Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The First Book of Kingdoms, Chapter 23ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΩΝ Α′ ΚΓ′

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 saves Keilah yet remains a hunted fugitive, preserved by God through betrayals and wilderness escapes.

Translation & textual notes

The Greek text of 1 Kingdoms 23 (= 1 Samuel 23) 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. NOTE ON VERSE NUMBERING: the Rahlfs LXX of this chapter has NO verse 12; the verses present are 1–11 and 13–28 (27 verses in all), and the numbering of vv. 13–28 in the LXX runs one behind the Masoretic/English verse numbers from this point. The chapter is a tightly woven narrative of inquiry, deliverance, betrayal, and pursuit. David twice 'inquires through the LORD' (ἐπηρώτησεν Δαυιδ διὰ τοῦ κυρίου, vv. 2, 4) before relieving the Philistine siege of KEILAH (ἡ Κεϊλα), a town whose 'threshing floors' (τοὺς ἅλω, v. 1) the Philistines were plundering. The arrival of Abiathar son of Abimelech 'with the ephod in his hand' (ἔχων εφουδ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ, v. 6) supplies the oracular instrument; εφουδ is an indeclinable transliteration of Hebrew אֵפוֹד. Saul interprets David's entry into a walled town 'of doors and bars' (πόλιν θυρῶν καὶ μοχλῶν, v. 7) as proof that 'God has sold him into my hands' (πέπρακεν αὐτὸν ὁ θεὸς εἰς χεῖράς μου) — a presumption the narrative will overturn. David's second oracle-scene (vv. 9–11) deploys the verb ἀποκλείω ('shut up / hand over by entrapment') and is answered with the bare prediction ἀποκλεισθήσεται ('he will be shut up'), prompting his escape with 'about four hundred men' (ὡς τετρακόσιοι, v. 13). The wilderness sections render Hebrew place-names variously by transliteration (Μασερεμ / Μεσσαρα for the strongholds, Ζιφ, Καινή = Horesh, Μααν = Maon, Εχελα = Hachilah, Ιεσσαιμουν = Jeshimon) and by the recurring adjective αὐχμώδης ('parched / arid', vv. 14, 15, 19) for the dry highland. The theological center is the covenant-renewal of vv. 16–18: Jonathan 'strengthened his hand in the LORD' (ἐκραταίωσεν τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ ἐν κυρίῳ) and confirmed David's kingship with the words καὶ σὺ βασιλεύσεις ἐπὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἐγὼ ἔσομαί σοι εἰς δεύτερον ('you shall reign over Israel and I shall be second to you'). The Ziphites' betrayal (vv. 19–24) and the close pursuit at Maon (vv. 25–26), where David was 'sheltering himself to flee from before Saul' (σκεπαζόμενος πορεύεσθαι ἀπὸ προσώπου Σαουλ), is broken off only by the messenger summoning Saul to a Philistine incursion (vv. 27–28); the place is therefore named Πέτρα ἡ μερισθεῖσα, 'the Rock that was Divided/Parted' (ἐπεκλήθη … διὰ τοῦτο), an etiological place-name closing the chapter on the note of providential rescue.

1

καὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Δαυιδ λέγοντες ἰδοὺ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι πολεμοῦσιν ἐν τῇ Κεϊλα καὶ αὐτοὶ διαρπάζουσιν καταπατοῦσιν τοὺς ἅλω

And it was reported to David, saying, 'Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are plundering, trampling down the threshing floors.'

Narrative opening (report initiating the action)καὶ ἀπηγγέλη
The chapter opens with the impersonal passive ἀπηγγέλη ('it was reported'), a standard LXX narrative incipit; the report sets the crisis (a Philistine siege of Keilah) that triggers David's repeated oracular inquiries. The plural participle λέγοντες after the singular passive verb is a Hebraistic construction (an indefinite 'they said').
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπηγγέληit was reportedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (impersonal passive of reporting)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce / bring word'; renders Hebrew נָגַד (Hophal); the impersonal passive ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Δαυιδ ('word was brought to David') is a recurrent narrative formula in 1 Kingdoms (cf. vv. 7, 13), the dative naming the recipient of the news.
τῷthe / toDativearticle (with Δαυιδ, marking it as dative)→ noun-phrase markingThe article τῷ before the indeclinable Δαυιδ supplies the case marking, here dative as the recipient of the report.
ΔαυιδDavidDativedative of recipient (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliteration of Hebrew דָּוִד; indeclinable in the LXX, its case shown only by the accompanying article; here dative as the one to whom the report comes.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech (Hebraism: indefinite plural)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the masculine nominative plural participle λέγοντες after the impersonal passive ἀπηγγέλη is a Hebraism rendering לֵאמֹר ('saying'); the number-mismatch reflects an indefinite plural subject ('people said').
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; a deictic attention-marker that introduces the urgent news of the Philistine siege.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistines / foreignersNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: lit. 'of another tribe / foreigner'; the LXX's standard rendering of פְּלִשְׁתִּים ('Philistines') in 1 Kingdoms, characterizing them ethnically as the alien aggressors against Israel.
πολεμοῦσινare fighting / making warPres Act Indic 3 Pl · πολεμέωmain verb of the reported clause→ verbal action or stateπολεμέω: 'wage war / fight against'; renders לָחַם (Niphal); the present tense conveys the siege as currently in progress, lending urgency to the report.
ἐνin / againstpreposition + dative (locative; here adversative 'against')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dative after πολεμέω is a Hebraizing rendering of בְּ ('against'), marking Keilah as the object of attack.
τῇtheDativearticle (with Κεϊλα)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΚεϊλαKeilahDativedative object of ἐν (place-name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΚεϊλα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (place-name, indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτοὶtheyNominativesubject (emphatic resumptive pronoun)→ participant referenceαὐτός: here the nominative plural αὐτοί resumes the Philistines as subject, a Hebraizing pleonastic pronoun (rendering הֵמָּה) emphasizing the agents of the plundering.
διαρπάζουσινare plunderingPres Act Indic 3 Pl · διαρπάζωmain verb (continuing the report)→ verbal action or stateδιαρπάζω: 'plunder thoroughly / pillage'; the intensive δια- compound stresses the comprehensive looting of the harvest; renders שָׁסָה / בָּזַז.
καταπατοῦσινare trampling downPres Act Indic 3 Pl · καταπατέωmain verb (asyndetic, paralleling διαρπάζουσιν)→ verbal action or stateκαταπατέω: 'trample down / tread underfoot'; the asyndetic pairing with διαρπάζουσιν heightens the picture of the harvest being both stolen and ruined at the threshing floors.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἅλω)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἅλωthreshing floorsAccusativedirect object of διαρπάζουσιν / καταπατοῦσιν→ object specificationἅλως / ἅλων: 'threshing floor'; renders גֹּרֶן; the threshing floors held the gathered grain, so their plundering and trampling means the destruction of Keilah's food supply — the concrete trigger for David's intervention.
2

καὶ ἐπηρώτησεν Δαυιδ διὰ τοῦ κυρίου λέγων εἰ πορευθῶ καὶ πατάξω τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους τούτους καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πορεύου καὶ πατάξεις ἐν τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις τούτοις καὶ σώσεις τὴν Κεϊλα

And David inquired through the LORD, saying, 'Shall I go and strike these Philistines?' And the LORD said, 'Go, and you shall strike among these Philistines, and you shall save Keilah.'

First oracular inquiry and divine answerκαὶ ἐπηρώτησεν Δαυιδ
The first of David's two inquiries (cf. v. 4); the phrase ἐπηρώτησεν … διὰ τοῦ κυρίου ('inquired through the LORD') denotes consultation of the divine oracle (later named as the ephod, v. 9). The deliberative question (εἰ πορευθῶ … with subjunctive) is answered by an imperative plus future predictions, divine authorization escalating from permission to guaranteed outcome.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπηρώτησενinquiredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπερωτάωmain verb (oracular consultation)→ verbal action or stateἐπερωτάω: 'ask / inquire / consult'; renders שָׁאַל; the compound with διὰ τοῦ κυρίου is a technical idiom for seeking a divine oracle (cf. שָׁאַל בַּיהוה), here mediated through the priestly ephod.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means: 'through / by means of')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + genitive: 'through / by means of'; here marking the LORD as the channel of the oracle — David inquires 'through the LORD,' i.e. by divine consultation.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίουLORDGenitivegenitive object of διά→ relational specificationκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the genitive after διά names YHWH as the oracular source David consults before acting.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the participle λέγων renders לֵאמֹר, the standard LXX marker introducing the content of an inquiry or speech.
εἰwhether / shallinterrogative particle (introducing deliberative question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: here introducing a direct deliberative question ('shall I…?'), a Hebraizing use of the particle rendering the interrogative הֲ; it governs the deliberative subjunctives πορευθῶ and πατάξω.
πορευθῶshall I goAor Pass Subj 1 Sg · πορεύομαιdeliberative subjunctive (in the question)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / proceed'; the deponent aorist subjunctive in a deliberative question asks for divine sanction; renders הָלַךְ.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πατάξωshall I strikeAor Act Subj 1 Sg · πατάσσωdeliberative subjunctive (coordinate with πορευθῶ)→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike / smite / defeat'; renders נָכָה (Hiphil); a frequent verb for military defeat in the historical books; here in a deliberative question about engaging the Philistines.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλουςPhilistinesAccusativedirect object of πατάξω→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'foreigner / Philistine'; the accusative as the object David proposes to strike.
τούτουςtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἀλλοφύλους)→ object specificationοὗτος: the demonstrative 'these' points to the specific Philistine force besieging Keilah.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the divine answer)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (divine reply)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the aorist εἶπεν introduces the LORD's oracular answer to David's inquiry.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the LORD himself answers the oracular inquiry, granting both permission and the promise of victory.
πορεύουgoPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (divine imperative authorizing action)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι (pres. impv.): 'go!'; the present imperative grants David the divine green light, directly answering his deliberative πορευθῶ.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πατάξειςyou shall strikeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (predictive future of assured victory)→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω (fut.): the future indicative converts David's tentative question into a divine guarantee — not 'may you strike' but 'you shall strike.'
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (Hebraizing object marker after πατάσσω)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dative after πατάσσω ('strike among') is a Hebraism rendering הִכָּה בְּ, treating the foe as the field within which the blow falls.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλοιςPhilistinesDativedative object of ἐν (Hebraizing)→ sphere or referenceἀλλόφυλος: dative within the Hebraizing πατάσσω ἐν construction.
τούτοιςtheseDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἀλλοφύλοις)→ sphere or referenceοὗτος: the demonstrative echoes David's own τούτους, the LORD answering in his very terms.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σώσειςyou shall saveFut Act Indic 2 Sg · σῴζωmain verb (climactic predictive future)→ verbal action or stateσῴζω: 'save / deliver / rescue'; renders יָשַׁע (Hiphil); the climax of the oracle — David will not merely defeat the Philistines but 'save' Keilah, casting him in the role of deliverer-king even while a fugitive.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with Κεϊλα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΚεϊλαKeilahAccusativedirect object of σώσεις (place-name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΚεϊλα: the town to be delivered; case marked by the article τήν as the accusative object of σώσεις.
3

καὶ εἶπαν οἱ ἄνδρες τοῦ Δαυιδ πρὸς αὐτόν ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς ἐνταῦθα ἐν τῇ Ιουδαίᾳ φοβούμεθα καὶ πῶς ἔσται ἐὰν πορευθῶμεν εἰς Κεϊλα εἰς τὰ σκῦλα τῶν ἀλλοφύλων εἰσπορευσόμεθα

And David's men said to him, 'Behold, we here in Judea are afraid; and how will it be if we go to Keilah? We shall be going into the spoils of the Philistines.'

Counter-speech: the men's fearful objectionκαὶ εἶπαν οἱ ἄνδρες τοῦ Δαυιδ
David's men voice their fear, creating the narrative tension that prompts the second inquiry (v. 4). Their objection is a fortiori: if they are already afraid here in Judea (relatively safe), how much more if they advance to Keilah toward the Philistine forces. The clause εἰς τὰ σκῦλα … εἰσπορευσόμεθα frames the venture as walking straight into the enemy's battle-array.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 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 of the men)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the Hellenistic aorist εἶπαν (alpha-ending, for classical εἶπον) introduces the objection of David's men.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man / warrior'; renders אִישׁ / אֲנָשִׁים; here David's band of fighting men, whose collective fear must be overcome by a renewed oracle.
τοῦthe / ofGenitivearticle (with Δαυιδ, marking genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidGenitivegenitive of possession ('David's men')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; case (genitive) marked by the article τοῦ.
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 (addressee)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (addressee).
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; here introducing the men's own situation as the ground of their objection.
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ (pl. ἡμεῖς): the emphatic 'we' foregrounds the men's own fear in contrast to David's confidence.
ἐνταῦθαhereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐνταῦθα: 'here / in this place'; locates the men in the relative safety of Judah, the starting point of their a fortiori fear.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙουδαίᾳJudeaDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceΙουδαίᾳ: meaning 'Judea'; it serves as dative of place (locative).
φοβούμεθαwe are afraidPres Mid Indic 1 Pl · φοβέομαιmain verb (statement of fear)→ verbal action or stateφοβέομαι: 'be afraid / fear'; renders יָרֵא; the deponent present states the men's current dread, the obstacle the renewed oracle must overcome.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverb→ clausal contributionπῶς: 'how?'; introduces a rhetorical question expressing the heightened danger of advancing to Keilah.
ἔσταιwill it beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (impersonal future in the question)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'will be'; the impersonal 'how will it be?' voices the men's anxiety about the outcome of the proposed march.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (+ subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the conditional clause with the subjunctive πορευθῶμεν, framing the march as a hypothetical fraught with danger.
πορευθῶμενwe goAor Pass Subj 1 Pl · πορεύομαιverb of conditional clause→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: the deponent aorist subjunctive after ἐάν presents the move to Keilah as a contemplated but daunting possibility.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΚεϊλαKeilahaccusative of direction (place-name, indeclinable, no article)→ participant identificationΚεϊλα: here without an article as the goal of the hypothetical march.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction, with εἰσπορευσόμεθα)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction, with εἰσπορευσόμεθα).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκῦλαspoils / battle-arrayAccusativeaccusative object of εἰσπορευσόμεθα→ object specificationσκῦλον (pl. σκῦλα): properly 'spoils / plunder (stripped from the slain)'; here the phrase εἰς τὰ σκῦλα τῶν ἀλλοφύλων renders a Hebrew term for the enemy's ranks/battle-lines (מַעַרְכוֹת), the LXX choosing 'spoils' — the men fear marching straight into the midst of the armed Philistine forces.
τῶνthe / of theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'of the Philistines')→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: the genitive plural marks the σκῦλα/ranks as belonging to the Philistine host.
εἰσπορευσόμεθαwe shall be going inFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · εἰσπορεύομαιmain verb (predictive future closing the objection)→ verbal action or stateεἰσπορεύομαι: 'go into / enter'; the future states the dreaded consequence — going to Keilah means entering the very midst of the Philistine forces; the verb stands emphatically last in the clause.
4

καὶ προσέθετο Δαυιδ ἐρωτῆσαι ἔτι διὰ τοῦ κυρίου καὶ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ κύριος καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν ἀνάστηθι καὶ κατάβηθι εἰς Κεϊλα ὅτι ἐγὼ παραδίδωμι τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους εἰς χεῖράς σου

And David inquired yet again through the LORD, and the LORD answered him and said to him, 'Arise and go down to Keilah, for I am giving the Philistines into your hands.'

Second oracular inquiry and reinforced divine answerκαὶ προσέθετο Δαυιδ ἐρωτῆσαι ἔτι
Responding to the men's fear, David inquires a second time; the Hebraizing προσέθετο … ἐρωτῆσαι ('added to inquire' = 'inquired again') renders יָסַף + infinitive. The reinforced answer now adds the explicit handover formula παραδίδωμι … εἰς χεῖράς σου ('I am giving them into your hands'), the strongest assurance of victory and the decisive removal of the men's hesitation.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσέθετοhe again / addedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (auxiliary in Hebraizing 'do again' idiom)→ verbal action or stateπροστίθημι (mid.): 'add / proceed to do (again)'; the construction προσέθετο + infinitive (ἐρωτῆσαι) is a Hebraism rendering יָסַף ('he added to ask' = 'he asked again'), marking the second oracular consultation.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἐρωτῆσαιto inquireAor Act Inf · ἐρωτάωcomplementary infinitive (with προσέθετο)→ verbal action or stateἐρωτάω: 'ask / inquire'; the infinitive completes the Hebraizing 'added to inquire' idiom; here a synonym for the ἐπερωτάω of v. 2, both for oracular consultation.
ἔτιyet againadverb (temporal: 'still / again')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / again'; reinforces the προσέθετο idiom, underscoring that this is a second, repeated inquiry occasioned by the men's fear.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)→ spatial or relational framingδιὰ: meaning 'through'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (means).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίουLORDGenitivegenitive object of διά→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the same oracular channel as in v. 2.
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 (divine response)→ verbal action or stateἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / reply'; renders עָנָה; the passive-form deponent introduces the LORD's direct reply, more emphatic than the simple εἶπεν of v. 2.
αὐτῷhimDativedative of recipient (with ἀπεκρίθη)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of recipient (with ἀπεκρίθη).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the divine subject of the reinforced oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction, pleonastic with ἀπεκρίθη)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the pleonastic ἀπεκρίθη … καὶ εἶπεν ('answered and said') is a Hebraism rendering וַיַּעַן … וַיֹּאמֶר.
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 (addressee)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (addressee).
ἀνάστηθιariseAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (divine imperative)→ verbal action or stateἀνίστημι: 'rise / get up / set out'; renders קוּם; the imperative ἀνάστηθι καὶ κατάβηθι ('arise and go down') is a stock Hebraic command-pair urging immediate action.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατάβηθιgo downAor Act Impv 2 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (divine imperative)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; renders יָרַד; 'go down to your house' (from the palace height to the city) — the euphemism's surface is rest and refreshment, its aim that Uriah sleep with his wife.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΚεϊλαKeilahaccusative of direction (place-name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΚεϊλα: the destination of the divine command.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the ground of the command — the assured handover of the enemy.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic first-person pronoun: YHWH)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic 'I' foregrounds YHWH as the personal agent of the victory — it is the LORD who hands the Philistines over.
παραδίδωμιI am giving overPres Act Indic 1 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (divine handover declaration)→ verbal action or stateπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver up'; renders נָתַן (בְּיָד); the formula παραδίδωμι … εἰς χεῖράς σου ('I give into your hands') is the classic LXX holy-war guarantee of victory (cf. Josh 6:2; Judg 3:28); the present tense presents the giving as already effective.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλουςPhilistinesAccusativedirect object of παραδίδωμι→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: the Philistines as the object handed over to David.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the hands')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the hands').
χεῖράςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiomatic: 'into your hands')→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; εἰς χεῖράς σου renders בְּיָדְךָ, the idiom of giving an enemy into someone's power; the accusative plural with the enclitic σου bears a second accent (χεῖράς).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (enclitic, with χεῖράς)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your'; the enclitic possessive marks the hands as David's — the locus of the divinely granted victory.
5

καὶ ἐπορεύθη Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες οἱ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ εἰς Κεϊλα καὶ ἐπολέμησεν ἐν τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις καὶ ἔφυγον ἐκ προσώπου αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπήγαγεν τὰ κτήνη αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπάταξεν ἐν αὐτοῖς πληγὴν μεγάλην καὶ ἔσωσεν Δαυιδ τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Κεϊλα

And David went, and the men with him, to Keilah, and he fought among the Philistines, and they fled from before him, and he led away their livestock and struck among them a great blow; and David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

Fulfilment: David executes the oracle and delivers Keilahκαὶ ἐπορεύθη Δαυιδ
v. 5 narrates the exact fulfilment of the oracle of vv. 2, 4: David goes (πορεύου → ἐπορεύθη), strikes (πατάξεις → ἐπάταξεν), and saves (σώσεις → ἔσωσεν). The chain of seven coordinated aorists drives the victory forward; the closing clause ἔσωσεν Δαυιδ τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Κεϊλα echoes the oracle's σώσεις τὴν Κεϊλα, sealing the deliverance.
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (executing the divine command)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / proceed'; the deponent aorist ἐπορεύθη enacts the LORD's imperative πορεύου (v. 2), opening the obedience-narrative.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (coordinate with Δαυιδ)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man / warrior'; David's band, now following despite their earlier fear (v. 3), their objection silenced by the second oracle.
οἱthe / whoNominativearticle (attributive, with μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingThe repeated article οἱ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ('the [ones] with him') is an attributive prepositional phrase converted into an adjective-equivalent — a frequent LXX construction for 'his companions.'
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment; elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment; elided before vowel).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετ᾿ (accompaniment)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετ᾿ (accompaniment).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΚεϊλαKeilahaccusative of direction (place-name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΚεϊλα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative of direction (place-name, indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπολέμησενfoughtAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πολεμέωmain verb (engagement)→ verbal action or stateπολεμέω: 'wage war / fight'; the construction ἐπολέμησεν ἐν τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις ('fought among the Philistines') uses the Hebraizing ἐν after a verb of fighting.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (Hebraizing object marker)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (Hebraizing object marker).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλοιςPhilistinesDativedative object of ἐν (Hebraizing)→ sphere or referenceἀλλόφυλος: dative in the πολεμέω ἐν construction.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔφυγονthey fledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · φεύγωmain verb (Philistine rout)→ verbal action or stateφεύγω: 'flee'; renders נוּס; the Philistine flight ἐκ προσώπου αὐτοῦ ('from before him') is the standard idiom of a routed enemy.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (idiom: 'from before')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; ἐκ προσώπου αὐτοῦ is a Hebraism rendering מִפָּנָיו ('from before him / from his presence'), the standard formula for fleeing an enemy.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with προσώπου)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with προσώπου).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπήγαγενhe led awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπάγωmain verb (capture of spoil)→ verbal action or stateἀπάγω: 'lead away / carry off'; renders נָהַג; David drives off the Philistines' livestock as the spoils of his victory.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτήνηlivestockAccusativedirect object of ἀπήγαγεν→ object specificationκτῆνος (pl. κτήνη): 'cattle / livestock'; renders מִקְנֶה; the captured herds are the tangible fruit of the victory.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (the Philistines')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the Philistines').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξενhe struckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (cognate-accusative construction)→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; fulfils the oracle's πατάξεις (v. 2); the cognate-accusative ἐπάταξεν … πληγὴν μεγάλην ('struck a great blow') intensifies the scale of the defeat (cf. נָכָה מַכָּה).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (Hebraizing object marker)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (Hebraizing object marker).
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative object of ἐν (Hebraizing, the Philistines)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (Hebraizing, the Philistines).
πληγὴνa blow / slaughterAccusativecognate accusative (with ἐπάταξεν)→ object specificationπληγή: 'blow / stroke / slaughter'; the cognate accusative with πατάσσω renders the Hebrew מַכָּה גְדוֹלָה ('a great defeat'), emphasizing the magnitude of David's victory.
μεγάληνgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying πληγήν)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; intensifies the cognate accusative — a 'great slaughter,' a decisive blow.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing climactic clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσωσενsavedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σῴζωmain verb (climactic fulfilment of σώσεις)→ verbal action or stateσῴζω: 'save / deliver'; the climactic ἔσωσεν Δαυιδ fulfils the oracle's σώσεις τὴν Κεϊλα (v. 2), casting David as Israel's deliverer even as a fugitive — the very role Saul should be filling.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject (indeclinable, repeated for emphasis)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: the repeated naming of David as the subject of ἔσωσεν underscores that the deliverance of Keilah is his achievement.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with the participle κατοικοῦντας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικοῦνταςthe inhabitantsPres Act Ptcp Acc Pl Masc · κατοικέωsubstantival participle (direct object of ἔσωσεν)→ verbal action or stateκατοικέω: 'dwell / inhabit'; the substantival participle οἱ κατοικοῦντες ('the inhabitants') renders יֹשְׁבֵי; those David saves are the very citizens who will later prove ready to betray him (v. 11).
ΚεϊλαKeilahgenitive of place (indeclinable: 'inhabitants of Keilah')→ participant identificationΚεϊλα: the delivered town; the indeclinable name functions here as a genitive of the inhabitants' location.
6

καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ φυγεῖν Αβιαθαρ υἱὸν Αβιμελεχ πρὸς Δαυιδ καὶ αὐτὸς μετὰ Δαυιδ εἰς Κεϊλα κατέβη ἔχων εφουδ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ

And it came about, when Abiathar son of Abimelech fled to David, that he too went down with David to Keilah, having an ephod in his hand.

Background flashback supplying the oracular instrumentκαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ φυγεῖν
A background flashback (καὶ ἐγένετο + articular infinitive ἐν τῷ φυγεῖν) explaining how the priest Abiathar — sole survivor of Saul's massacre at Nob (22:20) — came to be with David carrying the ephod. This note is essential setup: it is the εφουδ in Abiathar's hand that makes David's oracular inquiries (vv. 2, 4, 9–11) possible.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit came aboutAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (narrative formula 'and it came to pass')→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι: 'become / happen'; καὶ ἐγένετο is the stock LXX narrative formula rendering וַיְהִי, here introducing a flashback that supplies background to the foregoing oracle-scenes.
ἐνin / whenpreposition + dative (with articular infinitive: temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + articular infinitive (ἐν τῷ φυγεῖν) is a temporal construction ('when … fled'), a frequent LXX rendering of the Hebrew בְּ + infinitive construct.
τῷtheDativearticle (with the infinitive φυγεῖν)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυγεῖνfled / fleeingAor Act Inf · φεύγωarticular infinitive (temporal clause)→ verbal action or stateφεύγω: 'flee'; the articular infinitive in the temporal construction; Abiathar's flight refers back to his escape from Saul's slaughter of the priests of Nob (1 Kgdms 22:20).
ΑβιαθαρAbiatharaccusative subject of the articular infinitive (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβιαθαρ: transliteration of Hebrew אֶבְיָתָר (Abiathar), the priest who alone escaped Saul's massacre at Nob; indeclinable; here the (accusative) subject of the infinitive φυγεῖν.
υἱὸνsonAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Αβιαθαρ→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the accusative υἱόν agrees with the case required for the infinitive's subject, identifying Abiathar by patronymic.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Abimelech')→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: here the LXX form for the high priest more commonly called Ahimelech (אֲחִימֶלֶךְ) of Nob, Abiathar's father; indeclinable.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
καὶand / thatconjunction (apodosis-marker after καὶ ἐγένετο)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί here introduces the main clause after the καὶ ἐγένετο … temporal protasis, a Hebraistic apodosis-καί (the waw of the apodosis).
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject (emphatic resumptive pronoun: Abiathar)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the emphatic 'he himself / he too' resumes Abiathar as subject of the main clause κατέβη.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
ΔαυιδDavidgenitive object of μετά (indeclinable, accompaniment)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (indeclinable, accompaniment).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΚεϊλαKeilahaccusative of direction (place-name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΚεϊλα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative of direction (place-name, indeclinable).
κατέβηwent downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (apodosis)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; Abiathar's descent to Keilah with David parallels David's commanded κατάβηθι of v. 4.
ἔχωνhavingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωcircumstantial participle (manner: 'carrying')→ verbal action or stateἔχω: 'have / hold'; the circumstantial participle ἔχων εφουδ ('having an ephod') specifies the crucial detail — Abiathar brings the oracular instrument that enables David's inquiries.
εφουδan ephodobject of ἔχων (indeclinable transliteration)→ clausal contributionεφουδ: indeclinable transliteration of Hebrew אֵפוֹד ('ephod'); here the priestly vestment containing the oracular Urim and Thummim, by which David 'inquires through the LORD'; the LXX transliterates rather than translates the cultic term.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρὶhandDativedative of place (locative: 'in his hand')→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ ('in his hand') is a Hebraism (בְּיָדוֹ) underscoring the physical, ready availability of the oracular ephod.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with χειρί)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with χειρί).
7

καὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Σαουλ ὅτι ἥκει Δαυιδ εἰς Κεϊλα καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ πέπρακεν αὐτὸν ὁ θεὸς εἰς χεῖράς μου ὅτι ἀποκέκλεισται εἰσελθὼν εἰς πόλιν θυρῶν καὶ μοχλῶν

And it was reported to Saul that David had come to Keilah; and Saul said, 'God has sold him into my hands, for he has shut himself in by entering a city of doors and bars.'

Counter-action: Saul's presumptuous interpretationκαὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Σαουλ
The same report-formula that opened the chapter (ἀπηγγέλη, v. 1) now brings the news to Saul, whose interpretation is the dark mirror of David's faith: where David seeks the LORD, Saul presumes that 'God has sold him into my hands.' The irony is acute — David has just acted as Israel's deliverer, while Saul reads the deliverance as a trap of his own advantage. πέπρακεν ('has sold') is a striking, almost commercial metaphor for divine handover.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπηγγέληit was reportedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (impersonal passive of reporting)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / bring word'; the same formula as v. 1, now turning the narrative to Saul; the structural echo links David's deliverance to Saul's hostile response.
τῷthe / toDativearticle (with Σαουλ, marking dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαουλSaulDativedative of recipient (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliteration of Hebrew שָׁאוּל (Saul); indeclinable, case marked by the article τῷ; the reigning king now cast as David's pursuer.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing content of report)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: here a recitative/content conjunction introducing the substance of the report.
ἥκειhas comePres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἥκωverb of the reported clause→ verbal action or stateἥκω: 'have come / be present'; the present has a perfect sense ('has arrived and is here'); the report locates David inside Keilah, the basis of Saul's calculation.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject of ἥκει (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἥκει (indeclinable).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΚεϊλαKeilahaccusative of direction (place-name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΚεϊλα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative of direction (place-name, indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Saul's speech)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's self-deceiving interpretation of the report.
ΣαουλSaulNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πέπρακενhas soldPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · πιπράσκωmain verb of Saul's speech (perfect of settled state)→ verbal action or stateπιπράσκω: 'sell'; renders מָכַר; the perfect πέπρακεν presents the handover as a settled fact in Saul's mind; the commercial metaphor ('God has sold him to me') is harsher than the usual 'hand over' (παραδίδωμι, cf. v. 4) — and ironically inverts the very handover-formula spoken to David, applying it to himself.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of πέπρακεν (David)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of πέπρακεν (David).
theNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (of πέπρακεν)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; Saul invokes God as the author of David's supposed entrapment — a presumption the narrative will refute (vv. 27–28).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the hands')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the hands').
χεῖράςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; εἰς χεῖράς μου ('into my hands') ironically echoes the LORD's promise to David in v. 4 (εἰς χεῖράς σου) — Saul claims for himself the very handover language YHWH spoke over David's enemies.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (enclitic, with χεῖράς)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (enclitic, with χεῖράς).
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces Saul's reasoning — David has trapped himself by entering a fortified town.
ἀποκέκλεισταιhe has shut himself inPerf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκλείωverb of the causal clause (perfect of resultant state)→ verbal action or stateἀποκλείω: 'shut up / lock in / confine'; renders סָגַר (Niphal); the perfect ἀποκέκλεισται denotes David's resulting confinement; this verb anchors the wordplay of vv. 9–11 (ἀποκλεισθήσεται, 'he will be shut up'), where David asks the LORD whether Keilah will indeed 'shut' him in for Saul.
εἰσελθὼνhaving enteredAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · εἰσέρχομαιcircumstantial participle (means: 'by entering')→ verbal action or stateεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; the aorist participle explains how David became 'shut in' — by entering a walled town, he is (in Saul's calculation) trapped behind its own defenses.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
πόλινa cityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationπόλις: 'city / town'; renders עִיר; the qualifying genitives 'of doors and bars' mark it as a fortified town — the very feature Saul thinks makes it a trap.
θυρῶνof doors / gatesGenitivegenitive of quality (describing the city)→ relational specificationθύρα: 'door / gate'; the genitive of quality πόλιν θυρῶν καὶ μοχλῶν ('a city of doors and bars') renders עִיר דְּלָתַיִם וּבְרִיחַ, denoting a strongly fortified town — ironically, its very security is what (Saul thinks) makes David's escape impossible.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μοχλῶνof bars / boltsGenitivegenitive of quality (coordinate with θυρῶν)→ relational specificationμοχλός: 'bar / bolt'; renders בְּרִיחַ; the gate-bars complete the picture of a fortified town; Saul's reasoning that the fortifications confine David will be undone by Keilah's own treachery and David's flight (vv. 11–13).
8

καὶ παρήγγειλεν Σαουλ παντὶ τῷ λαῷ εἰς πόλεμον καταβαίνειν εἰς Κεϊλα συνέχειν τὸν Δαυιδ καὶ τοὺς ἄνδρας αὐτοῦ

And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to hem in David and his men.

Consequent action: Saul mobilizes the armyκαὶ παρήγγειλεν Σαουλ
Acting on his presumption (v. 7), Saul mobilizes 'all the people' for war. The three infinitives (καταβαίνειν … συνέχειν) lay out the campaign's purpose: to descend on Keilah and 'hem in' David. The verb συνέχειν ('confine / besiege') extends the imagery of entrapment from v. 7, setting up David's urgent inquiry in vv. 9–11.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρήγγειλενsummoned / gave ordersAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραγγέλλωmain verb (military mobilization)→ verbal action or stateπαραγγέλλω: 'give orders / summon / muster'; renders שָׁמַע (Piel, 'summon to muster'); a technical term for calling up the militia, here for war against David.
ΣαουλSaulNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
παντὶallDativeattributive adjective (modifying λαῷ)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; 'all the people' marks the disproportion of Saul's response — a full national levy against a band of fugitives, betraying the obsessiveness of his pursuit.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeople / armyDativedative (the ones summoned)→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people'; renders עָם; here in its military sense of the levied host/militia summoned for war.
εἰςto / forpreposition + accusative (purpose: 'for war')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'for war').
πόλεμονwar / battleAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose)→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; renders מִלְחָמָה; εἰς πόλεμον ('for war') names the purpose of the muster.
καταβαίνεινto go downPres Act Inf · καταβαίνωinfinitive of purpose (complementing παρήγγειλεν)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'go down'; the infinitive specifies the order's content — to descend on Keilah; the same verb used of David's commanded descent (v. 4) and Abiathar's (v. 6), now turned to hostile ends.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΚεϊλαKeilahaccusative of direction (place-name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΚεϊλα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative of direction (place-name, indeclinable).
συνέχεινto hem in / besiegePres Act Inf · συνέχωinfinitive of purpose (second goal of the muster)→ verbal action or stateσυνέχω: 'hold together / confine / hem in / besiege'; renders צוּר; the goal is to surround and trap David in the town, intensifying the entrapment imagery of v. 7 (ἀποκέκλεισται) and motivating David's inquiry in vv. 9–11.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Δαυιδ, marking accusative)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidAccusativeaccusative object of συνέχειν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: case (accusative) marked by the article τόν; the target of the siege.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative object of συνέχειν (coordinate with Δαυιδ)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; David's band, also targets of the siege.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (David's men)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (David's men).
9

καὶ ἔγνω Δαυιδ ὅτι οὐ παρασιωπᾷ Σαουλ περὶ αὐτοῦ τὴν κακίαν καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Αβιαθαρ τὸν ἱερέα προσάγαγε τὸ εφουδ κυρίου

And David knew that Saul was not keeping silent about the evil against him, and David said to Abiathar the priest, 'Bring forward the ephod of the LORD.'

David's discernment prompting the third inquiryκαὶ ἔγνω Δαυιδ
David's perception (ἔγνω) of Saul's hidden malice triggers the chapter's third oracular scene. The litotes οὐ παρασιωπᾷ … τὴν κακίαν ('was not keeping the evil silent' = 'was actively plotting harm') conveys Saul's secret scheming. David's command προσάγαγε τὸ εφουδ ('bring forward the ephod') makes explicit the instrument hinted at in v. 6 and the means of inquiry in vv. 2, 4.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔγνωknew / perceivedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (David's discernment)→ verbal action or stateγινώσκω: 'know / perceive / realize'; renders יָדַע; the aorist ἔγνω marks David's coming-to-know of Saul's plot — his discernment, contrasted with Saul's self-deception (v. 7), drives him back to the oracle.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing object clause of ἔγνω)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: introduces the content of David's knowledge.
οὐnotnegative particle (with παρασιωπᾷ)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the negative forms a litotes with παρασιωπᾷ — 'is not keeping silent' = 'is actively pursuing.'
παρασιωπᾷkeeps silent / concealsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · παρασιωπάωverb of the object clause→ verbal action or stateπαρασιωπάω: 'keep silent / pass over in silence / conceal'; renders חָרַשׁ; the litotes οὐ παρασιωπᾷ τὴν κακίαν means Saul is not letting the matter rest but is openly devising harm against David.
ΣαουλSaulNominativesubject of παρασιωπᾷ (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of παρασιωπᾷ (indeclinable).
περὶconcerning / againstpreposition + genitive (reference: 'concerning him')→ spatial or relational framingπερί + genitive: 'concerning / about'; here with hostile nuance, the evil 'concerning' = 'against' David.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of περί (David)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of περί (David).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κακίαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κακίανevil / harmAccusativedirect object of παρασιωπᾷ→ object specificationκακία: 'evil / wickedness / malice / harm'; renders רָעָה; the object of Saul's silence-breaking scheming — the harm he intends against David.
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 (David's command)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces David's instruction to the priest.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΑβιαθαρAbiatharaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβιαθαρ: the priest who carries the ephod (v. 6); addressed by David to bring the oracular vestment forward.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἱερέα, in apposition to Αβιαθαρ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερέαpriestAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Αβιαθαρ→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the appositive names Abiathar's office — only the priest may handle the ephod and mediate the oracle.
προσάγαγεbring forwardAor Act Impv 2 Sg · προσάγωmain verb (David's imperative to the priest)→ verbal action or stateπροσάγω: 'bring forward / bring near / present'; renders נָגַשׁ (Hiphil); a quasi-cultic term for presenting the ephod for oracular use — David formally initiates the consultation.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with εφουδ)→ noun-phrase markingThe neuter article τό supplies case (accusative) to the indeclinable εφουδ.
εφουδephodaccusative object of προσάγαγε (indeclinable transliteration)→ clausal contributionεφουδ: indeclinable transliteration of Hebrew אֵפוֹד; the priestly oracular vestment; 'the ephod of the LORD' marks it as the instrument of divine inquiry, case shown by the article τό.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying εφουδ)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the genitive κυρίου designates the ephod as belonging to / serving the LORD's oracle — the instrument by which his word is sought.
10

καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ κύριε ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ ἀκούων ἀκήκοεν ὁ δοῦλός σου ὅτι ζητεῖ Σαουλ ἐλθεῖν ἐπὶ Κεϊλα διαφθεῖραι τὴν πόλιν δι᾿ ἐμέ

And David said, 'O LORD, God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul is seeking to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account.'

David's prayer-inquiry (first part: the report he has heard)καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ κύριε ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ
David's oracular inquiry is cast as a reverent prayer addressed to 'O LORD, God of Israel.' He first lays out what he has heard, using the Hebraizing emphatic construction ἀκούων ἀκήκοεν ('hearing he has heard' = 'has surely heard'), and refers to himself in the deferential third person as ὁ δοῦλός σου ('your servant'). The concern διαφθεῖραι τὴν πόλιν δι᾿ ἐμέ ('to destroy the city on my account') shows David's awareness that his presence endangers Keilah.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 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 (David's prayer-speech)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces David's prayer of inquiry before the ephod.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative of address (invocation)→ direct addressκύριος (voc. κύριε): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the vocative opens David's reverent address — his inquiry is framed as direct prayer to YHWH.
the / ONominativearticle (with θεός in vocatival apposition)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative-for-vocative in apposition to κύριε→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the nominative-with-article ὁ θεός functioning as a vocative ('O God') is a Septuagintal Hebraism; 'God of Israel' (ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ) invokes the covenant relationship as the ground of David's appeal.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'God of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable; 'God of Israel' is the covenant title, grounding David's confidence in addressing the oracle.
ἀκούωνhearing / surelyPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἀκούωcognate participle (intensifying ἀκήκοεν: Hebraism)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear'; the figura etymologica ἀκούων ἀκήκοεν ('hearing he has heard') is the LXX's standard rendering of the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute שָׁמֹעַ שָׁמַע ('has surely heard'), expressing the certainty of David's information.
ἀκήκοενhas heardPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (with cognate participle)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω (perf. ἀκήκοεν): the perfect denotes the abiding state of David's knowledge; paired with the participle ἀκούων it renders the Hebrew emphatic 'has surely heard.'
theNominativearticle (with δοῦλος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δοῦλόςservantNominativesubject (deferential self-reference)→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'slave / servant'; renders עֶבֶד; ὁ δοῦλός σου ('your servant') is David's deferential third-person self-designation before YHWH, a courtly idiom of humility in prayer (cf. v. 11); the form bears a second accent before the enclitic σου.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (enclitic, with δοῦλος)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (enclitic, with δοῦλος).
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing content of hearing)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: introduces the content of what David has heard.
ζητεῖis seekingPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζητέωverb of the content clause→ verbal action or stateζητέω: 'seek / try / aim'; renders בָּקַשׁ; the present conveys Saul's active, ongoing intent to come against Keilah.
ΣαουλSaulNominativesubject of ζητεῖ (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ζητεῖ (indeclinable).
ἐλθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with ζητεῖ)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come'; the infinitive completes ζητεῖ — Saul seeks 'to come' against Keilah.
ἐπὶto / againstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: here with hostile sense, 'against Keilah.'
ΚεϊλαKeilahaccusative object of ἐπί (place-name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΚεϊλα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (place-name, indeclinable).
διαφθεῖραιto destroyAor Act Inf · διαφθείρωinfinitive of purpose (Saul's aim)→ verbal action or stateδιαφθείρω: 'destroy / ruin utterly'; renders שָׁחַת; the intensive δια- compound conveys total destruction — David fears Saul will raze the city for harboring him.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of διαφθεῖραι→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; Keilah, the town David has just saved (v. 5), now imperiled by his very presence within it.
δι᾿because ofpreposition + accusative (cause; elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + accusative: 'on account of / because of'; marks David himself as the reason for the city's danger.
ἐμέmeAccusativeaccusative object of δι᾿ (cause)→ participant referenceἐγώ (emphatic acc. ἐμέ): 'me'; the emphatic form stresses David's anguished awareness that the city's peril is on his account.
11

εἰ ἀποκλεισθήσεται καὶ νῦν εἰ καταβήσεται Σαουλ καθὼς ἤκουσεν ὁ δοῦλός σου κύριε ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ ἀπάγγειλον τῷ δούλῳ σου καὶ εἶπεν κύριος ἀποκλεισθήσεται

'Will he be shut up? And now, will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, tell your servant.' And the LORD said, 'He will be shut up.'

David's inquiry (second part) and the divine answerεἰ ἀποκλεισθήσεται
David's twofold question — will Keilah surrender him (ἀποκλεισθήσεται, 'will he be shut up/handed over'), and will Saul come down? — picks up Saul's own verb ἀποκλείω from v. 7 (ἀποκέκλεισται). The renewed vocative and the petition ἀπάγγειλον τῷ δούλῳ σου ('tell your servant') frame the inquiry as humble prayer. The LORD's terse one-word reply, ἀποκλεισθήσεται ('he will be shut up'), confirms Keilah's coming treachery and motivates the immediate escape of v. 13. (After this verse the Rahlfs LXX proceeds directly to v. 13: there is no verse 12.)
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
εἰwhether / willinterrogative particle (deliberative question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: introducing a direct question (Hebraizing for הֲ), here whether the citizens will hand David over.
ἀποκλεισθήσεταιwill he be shut up / handed overFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκλείωverb of the question→ verbal action or stateἀποκλείω: 'shut up / confine / deliver over by entrapment'; the future passive ἀποκλεισθήσεται asks whether David will be 'shut in' (i.e. surrendered to Saul) by the men of Keilah; deliberately echoes Saul's perfect ἀποκέκλεισται (v. 7) — the word David now turns into a question for YHWH.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transitional)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; here a transitional 'and now,' introducing the second, parallel question about Saul's descent.
εἰwhether / willinterrogative particle (second question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: introduces David's second question, concerning Saul's coming down.
καταβήσεταιwill come downFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωverb of the second question→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'go down / come down'; the future asks whether Saul will indeed descend on Keilah as feared (cf. v. 8, καταβαίνειν).
ΣαουλSaulNominativesubject of καταβήσεται (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of καταβήσεται (indeclinable).
καθὼςascomparative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθώς: 'as / just as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; introduces the comparison with what David has heard.
ἤκουσενhas heardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωverb of the comparative clause→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear'; the aorist refers back to the report David has received (cf. ἀκήκοεν, v. 10).
theNominativearticle (with δοῦλος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δοῦλόςservantNominativesubject of ἤκουσεν (deferential self-reference)→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'servant'; the repeated humble self-designation ὁ δοῦλός σου (cf. v. 10); the form bears a second accent before the enclitic σου.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (enclitic)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (enclitic).
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative of address (renewed invocation)→ direct addressκύριος (voc.): rendering of יהוה; the renewed vocative intensifies the prayerful tone before the closing petition.
the / ONominativearticle (with θεός, vocatival)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative-for-vocative in apposition to κύριε→ participant prominenceθεός: the Hebraizing nominative-for-vocative ('O God'); 'God of Israel' repeats the covenant invocation of v. 10.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the covenant title repeated for emphasis.
ἀπάγγειλονtellAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (David's petition: imperative addressed to YHWH)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / tell / declare'; the imperative addressed to God is a petition ('tell your servant'); strikingly, the same verb used impersonally for human reports (vv. 1, 7) is here directed to YHWH for the divine answer.
τῷthe / toDativearticle (with δούλῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούλῳservantDativedative of recipient (with ἀπάγγειλον)→ sphere or referenceδοῦλος: the dative τῷ δούλῳ σου ('to your servant') as the recipient of the requested divine word; David's threefold self-reference as 'servant' (vv. 10–11) marks his posture of submission.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (enclitic)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (enclitic).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing divine answer)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (divine reply)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces the LORD's terse oracular answer.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; YHWH answers David's prayer directly through the ephod.
ἀποκλεισθήσεταιhe will be shut up / handed overFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκλείωmain verb (the one-word divine oracle)→ verbal action or stateἀποκλείω: the LORD's single-word answer ἀποκλεισθήσεται ('he will be shut up') confirms that the men of Keilah would indeed surrender David to Saul — the bare, decisive oracle that precipitates the flight of v. 13; the verb forms a triple ring with v. 7 (ἀποκέκλεισται) and the question opening v. 11.
13

καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες οἱ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ὡς τετρακόσιοι καὶ ἐξῆλθον ἐκ Κεϊλα καὶ ἐπορεύοντο οὗ ἐὰν ἐπορεύθησαν καὶ τῷ Σαουλ ἀπηγγέλη ὅτι διασέσωται Δαυιδ ἐκ Κεϊλα καὶ ἀνῆκεν τοῦ ἐξελθεῖν

And David arose, and the men with him, about four hundred, and they went out from Keilah and traveled wherever they might go; and it was reported to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, and he gave up going out.

Escape: David acts on the oracle (no v. 12 precedes)καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ
Acting on the oracle of v. 11, David escapes before Keilah can betray him. The notice of 'about four hundred' men (cf. 22:2) measures the growing band. The indefinite οὗ ἐὰν ἐπορεύθησαν ('wherever they might go') conveys the rootless, fugitive existence now beginning. Saul's response — when told David has escaped, he 'gives up going out' (ἀνῆκεν τοῦ ἐξελθεῖν) — overturns his confident presumption of v. 7. (This verse follows directly on v. 11; the Rahlfs LXX has no verse 12.)
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστηaroseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (David's departure)→ verbal action or stateἀνίστημι: 'rise / get up / set out'; renders קוּם; the intransitive aorist marks the decisive move of escape prompted by the oracle.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (coordinate with Δαυιδ)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man / warrior'; David's band.
οἱthe / whoNominativearticle (attributive, with μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingThe attributive οἱ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ('those with him') again converts the prepositional phrase into an adjectival modifier (cf. v. 5).
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment; elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment; elided).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετ᾿→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετ᾿.
ὡςaboutadverb of approximation (with the numeral)→ clausal contributionὡς: 'about / approximately'; with numerals renders the Hebrew כְּ of estimation ('about four hundred').
τετρακόσιοιfour hundredNominativenumeral in apposition (counting the men)→ participant prominenceτετρακόσιοι: 'four hundred'; renders אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת; the figure (cf. 22:2) measures the growth of David's following — a substantial militia now gathered around the fugitive.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθονthey went outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (departure from the town)→ verbal action or stateἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / depart'; renders יָצָא; the escape from Keilah forestalls the predicted betrayal (v. 11).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ΚεϊλαKeilahgenitive object of ἐκ (place-name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΚεϊλα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of ἐκ (place-name, indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύοντοthey traveled / kept goingImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (wandering)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / travel'; the imperfect ἐπορεύοντο conveys the ongoing, aimless movement of fugitives — 'they kept going wherever they could.'
οὗwhereverrelative adverb of place (indefinite)→ participant referenceοὗ: 'where'; with ἐάν forms the indefinite 'wherever,' depicting the unsettled, improvised route of the fleeing band.
ἐὰνeverparticle (generalizing, with οὗ)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: here generalizing particle (= ἄν) making οὗ indefinite ('wherever').
ἐπορεύθησανthey might goAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιverb of the indefinite relative clause→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: the aorist in the indefinite relative clause ('wherever they went') reinforces the picture of rootless wandering.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷthe / toDativearticle (with Σαουλ, marking dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαουλSaulDativedative of recipient (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of recipient (indeclinable).
ἀπηγγέληit was reportedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (impersonal passive report)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report'; the third use of the report-formula (cf. vv. 1, 7); now the news to Saul reverses his earlier confidence — David has slipped away.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of report)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: introduces the content of the report to Saul.
διασέσωταιhas escaped / been deliveredPerf Mid Indic 3 Sg · διασῴζωverb of the content clause (perfect of resultant state)→ verbal action or stateδιασῴζω: 'bring safely through / rescue / escape'; renders מָלַט (Niphal); the perfect διασέσωται ('has been brought safely through') echoes the σῴζω root that ran through David's deliverance of Keilah (v. 5) — the deliverer is himself now delivered.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject of διασέσωται (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of διασέσωται (indeclinable).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ΚεϊλαKeilahgenitive object of ἐκ (place-name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΚεϊλα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of ἐκ (place-name, indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνῆκενhe gave up / refrainedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίημιmain verb (Saul's abandonment of the campaign)→ verbal action or stateἀνίημι: 'let go / relax / give up'; renders חָדַל; Saul 'gave up' the expedition — the verb of slackening marks the collapse of his confident plan to trap David in the walled town (vv. 7–8).
τοῦthe / fromGenitivearticle (with the infinitive ἐξελθεῖν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξελθεῖνto go out / set outAor Act Inf · ἐξέρχομαιarticular infinitive (epexegetic with ἀνῆκεν: 'from going out')→ verbal action or stateἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; the genitive articular infinitive τοῦ ἐξελθεῖν completes ἀνῆκεν — Saul 'desisted from setting out' against Keilah, his planned military descent (v. 8) now abandoned.
14

καὶ ἐκάθισεν Δαυιδ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἐν Μασερεμ ἐν τοῖς στενοῖς καὶ ἐκάθητο ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἐν τῷ ὄρει Ζιφ ἐν τῇ γῇ τῇ αὐχμώδει καὶ ἐζήτει αὐτὸν Σαουλ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας καὶ οὐ παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν κύριος εἰς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ

And David settled in the wilderness, in Maserem, in the strongholds, and he dwelt in the wilderness on the hill of Ziph, in the parched land; and Saul sought him all the days, but the LORD did not give him into his hands.

New scene: David in the wilderness strongholds of Ziphκαὶ ἐκάθισεν Δαυιδ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ
A new movement opens with David settling in the wilderness 'strongholds' (στενοῖς) of Ziph, the 'parched land' (γῇ αὐχμώδει). The pairing ἐκάθισεν … ἐκάθητο (aorist then imperfect of related sitting/dwelling verbs) marks both his arrival and his abiding there. The verse's theological key is the closing clause: Saul sought him 'all the days,' but οὐ παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν κύριος ('the LORD did not hand him over') — the divine παραδίδωμι once promised over David's enemies (v. 4) is now withheld from David's enemy, refuting Saul's claim of v. 7.
Word-by-word analysis· 41 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάθισενsettled / encampedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίζωmain verb (David takes up position)→ verbal action or stateκαθίζω: 'sit down / settle / encamp'; renders יָשַׁב; the ingressive aorist marks David's establishing himself in the wilderness refuge.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness / desert'; renders מִדְבָּר; the dry highland of Judah, David's habitual refuge during the years of flight; the term recurs throughout the chapter (vv. 14, 15, 24, 25).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΜασερεμMaseremdative of place (place-name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜασερεμ: transliteration of a Hebrew term for the wilderness strongholds (the Masoretic text has בַּמְּצָדוֹת, 'in the strongholds'); the LXX renders the common noun as a proper place-name; indeclinable; cf. the related Μεσσαρα at v. 19.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στενοῖςstrongholds / narrow placesDativedative of place (substantivized adjective)→ sphere or referenceστενός: 'narrow'; the substantivized neuter plural τὰ στενά ('the narrows / strongholds') renders מְצָדוֹת ('fastnesses'); the inaccessible defiles and rock-fortresses that gave David shelter.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάθητοdwelt / remainedImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb (durative abiding)→ verbal action or stateκάθημαι: 'sit / dwell / remain'; the imperfect ἐκάθητο complements the aorist ἐκάθισεν — having settled, David 'kept dwelling' in the Ziph highlands; the verb-pair conveys both the act and the duration of his stay.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceἐρήμῳ: meaning 'wilderness'; it serves as dative of place (locative).
ἐνonpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρειhill / mountainDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceὄρος: 'mountain / hill'; renders הַר; the hill country of Ziph, southeast of Hebron.
ΖιφZiphgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'hill of Ziph')→ participant identificationΖιφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'hill of Ziph').
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῇlandDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land / ground'; here the dry terrain of the Ziph wilderness.
τῇtheDativearticle (attributive, with αὐχμώδει)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αὐχμώδειparched / aridDativeattributive adjective (modifying γῇ)→ sphere or referenceαὐχμώδει: meaning 'parched'; it serves as attributive adjective (modifying γῇ).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐζήτειwas seekingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ζητέωmain verb (Saul's continual search)→ verbal action or stateζητέω: 'seek'; the imperfect ἐζήτει with πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ('all the days') stresses the relentless, unceasing character of Saul's hunt for David.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐζήτει (David)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐζήτει (David).
ΣαουλSaulNominativesubject of ἐζήτει (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐζήτει (indeclinable).
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ('all the days') is an accusative of duration emphasizing the ceaselessness of Saul's search.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration ('all the days')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative of extent of time marks the long duration of the pursuit.
καὶbut / andcoordinate conjunction (here adversative in force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί here carries adversative force ('but'), setting Saul's tireless seeking against the LORD's protective withholding.
οὐnotnegative particle (with παρέδωκεν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the negative that makes the theological point — God did not give David over.
παρέδωκενgave over / handed overAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (the decisive theological statement)→ verbal action or stateπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over'; renders נָתַן (בְּיָד); the same handover-verb the LORD used to give David's enemies into his hand (v. 4) is here negated for David's enemy — οὐ παρέδωκεν … κύριος directly refutes Saul's boast πέπρακεν … ὁ θεός (v. 7).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of παρέδωκεν (David)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of παρέδωκεν (David).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (the true sovereign over David's fate)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; YHWH, not Saul, governs David's destiny; the placement of the divine name as subject of the negated handover is the chapter's theological center.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the hands')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the hands').
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; εἰς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ ('into his hands') is the handover-idiom (בְּיָדוֹ), pointedly recalling Saul's claim εἰς χεῖράς μου (v. 7) — the hands into which David was emphatically not delivered.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Saul's hands)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Saul's hands).
15

καὶ εἶδεν Δαυιδ ὅτι ἐξέρχεται Σαουλ τοῦ ζητεῖν τὸν Δαυιδ καὶ Δαυιδ ἐν τῷ ὄρει τῷ αὐχμώδει ἐν τῇ Καινῇ Ζιφ

And David saw that Saul was coming out to seek David; and David was on the parched hill, in the New (Horesh) of Ziph.

Setting for Jonathan's visit: David at Horeshκαὶ εἶδεν Δαυιδ
David perceives (εἶδεν) Saul's renewed advance and is located at 'the New' (ἡ Καινή) of Ziph — the LXX rendering Hebrew חֹרְשָׁה (Horesh, 'forest/thicket') by Καινή ('new place'), perhaps reading the name as if from a root for 'new.' The locative clause sets the stage for Jonathan's covenant visit (vv. 16–18), the spiritual high point of the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsaw / perceivedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (David's perception)→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / perceive'; renders רָאָה; David's awareness of Saul's movements keeps him a step ahead of the pursuit.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ὅτιthatconjunction (object clause of εἶδεν)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: introduces the content of David's perception.
ἐξέρχεταιis coming outPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιverb of the object clause (historic/vivid present)→ verbal action or stateἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come out'; the present after ὅτι vividly portrays Saul's sortie as underway — he 'is coming out' to hunt David.
ΣαουλSaulNominativesubject of ἐξέρχεται (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐξέρχεται (indeclinable).
τοῦthe / toGenitivearticle (with the infinitive ζητεῖν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ζητεῖνto seekPres Act Inf · ζητέωarticular infinitive of purpose ('to seek')→ verbal action or stateζητέω: 'seek'; the genitive articular infinitive τοῦ ζητεῖν expresses the purpose of Saul's advance — to hunt David down (cf. ἐζήτει, v. 14).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Δαυιδ, marking accusative)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidAccusativeaccusative object of ζητεῖν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: object of the search; case (accusative) marked by the article τόν.
καὶand / nowconjunction (introducing parenthetical locative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί here introduces a circumstantial 'while David was…' clause (Hebraistic verbless construction).
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject of the verbless locative clause (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of the verbless locative clause (indeclinable).
ἐνon / inpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρειhillDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceὄρος: 'mountain / hill'; the Ziph highland again (cf. v. 14).
τῷtheDativearticle (attributive, with αὐχμώδει)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αὐχμώδειparchedDativeattributive adjective (modifying ὄρει)→ sphere or referenceαὐχμώδης: 'dry / parched'; the recurring descriptor of the Ziph wilderness (cf. vv. 14, 19).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with Καινῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Καινῇthe New (Horesh)Dativedative of place (substantivized adjective as place-name)→ sphere or referenceΚαινῇ: meaning 'the New (Horesh)'; it serves as dative of place (substantivized adjective as place-name).
Ζιφof Ziphgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'the New of Ziph')→ participant identificationΖιφ: indeclinable; locates Horesh (ἡ Καινή) within the Ziph wilderness.
16

καὶ ἀνέστη Ιωναθαν υἱὸς Σαουλ καὶ ἐπορεύθη πρὸς Δαυιδ εἰς Καινὴν καὶ ἐκραταίωσεν τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ ἐν κυρίῳ

And Jonathan son of Saul arose and went to David at the New (Horesh), and strengthened his hands in the LORD.

Covenant visit: Jonathan strengthens Davidκαὶ ἀνέστη Ιωναθαν
The chapter's spiritual center: Jonathan, Saul's own son and heir, comes to David and 'strengthened his hands in the LORD' (ἐκραταίωσεν τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ ἐν κυρίῳ) — the opposite of his father's pursuit. The idiom 'to strengthen the hands' (חִזֵּק יָדַיִם) means to encourage and embolden; the phrase 'in the LORD' grounds the encouragement in covenant faith, setting up Jonathan's confession of David's kingship (v. 17).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστηaroseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (Jonathan sets out)→ verbal action or stateἀνίστημι (2nd aor. intrans.): 'stand up / arise'; renders קוּם; David's rising from his bed at evening signals leisure rather than the early rising of a man on campaign.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition to Ιωναθαν→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the appositive 'son of Saul' heightens the poignancy — the king's own heir confirms David's future kingship over his own dynastic claim.
Σαουλof Saulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Saul').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (Jonathan's journey to David)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep.): 'go / travel / journey'; renders הָלַךְ; the messenger sets out from the front to Jerusalem with Joab's report.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
εἰςto / atpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
Καινὴνthe New (Horesh)Accusativeaccusative of direction (place-name)→ object specificationΚαινὴν: meaning 'the New (Horesh)'; it serves as accusative of direction (place-name).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκραταίωσενstrengthenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κραταιόωmain verb (the act of encouragement)→ verbal action or stateκραταιόω: 'strengthen / make strong'; the idiom ἐκραταίωσεν τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ ('strengthened his hands') renders חִזֵּק יָדָיו, a Hebraism for emboldening and encouraging someone; 'his hands' = David's resolve and courage.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativedirect object of ἐκραταίωσεν (idiom for courage)→ object specificationχεῖρας: meaning 'hands'; it serves as direct object of ἐκραταίωσεν (idiom for courage).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (David's hands)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (David's hands).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/means)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere/means).
κυρίῳthe LORDDativedative object of ἐν (sphere of the encouragement)→ sphere or referenceκυρίῳ: meaning 'the LORD'; it serves as dative object of ἐν (sphere of the encouragement).
17

καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν μὴ φοβοῦ ὅτι οὐ μὴ εὕρῃ σε ἡ χεὶρ Σαουλ τοῦ πατρός μου καὶ σὺ βασιλεύσεις ἐπὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἐγὼ ἔσομαί σοι εἰς δεύτερον καὶ Σαουλ ὁ πατήρ μου οἶδεν οὕτως

And he said to him, 'Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you; and you shall reign over Israel, and I shall be second to you; and Saul my father knows this is so.'

Jonathan's covenant confession of David's kingshipκαὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν μὴ φοβοῦ
Jonathan's speech is the theological summit of the chapter: a reassurance (μὴ φοβοῦ, 'do not fear'), a guarantee of David's safety with the emphatic οὐ μὴ + subjunctive, and a remarkable confession of David's destiny — σὺ βασιλεύσεις ἐπὶ Ισραηλ ('you shall reign over Israel') with Jonathan's own self-effacing place ἐγὼ ἔσομαί σοι εἰς δεύτερον ('I shall be second to you'). The closing καὶ Σαουλ … οἶδεν οὕτως ('Saul knows this is so') shows even the king secretly recognizes David's anointing.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Jonathan's speech)→ verbal action or stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
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 (David)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (David).
μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibitive imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative of prohibition with the present imperative φοβοῦ ('stop fearing / do not fear').
φοβοῦfearPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · φοβέομαιmain verb (prohibition: reassurance formula)→ verbal action or stateφοβέομαι: 'fear / be afraid'; the formula μὴ φοβοῦ ('do not fear') is a standard OT word of reassurance (cf. Gen 15:1; 26:24); the present imperative addresses an ongoing dread — Mephibosheth fears the fate often dealt to a deposed dynasty's heirs; David's first word disarms that fear.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; grounds the reassurance in the promise that follows.
οὐnotnegative particle (part of emphatic οὐ μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: combines with μή in the emphatic negation οὐ μή.
μὴnotnegative particle (emphatic οὐ μή + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: with οὐ forms οὐ μή + aorist subjunctive, the strongest form of denial ('shall by no means').
εὕρῃfindAor Act Subj 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωsubjunctive of emphatic negation (with οὐ μή)→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (aor. subj. εὕρῃ): 'find / obtain / secure'; the subjunctive after μήποτε expresses the feared outcome — that Sheba might gain fortified strongholds and prolong the revolt.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of εὕρῃ (David)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of εὕρῃ (David).
theNominativearticle (with χείρ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεὶρhandNominativesubject of εὕρῃ ('the hand of Saul')→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; 'the hand of Saul' is a metonymy for Saul's power and reach; the 'hand' motif (vv. 4, 7, 14, 16) culminates here — Saul's hand will never find David, because the LORD's hand protects him.
Σαουλof Saulgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'hand of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable: 'hand of Saul').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with πατρός, in apposition to Σαουλ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive in apposition to Σαουλ→ relational specificationπατρός: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive in apposition to Σαουλ.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (enclitic, with πατρός)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (enclitic, with πατρός).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic 'you' foregrounds David as the divinely destined king — 'it is you who shall reign.'
βασιλεύσειςshall reignFut Act Indic 2 Sg · βασιλεύωmain verb (Jonathan's confession of David's kingship)→ verbal action or stateβασιλεύω: 'be king / reign'; the result Abner promises — David's universal rule over all he desires.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (rule over)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'over'; marks the scope of David's coming reign.
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the kingdom David will rule.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγὼ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (emphatic personal pronoun).
ἔσομαίshall beFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (Jonathan's self-effacing pledge)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί future ἔσομαι: 'I will be'; renders אֶהְיֶה — the very same verbal root that will be disclosed as the divine Name in v.14 (Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤν from אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה). The divine presence-promise ἔσομαί σοι ('I will be with you') thus anticipates the Name-revelation: God's being-with-Moses is an expression of the divine Being itself. The same promise echoes in Josh 1:5; Isa 43:2; Matt 28:20.
σοιto you / for youDativedative of advantage/relationship (enclitic)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage/relationship (enclitic).
εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (predicate: 'as second'; Hebraizing εἰς of role)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (predicate: 'as second'; Hebraizing εἰς of role).
δεύτερονsecondAccusativepredicate accusative (the rank Jonathan accepts)→ object specificationδεύτερον: meaning 'second'; it serves as predicate accusative (the rank Jonathan accepts).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαουλSaulNominativesubject of οἶδεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of οἶδεν (indeclinable).
theNominativearticle (with πατήρ, in apposition to Σαουλ)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατήρfatherNominativenominative in apposition to Σαουλ→ participant prominenceπατήρ: meaning 'father'; it serves as nominative in apposition to Σαουλ.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (enclitic)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (enclitic).
οἶδενknowsPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · οἶδαmain verb (Saul's hidden knowledge)→ verbal action or stateοἶδα (perf. with pres. sense): 'know'; in τίς οἶδεν the perfect functions as a present — 'who knows?' — leaving room for divine mercy.
οὕτωςthus / this is soadverb (object of οἶδεν: 'knows that it is so')→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: meaning 'thus'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
18

καὶ διέθεντο ἀμφότεροι διαθήκην ἐνώπιον κυρίου καὶ ἐκάθητο Δαυιδ ἐν Καινῇ καὶ Ιωναθαν ἀπῆλθεν εἰς οἶκον αὐτοῦ

And the two of them made a covenant before the LORD; and David dwelt in the New (Horesh), and Jonathan went off to his house.

Covenant ratification and partingκαὶ διέθεντο ἀμφότεροι διαθήκην
The episode is sealed by a covenant 'before the LORD' (ἐνώπιον κυρίου), renewing the earlier pacts of Jonathan and David (18:3; 20:16–17). The cognate construction διέθεντο … διαθήκην ('covenanted a covenant') is the standard idiom. The parting — David remaining in the wilderness, Jonathan returning home — is the last meeting of the two friends in the narrative; they will not meet again.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διέθεντοmade / cutAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · διατίθημιmain verb (covenant-making, cognate construction)→ verbal action or stateδιατίθημι (mid.): 'arrange / make a covenant'; διέθεντο διαθήκην ('made a covenant') renders כָּרַת בְּרִית ('cut a covenant'); the middle voice marks the parties acting for their mutual bond.
ἀμφότεροιboth / the twoNominativesubject (in apposition: 'the two of them')→ participant prominenceἀμφότεροι: meaning 'both'; it serves as subject (in apposition: 'the two of them').
διαθήκηνa covenantAccusativecognate accusative (with διέθεντο)→ object specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant / pact'; renders בְּרִית; the cognate accusative completes the covenant idiom; this is the third covenant between the two (cf. 18:3; 20:16) and the final one.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the covenant 'before the LORD' invokes YHWH as witness and guarantor of the bond.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationκυρίου: meaning 'the LORD'; it serves as genitive object of ἐνώπιον.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάθητοdwelt / remainedImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb (David remains)→ verbal action or stateκάθημαι: 'sit / be seated'; the imperfect ἐκάθητο conveys David's tense, ongoing wait between the gates for news of the battle — and of his son.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
Καινῇthe New (Horesh)Dativedative of place (place-name)→ sphere or referenceἡ Καινή: 'the New (place)' = Horesh (חֹרְשָׁה); David's continued station in the Ziph wilderness (cf. vv. 15–16).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: indeclinable; departs to his home — the friends' final parting in the narrative.
ἀπῆλθενwent off / departedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (Jonathan's return)→ 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.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
οἶκονhouse / homeAccusativeaccusative of direction (with εἰς)→ object specificationοἶκον: meaning 'house'; it serves as accusative of direction (with εἰς).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Jonathan's house)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Jonathan's house).
19

καὶ ἀνέβησαν οἱ Ζιφαῖοι ἐκ τῆς αὐχμώδους πρὸς Σαουλ ἐπὶ τὸν βουνὸν λέγοντες οὐκ ἰδοὺ Δαυιδ κέκρυπται παρ᾿ ἡμῖν ἐν Μεσσαρα ἐν τοῖς στενοῖς ἐν τῇ Καινῇ ἐν τῷ βουνῷ τοῦ Εχελα τοῦ ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Ιεσσαιμουν

And the Ziphites went up from the parched land to Saul at the hill, saying, 'Behold, is not David hidden among us in Messara, in the strongholds, in the New (Horesh), on the hill of Hachilah, which is to the right of Jeshimon?'

New scene: the Ziphites' betrayalκαὶ ἀνέβησαν οἱ Ζιφαῖοι
A new movement: the men of Ziph, on whose territory David has taken refuge, go up to Saul to inform on him. Their report is cast as a rhetorical question (οὐκ ἰδοὺ … ; 'Is not David hidden among us…?') and piles up locative phrases pinpointing David's hideouts. The geographic precision — Messara, the strongholds, Horesh, the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon — marks the thoroughness of their betrayal.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβησανwent upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (the Ziphites' approach to Saul)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; renders עָלָה; the Ziphites 'go up' to Saul (presumably at Gibeah) to inform — the verb of approach for an audience with the king.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΖιφαῖοιZiphitesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΖιφαῖος: 'Ziphite, inhabitant of Ziph'; gentilic from Ζιφ (v. 14); the men of David's own tribe Judah who betray him to Saul (cf. the heading of Ps 54).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with αὐχμώδους)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αὐχμώδουςparched landGenitivesubstantivized adjective (genitive of source: 'from the parched [region]')→ relational specificationαὐχμώδης: 'dry / parched'; here substantivized (ἡ αὐχμώδης, 'the parched land'), the recurring descriptor of the Ziph wilderness (cf. vv. 14, 15); the genitive marks it as the place the Ziphites came up from.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΣαουλSaulaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
ἐπὶto / atpreposition + accusative (direction/place)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction/place).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βουνόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βουνὸνhillAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (place)→ object specificationβουνός: 'hill / mound'; here possibly Gibeah (גִּבְעָה, 'hill'), Saul's seat — the LXX may render the place-name by its meaning 'hill'; or simply the height where Saul was.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the participle λέγοντες (rendering לֵאמֹר) introduces the Ziphites' report.
οὐκnotnegative particle (introducing rhetorical question)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ(κ): here introducing a rhetorical question expecting 'yes' — 'Is not David hidden among us?' (renders the Hebrew הֲלוֹא).
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; with οὐκ heightens the informers' eager presentation of David's location.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject of κέκρυπται (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of κέκρυπται (indeclinable).
κέκρυπταιis hiddenPerf Mid Indic 3 Sg · κρύπτωverb of the rhetorical question (perfect of state)→ verbal action or stateκρύπτω: 'hide / conceal'; renders חָבָא / סָתַר; the perfect κέκρυπται ('has hidden himself / is in hiding') describes David's concealment, which the Ziphites now expose.
παρ᾿among / besidepreposition + dative (location: 'among us'; elided)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + dative: 'beside / among / with'; 'among us' marks the Ziphites' guilty knowledge of harboring David in their own territory.
ἡμῖνusDativedative object of παρ᾿ (the Ziphites)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of παρ᾿ (the Ziphites).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΜεσσαραMessaradative of place (place-name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜεσσαρα: transliteration of the Hebrew מְצָדוֹת ('strongholds'); like Μασερεμ (v. 14), the LXX renders the common noun as a proper place-name; indeclinable.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στενοῖςstrongholds / narrow placesDativedative of place (substantivized adjective)→ sphere or referenceστενός: 'narrow'; τὰ στενά ('the strongholds / narrows'), the defile-fortresses where David shelters (cf. v. 14).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with Καινῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Καινῇthe New (Horesh)Dativedative of place (place-name)→ sphere or referenceἡ Καινή: 'the New (place)' = Horesh (חֹרְשָׁה); the same site as vv. 15–18, now disclosed to Saul.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle (with βουνῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βουνῷhillDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceβουνός: 'hill'; renders גִּבְעָה; 'the hill of Hachilah' is a specific height in the Ziph wilderness.
τοῦthe / ofGenitivearticle (with Εχελα, marking genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕχελαHachilahGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'hill of Hachilah')→ participant identificationΕχελα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'hill of Hachilah').
τοῦthe / which isGenitivearticle (attributive, with ἐκ δεξιῶν phrase)→ noun-phrase markingThe article τοῦ converts the following prepositional phrase ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Ιεσσαιμουν into an attributive modifier of the hill ('the [one] to the right of Jeshimon').
ἐκto / on (the right)preposition + genitive (in the idiom ἐκ δεξιῶν, 'to the right')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ δεξιῶν: idiom 'on the right (hand) / to the south'; in Hebrew orientation 'right' = south, so the hill lies south of Jeshimon.
δεξιῶνthe rightGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (idiom: 'on the right')→ relational specificationδεξιός: 'right (hand)'; ἐκ δεξιῶν ('on the right') renders מִימִין, denoting the southern side in Hebrew geographical orientation.
τοῦthe / ofGenitivearticle (with Ιεσσαιμουν, marking genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙεσσαιμουνJeshimonGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ δεξιῶν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙεσσαιμουν: transliteration of Hebrew הַיְשִׁימוֹן ('the Jeshimon / the desolate waste'), the barren region overlooking the Dead Sea; indeclinable, case marked by the article τοῦ; cf. v. 24.
20

καὶ νῦν πᾶν τὸ πρὸς ψυχὴν τοῦ βασιλέως εἰς κατάβασιν καταβαινέτω πρὸς ἡμᾶς κεκλείκασιν αὐτὸν εἰς τὰς χεῖρας τοῦ βασιλέως

'And now, all that is according to the king's desire for a descent — let him come down to us; they have shut him up into the hands of the king.'

The Ziphites' offer and invitation to Saulκαὶ νῦν
With the transitional 'and now' (καὶ νῦν), the Ziphites turn from report to invitation, urging Saul to come down at his pleasure. The somewhat awkward Greek (πᾶν τὸ πρὸς ψυχὴν τοῦ βασιλέως, 'all that is to the king's soul/desire') renders a Hebrew idiom of royal wish. Their closing pledge κεκλείκασιν αὐτὸν εἰς τὰς χεῖρας τοῦ βασιλέως ('they have shut him into the king's hands') echoes the entrapment language of vv. 7, 11 — but the perfect is presumptuous, for the LORD will not allow it (cf. v. 14).
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (transitional)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transitional 'and now')→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν is a discourse-transition marker (rendering וְעַתָּה) moving from the informers' report to their practical proposal.
πᾶνallNominativesubstantival adjective (subject: 'all that…')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / everything'; the neuter πᾶν τὸ … ('everything that is to the king's desire') heads the clause expressing the king's pleasure.
τὸthe / that whichNominativearticle (substantivizing the πρός-phrase)→ noun-phrase markingThe neuter article τό substantivizes the following prepositional phrase: 'the [thing] according to the king's desire.'
πρὸςaccording to / towardpreposition + accusative (here 'according to')→ spatial or relational framingπρός + accusative: here in the sense 'in accordance with / toward'; τὸ πρὸς ψυχήν ('that which is to the desire') renders a Hebrew idiom of inclination.
ψυχὴνsoul / desireAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (idiom: 'desire')→ object specificationψυχή: 'soul / life / desire'; here in the idiomatic sense of 'wish / appetite' (rendering נֶפֶשׁ); 'all according to the king's soul' = 'whatever the king desires.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of possession (the king's desire)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; the deferential third-person reference to Saul as 'the king' marks the courtly tone of the Ziphites' address.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose).
κατάβασινa descent / coming downAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose: 'for coming down')→ object specificationκατάβασις: 'descent / a going down'; the cognate noun anticipating the verb καταβαινέτω; 'for a descent' = the king's coming down to seize David.
καταβαινέτωlet him come downPres Act Impv 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (third-person imperative: invitation)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'come down / descend'; the third-person imperative καταβαινέτω ('let him come down') is the Ziphites' formal invitation to Saul to act on his desire; the cognate pairing κατάβασιν … καταβαινέτω is emphatic ('for a descent let him descend').
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the Ziphites)→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (the Ziphites).
κεκλείκασινthey have shut upPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · κλείωmain verb (the Ziphites' pledge of delivery)→ verbal action or stateκλείω: 'shut / close / confine'; the perfect κεκλείκασιν (indefinite plural, 'they have shut him up' = 'he is shut up') pledges David's delivery into Saul's hands; the verb belongs to the chapter's entrapment word-field (cf. ἀποκλείω, vv. 7, 11) — but the boast presumes on an outcome the LORD has already denied (v. 14).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of κεκλείκασιν (David)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of κεκλείκασιν (David).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the hands')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the hands').
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; εἰς τὰς χεῖρας τοῦ βασιλέως ('into the hands of the king') is the handover-idiom again (בְּיַד הַמֶּלֶךְ) — the Ziphites claim to do what God has refused to do (cf. vv. 7, 14).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of possession (the king's hands)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; Saul, into whose 'hands' the Ziphites promise to deliver David.
21

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Σαουλ εὐλογημένοι ὑμεῖς τῷ κυρίῳ ὅτι ἐπονέσατε περὶ ἐμοῦ

And Saul said to them, 'Blessed are you by the LORD, for you have taken trouble on my behalf.'

Saul's blessing of the informersκαὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Σαουλ
Saul welcomes the betrayal with a blessing 'in the LORD' — εὐλογημένοι ὑμεῖς τῷ κυρίῳ ('blessed are you by the LORD') — a chilling invocation of the divine name over an act of treachery against the LORD's anointed. The verb ἐπονέσατε ('you have toiled / shown compassion') casts the betrayal as a kindness done to Saul, sharpening the moral irony.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 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 (Saul's reply)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Saul's grateful response to the Ziphites.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of recipient (the Ziphites)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of recipient (the Ziphites).
ΣαουλSaulNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
εὐλογημένοιblessedPerf Pass Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · εὐλογέωpredicate participle (in blessing-formula, with implied ἐστέ)→ verbal action or stateεὐλογέω: 'bless / speak well of'; the perfect passive participle in the blessing-formula εὐλογημένοι ὑμεῖς τῷ κυρίῳ ('blessed are you by/to the LORD') renders בְּרוּכִים אַתֶּם לַיהוה; the formula invokes the LORD's blessing — here grotesquely, upon David's betrayers.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (of the blessing-formula)→ participant referenceσύ (pl. ὑμεῖς): 'you'; the addressed Ziphites, recipients of Saul's blessing.
τῷthe / byDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳthe LORDDativedative of agent/reference (in the blessing-formula)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the dative τῷ κυρίῳ ('by/to the LORD') in the blessing-formula; Saul's pious invocation of YHWH over an act against YHWH's chosen is one of the chapter's deepest ironies.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; gives the ground of the blessing — the Ziphites' supposed kindness.
ἐπονέσατεyou have taken trouble / shown compassionAor Act Indic 2 Pl · πονέωverb of the causal clause→ verbal action or stateπονέω: 'toil / labor / take pains / be moved with compassion'; renders חָמַל ('have pity / spare') in the sense 'you took trouble / showed concern for me'; Saul construes the betrayal as a labor of loyal compassion on his behalf — the moral inversion is complete.
περὶconcerning / on behalf ofpreposition + genitive (reference: 'on my behalf')→ spatial or relational framingπερί + genitive: 'concerning / for'; here 'on my behalf,' marking Saul as the beneficiary of the Ziphites' action.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of περί (emphatic, Saul himself)→ relational specificationἐγώ (emphatic gen. ἐμοῦ): 'me'; the emphatic form stresses that the Ziphites acted for Saul's own sake.
22

πορεύθητε δὴ καὶ ἑτοιμάσατε ἔτι καὶ γνῶτε τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ οὗ ἔσται ὁ ποὺς αὐτοῦ ἐν τάχει ἐκεῖ οὗ εἴπατε μήποτε πανουργεύσηται

'Go now, and make ready still more, and ascertain his place where his foot may be, quickly, there where you said — lest he act craftily.'

Saul's commission: verify David's exact locationπορεύθητε δὴ καὶ ἑτοιμάσατε
Saul commissions the Ziphites with a chain of aorist imperatives (πορεύθητε … ἑτοιμάσατε … γνῶτε) to confirm David's precise whereabouts before he commits the army. The urgency (ἐν τάχει, 'quickly') and the wary closing clause μήποτε πανουργεύσηται ('lest he act craftily') betray Saul's grudging respect for David's cunning and his fear of another escape (cf. v. 13).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
πορεύθητεgoAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (Saul's command)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go'; the deponent aorist imperative opens Saul's chain of commands to the Ziphites.
δὴnow / indeedemphatic/hortatory particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: 'now / indeed / pray'; an emphatic particle (rendering נָא) lending urgency and earnestness to the imperative.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἑτοιμάσατεmake ready / prepareAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἑτοιμάζωmain verb (Saul's command)→ verbal action or stateἑτοιμάζω: 'prepare / make ready'; renders כּוּן (Hiphil); 'prepare further' = make additional, careful reconnaissance of David's movements.
ἔτιstill / furtheradverb (temporal: 'further / yet more')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet more'; Saul wants further, confirmed intelligence before committing himself.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γνῶτεascertain / find outAor Act Impv 2 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (Saul's command)→ verbal action or stateγινώσκω: 'know / find out / ascertain'; renders יָדַע; the climactic command — pin down David's exact location.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τόπον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativedirect object of γνῶτε→ object specificationτόπος: 'place'; renders מָקוֹם; the object of the reconnaissance — David's exact hiding-place; the word recurs at v. 28 (the named 'place').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (David's place)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (David's place).
οὗwhererelative adverb of place→ participant referenceοὗ: 'where'; introduces the relative clause specifying the place 'where his foot may be.'
ἔσταιmay be / will beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of the relative clause→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'will be'; 'where his foot will be' — a vivid idiom for David's whereabouts.
theNominativearticle (with ποὺς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποὺςfootNominativesubject of ἔσται (idiom: 'where his foot may be')→ participant prominenceπούς: 'foot'; 'where his foot will be' (renders רֶגֶל) is a Hebraism for 'wherever he sets foot / wherever he goes' — Saul wants to track David's every step.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (David's foot)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (David's foot).
ἐνin / withpreposition + dative (manner: 'quickly')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (manner: 'quickly').
τάχειspeed / quicklyDativedative of manner (ἐν τάχει: 'quickly')→ sphere or referenceτάχος: 'speed'; the adverbial phrase ἐν τάχει ('quickly / with speed') conveys Saul's impatience to seize David before he slips away.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; resumes the place under discussion.
οὗwhererelative adverb of place→ participant referenceοὗ: 'where'; 'there where you said' — referring back to the locations the Ziphites named in v. 19.
εἴπατεyou saidAor Act Indic 2 Pl · λέγωverb of the relative clause→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; refers to the Ziphites' own report of David's haunts (v. 19) — Saul tells them to verify what they have claimed.
μήποτεlest / perhapsconjunction (introducing clause of apprehension)→ discourse linkage or contrastμήποτε: 'lest / lest perhaps'; renders פֶּן; introduces Saul's anxious fear that David might once again outwit him.
πανουργεύσηταιhe act craftily / use cunningAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · πανουργεύομαιsubjunctive of apprehension (with μήποτε)→ verbal action or stateπανουργεύομαι: 'act cunningly / deal craftily'; from πανοῦργος ('clever / wily'); Saul fears David's resourcefulness — μήποτε πανουργεύσηται ('lest he act craftily'), an oblique acknowledgment of David's repeated escapes (cf. v. 13).
23

καὶ ἴδετε καὶ γνῶτε καὶ πορευσόμεθα μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν καὶ ἔσται εἰ ἔστιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐξερευνήσω αὐτὸν ἐν πάσαις χιλιάσιν Ιουδα

'And see and find out, and we will go with you; and it shall be, if he is in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.'

Saul's continued commission and vow of exhaustive searchκαὶ ἴδετε καὶ γνῶτε
Saul continues his charge (ἴδετε … γνῶτε) and pledges to join the hunt personally (πορευσόμεθα μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν). The vow ἐξερευνήσω αὐτὸν ἐν πάσαις χιλιάσιν Ιουδα ('I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah') displays the obsessive scale of the pursuit — he will comb every clan of Judah; the intensive ἐξερευνάω ('search thoroughly') stresses the relentlessness.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἴδετεsee / lookAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (command, continuing v. 22)→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. impv. ἴδετε): 'see / look / observe'; renders רָאָה; continues Saul's chain of reconnaissance commands.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γνῶτεfind out / ascertainAor Act Impv 2 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateγινώσκω: 'know / find out'; repeats the γνῶτε of v. 22, hammering the demand for certain knowledge of David's place.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πορευσόμεθαwe will goFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (Saul's pledge to join)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go'; the future πορευσόμεθα ('we will go with you') is Saul's pledge to take the field personally alongside the Ziphites.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment; elided)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment; elided).
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of μεθ᾿ (the Ziphites)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μεθ᾿ (the Ziphites).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing 'and it shall be')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (Hebraizing apodosis-formula 'and it shall be')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'it will be'; καὶ ἔσται is the Hebraizing formula וְהָיָה introducing a conditional sentence ('and it shall come to pass, if…').
εἰifconditional conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; introduces the real condition — assuming David is indeed in the land.
ἔστινhe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of the conditional clause→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be / exist / be present'; here 'if he is (present) in the land' — Saul presumes David has not fled beyond his reach.
ἐπὶon / inpreposition + genitive (location: 'in the land')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: 'in the land').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςland / earthGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (location)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land / earth'; 'if he is upon the land' = if David is anywhere in the territory of Judah.
καὶand / thenconjunction (apodosis-marker)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί here marks the apodosis of the condition ('then I will search him out'), the Hebraistic waw of the apodosis.
ἐξερευνήσωI will search outFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐξερευνάωmain verb (apodosis: Saul's vow of exhaustive search)→ verbal action or stateἐξερευνάω: 'search out thoroughly / track down'; renders חָפַשׂ; the intensive ἐξ- compound conveys an exhaustive man-hunt — Saul vows to comb every clan of Judah to find David.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐξερευνήσω (David)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐξερευνήσω (David).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere of the search)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere of the search).
πάσαιςallDativeattributive adjective (modifying χιλιάσιν)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; 'among all the thousands' stresses the exhaustive scope of Saul's intended search.
χιλιάσινthousands / clansDativedative object of ἐν (the units of Judah)→ sphere or referenceχιλιάς: 'a thousand'; renders אֶלֶף, which also denotes a clan/military unit ('thousand'); 'all the thousands of Judah' = every clan-division of the tribe — Saul will leave no corner of Judah unsearched.
Ιουδαof Judahgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'thousands of Judah')→ participant identificationΙουδα: transliteration of Hebrew יְהוּדָה (Judah); indeclinable; David's own tribe, now the field of Saul's manhunt.
24

καὶ ἀνέστησαν οἱ Ζιφαῖοι καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ἔμπροσθεν Σαουλ καὶ Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ τῇ Μααν καθ᾿ ἑσπέραν ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Ιεσσαιμουν

And the Ziphites arose and went before Saul; and David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, at evening, to the right of Jeshimon.

Transition: the Ziphites lead, the scene shifts to Maonκαὶ ἀνέστησαν οἱ Ζιφαῖοι
The Ziphites set out ahead of Saul (ἔμπροσθεν Σαουλ) as his guides, and the narrative pivots to locate David and his men in the wilderness of Maon — a shift of theater from Ziph southward. The double scene-setting (the Ziphites leading; David positioned) creates the converging-lines tension that the pursuit of vv. 25–26 will bring to a head.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστησανarose / set outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀνίστημιmain verb (the Ziphites depart)→ verbal action or stateἀνίστημι: 'rise / set out'; renders קוּם; the Ziphites set off as Saul's advance guides.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΖιφαῖοιZiphitesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΖιφαῖος: 'Ziphite'; the betrayers now act as Saul's scouts, leading him toward David.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθησανthey wentAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (their march ahead of Saul)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / proceed'; the Ziphites go 'before Saul' (ἔμπροσθεν), guiding the king's pursuit.
ἔμπροσθενbefore / ahead ofpreposition + genitive (position: 'in front of')→ spatial or relational framingἔμπροσθεν: 'before / in front of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the Ziphites go ahead of Saul as his guides into David's territory.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive object of ἔμπροσθεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of ἔμπροσθεν (indeclinable).
καὶand / nowconjunction (introducing circumstantial clause about David)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί here introduces a verbless circumstantial clause ('now David and his men were…'), shifting focus to David's position.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject of the verbless locative clause (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of the verbless locative clause (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (coordinate with Δαυιδ)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; David's band, located with him in the Maon wilderness.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (David's men)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (David's men).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the scene now shifts to the wilderness of Maon, south of Ziph.
τῇtheDativearticle (with Μααν, in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜαανMaonappositional place-name (indeclinable: 'wilderness of Maon')→ participant identificationΜααν: transliteration of Hebrew מָעוֹן (Maon); indeclinable; a town and wilderness south of Hebron; the new theater of the pursuit (cf. v. 25).
καθ᾿at / towardpreposition + accusative (temporal; elided)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: here temporal, 'at / toward (evening)'; renders the Hebrew temporal idiom.
ἑσπέρανeveningAccusativeaccusative object of καθ᾿ (temporal: 'at evening')→ object specificationἑσπέρα: 'evening'; καθ᾿ ἑσπέραν ('toward evening') gives the time of the scene, adding narrative vividness.
ἐκto (the right)preposition + genitive (idiom ἐκ δεξιῶν, 'to the right/south')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ δεξιῶν: 'on the right / to the south'; cf. v. 19; the wilderness south of Jeshimon.
δεξιῶνthe rightGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (idiom)→ relational specificationδεξιός: 'right'; in Hebrew orientation = south; locates David south of Jeshimon.
τοῦthe / ofGenitivearticle (with Ιεσσαιμουν, marking genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙεσσαιμουνJeshimonGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ δεξιῶν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙεσσαιμουν: transliteration of Hebrew הַיְשִׁימוֹן ('the wasteland / Jeshimon'); indeclinable, case shown by the article τοῦ; the desolate region overlooking the Dead Sea (cf. v. 19).
25

καὶ ἐπορεύθη Σαουλ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ζητεῖν αὐτόν καὶ ἀπήγγειλαν τῷ Δαυιδ καὶ κατέβη εἰς τὴν πέτραν τὴν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ Μααν καὶ ἤκουσεν Σαουλ καὶ κατεδίωξεν ὀπίσω Δαυιδ εἰς τὴν ἔρημον Μααν

And Saul and his men went to seek him; and they reported it to David, and he went down to the rock that is in the wilderness of Maon; and Saul heard, and pursued after David into the wilderness of Maon.

The pursuit closes in at Maonκαὶ ἐπορεύθη Σαουλ
The pursuit narrative quickens with a rapid exchange of moves: Saul advances to seek David; David, warned, goes down to 'the rock' in the Maon wilderness; Saul hears and chases after him (κατεδίωξεν ὀπίσω, 'pursued hard after'). The chain of reports and counter-moves builds the suspense that climaxes in the near-encirclement of v. 26.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (Saul's advance)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go'; Saul and his men set out to hunt David in the Maon wilderness.
ΣαουλSaulNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (coordinate with Σαουλ)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; Saul's pursuing force.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Saul's men)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Saul's men).
ζητεῖνto seekPres Act Inf · ζητέωinfinitive of purpose (the aim of Saul's march)→ verbal action or stateζητέω: 'seek'; the infinitive of purpose — Saul advances 'to seek' David (cf. vv. 14, 15).
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ζητεῖν (David)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ζητεῖν (David).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπήγγειλανthey reportedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (warning brought to David)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / bring word'; the report-verb (cf. vv. 1, 7, 13) now warns David of Saul's approach, enabling his withdrawal.
τῷthe / toDativearticle (with Δαυιδ, marking dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidDativedative of recipient (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of recipient (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέβηhe went downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (David's withdrawal)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; David goes down to 'the rock' — a defensible natural fortress in the wilderness — to evade Saul.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πέτραν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πέτρανrock / cragAccusativeaccusative of direction (with εἰς)→ object specificationπέτρα: 'rock / crag'; renders סֶלַע; 'the rock' is a defensible rocky height in the Maon wilderness — and anticipates the etiological place-name Πέτρα ἡ μερισθεῖσα of v. 28.
τὴνthe / whichAccusativearticle (attributive, with ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ phrase)→ noun-phrase markingThe article τήν converts the following locative phrase into an attributive modifier of πέτραν ('the rock that is in the wilderness of Maon').
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the Maon desert.
Μαανof Maongenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'wilderness of Maon')→ participant identificationΜααν: indeclinable; the wilderness where the rock stands.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (Saul learns David's move)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear'; Saul learns of David's descent to the rock and presses the pursuit.
ΣαουλSaulNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατεδίωξενpursued hardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταδιώκωmain verb (Saul's pursuit)→ verbal action or stateκαταδιώκω: 'pursue closely / hunt down'; renders רָדַף; the intensive κατα- compound conveys hot, relentless pursuit — Saul drives after David into the Maon wilderness.
ὀπίσωafterpreposition + genitive (pursuit: 'after')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; renders אַחֲרֵי; κατεδίωξεν ὀπίσω Δαυιδ ('pursued after David') is the standard idiom of the chase.
ΔαυιδDavidgenitive object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἔρημον)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔρημονwildernessAccusativeaccusative of direction (with εἰς)→ object specificationἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the Maon desert, the theater of the climactic near-encounter.
Μαανof Maongenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'wilderness of Maon')→ participant identificationΜααν: indeclinable; the repeated naming of Maon underscores the cornered intensity of the chase.
26

καὶ πορεύονται Σαουλ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ἐκ μέρους τοῦ ὄρους τούτου καὶ ἦν Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ἐκ μέρους τοῦ ὄρους τούτου καὶ ἦν Δαυιδ σκεπαζόμενος πορεύεσθαι ἀπὸ προσώπου Σαουλ καὶ Σαουλ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ παρενέβαλον ἐπὶ Δαυιδ καὶ τοὺς ἄνδρας αὐτοῦ συλλαβεῖν αὐτούς

And Saul and his men were going on one side of the mountain, and David and his men were on the other side of the mountain; and David was sheltering himself to flee from before Saul, while Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to seize them.

Climax: the two parties on opposite sides of the mountainκαὶ πορεύονται Σαουλ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ
The dramatic climax: the historic present πορεύονται heightens the immediacy as the two bands move along opposite flanks of the same mountain (ἐκ μέρους … ἐκ μέρους, 'on this side … on that side'). David is 'sheltering himself to flee' (σκεπαζόμενος πορεύεσθαι) while Saul is 'closing in' (παρενέβαλον) to seize him — capture seems imminent, and only the providential interruption of v. 27 averts it.
Word-by-word analysis· 47 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πορεύονταιare goingPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (historic present for vividness)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / travel'; the historic present πορεύονται (amid surrounding aorists/imperfects) spotlights the tense climax — both parties moving along the mountain at once.
ΣαουλSaulNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (coordinate with Σαουλ)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; Saul's pursuing force.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Saul's men)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Saul's men).
ἐκon / frompreposition + genitive (idiom: 'on the side of')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ μέρους: 'on the side of'; the phrase ἐκ μέρους τοῦ ὄρους ('on [one] side of the mountain') sets up the spatial contrast of the two bands.
μέρουςside / partGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (idiom: 'side')→ relational specificationμέρος: 'part / side'; renders צַד; 'on one side of the mountain,' the flank Saul's force is traversing.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ὄρους)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρουςmountainGenitivegenitive (the mountain whose sides separate the parties)→ relational specificationὄρος: 'mountain'; the single mountain whose two flanks keep David just out of Saul's grasp — the geographical hinge of the rescue.
τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying ὄρους)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative individualizes the mountain (ἐκ μέρους τοῦ ὄρους τούτου), the repeated phrase marking the two opposed sides.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the contrasting party)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (locating David's party)→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'was'; locates David and his men on the opposite flank of the same mountain.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (coordinate with Δαυιδ)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; David's band on the far side.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (David's men)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (David's men).
ἐκonpreposition + genitive (idiom: 'on the side of')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ μέρους: the repeated 'on [the other] side of the mountain' completes the picture of the two converging-yet-separated bands.
μέρουςsideGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (idiom)→ relational specificationμέρος: 'side'; the opposite flank from Saul.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ὄρους)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρουςmountainGenitivegenitive (the same mountain)→ relational specificationὄρος: 'mountain'; the same height, its bulk dividing pursuer from pursued.
τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying ὄρους)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; the repetition ἐκ μέρους τοῦ ὄρους τούτου drives home the symmetry of the two opposed flanks.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίauxiliary in periphrastic construction (with σκεπαζόμενος)→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf. ἦν): the imperfect ἦν with the participle σκεπαζόμενος forms a periphrastic construction ('was sheltering himself'), stressing the ongoing, anxious effort of David's evasion.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
σκεπαζόμενοςsheltering himself / hidingPres Mid Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · σκεπάζωparticiple in periphrastic construction (with ἦν)→ verbal action or stateσκεπάζω: 'cover / shelter / shield'; the middle participle σκεπαζόμενος ('sheltering/concealing himself') depicts David using the terrain as cover; renders חָפַז ('hurry anxiously') or a verb of hiding — the desperate maneuvering to keep the mountain between himself and Saul.
πορεύεσθαιto flee / to goPres Mid Inf · πορεύομαιcomplementary infinitive (purpose: 'to get away')→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go'; the infinitive expresses David's aim — to slip away from before Saul; σκεπαζόμενος πορεύεσθαι = 'taking cover so as to escape.'
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'from before')→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: 'from before').
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (idiom: 'from before')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; ἀπὸ προσώπου Σαουλ ('from before Saul') is a Hebraism (מִפְּנֵי שָׁאוּל) for fleeing someone's presence (cf. ἐκ προσώπου, v. 5).
Σαουλof Saulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'face of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'face of Saul').
καὶand / whileconjunction (introducing the simultaneous closing-in)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί here contrasts the two simultaneous actions — David fleeing, Saul closing in.
ΣαουλSaulNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (coordinate with Σαουλ)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; Saul's encircling force.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Saul's men)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Saul's men).
παρενέβαλονwere closing in / encamping againstAor Act Indic 3 Pl · παρεμβάλλωmain verb (Saul's encircling movement)→ verbal action or stateπαρεμβάλλω: 'draw up / encamp / close in against'; renders עָטַר ('surround') / חָנָה; Saul's men are 'closing in on' David to encircle and seize him — the moment of greatest peril before the rescue.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: here hostile, 'against David.'
ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative (coordinate object of the hostile movement)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; David's band, also the target of the encirclement.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (David's men)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (David's men).
συλλαβεῖνto seize / captureAor Act Inf · συλλαμβάνωinfinitive of purpose (Saul's aim)→ verbal action or stateσυλλαμβάνω: 'seize / arrest / capture'; renders תָּפַשׂ; the infinitive of purpose names Saul's goal — to lay hands on David and his men; capture is imminent, and only v. 27 prevents it.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object of συλλαβεῖν (David and his men)→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of συλλαβεῖν (David and his men).
27

καὶ ἄγγελος πρὸς Σαουλ ἦλθεν λέγων σπεῦδε καὶ δεῦρο ὅτι ἐπέθεντο οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν

And a messenger came to Saul, saying, 'Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made an attack upon the land.'

Providential reversal: the messenger interrupts the pursuitκαὶ ἄγγελος πρὸς Σαουλ ἦλθεν
At the moment of greatest danger a messenger arrives with urgent news — σπεῦδε καὶ δεῦρο ('hurry and come') — that the Philistines have invaded. The timing is providential: the very enemy David had just defeated (vv. 1–5) now becomes the instrument of his rescue, forcing Saul to break off the pursuit. The narrative thus quietly vindicates the LORD's protection (cf. v. 14) against Saul's and the Ziphites' confidence (vv. 7, 20).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἄγγελοςa messengerNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἄγγελος: 'messenger'; renders מַלְאָךְ; here a human courier (not an angel) bringing the war-report; the timing of his arrival is the providential hinge of David's deliverance.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΣαουλSaulaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the messenger's arrival)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come'; the messenger's arrival at the decisive instant breaks the encirclement of v. 26.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the participle λέγων (rendering לֵאמֹר) introduces the messenger's urgent words.
σπεῦδεhurryPres Act Impv 2 Sg · σπεύδωmain verb (urgent imperative)→ verbal action or stateσπεύδω: 'hasten / hurry'; renders מָהַר; the urgent imperative conveys the gravity of the Philistine threat — Saul must come at once.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δεῦροcomeadverb used as imperative ('come here!')→ clausal contributionδεῦρο: 'here / come!'; an adverb functioning as a command of summons; σπεῦδε καὶ δεῦρο ('hurry and come') doubles the urgency of the recall.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; gives the reason for the urgent summons.
ἐπέθεντοhave attacked / made a raidAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιτίθημιverb of the causal clause→ verbal action or stateἐπιτίθημι (mid. 'set upon'): 'attack / assail / make a raid'; the middle ἐπέθεντο ἐπί ('they have set upon / attacked') renders פָּשַׁט; the Philistine raid is the instrument by which the LORD draws Saul away from David.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject of ἐπέθεντο→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: 'foreigner / Philistine'; the same enemy David defeated at Keilah (vv. 1–5) now providentially diverts Saul, becoming the unwitting agent of David's rescue.
ἐπὶupon / againstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'upon / against'; with ἐπιτίθημι, 'made an attack upon the land.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the target of the raid)→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; renders אֶרֶץ; the Philistine incursion on 'the land' (of Israel) is the national crisis that compels Saul to abandon his private vendetta.
28

καὶ ἀνέστρεψεν Σαουλ μὴ καταδιώκειν ὀπίσω Δαυιδ καὶ ἐπορεύθη εἰς συνάντησιν τῶν ἀλλοφύλων διὰ τοῦτο ἐπεκλήθη ὁ τόπος ἐκεῖνος Πέτρα ἡ μερισθεῖσα

And Saul turned back from pursuing after David, and went to meet the Philistines; therefore that place was called 'the Rock that was Divided.'

Resolution and etiological place-name (chapter close)καὶ ἀνέστρεψεν Σαουλ
The chapter resolves: Saul turns back (ἀνέστρεψεν) from the pursuit to face the Philistine threat, and David is delivered. The closing etiology — διὰ τοῦτο ἐπεκλήθη … Πέτρα ἡ μερισθεῖσα ('therefore the place was called the Rock that was Divided') — memorializes the rescue: the rock where pursuer and pursued were 'parted/divided' becomes a permanent witness that the LORD, not Saul or the Ziphites, holds David's fate (cf. v. 14). This is the chapter's final verse; the Rahlfs LXX has 27 verses in all, with no verse 12.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστρεψενturned backAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναστρέφωmain verb (Saul breaks off the pursuit)→ verbal action or stateἀναστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; renders שׁוּב; Saul 'turned back' from hunting David — the decisive reversal that delivers David at the brink of capture.
ΣαουλSaulNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
μὴnot / fromnegative particle (with the infinitive: 'from pursuing')→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative with the complementary infinitive καταδιώκειν expresses the abandonment of the pursuit ('turned back so as not to pursue / from pursuing').
καταδιώκεινto pursuePres Act Inf · καταδιώκωcomplementary infinitive (with μή, after ἀνέστρεψεν)→ verbal action or stateκαταδιώκω: 'pursue closely'; the same intensive verb as v. 25, now negated — Saul ceases the hot pursuit; the cessation is forced upon him by the Philistine emergency.
ὀπίσωafterpreposition + genitive (pursuit: 'after')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after'; renders אַחֲרֵי; 'after David,' the object of the now-abandoned chase.
ΔαυιδDavidgenitive object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (Saul's redirection)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go'; Saul redirects his march from David to the Philistine front — the threat that supersedes his vendetta.
εἰςto / to meetpreposition + accusative (idiom: 'to meet')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς συνάντησιν: 'to meet / to encounter'; the idiom (rendering לִקְרַאת) here of going to confront the Philistines in battle.
συνάντησινa meeting / encounterAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom)→ object specificationσυνάντησις: 'meeting / encounter'; εἰς συνάντησιν τῶν ἀλλοφύλων ('to meet the Philistines') = to engage them in battle; the verbal noun completes the idiom of confrontation.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive object of εἰς συνάντησιν (those to be met)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistine'; the enemy whose raid (v. 27) draws Saul away — the closing of an ironic circle, since David's own defeat of the Philistines opened the chapter (vv. 1–5).
διὰbecause of / thereforepreposition + accusative (causal, with τοῦτο)→ spatial or relational framingδιὰ τοῦτο: 'therefore / for this reason'; the standard etiological formula introducing the explanation of a place-name.
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of διά (causal: 'for this reason')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; with διά forms the etiological 'therefore,' linking the rescue-event to the name given the place.
ἐπεκλήθηwas called / namedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐπικαλέωmain verb (etiological naming)→ verbal action or stateἐπικαλέω: 'call / name / give a name to'; renders קָרָא; the passive ἐπεκλήθη ('was named') is the standard etiological verb explaining how a place got its name (cf. Gen 11:9; 16:14).
theNominativearticle (with τόπος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόποςplaceNominativesubject of ἐπεκλήθη→ participant prominenceτόπος: 'place'; renders מָקוֹם; the place of the deliverance, which receives a commemorative name (cf. τόπον, v. 22).
ἐκεῖνοςthatNominativedemonstrative adjective (modifying τόπος)→ participant prominenceἐκεῖνος: meaning 'that'; it serves as demonstrative adjective (modifying τόπος).
ΠέτραRockNominativepredicate nominative (the name given: 'Rock')→ participant prominenceπέτρα: 'rock / crag'; here the proper name 'Rock' (סֶלַע הַמַּחְלְקוֹת in the Hebrew, 'Rock of Divisions/Escape'); picks up 'the rock' of v. 25 (πέτραν) — the natural fortress where David eluded Saul.
theNominativearticle (attributive, with μερισθεῖσα)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μερισθεῖσαthat was divided / partedAor Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Fem · μερίζωattributive participle (modifying Πέτρα: 'the Rock that was divided')→ verbal action or stateμερίζω: 'divide / separate / part'; the aorist passive participle ἡ μερισθεῖσα ('that was divided/parted') renders the Hebrew מַחְלְקוֹת ('divisions / smooth-rock of partings'); the name commemorates the 'parting' of pursuer and pursued at this rock — where Saul and David were divided by the mountain and then by the Philistine summons, so that David escaped.