιλιάσιν αὐτοῦ καὶ Δαυιδ ἐν μυριάσιν αὐτοῦ

And the servants of Achish said to him, 'Is this not David the king of the land? Was it not for him that the dancing women sang, saying, "Saul struck down by his thousands, and David by his ten thousands"?'

Crisis: David recognized as the song's heroκαὶ εἶπαν οἱ παῖδες Αγχους
Achish's servants recognize David and quote the very victory-refrain that first provoked Saul's murderous jealousy (1 Kgdms 18:7): ἐπάταξεν Σαουλ ἐν χιλιάσιν αὐτοῦ καὶ Δαυιδ ἐν μυριάσιν αὐτοῦ. Their double rhetorical οὐχί ('is this not…?') exposes David's identity as Israel's celebrated warrior-hero ('king of the land'), making his presence in Gath acutely dangerous and precipitating his ruse of madness.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπαν): 'said'; the Koine first-aorist ending -αν (for classical εἶπον) is regular in the LXX.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject (Achish's courtiers)→ participant prominenceπαῖς (pl. παῖδες): 'servant / attendant'; renders עֶבֶד; Achish's officials who recognize and report on David.
Αγχουςof Achishgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'Achish's servants')→ participant identificationΑγχους: indeclinable; here possessive genitive ('the servants of Achish').
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Achish)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Achish).
οὐχὶnot / is notinterrogative negative (expecting affirmative answer)→ clausal contributionοὐχί: emphatic form of οὐ; introducing a question expecting 'yes' — 'is this not David?'; renders הֲלוֹא.
οὗτοςthis oneNominativesubject (demonstrative: 'this man')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this (man)'; the servants point David out by name.
ΔαυιδDavidpredicate noun (indeclinable: 'this is David')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; identified as the famous Israelite hero.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativeappositive ('David the king of the land')→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the servants ironically call David 'king of the land' — reflecting his renown and perhaps anticipating his destiny, though Saul still reigns; their recognition marks the danger of his situation.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive (with βασιλεύς: 'king of the land')→ relational specificationγῆ (gen. γῆς): 'land / earth'; 'king of the land' = the land of Israel; renders אֶרֶץ.
οὐχὶnot / was it notinterrogative negative (second rhetorical question)→ clausal contributionοὐχί: again introducing a question expecting 'yes' — recalling the song sung in David's honor.
τούτῳfor this oneDativedative of advantage/reference ('for/about him')→ participant reference or interestοὗτος (dat. τούτῳ): 'this one'; dative of reference — the one in whose honor the women sang.
ἐξῆρχονled off the song / sang outImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξάρχωmain verb (the women's singing)→ verbal action or stateἐξάρχω (impf. ἐξῆρχον): 'lead off (a song) / strike up / sing out'; the imperfect captures the repeated, public chanting of the victory-song; renders the antiphonal singing of עָנָה.
αἱtheNominativearticle (with participle χορεύουσαι)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χορεύουσαιdancing womenPres Act Ptcp · Nom Pl F · χορεύωsubstantival participle (subject: 'the dancing women')→ verbal action or stateχορεύω (pres. act. ptcp. χορεύουσαι): 'dance (in a chorus)'; substantivized 'the dancing women'; recalls the women who celebrated David's victories with song and dance (1 Kgdms 18:6–7).
λέγουσαιsayingPres Act Ptcp · Nom Pl F · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance (introducing the quoted song)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (pres. act. ptcp. λέγουσαι): 'saying'; introduces the quoted refrain of the victory-song.
ἐπάταξενstruck downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb of quoted song (Saul's slain)→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω (aor. ἐπάταξεν): 'strike / slay'; cf. v. 10; the refrain credits Saul with thousands slain and David with ten thousands — the comparison that ignited Saul's jealousy (1 Kgdms 18:7–9).
ΣαουλSaulsubject of ἐπάταξεν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; subject of the song's first colon.
ἐνin / bypreposition + dative (measure/extent)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: 'in / by / among'; ἐν χιλιάσιν ('by thousands') indicates the measure of slain; a Hebraism (בְּ) of extent.
χιλιάσινthousandsDativedative of measure (Saul's tally)→ sphere or referenceχιλιάς (dat. pl. χιλιάσιν): 'thousand / a group of a thousand'; renders אֶלֶף; the lesser number assigned to Saul in the refrain.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his thousands')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his thousands').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (parallel colon)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject of the parallel colon (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; subject of the song's second, climactic colon.
ἐνin / bypreposition + dative (measure/extent)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (measure/extent).
μυριάσινten thousands / myriadsDativedative of measure (David's greater tally)→ sphere or referenceμυριάς (dat. pl. μυριάσιν): 'ten thousand / myriad'; renders רְבָבָה; the greater number credited to David — the invidious comparison that turned Saul against him.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his ten thousands')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his ten thousands').
13

καὶ ἔθετο Δαυιδ τὰ ῥήματα ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐφοβήθη σφόδρα ἀπὸ προσώπου Αγχους βασιλέως Γεθ

And David laid up these words in his heart, and he was greatly afraid of Achish king of Gath.

David's inner reaction: fear of Achishκαὶ ἔθετο Δαυιδ τὰ ῥήματα
David takes the servants' recognition to heart (ἔθετο … ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ) and is gripped by intense fear (ἐφοβήθη σφόδρα) of Achish — fully aware that the killer of Goliath, now in the dead man's own city, is in mortal peril. This fear motivates the desperate stratagem of feigned madness that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθετοlaid up / putAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (David's inner reflection)→ verbal action or stateτίθημι (aor. mid. ἔθετο): 'put / place / lay up'; the middle 'set for oneself / take to heart'; the idiom ἔθετο … ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ('laid up in his heart') renders שִׂים בְּלֵב — David ponders the danger of his recognition.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαwords / thingsAccusativedirect object of ἔθετο (the servants' words)→ object specificationῥῆμα (pl. ῥήματα): 'words / matters'; cf. vv. 3, 9; here the servants' words of recognition, which David weighs anxiously.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίᾳheartDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'in his heart')→ sphere or referenceκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; in Hebrew anthropology the seat of thought and will; David inwardly deliberates on his peril.
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.
ἐφοβήθηwas afraidAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · φοβέομαιmain verb (David's fear)→ verbal action or stateφοβέομαι (aor. pass. dep. ἐφοβήθη): 'fear / be afraid'; renders יָרֵא; the passive-deponent aorist of intense, sudden fear; David grasps his deadly danger in Gath.
σφόδραgreatly / exceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying ἐφοβήθη)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very much / exceedingly'; renders מְאֹד; marks David's fear as extreme, motivating the desperate ruse to come.
ἀπὸof / frompreposition + genitive (in idiom 'afraid of', Hebraizing)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; with προσώπου in the Hebraism ἀπὸ προσώπου ('from before'), here giving the object of fear ('afraid of Achish').
προσώπουbefore / the presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (idiom: 'before Achish')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; ἀπὸ προσώπου Αγχους ('from before Achish') is a Hebraism (מִפְּנֵי) for the object/source of fear.
Αγχουςof Achishgenitive (indeclinable: 'before Achish')→ participant identificationΑγχους: indeclinable; the Philistine king whose presence David dreads.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive in apposition to Αγχους ('king of Gath')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς (gen. βασιλέως): 'king'; identifies Achish's office.
Γεθof Gathgenitive of relationship (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓεθ: indeclinable; cf. v. 11; Goliath's city, intensifying the danger to David.
14

καὶ ἠλλοίωσεν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ καὶ προσεποιήσατο ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ καὶ ἐτυμπάνιζεν ἐπὶ ταῖς θύραις τῆς πόλεως καὶ παρεφέρετο ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔπιπτεν ἐπὶ τὰς θύρας τῆς πύλης καὶ τὰ σίελα αὐτοῦ κατέρρει ἐπὶ τὸν πώγωνα αὐτοῦ

And he altered his face before him, and pretended (to be mad) on that day, and drummed upon the doors of the city, and let himself be carried about in his hands, and fell against the doors of the gate, and his spittle ran down upon his beard.

David's stratagem: feigned madness in vivid detailκαὶ ἠλλοίωσεν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ
The verse paints David's feigned insanity in vivid, almost grotesque detail: he distorts his face, pretends madness, drums on the city doors, behaves erratically ('carried about in his hands'), collapses against the gates, and lets spittle run into his beard. The cascade of imperfects (ἐτυμπάνιζεν, παρεφέρετο, ἔπιπτεν, κατέρρει) renders the ongoing, repeated antics of the act, designed to convince Achish that David is a harmless lunatic.
Word-by-word analysis· 42 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠλλοίωσενaltered / changedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀλλοιόωmain verb (David disguises his demeanor)→ verbal action or stateἀλλοιόω (aor. ἠλλοίωσεν): 'change / alter / make different'; renders שָׁנָה (Piel, 'disguise'); David changes his face/behavior to feign madness — the disguise that saves his life.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativedirect object of ἠλλοίωσεν (his face/appearance)→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / countenance'; cf. vv. 7, 11, 13; here David's face, which he distorts to look insane.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνώπιονbefore / in front ofpreposition + genitive (location: before Achish)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism (לִפְנֵי); David performs the act 'before him' (Achish/the Philistines).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον (Achish)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐνώπιον (Achish).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσεποιήσατοpretended / feignedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προσποιέωmain verb (David feigns madness)→ verbal action or stateπροσποιέω (aor. mid. προσεποιήσατο): 'pretend / feign / make as if'; the middle 'put on an act'; here David feigns insanity (the MT specifies he 'acted madly'); the absolute use leaves the feigned condition implicit.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (time)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (time).
τῇtheDativearticle→ 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'; the day of David's ruse before Achish.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; specifies the day.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐτυμπάνιζενdrummed / beatImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · τυμπανίζωmain verb (David's mad behavior, ongoing)→ verbal action or stateτυμπανίζω (impf. ἐτυμπάνιζεν): 'beat (as on a drum) / drum'; from τύμπανον ('drum'); renders the MT's 'made marks / scrabbled' (וַיְתָו); the LXX pictures David beating/drumming on the doors as part of his frenzied act; the imperfect conveys the repeated action.
ἐπὶon / uponpreposition + dative (location: on the doors)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: on the doors).
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύραιςdoorsDativedative object of ἐπί (the doors drummed on)→ sphere or referenceθύρα (dat. pl. θύραις): 'door / gate-leaf'; renders דֶּלֶת; the doors of the city gate against which David performs his act.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of relationship ('doors of the city')→ relational specificationπόλις (gen. πόλεως): 'city'; renders עִיר; Gath, at whose gates David acts the madman.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρεφέρετοwas carried about / staggeredImpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · παραφέρωmain verb (David's erratic movement, ongoing)→ verbal action or stateπαραφέρω (impf. mid./pass. παρεφέρετο): 'carry aside / carry about / be borne along'; the mid./pass. 'be carried about / stagger to and fro'; depicts David's wild, uncontrolled movements, lurching in the hands/grip of his own frenzy.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/instrument)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (means/instrument).
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χερσὶνhandsDativedative of means (with ἐν: 'in his hands')→ sphere or referenceχείρ (dat. pl. χερσίν): 'hand'; the obscure phrase ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ ('in his hands') accompanies the picture of David's flailing, perhaps gesturing wildly with his hands as part of the mad act.
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.
ἔπιπτενfell / kept fallingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (David collapsing against the gate, ongoing)→ verbal action or stateπίπτω (impf. ἔπιπτεν): 'fall'; renders נָפַל; David repeatedly collapses/throws himself against the gate-doors, mimicking a man out of his senses.
ἐπὶagainst / uponpreposition + accusative (direction: against the doors)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: against the doors).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύραςdoorsAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the gate-doors)→ object specificationθύρα (acc. pl. θύρας): 'doors'; cf. above; the doors of the gate against which David collapses.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύληςgateGenitivegenitive of relationship ('doors of the gate')→ relational specificationπύλη (gen. πύλης): 'gate / gateway'; renders שַׁעַר; the city gate of Gath, the public place of David's spectacle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σίελαspittle / salivaNominativesubject of κατέρρει (the drool)→ participant prominenceσίελον (pl. σίελα): 'spittle / saliva / drool'; renders רִיר; the drooling completes the picture of madness; the neuter plural takes the singular verb κατέρρει by the regular rule.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κατέρρειran downImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · καταρρέωmain verb (the drool flowing, ongoing)→ verbal action or stateκαταρρέω (impf. κατέρρει): 'flow down / run down'; the κατα- compound stresses the downward course; the imperfect vividly pictures the spittle continually dribbling into David's beard — the crowning grotesque touch of the feigned insanity.
ἐπὶupon / ontopreposition + accusative (direction: onto the beard)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: onto the beard).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πώγωναbeardAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (where the drool runs)→ object specificationπώγων (acc. πώγωνα): 'beard'; renders זָקָן; the spittle running into the beard is the final, undignified detail proving David's 'madness' to the watching Philistines.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
15

καὶ εἶπεν Αγχους πρὸς τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ ἰδοὺ ἴδετε ἄνδρα ἐπίλημπτον ἵνα τί εἰσηγάγετε αὐτὸν πρός με

And Achish said to his servants, 'Behold, you see a man who is mad; why have you brought him to me?'

Achish's verdict: David is a madmanκαὶ εἶπεν Αγχους πρὸς τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ
The ruse succeeds: Achish concludes David is merely an ἄνδρα ἐπίλημπτον ('an epileptic / madman') and rebukes his servants for bringing such a wretch into his presence. The double imperative ἰδοὺ ἴδετε ('behold, see!') is emphatic, dismissing David as no threat at all — exactly the impression David's performance aimed to create.
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-introducing)→ verbal action or stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΑγχουςAchishsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑγχους: indeclinable; the king of Gath, now dismissing David as a lunatic.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδαςservantsAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Achish's courtiers)→ object specificationπαῖς (acc. pl. παῖδας): 'servant / attendant'; the same courtiers who had identified David in v. 12, now rebuked.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; emphatic, paired with the imperative ἴδετε for rhetorical force.
ἴδετεyou see / lookAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (imperative: 'see!')→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. impv. ἴδετε): 'see / look'; the doubling ἰδοὺ ἴδετε ('behold, look!') is emphatic, expressing Achish's exasperation — 'just look at this madman.'
ἄνδραa manAccusativedirect object of ἴδετε (the supposed madman)→ object specificationἀνήρ (acc. ἄνδρα): 'man'; renders אִישׁ; Achish sees only a deranged man, not the famous warrior.
ἐπίλημπτονmad / epilepticAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄνδρα: 'a mad man')→ object specificationἐπίλημπτος (Koine sp. of ἐπίληπτος): 'epileptic / seized (by a fit) / mad'; lit. 'taken hold of' (by a spirit/disease); the LXX renders MT's 'madman' (מִשְׁתַּגֵּעַ) with the term for one subject to seizures; Achish dismisses David as afflicted and harmless.
ἵναwhyinterrogative (in idiom ἵνα τί = 'why')→ clausal contributionἵνα: here in the fixed interrogative idiom ἵνα τί ('to what end? / why?'), rendering לָמָּה; expresses Achish's annoyed question.
τίwhy / whatinterrogative pronoun (in idiom ἵνα τί)→ participant referenceτίς, τί: interrogative; with ἵνα forms 'why?'; Achish reproaches his men for the pointless intrusion.
εἰσηγάγετεyou brought inAor Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰσάγωmain verb (the servants' action questioned)→ verbal action or stateεἰσάγω (aor. εἰσηγάγετε): 'bring in / lead in'; renders הֵבִיא; Achish rebukes his servants for ushering a madman into the royal presence.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of εἰσηγάγετε (David)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of εἰσηγάγετε (David).
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Achish)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Achish).
16

ἦ ἐλαττοῦμαι ἐπιλήμπτων ἐγώ ὅτι εἰσαγειόχατε αὐτὸν ἐπιλημπτεύεσθαι πρός με οὗτος οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται εἰς οἰκίαν

Am I lacking in madmen, that you have brought him in to play the madman before me? This man shall not enter my house.

Achish's dismissal: David is barred from the houseἦ ἐλαττοῦμαι ἐπιλήμπτων ἐγώ
Achish caps his rebuke with biting sarcasm: 'Am I short of madmen, that you bring me yet another to rave in my presence?' His decree — οὗτος οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται εἰς οἰκίαν ('this man shall not enter the house') — completes David's escape: dismissed as a worthless lunatic, he is sent away unharmed. The repeated ἐπίλημπτος root (vv. 15–16, three times) hammers home the success of the ruse.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
surely / indeed (interrogative)interrogative particle (introducing rhetorical question)→ discourse linkage or contrastἦ: interrogative/asseverative particle introducing a rhetorical question expecting the answer 'no' — 'am I really short of madmen?'; conveys Achish's sarcasm.
ἐλαττοῦμαιI am lacking / am short ofPres Mid/Pass Indic 1 Sg · ἐλαττόωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ verbal action or stateἐλαττόω (pres. mid./pass. ἐλαττοῦμαι): 'make less / diminish'; mid./pass. 'be lessened / be in want of / lack'; takes the genitive of what is lacked (ἐπιλήμπτων); Achish sarcastically asks whether he is short of madmen.
ἐπιλήμπτωνmadmenGenitivegenitive of want (with ἐλαττοῦμαι: 'lacking madmen')→ relational specificationἐπίλημπτος (gen. pl. ἐπιλήμπτων): 'madmen / epileptics'; cf. v. 15; the genitive of the thing lacked; Achish claims to have no shortage of such wretches.
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic 'I' sharpens Achish's indignant sarcasm — 'as if I, the king, needed more madmen!'
ὅτιthatconjunction (consecutive/causal: 'that')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that / because'; introduces the consequence/ground — 'that you have brought him to rave before me.'
εἰσαγειόχατεyou have brought inPf Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰσάγωmain verb (the servants' action, perfect)→ verbal action or stateεἰσάγω (pf. act. εἰσαγειόχατε): 'bring in'; the perfect (with the distinctive reduplicated/Koine form εἰσαγειόχατε) stresses the present result — the madman now stands before the king; cf. the aorist εἰσηγάγετε in v. 15.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of εἰσαγειόχατε (David)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of εἰσαγειόχατε (David).
ἐπιλημπτεύεσθαιto play the madman / ravePres Mid/Pass Inf · ἐπιλημπτεύομαιinfinitive of purpose/result ('to rave before me')→ verbal action or stateἐπιλημπτεύομαι (pres. mid./pass. inf. ἐπιλημπτεύεσθαι): 'behave as a madman / have fits / rave'; a denominative verb from ἐπίλημπτος; the infinitive of purpose — 'to act the lunatic in my presence'; the third occurrence of the ἐπίλημπτ- root in two verses, underscoring the success of David's act.
πρόςto / beforepreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Achish)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Achish).
οὗτοςthis manNominativesubject (demonstrative: 'this one')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this (man)'; contemptuous reference to David as Achish bars him from the house.
οὐκnotnegation (with εἰσελεύσεται)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
εἰσελεύσεταιshall enterFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (Achish's decree)→ verbal action or stateεἰσέρχομαι (fut. mid. εἰσελεύσεται): 'enter / come in'; the future with οὐκ functions as an emphatic prohibition/decree — David is barred from the royal house, and so escapes Gath unharmed; the verb closes the chapter as it opened (εἰσῆλθεν, v. 1), framing the narrative with movement in and out.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction of entry)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of entry).
οἰκίανhouseAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the royal house/dwelling)→ object specificationοἰκία: 'house / household'; renders בַּיִת; Achish's house/palace, from which the 'madman' is excluded — David's deliverance is complete, and the chapter ends with his escape from Gath.