Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The First Book of Kingdoms, Chapter 25ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΩΝ Α′ ΚΕ′

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

After Samuel's death, Abigail's wisdom restrains David's vengeance and opens the way to her becoming his wife.

Translation & textual notes

The Greek text of 1 Kingdoms 25 (= 1 Samuel 25 MT) follows the standard critical text of the Septuagint as established in the Rahlfs–Hanhart edition (Septuaginta, rev. ed. 2006), an ancient and public-domain text; the critical apparatus is not reproduced. The chapter opens with the terse death-and-burial notice of Samuel (v. 1: ἀπέθανεν Σαμουηλ … θάπτουσιν αὐτὸν ἐν οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ ἐν Αρμαθαιμ) and David's descent εἰς τὴν ἔρημον Μααν, then unfolds the Nabal–Abigail narrative — one of the great novella-like episodes of the books of Kingdoms. Nabal, the great but harsh (σκληρὸς … πονηρός … κυνικός, 'churlish/doglike', v. 3) Carmelite, insults David's men at the sheepshearing with the contemptuous τίς ὁ Δαυιδ καὶ τίς ὁ υἱὸς Ιεσσαι (v. 10); David swears a fierce oath to leave alive not one οὐροῦντα πρὸς τοῖχον ('any that urinates against a wall', v. 22), the LXX's literal calque of the Hebrew idiom for 'male.' Abigail (ἀγαθὴ συνέσει καὶ καλὴ τῷ εἴδει σφόδρα, v. 3) intercepts him with a hastily-gathered gift (vv. 18–19) and a long, theologically dense speech of intercession (vv. 23–31): she takes the ἀδικία upon herself, declares that κύριος will make her lord a sure house (οἶκον πιστόν, v. 28) because he fights the LORD's battles (πόλεμον κυρίου), and frames David's restraint from blood-guilt (αἷμα ἀθῷον, vv. 26, 31) as the very thing that will spare his conscience when he becomes ἡγούμενος ἐπὶ Ισραηλ (v. 30). The speech's lyrical centre is v. 29: the soul of David bound ἐν δεσμῷ τῆς ζωῆς παρὰ κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ ('in the bundle of the living with the LORD God'), while the souls of his enemies are slung away ἐν μέσῳ τῆς σφενδόνης. David blesses her εὐλογητὸς κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ (v. 32) and relents. The narrative closes with Nabal's drunken βασιλέως-like feast, his heart dying within him like a stone (ἐναπέθανεν ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ … γίνεται ὡς λίθος, v. 37), the LORD's lethal stroke ten days later (ἐπάταξεν κύριος τὸν Ναβαλ, v. 38), and David's marriage to Abigail and to Αχινααμ of Jezreel — with the closing note that Saul had given Μελχολ (Michal), David's wife, to Φαλτι son of Λαις (v. 44). Throughout the chapter κύριος oscillates between the Tetragrammaton (in oaths, blessings, and divine action) and the honorific 'my lord' (κύριέ μου) by which Abigail and the servants address David and Nabal.

1

καὶ ἀπέθανεν Σαμουηλ καὶ συναθροίζονται πᾶς Ισραηλ καὶ κόπτονται αὐτὸν καὶ θάπτουσιν αὐτὸν ἐν οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ ἐν Αρμαθαιμ καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ καὶ κατέβη εἰς τὴν ἔρημον Μααν

And Samuel died, and all Israel gathered together and mourned him, and they buried him in his house in Armathaim. And David arose and went down into the wilderness of Maon.

New narrative unit (death-notice) opening the chapterκαὶ ἀπέθανεν Σαμουηλ
The terse obituary formula καὶ ἀπέθανεν + name (cf. the patriarchal death-notices in Genesis) closes Samuel's life and seals the era of his judgeship and prophetic ministry. The national mourning (συναθροίζονται … κόπτονται) signals his stature. The narrative then pivots with καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ to the new episode, David's withdrawal into the wilderness of Maon.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (death-notice)→ verbal action or stateἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; renders Hebrew מוּת; the death-notice formula καὶ ἀπέθανεν + proper name is the standard biographical closure throughout the historical books (cf. the patriarchal notices in Gen and the judge-notices in Judg).
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: transliteration of Hebrew שְׁמוּאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; the prophet-judge who anointed both Saul and David; his death here removes the chief moral authority of the books of Kingdoms on the eve of the Nabal episode.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συναθροίζονταιgather togetherPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Pl · συναθροίζωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateσυναθροίζω: 'gather/assemble together'; the middle/passive here is reflexive ('assemble themselves'); the historic present enlivens the scene of national mourning; the plural verb with the collective subject πᾶς Ισραηλ is a constructio ad sensum.
πᾶςallNominativesubject (collective with Ισραηλ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all/whole'; πᾶς Ισραηλ ('all Israel') is a stock LXX collective for the whole nation; here it underscores the universal grief at Samuel's passing.
ΙσραηλIsraelsubject (indeclinable proper noun, in apposition with πᾶς)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable; the covenant nation as a corporate body.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κόπτονταιmourn / beat themselves forPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · κόπτωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateκόπτω (mid. κόπτομαι): lit. 'beat (oneself in grief)', hence 'mourn/lament'; renders Hebrew סָפַד; the middle voice denotes the ritual self-beating of mourning; takes the accusative αὐτόν ('mourn for him').
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (object of mourning)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (object of mourning).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θάπτουσινburyPres Act Indic 3 Pl · θάπτωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateθάπτω: 'bury'; renders קָבַר; the historic present makes the burial vivid; Abner is honored with burial in Hebron, David's own capital.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
οἴκῳhouseDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house/household'; renders בַּיִת; burial 'in his house' denotes the family burial-plot on Samuel's own estate at Ramah.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative, place-name)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative, place-name).
ΑρμαθαιμArmathaim (Ramah)place-name (indeclinable, object of ἐν)→ participant identificationΑρμαθαιμ: the LXX form of Hebrew הָרָמָתָה / רָמָה (Ramah), Samuel's home town (cf. 1 Kgdms 1:1, 19); indeclinable; the doubled form reflects the dual Ramathaim-zophim.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (scene-shift)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστηaroseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (scene-initiating)→ verbal action or stateἀνίστημι (intrans. aor. ἀνέστη): 'rise up/set out'; renders Hebrew קוּם; the verb of departure/initiative inaugurates the David-Nabal episode and shifts the narrative focus from Samuel to David.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliteration of Hebrew דָּוִד; indeclinable in the LXX; the new protagonist of the episode, here still a fugitive from Saul.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέβηwent downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (movement)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'go down'; the negated aorist 'he did not go down to his house' frustrates David's stratagem; the verb κατέβη will recur as the refrain of Uriah's refusal (vv. 10, 13).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔρημονwildernessAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationἔρημος: 'wilderness/desert'; renders Hebrew מִדְבָּר; the wilderness is David's refuge during his flight from Saul and the setting for his encounter with Nabal's flocks.
ΜαανMaonplace-name (indeclinable, modifying ἔρημον)→ participant identificationΜααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as place-name (indeclinable, modifying ἔρημον).
2

καὶ ἦν ἄνθρωπος ἐν τῇ Μααν καὶ τὰ ποίμνια αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ Καρμήλῳ καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος μέγας σφόδρα καὶ τούτῳ ποίμνια τρισχίλια καὶ αἶγες χίλιαι καὶ ἐγενήθη ἐν τῷ κείρειν τὸ ποίμνιον αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ Καρμήλῳ

And there was a man in Maon, and his flocks were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. And it happened, while he was shearing his flock in Carmel,

Scene-setting introduction (circumstantial background)καὶ ἦν ἄνθρωπος
The existential καὶ ἦν ἄνθρωπος ('now there was a man') is the classic folktale/novella opening that introduces a new character and his circumstances. The catalogue of wealth (3,000 sheep, 1,000 goats; μέγας σφόδρα) builds the social stature that makes his churlishness in v. 10 the more outrageous. The circumstantial ἐγενήθη ἐν τῷ κείρειν sets the sheepshearing as the festal occasion of the action.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing background)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwas / there wasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential main verb (background)→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'be/exist'; the existential καὶ ἦν ἄνθρωπος renders Hebrew וְאִישׁ … הָיָה, the standard narrative formula for introducing a new character with his attendant circumstances (cf. 1 Kgdms 1:1; Job 1:1).
ἄνθρωποςa manNominativesubject (newly introduced character)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man/person'; renders אִישׁ; the indefinite introduction withholds the name until v. 3, building narrative interest around the wealthy but unnamed figure.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with place-name)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜαανMaonDativeplace-name (object of ἐν, articular but indeclinable form)→ participant identificationΜααν: Maon; here construed with the feminine article τῇ as a region; the man's residence.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποίμνιαflocksNominativesubject (of implied ἦν)→ participant prominenceποίμνιον: 'flock'; renders צֹאן; the plural here denotes his several flocks pastured at Carmel.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle (with place-name)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΚαρμήλῳCarmelDativeplace-name (object of ἐν, declined as 2nd decl.)→ sphere or referenceΚάρμηλος: the LXX form of Hebrew כַּרְמֶל (Carmel of Judah, near Maon — not the northern Mt. Carmel); here declined in the dative as a second-declension noun; Nabal's estate and shearing-site.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject (of implied ἦν)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: meaning 'man'; it serves as subject (of implied ἦν).
μέγαςgreatNominativepredicate adjective ('was very great')→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great/important'; renders גָּדוֹל; here of socio-economic stature (wealth and standing); the same word framed Moses' greatness at Exod 11:3, but here it heightens the irony of Nabal's meanness.
σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying μέγας)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very/exceedingly'; standard LXX rendering of מְאֹד; emphasises the superlative scale of Nabal's wealth.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τούτῳto him / he hadDativedative of possession ('to this one were flocks')→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: demonstrative 'this (man)'; the dative of possession τούτῳ ποίμνια ('he had flocks') renders the Hebrew possessive construction with לְ; idiomatic for ownership.
ποίμνιαsheep / flocksNominativesubject (of implied ἦν, possessed item)→ participant prominenceποίμνιον: here counted as 'sheep' (three thousand).
τρισχίλιαthree thousandNominativenumeral (modifying ποίμνια)→ participant prominenceτρισχίλιοι: 'three thousand'; renders שְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים; the numeric catalogue concretises Nabal's vast pastoral wealth.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αἶγεςgoatsNominativesubject (possessed item)→ participant prominenceαἴξ: 'goat'; renders עֵז; goats and sheep together comprise the mixed flock (צֹאן) of a wealthy pastoralist.
χίλιαιa thousandNominativenumeral (modifying αἶγες)→ participant prominenceχίλιοι: 'a thousand'; feminine χίλιαι agrees with αἶγες; completes the wealth-catalogue.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (transition to action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηit happenedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιimpersonal narrative verb ('and it came to pass')→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. pass. ἐγενήθη): the impersonal καὶ ἐγενήθη … ἐν τῷ + infinitive renders Hebrew וַיְהִי בְּ + infinitive construct, the standard temporal-circumstantial framing formula ('and it came to pass when …').
ἐνin / whilepreposition + articular infinitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν τῷ + infinitive: temporal construction ('while/when'), a calque of the Hebrew בְּ + infinitive construct.
τῷtheDativearticle (with articular infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κείρεινshearingPres Act Inf · κείρωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'while shearing')→ verbal action or stateκείρω: 'shear/cut (wool/hair)'; renders גָּזַז; sheepshearing was a festive, profitable season (cf. Gen 38:12; 2 Kgdms 13:23), the natural occasion for David's request and for Nabal's feasting.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποίμνιονflockAccusativedirect object of κείρειν→ object specificationποίμνιον: 'flock'; the object of the shearing.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; 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.
ΚαρμήλῳCarmelDativeplace-name (object of ἐν)→ sphere or referenceΚάρμηλος: Carmel of Judah; the shearing-site of Nabal's flock.
3

καὶ ὄνομα τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ Ναβαλ καὶ ὄνομα τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ Αβιγαια καὶ ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ ἀγαθὴ συνέσει καὶ καλὴ τῷ εἴδει σφόδρα καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος σκληρὸς καὶ πονηρὸς ἐν ἐπιτηδεύμασιν καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος κυνικός

And the man's name was Nabal, and his wife's name was Abigail; and his wife was good in understanding and very beautiful in form, but the man was harsh and evil in his dealings, and the man was doglike.

Character-naming and characterization (background continued)καὶ ὄνομα τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ
The naming formula ὄνομα τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ Ναβαλ … ὄνομα τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ Αβιγαια sets up the central antithesis of the chapter. The chiastic characterization — wise/beautiful wife versus harsh/evil/doglike husband — is the moral engine of the narrative; 'Nabal' itself means 'fool' (cf. v. 25), so the name is programmatic.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject (nominal clause: 'the name … was Nabal')→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the verbless naming formula ὄνομα τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ + name renders Hebrew וְשֵׁם הָאִישׁ, a fixed introduction-of-character idiom.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνθρώπῳmanDativedative of possession ('the man's name')→ sphere or referenceἄνθρωπος: dative of possession in the naming formula.
ΝαβαλNabalpredicate (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: transliteration of Hebrew נָבָל ('fool/senseless person'); indeclinable; the name is thematically loaded — Abigail will pun on it in v. 25 ('as his name, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject (nominal clause)→ participant prominenceὄνομα: meaning 'name'; it serves as subject (nominal clause).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναικὶwifeDativedative of possession ('his wife's name')→ sphere or referenceγυνή: 'woman/wife'; renders אִשָּׁה; dative of possession in the parallel naming formula.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ΑβιγαιαAbigailpredicate (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβιγαια: the LXX form of Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל ('my father is joy'); generally indeclinable in this chapter (acc. Αβιγαιαν v. 40; gen. Αβιγαιας v. 39 are declined forms); the wise, beautiful heroine who restrains David from bloodshed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυνὴwoman / wifeNominativesubject (characterization clause)→ participant prominenceγυνή: here resuming Abigail as subject of the descriptive predicate.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἀγαθὴgoodNominativepredicate adjective ('good in understanding')→ participant prominenceἀγαθός: 'good'; renders טוֹב / טוֹבַת; here moral-intellectual excellence; ἀγαθὴ συνέσει = 'of good understanding' (Heb. טוֹבַת שֶׂכֶל).
συνέσειin understandingDativedative of respect (specifying the sphere of her goodness)→ sphere or referenceσύνεσις: 'understanding/intelligence/discernment'; renders שֶׂכֶל; the dative of respect marks the sphere in which Abigail is 'good' — practical wisdom, the quality she will display in her intercession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καλὴbeautifulNominativepredicate adjective ('beautiful in form')→ participant prominenceκαλός: 'beautiful/fair'; renders יָפָה / יְפַת; καλὴ τῷ εἴδει = 'fair of appearance' (Heb. יְפַת תֹּאַר); pairs physical beauty with the prior mental excellence.
τῷthe / inDativearticle (with dative of respect)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἴδειin form / appearanceDativedative of respect (sphere of her beauty)→ sphere or referenceεἶδος: 'form/appearance/look'; renders תֹּאַר; the dative of respect specifies the sphere of her καλή — outward beauty matching inward σύνεσις.
σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying καλή)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very/exceedingly'; renders מְאֹד; intensifies her beauty.
καὶbut / andadversative-coordinate conjunction (antithesis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here functioning adversatively ('but'), marking the sharp antithesis between the wise/beautiful wife and the harsh husband.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject (Nabal in antithesis)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: meaning 'man'; it serves as subject (Nabal in antithesis).
σκληρὸςharsh / hardNominativepredicate adjective→ participant prominenceσκληρός: 'hard/harsh/rough'; renders קָשֶׁה; describes Nabal's unyielding, abrasive temperament — the same root used of Pharaoh's hard heart, here transferred to a human churl.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πονηρὸςevilNominativepredicate adjective→ participant prominenceπονηρός: 'evil/wicked/base'; renders רַע; with σκληρός forms the negative twin of Abigail's ἀγαθή/καλή; 'evil in his dealings' characterizes his habitual conduct.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
ἐπιτηδεύμασινdealings / practicesDativedative object of ἐν (sphere of his evil)→ sphere or referenceἐπιτήδευμα: 'practice/pursuit/way of doing'; renders מַעֲלָל; the plural denotes Nabal's habitual conduct and business dealings — the sphere in which his πονηρία shows.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: meaning 'man'; it serves as subject.
κυνικόςdoglike / churlishNominativepredicate adjective (climactic characterization)→ participant prominenceκυνικός: 'doglike/cynical/churlish' (from κύων, 'dog'); the LXX renders the difficult Hebrew וְהוּא כָלִבִּי ('and he was a Calebite') as if from כֶּלֶב ('dog'), yielding 'doglike/churlish' — an interpretive rendering that crowns the negative characterization of Nabal.
4

καὶ ἤκουσεν Δαυιδ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ὅτι κείρει Ναβαλ ὁ Καρμήλιος τὸ ποίμνιον αὐτοῦ

And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal the Carmelite was shearing his flock.

Narrative trigger (David receives the report that sets the plot in motion)καὶ ἤκουσεν Δαυιδ
The verb of hearing (ἤκουσεν) launches the action: news of the sheepshearing — a season of surplus and hospitality — prompts David's request. The gentilic ὁ Καρμήλιος ('the Carmelite') re-identifies Nabal by his estate, reinforcing the wealth-motif.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
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 (perception)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear'; renders שָׁמַע; the report of the shearing is the narrative trigger for David's overture.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the subject of the perception.
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 (where David heard)→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness'; David's hiding-place, from which he sends to Nabal.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing content clause after ἤκουσεν)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of what David heard.
κείρειis shearingPres Act Indic 3 Sg · κείρωverb of content clause→ verbal action or stateκείρω: 'shear'; the present in the ὅτι-clause reports the shearing as ongoing at the time David heard.
ΝαβαλNabalsubject of content clause (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: indeclinable proper noun.
theNominativearticle (with gentilic)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Καρμήλιοςthe CarmeliteNominativeappositive gentilic (identifying Nabal)→ participant prominenceΚαρμήλιος: gentilic adjective 'of Carmel, Carmelite'; renders הַכַּרְמְלִי; identifies Nabal by his estate at Carmel of Judah.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποίμνιονflockAccusativedirect object of κείρει→ object specificationποίμνιον: 'flock'; the object of Nabal's shearing.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
5

καὶ Δαυιδ ἀπέστειλεν δέκα παιδάρια καὶ εἶπεν τοῖς παιδαρίοις ἀνάβητε εἰς Κάρμηλον καὶ ἀπέλθατε πρὸς Ναβαλ καὶ ἐρωτήσατε αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου εἰς εἰρήνην

And David sent ten young men, and said to the young men, 'Go up to Carmel and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name with peace.'

Initiating action: David's embassy of peaceκαὶ Δαυιδ ἀπέστειλεν
David's overture is framed entirely in terms of εἰρήνη ('peace'): the ten young men go in David's name with a peaceable greeting. The courtesy of the approach heightens the offense of Nabal's refusal. The string of aorist imperatives (ἀνάβητε, ἀπέλθατε, ἐρωτήσατε) lays out the embassy's commission.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable proper noun.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (commissioning embassy)→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω: 'send (on a mission)'; renders שָׁלַח; the verb of formal commissioning; the ten young men are David's authorized envoys.
δέκαtennumeral (modifying παιδάρια)→ measure or countδέκα: 'ten'; indeclinable numeral; the size of the delegation befits a courteous, semi-official approach.
παιδάριαyoung men / servantsAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλεν→ object specificationπαιδάριον: 'boy/young servant/attendant'; renders נַעַר; here David's young retainers sent as envoys; the diminutive does not imply childhood but subordinate status.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; introduces David's instructions to the envoys.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίοιςyoung menDativeindirect object (addressees)→ sphere or referenceπαιδάριον: dative as recipients of David's command.
ἀνάβητεgo upAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up/ascend'; renders עָלָה; the 'going up' to Carmel reflects the ascent from the wilderness to the hill country.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΚάρμηλονCarmelAccusativeaccusative of destination→ object specificationΚάρμηλος: Carmel of Judah; declined here as a 2nd-decl. accusative; the destination of the embassy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέλθατεgoAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateἀπέρχομαι: 'go away/go off (to)'; renders בּוֹא / הָלַךְ; continues the chain of commands directing the envoys to Nabal.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward person)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction toward person).
ΝαβαλNabalobject of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: indeclinable proper noun.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρωτήσατεgreet / ask afterAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐρωτάωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateἐρωτάω: normally 'ask/inquire,' but here with εἰς εἰρήνην it renders the Hebrew idiom שָׁאַל לְשָׁלוֹם ('ask after the welfare of, greet'); thus 'greet him with a wish for peace.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ἐπὶin / onpreposition + dative (basis: 'in my name')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dative: 'on the basis of/in (the name of)'; here introducing the authority under which the greeting is made.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀνόματίnameDativeobject of ἐπί ('in my name')→ sphere or referenceὄνομα: 'name'; ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου ('in my name') marks the greeting as carrying David's personal authority and goodwill.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςfor / withpreposition + accusative (purpose/manner: 'for peace')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + accusative: here of purpose/result; εἰς εἰρήνην completes the Hebraic greeting-idiom 'greet him with (a wish of) peace.'
εἰρήνηνpeaceAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the content of the greeting)→ object specificationεἰρήνη: 'peace/welfare'; renders שָׁלוֹם; the keynote of David's overture, which Nabal's contempt will shatter and which Abigail will labour to restore.
6

καὶ ἐρεῖτε τάδε εἰς ὥρας καὶ σὺ ὑγιαίνων καὶ ὁ οἶκός σου καὶ πάντα τὰ σὰ ὑγιαίνοντα

And you shall say thus: 'In due season — both you and your house be in health, and all that is yours be in health!'

Continued instruction: the wording of the greetingκαὶ ἐρεῖτε τάδε
David scripts the envoys' words. The clipped benediction εἰς ὥρας … ὑγιαίνων … ὑγιαίνοντα is a difficult, idiomatic well-wishing formula rendering the Hebrew greeting of welfare upon a man, his house, and all he has — a courteous prelude to the request that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρεῖτεyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Pl · λέγω (εἶπον)main verb (future with imperatival force)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (fut. ἐρῶ): 'say'; the future ἐρεῖτε functions as a command (cf. the imperatival future common in LXX directive speech), scripting the envoys' exact words.
τάδεthus / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative object (content of speech)→ object specificationὅδε, ἥδε, τόδε: 'this/these'; τάδε anticipates the quoted greeting that follows.
εἰςin / forpreposition + accusative (temporal: 'in season')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς ὥρας: a temporal idiom 'in due season/at the right time/for years (to come)'; renders the Hebrew greeting לֶחָי ('to life!') / כֹּה לֶחָי; a well-wishing salutation.
ὥραςseasons / due timeAccusativeaccusative of time (with εἰς)→ object specificationὥρα: 'hour/season/right time'; the plural εἰς ὥρας renders a Hebrew greeting-formula of long life and well-being.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σὺyouNominativesubject (of the verbless wish, with predicate participle)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic personal pronoun; the addressee Nabal, first item of the three-fold benediction (you / your house / all that is yours).
ὑγιαίνωνbeing in healthPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ὑγιαίνωpredicate participle (well-wishing: 'be in health')→ verbal action or stateὑγιαίνω: 'be healthy/well/sound'; renders שָׁלוֹם / שָׁלֵם; the participle in a verbless benediction expresses the wish 'may you be well'; a stock greeting of bodily and household welfare.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκόςhouse / householdNominativesubject (second item of benediction)→ participant prominenceοἶκος: 'house/household'; the second beneficiary of the well-wishing; renders בַּיִת.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταallNominativesubject (third item: 'all that is yours')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; neuter plural πάντα τὰ σά = 'all that is yours,' the comprehensive third member of the benediction.
τὰthe (things)Nominativearticle (substantivizing σά)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σὰyoursNominativepossessive adjective (substantivized: 'your things')→ participant prominenceσός: possessive 'your(s)'; τὰ σά = 'your possessions/all that belongs to you.'
ὑγιαίνονταbeing in health / prosperingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Neut · ὑγιαίνωpredicate participle (well-wishing, agreeing with πάντα τὰ σά)→ verbal action or stateὑγιαίνω: here of things/property 'being in good condition, prospering'; the neuter plural participle completes the triple benediction extending health to person, household, and goods.
7

καὶ νῦν ἰδοὺ ἀκήκοα ὅτι κείρουσίν σοι νῦν οἱ ποιμένες σου οἳ ἦσαν μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ οὐκ ἀπεκωλύσαμεν αὐτοὺς καὶ οὐκ ἐνετειλάμεθα αὐτοῖς οὐθὲν πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ὄντων αὐτῶν ἐν Καρμήλῳ

And now, behold, I have heard that your shepherds are shearing for you now — they who were with us in the wilderness — and we did not hinder them, nor did we command them anything in all the days they were in Carmel.

Transition to the substance of the message (καὶ νῦν: 'and now')καὶ νῦν ἰδοὺ ἀκήκοα
καὶ νῦν ('and now') marks the move from greeting to the point: David reminds Nabal that his shepherds had been protected, not harassed, by David's band in the wilderness. The perfect ἀκήκοα and the doubled οὐκ … οὐκ underscore the blameless conduct that grounds the request — David has a moral claim on Nabal's generosity.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with νῦν, discourse marker)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (discourse transition)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν renders Hebrew וְעַתָּה, the standard transition from preamble to the main point of a speech.
ἰδοὺbeholdattention-marker (interjection)→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold/look'; renders הִנֵּה; a deictic interjection focusing attention on what follows.
ἀκήκοαI have heardPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (perfect of present relevance)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω (perf. ἀκήκοα): 'have heard'; the perfect stresses David's present knowledge of the shearing as the basis for his approach.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: introduces the content of what David has heard.
κείρουσίνthey are shearingPres Act Indic 3 Pl · κείρωverb of content clause→ verbal action or stateκείρω: 'shear'; the shepherds shear 'for you' (dative of advantage σοι).
σοιfor youDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): dative of advantage — the shearing is done on Nabal's behalf.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; reinforces the immediacy of the shearing season.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποιμένεςshepherdsNominativesubject of κείρουσίν→ participant prominenceποιμήν: 'shepherd'; renders רֹעֶה; Nabal's shepherds, whom David's men had protected in the wilderness.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οἳwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἦσαν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; introduces the clause establishing David's prior good conduct toward the shepherds.
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (impf. ἦσαν): 'were'; the shepherds' continual presence with David's band sets up the claim of protection.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + genitive: 'with'; elided μεθ᾿ before the rough breathing of ἡμῶν.
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of μετά→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of μετά.
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→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the place where David's men sheltered Nabal's shepherds.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative adverb→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐ: negative particle; the doubled negation (οὐκ … οὐκ) emphasises David's wholly blameless conduct.
ἀπεκωλύσαμενwe hinderedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀποκωλύωmain verb (negated)→ verbal action or stateἀποκωλύω: 'hinder/prevent/keep back'; David's men neither harmed nor obstructed the shepherds — the verb recurs in Abigail's speech (vv. 26, 33, 34) of restraint from evil.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative adverb→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἐνετειλάμεθαwe charged / demandedAor Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb (negated)→ verbal action or stateἐντέλλομαι: 'command/charge/give orders'; here 'we laid no demand/charge upon them' — David's men exacted nothing from the shepherds.
αὐτοῖςthemDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
οὐθὲνnothingAccusativedirect object (emphatic negation)→ object specificationοὐθείς (= οὐδείς): 'nothing/no one'; the Hellenistic spelling with θ; reinforces that David's men took nothing from Nabal's holdings.
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας = 'all the days,' accusative of extent of time.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative of duration ('throughout all the days').
ὄντωνbeing / while they werePres Act Ptc Gen Pl Masc · εἰμίgenitive absolute (temporal: 'while they were')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (ptc. ὤν): the genitive absolute ὄντων αὐτῶν ἐν Καρμήλῳ ('while they were in Carmel') sets the temporal frame of David's protective conduct.
αὐτῶνthey / theirGenitivesubject of genitive absolute→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'they'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject of genitive absolute.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΚαρμήλῳCarmelDativeplace-name (object of ἐν)→ sphere or referenceΚάρμηλος: Carmel of Judah; the location of Nabal's shepherds.
8

ἐρώτησον τὰ παιδάριά σου καὶ ἀπαγγελοῦσίν σοι καὶ εὑρέτωσαν τὰ παιδάρια χάριν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου ὅτι ἐφ᾿ ἡμέραν ἀγαθὴν ἥκομεν δὸς δὴ ὃ ἐὰν εὕρῃ ἡ χείρ σου τῷ υἱῷ σου τῷ Δαυιδ

Ask your young men and they will tell you. So let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we have come on a good day. Give, please, whatever your hand may find, to your son, to David.

The request proper (imperatives of appeal)ἐρώτησον τὰ παιδάριά σου
David closes with the request itself: Nabal may verify the report from his own servants, and on this festal 'good day' should give whatever he can. The deferential 'find favor in your eyes,' the polite particle δή, and the filial self-designation 'your son David' all cast the request as a humble petition, making Nabal's refusal a gratuitous insult.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
ἐρώτησονaskAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐρωτάωmain verb (imperative addressed to Nabal)→ verbal action or stateἐρωτάω: 'ask/inquire'; here in its ordinary sense — Nabal may verify David's claims by asking his own young men.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριάyoung men / servantsAccusativedirect object of ἐρώτησον→ object specificationπαιδάριον: here Nabal's own servant-lads, who can confirm David's conduct.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπαγγελοῦσίνthey will tellFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (future)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report/announce/tell'; renders נָגַד; Nabal's own men will corroborate David's good conduct.
σοιyouDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
καὶand / socoordinate conjunction (resultative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὑρέτωσανlet them findAor Act Impv 3 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb (third-person imperative of request)→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω: 'find'; the idiom εὑρεῖν χάριν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ('find favor in the eyes of') renders מָצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֵי, a deferential request for goodwill.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριαyoung men / servantsNominativesubject of εὑρέτωσαν (David's envoys)→ participant prominenceπαιδάριον: here David's envoys, who seek Nabal's favor.
χάρινfavorAccusativedirect object ('find favor')→ object specificationχάρις: 'favor/goodwill'; renders חֵן; the object of the idiom 'find favor in your eyes.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativeobject of ἐν ('in your eyes')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου ('in your eyes') is a Hebraism (בְּעֵינֶיךָ) for 'in your estimation/judgment.'
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because/for'; introduces the reason for the request — the festal occasion.
ἐφ᾿onpreposition + accusative (temporal, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'on/at (a time)'; elided ἐφ᾿ before the rough breathing of ἡμέραν.
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative of time (object of ἐπί)→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; ἐφ᾿ ἡμέραν ἀγαθήν = 'on a good (festal) day,' the day of shearing-feast when generosity was customary.
ἀγαθὴνgoodAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέραν)→ object specificationἀγαθός: 'good'; renders טוֹב; 'a good day' = a day of feasting and bounty, on which sharing was expected.
ἥκομενwe have comePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἥκωmain verb (resultative present)→ verbal action or stateἥκω: 'have come/be present'; the present has perfect force ('we have arrived and are here'); marks the envoys' timely arrival on the feast day.
δὸςgiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (the central petition)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; the heart of the request, softened by the polite particle δή.
δὴplease / prayparticle of entreaty (softening the imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: emphatic/hortatory particle rendering נָא; with the imperative it conveys polite entreaty ('give, please').
whateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of δός)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; ὃ ἐὰν εὕρῃ ('whatever may find') = 'whatever you are able to spare,' leaving the amount to Nabal's discretion.
ἐὰνever / mayparticle (with subjunctive, generalizing the relative)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: with the subjunctive in a relative clause forms the indefinite 'whatever.'
εὕρῃmay findAor Act Subj 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωverb of indefinite relative clause→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω: 'find'; the idiom 'whatever your hand may find' (Heb. אֲשֶׁר תִּמְצָא יָדְךָ) means 'whatever you can provide.'
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χείρhandNominativesubject of εὕρῃ ('your hand')→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; in the idiom 'whatever your hand finds' the hand stands by metonymy for ability/means.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῷsonDativeindirect object ('to your son')→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; the deferential self-designation 'your son David' casts David as a respectful junior client of the older, wealthy Nabal — making the refusal all the more churlish.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τῷtheDativearticle (with appositive name)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidDativeappositive to υἱῷ (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; in apposition to 'your son,' here governed by the dative article τῷ.
9

καὶ ἔρχονται τὰ παιδάρια καὶ λαλοῦσιν τοὺς λόγους τούτους πρὸς Ναβαλ κατὰ πάντα τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Δαυιδ καὶ ἀνεπήδησεν

And the young men came and spoke all these words to Nabal in the name of David, according to all these sayings; and he started up.

Execution of the embassy (historic presents)καὶ ἔρχονται τὰ παιδάρια
The envoys faithfully deliver David's message 'in the name of David.' The closing verb ἀνεπήδησεν ('he leapt up/started up') is abrupt and ominous, signalling Nabal's agitated, hostile reaction before he even speaks in v. 10.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔρχονταιcomePres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come/go'; the historic present quickens the pace of the embassy's arrival.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριαyoung menNominativesubject→ participant prominenceπαιδάριον: David's envoys.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λαλοῦσινspeakPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateλαλέω: 'speak'; the envoys deliver David's message verbatim.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγουςwordsAccusativedirect object of λαλοῦσιν→ object specificationλόγος: 'word/message'; renders דָּבָר; the content of David's commission.
τούτουςtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying λόγους)→ object specificationοὗτος: 'this'; pointing back to David's exact words of vv. 6–8.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΝαβαλNabalobject of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: indeclinable proper noun.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm/standard)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: 'according to'; introduces the standard of conformity ('exactly as David had said').
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ῥήματα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the envoys omit nothing.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαsayings / wordsAccusativeobject of κατά→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word/saying/matter'; renders דָּבָר; synonymous here with λόγους, emphasising faithful transmission.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective→ object specificationοὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative reiterates exact conformity to David's instructions.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (authority: 'in the name of')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (authority: 'in the name of').
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀνόματιnameDativeobject of ἐν ('in the name')→ sphere or referenceὄνομα: 'name'; ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Δαυιδ ('in the name of David') marks the message as delivered on David's authority.
ΔαυιδDavidgenitive of possession (indeclinable, with ὀνόματι)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; whose name authorizes the message.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνεπήδησενhe started up / leapt upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναπηδάωmain verb (Nabal's abrupt reaction)→ verbal action or stateἀναπηδάω: 'leap/spring up'; an abrupt, agitated gesture; the LXX here renders the difficult Hebrew וַיָּנוּחוּ ('and they waited/rested') interpretively, depicting Nabal's startled, hostile reaction before his contemptuous reply in v. 10.
10

καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Ναβαλ τοῖς παισὶν Δαυιδ καὶ εἶπεν τίς ὁ Δαυιδ καὶ τίς ὁ υἱὸς Ιεσσαι σήμερον πεπληθυμμένοι εἰσὶν οἱ δοῦλοι ἀναχωροῦντες ἕκαστος ἐκ προσώπου τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ

And Nabal answered David's servants and said, 'Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? Nowadays the slaves are many who are running away, each from the face of his master.'

Nabal's contemptuous refusal (the crisis)καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Ναβαλ
Nabal's reply is the pivot of the chapter. The double scornful question τίς ὁ Δαυιδ καὶ τίς ὁ υἱὸς Ιεσσαι denies David any honor (compare Pharaoh's τίς ἐστιν, Exod 5:2), and the slur that he is one of the runaway slaves of the day caps the insult. The κύριος here (τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ) is a human 'master' — the master from whom such runaway slaves flee, an implicit jab at David's flight from Saul.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass(dep) Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (response)→ verbal action or stateἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer/reply'; renders עָנָה; introduces Nabal's hostile response to the envoys.
ΝαβαλNabalsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: indeclinable proper noun.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παισὶνservantsDativeindirect object (the envoys)→ sphere or referenceπαῖς: 'servant/lad'; renders נַעַר / עֶבֶד; here David's envoys, addressed by Nabal.
ΔαυιδDavid'sgenitive of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; 'David's servants.'
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces the direct insult.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative 'who?'; the scornful τίς ὁ Δαυιδ denies David standing or claim, echoing the dismissive idiom of those who refuse to recognize authority (cf. Pharaoh, Exod 5:2).
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (articular indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the contemptuous 'this David,' as if an unknown.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate)→ participant referenceτίς: the repeated 'who?' intensifies the scorn.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸςsonNominativesubject ('the son of Jesse')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; 'the son of Jesse' is the dismissive patronymic by which David's detractors (esp. Saul, 1 Kgdms 22:7) refuse to use his name.
ΙεσσαιJessegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙεσσαι: transliteration of Hebrew יִשַׁי (Jesse), David's father; indeclinable; 'son of Jesse' is the standard contemptuous epithet for David in court speech.
σήμερονtoday / nowadaystemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today/nowadays'; renders הַיּוֹם; here generalizing ('in these days') for the contemporary plague of runaway slaves.
πεπληθυμμένοιmultiplied / become manyPerf Mid/Pass Ptc Nom Pl Masc · πληθύνωpredicate participle (periphrastic perfect with εἰσίν)→ verbal action or stateπληθύνω: 'multiply/increase'; the periphrastic perfect πεπληθυμμένοι εἰσίν = 'have become many/are numerous'; Nabal sneers that runaway slaves are now plentiful, lumping David among them.
εἰσὶνarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula (with participle, periphrastic)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: the copula of the periphrastic perfect.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δοῦλοιslavesNominativesubject ('the slaves')→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'slave/servant'; renders עֶבֶד; the contemptuous category into which Nabal places David — a fugitive slave.
ἀναχωροῦντεςwithdrawing / running awayPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀναχωρέωattributive participle (modifying δοῦλοι)→ verbal action or stateἀναχωρέω: 'withdraw/depart/run off'; describes slaves absconding from their masters; Nabal slyly alludes to David's flight from Saul.
ἕκαστοςeach oneNominativedistributive subject (in apposition to δοῦλοι)→ participant prominenceἕκαστος: 'each'; distributive — 'each one' fleeing his own master.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
προσώπουface / presenceGenitiveobject of ἐκ ('from the face of')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face/presence'; ἐκ προσώπου ('from the face/presence of') is a Hebraism (מִפְּנֵי) for fleeing away from someone.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίουmasterGenitivegenitive of relationship ('his master')→ relational specificationκύριος: here a HUMAN master/owner (not the Tetragrammaton); the master from whom runaway slaves flee — Nabal's veiled insinuation that David is a fugitive from his lord Saul.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
11

καὶ λήμψομαι τοὺς ἄρτους μου καὶ τὸν οἶνόν μου καὶ τὰ θύματά μου ἃ τέθυκα τοῖς κείρουσίν μου τὰ πρόβατα καὶ δώσω αὐτὰ ἀνδράσιν οἷς οὐκ οἶδα πόθεν εἰσίν

And shall I take my loaves and my wine and my slaughtered meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give them to men of whom I do not know where they are from?

Nabal's self-justifying refusal (rhetorical question)καὶ λήμψομαι
Nabal's refusal is cast as an indignant rhetorical question, dense with the possessive μου (my loaves, my wine, my meat, my shearers) — a portrait of grasping self-regard. The dismissive ἀνδράσιν οἷς οὐκ οἶδα πόθεν εἰσίν ('men I don't know where they're from') completes the insult, treating David's well-known band as anonymous vagrants.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing the retort)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λήμψομαιshall I takeFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (deliberative/indignant future)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω (fut. mid. λήμψομαι): 'take'; the future in an indignant rhetorical question ('am I to take …?') expresses refusal; the Hellenistic form λήμψομαι has the intrusive μ.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄρτουςloaves / breadAccusativedirect object of λήμψομαι→ object specificationἄρτος: 'bread/loaf'; renders לֶחֶם; first of Nabal's catalogue of jealously-guarded provisions.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (emphatic, repeated)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. μου): the repeated 'my' (×4 in this verse) paints Nabal's grasping possessiveness.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶνόνwineAccusativedirect object→ object specificationοἶνος: 'wine'; renders יַיִן; the second provision.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύματάslaughtered meatAccusativedirect object→ object specificationθῦμα: 'that which is slaughtered, slain meat/sacrifice'; renders טֶבַח; the meat killed for the shearing-feast.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of τέθυκα)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, neuter plural, referring to θύματα.
τέθυκαI have slaughteredPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · θύωverb of relative clause (perfect)→ verbal action or stateθύω: 'slaughter/sacrifice/kill (for food)'; renders טָבַח; the perfect indicates the meat already prepared for Nabal's own shearers.
τοῖςthe / for theDativearticle (with participle)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κείρουσίνshearersPres Act Ptc Dat Pl Masc · κείρωsubstantival participle (dative of advantage: 'for my shearers')→ verbal action or stateκείρω: 'shear'; the substantival participle οἱ κείροντες = 'the shearers,' for whom Nabal reserves his provisions.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρόβαταsheepAccusativedirect object of κείρουσίν ('shearing the sheep')→ object specificationπρόβατον: 'sheep'; renders צֹאן; the object of the shearing.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δώσωshall I giveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (indignant future)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give'; the second verb of the indignant question — 'and give them to unknown men?'
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object (the provisions)→ participant referenceαὐτὰ: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the provisions).
ἀνδράσινto menDativeindirect object→ sphere or referenceἀνήρ: 'man'; renders אֲנָשִׁים; Nabal dismissively reduces David's band to anonymous 'men.'
οἷςof whomDativerelative pronoun (dative, antecedent ἀνδράσιν)→ participant reference or interestὅς: relative pronoun; introduces the dismissive clause.
οὐκnotnegative adverb→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
οἶδαI knowPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · οἶδαmain verb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateοἶδα: 'know'; perfect form with present meaning; Nabal feigns ignorance of David's well-known identity.
πόθενfrom whereinterrogative adverb (indirect question)→ clausal contributionπόθεν: 'whence/from where'; introduces the indirect question 'where they are from.'
εἰσίνthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίverb of indirect question→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'are'; completes the disdainful 'men of whom I do not know where they are from.'
12

καὶ ἀπεστράφησαν τὰ παιδάρια Δαυιδ εἰς ὁδὸν αὐτῶν καὶ ἀνέστρεψαν καὶ ἦλθον καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν τῷ Δαυιδ κατὰ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα

And the young men of David turned back to their road, and they returned and came and reported to David according to these words.

Return of the embassy (sequential narrative)καὶ ἀπεστράφησαν τὰ παιδάρια
A rapid chain of aorists (ἀπεστράφησαν … ἀνέστρεψαν … ἦλθον … ἀνήγγειλαν) speeds the envoys back to David with Nabal's insulting words, setting up David's violent reaction in v. 13. The piling of near-synonymous verbs of return is a Hebraizing feature heightening narrative momentum.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεστράφησανturned backAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (return)→ verbal action or stateἀποστρέφω (aor. pass. as mid./intrans.): 'turn back/return'; renders שׁוּב; begins the chain of return-verbs.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριαyoung menNominativesubject→ participant prominenceπαιδάριον: David's envoys.
ΔαυιδDavid'sgenitive of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; 'the young men of David.'
εἰςto / ontopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ὁδὸνroad / wayAccusativeaccusative of destination ('to their road')→ object specificationὁδός: 'road/way/journey'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the envoys set out on their return journey.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστρεψανreturnedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναστρέφωmain verb (return)→ verbal action or stateἀναστρέφω: 'turn back/return'; a near-synonym of ἀποστρέφω, the piling of verbs is a Hebraizing feature of narrative momentum.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (arrival)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθον): 'come'; the envoys reach David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνήγγειλανreportedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (report)→ verbal action or stateἀναγγέλλω: 'report/announce/declare'; renders נָגַד; the envoys relay Nabal's insulting words to David.
τῷtoDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidDativeindirect object (indeclinable, with dative article)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; recipient of the report.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: 'according to'; the report conforms exactly to Nabal's words.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαwordsAccusativeobject of κατά→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word/saying/matter'; renders דָּבָר; Nabal's words now reported back.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective→ object specificationοὗτος: 'these'; pointing to Nabal's insulting reply.
13

καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ τοῖς ἀνδράσιν αὐτοῦ ζώσασθε ἕκαστος τὴν ῥομφαίαν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀνέβησαν ὀπίσω Δαυιδ ὡς τετρακόσιοι ἄνδρες καὶ οἱ διακόσιοι ἐκάθισαν μετὰ τῶν σκευῶν

And David said to his men, 'Let each man gird on his sword!' And they went up after David, about four hundred men, and two hundred stayed with the baggage.

David's violent reaction (escalation to bloodshed)καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ τοῖς ἀνδράσιν
The insult provokes an immediate military response. The command ζώσασθε … τὴν ῥομφαίαν ('gird on the sword') and the muster of four hundred fighting men (two hundred guarding the baggage) signal David's intent to massacre Nabal's household — the very blood-guilt Abigail will rush to avert.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 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 (command-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces David's order to arm.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable proper noun.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνδράσινmenDativeindirect object (David's followers)→ sphere or referenceἀνήρ: 'man'; David's armed band of followers.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ζώσασθεgird onAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ζώννυμιmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateζώννυμι (mid. ζώννυμαι): 'gird (oneself)'; renders חָגַר; the middle 'gird on (your own) sword' is the idiomatic call to arms (cf. 1 Kgdms 17:39).
ἕκαστοςeach oneNominativedistributive subject (in apposition to the implied plural)→ participant prominenceἕκαστος: 'each'; distributive 'let each man gird.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥομφαίανswordAccusativedirect object of ζώσασθε→ object specificationῥομφαία: 'sword (large, broad)'; renders חֶרֶב; the weapon of the intended massacre.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβησανwent upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (military advance)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; renders עָלָה; here of an armed advance (a military 'going up') toward Carmel.
ὀπίσωafter / behindpreposition/adverb + genitive ('after David')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'behind/after'; renders אַחֲרֵי; the men follow David into battle.
ΔαυιδDavidobject of ὀπίσω (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
ὡςaboutadverb (approximation with number)→ clausal contributionὡς: here 'about/approximately' with a numeral ('about four hundred').
τετρακόσιοιfour hundredNominativenumeral (modifying ἄνδρες)→ participant prominenceτετρακόσιοι: 'four hundred'; David's standing band (cf. 1 Kgdms 22:2; 30:10).
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (in apposition to the plural verb)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the fighting force going up with David.
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.
διακόσιοιtwo hundredNominativesubject (numeral substantive)→ participant prominenceδιακόσιοι: 'two hundred'; the rear-guard left with the baggage (cf. the same division at 1 Kgdms 30:9–10, 21).
ἐκάθισανstayed / satAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καθίζωmain verb (remaining behind)→ verbal action or stateκαθίζω: 'sit/remain/settle'; here 'stayed behind' to guard the baggage.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκευῶνbaggage / equipmentGenitiveobject of μετά→ relational specificationσκεῦος (pl. σκεύη): 'gear/baggage/equipment'; renders כֵּלִים; the supplies and gear left under the rear-guard's watch.
14

καὶ τῇ Αβιγαια γυναικὶ Ναβαλ ἀπήγγειλεν ἓν τῶν παιδαρίων λέγων ἰδοὺ Δαυιδ ἀπέστειλεν ἀγγέλους ἐκ τῆς ἐρήμου εὐλογῆσαι τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν καὶ ἐξέκλινεν ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν

And one of the young men reported to Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, 'Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to bless our master, and he turned away from them.'

Sub-plot turn: a servant alerts Abigail (the rescue begins)καὶ τῇ Αβιγαια … ἀπήγγειλεν
The scene shifts to Nabal's household, where a perceptive young servant bypasses his master and reports to Abigail — the narrative's first sign that wisdom resides with the wife, not the husband. The κύριος here (τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν, 'our master') is the human Nabal. The verb ἐξέκλινεν ('he turned away/recoiled') diplomatically reports Nabal's rude refusal.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (scene-shift)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῇto theDativearticle (with name, fronted)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιγαιαAbigailDativeindirect object (fronted for emphasis, with dative article)→ participant identificationΑβιγαια: indeclinable here, governed by the dative article τῇ; fronted to mark the shift of focus to the household's wise member.
γυναικὶwifeDativeappositive to Αβιγαια ('wife of Nabal')→ sphere or referenceγυνή: 'wife'; in apposition, identifying Abigail's relation to Nabal.
ΝαβαλNabal'sgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: indeclinable; 'wife of Nabal.'
ἀπήγγειλενreportedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (report)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report/tell'; the alert servant informs Abigail of the danger.
ἓνoneNominativesubject (numeral: 'one of the young men')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; neuter ἕν agreeing with παιδάριον; 'one of the servant-lads.'
τῶνof theGenitivepartitive article→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίωνyoung menGenitivepartitive genitive ('one of the young men')→ relational specificationπαιδάριον: here Nabal's own servant-lads; one of them perceives the peril.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of speech (introducing direct discourse)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the redundant λέγων ('saying') introducing direct speech is a Hebraism rendering לֵאמֹר.
ἰδοὺbeholdattention-marker (interjection)→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; alerts Abigail to the urgency.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb of reported speech→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω: 'send'; the servant recounts David's embassy.
ἀγγέλουςmessengersAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλεν→ object specificationἄγγελος: 'messenger/envoy'; renders מַלְאָךְ; the same men called παιδάρια earlier, here viewed in their function as envoys.
ἐκfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμουwildernessGenitiveobject of ἐκ→ relational specificationἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the source-point of David's embassy.
εὐλογῆσαιto bless / greetAor Act Inf · εὐλογέωinfinitive of purpose→ verbal action or stateεὐλογέω: 'bless'; renders בֵּרַךְ; here in the sense 'to greet/salute' (a blessing-greeting), the servant's charitable summary of David's peaceable overture.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριονmasterAccusativedirect object of εὐλογῆσαι→ object specificationκύριος: here a HUMAN master — Nabal, 'our master' as the servant speaks of his lord (not the Tetragrammaton).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶand / butadversative-coordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here mildly adversative ('but he turned away').
ἐξέκλινενhe turned away / recoiledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκκλίνωmain verb (Nabal's rebuff)→ verbal action or stateἐκκλίνω: 'turn aside/away, recoil'; the servant's tactful rendering of Nabal's rude rebuff — he 'flew at/screamed at' them in the Hebrew (וַיָּעַט), here softened to 'turned away from them.'
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; elided ἀπ᾿ before the smooth breathing of αὐτῶν.
αὐτῶνthemGenitiveobject of ἀπό→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἀπό.
15

καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες ἀγαθοὶ ἡμῖν σφόδρα οὐκ ἀπεκώλυσαν ἡμᾶς οὐδὲ ἐνετείλαντο ἡμῖν πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἃς ἦμεν παρ᾿ αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐν τῷ εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἐν ἀγρῷ

And the men were very good to us; they did not hinder us, nor command us anything, all the days we were with them, while we were in the field.

Servant's testimony: David's men were protectors (motivation for Abigail)καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες ἀγαθοὶ ἡμῖν
The servant corroborates David's own claim (v. 7): David's men had been ἀγαθοὶ σφόδρα ('very good'), neither hindering nor exacting from the shepherds. This testimony from inside Nabal's household establishes the justice of David's grievance and the folly of Nabal's refusal, prompting Abigail's intervention.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
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 (David's men)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; David's band, whose conduct the servant praises.
ἀγαθοὶgoodNominativepredicate adjective ('were good to us')→ participant prominenceἀγαθός: 'good/kind'; renders טוֹב; the men's protective goodness toward Nabal's shepherds.
ἡμῖνto usDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. pl. ἡμῖν): the shepherds were the beneficiaries of David's men's goodness.
σφόδραveryadverb of degree (intensifying ἀγαθοί)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very/exceedingly'; renders מְאֹד; underscores the depth of the protection given.
οὐκnotnegative adverb→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἀπεκώλυσανthey hinderedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκωλύωmain verb (negated)→ verbal action or stateἀποκωλύω: 'hinder/harm/keep back'; echoes David's own claim in v. 7 (οὐκ ἀπεκωλύσαμεν), confirming his integrity from inside Nabal's house.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'and not/nor'; continues the negation.
ἐνετείλαντοthey demanded / chargedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb (negated)→ verbal action or stateἐντέλλομαι: 'command/charge/lay a demand on'; David's men exacted nothing — echoing v. 7.
ἡμῖνusDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; accusative of extent of time.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the whole period of the shepherds' presence with David's band.
ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative of extent)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun referring to ἡμέρας.
ἦμενwe wereImpf Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (impf. ἦμεν): 'we were'; the shepherds' ongoing presence with David's men.
παρ᾿with / besidepreposition + dative (association, elided)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + dative: 'with/beside/among'; elided παρ᾿ before the smooth breathing of αὐτοῖς.
αὐτοῖςthemDativeobject of παρά→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of παρά.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνin / whilepreposition + articular infinitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν τῷ + infinitive: temporal 'while,' a Hebraism for בְּ + infinitive construct.
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἶναιbeingPres Act Inf · εἰμίarticular infinitive (temporal: 'while we were')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be'; ἐν τῷ εἶναι ἡμᾶς ('while we were') with accusative subject ἡμᾶς.
ἡμᾶςwe / usAccusativeaccusative subject of articular infinitive→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'we'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of articular infinitive.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ἀγρῷfield / open countryDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceἀγρός: 'field/open country'; renders שָׂדֶה; the pasturage where the shepherds tended the flocks alongside David's men.
16

ὡς τεῖχος ἦσαν περὶ ἡμᾶς καὶ τὴν νύκτα καὶ τὴν ἡμέραν πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἃς ἤμεθα παρ᾿ αὐτοῖς ποιμαίνοντες τὸ ποίμνιον

They were like a wall around us, both by night and by day, all the days we were with them shepherding the flock.

Climax of the servant's testimony (the wall-simile)ὡς τεῖχος ἦσαν
The simile ὡς τεῖχος ('like a wall') vividly captures the constant protection David's men gave — a defensive perimeter day and night against raiders. This is the rhetorical peak of the servant's case: Nabal owes David gratitude, not contempt, and his refusal endangers the whole house.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ὡςlike / ascomparative particle (introducing simile)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as/like'; introduces the wall-simile.
τεῖχοςwallNominativepredicate nominative (in simile)→ participant prominenceτεῖχος: 'wall/city-wall'; renders חוֹמָה; the image of a protective rampart around the shepherds, night and day.
ἦσανthey wereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (predicate of simile)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (impf. ἦσαν): 'they were'; the durative imperfect of continuous protection.
περὶaroundpreposition + accusative (encirclement)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + accusative: 'around/about'; spatial, completing the wall-image.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeobject of περί→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of περί.
καὶboth / andcoordinate conjunction (correlative καὶ … καί)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί … καί: correlative 'both … and,' framing the night-and-day totality.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νύκταnightAccusativeaccusative of extent of time ('by night')→ object specificationνύξ: 'night'; accusative of time; the men guarded continually through the night.
καὶandcorrelative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative of extent of time ('by day')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; with νύκτα forms the merism 'night and day' = continuously.
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; reiterates the full duration of the protection.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the whole period of joint pasturing.
ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun referring to ἡμέρας.
ἤμεθαwe wereImpf Mid Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (impf. mid. ἤμεθα): 'we were'; a Hellenistic middle imperfect form, variant of ἦμεν.
παρ᾿withpreposition + dative (association, elided)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + dative: 'with/among'; elided before αὐτοῖς.
αὐτοῖςthemDativeobject of παρά→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of παρά.
ποιμαίνοντεςshepherdingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ποιμαίνωcircumstantial participle (attendant activity)→ verbal action or stateποιμαίνω: 'shepherd/tend (a flock)'; renders רָעָה; the shepherds' occupation during the protected period.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποίμνιονflockAccusativedirect object of ποιμαίνοντες→ object specificationποίμνιον: 'flock'; Nabal's flock, tended and guarded.
17

καὶ νῦν γνῶθι καὶ ἰδὲ τί σὺ ποιήσεις ὅτι συντετέλεσται ἡ κακία εἰς τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν καὶ εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ καὶ οὗτος υἱὸς λοιμός καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν λαλῆσαι πρὸς αὐτόν

And now, know and consider what you will do, for evil is determined against our master and against his house; and he is a worthless fellow, and one cannot speak to him.

Servant's appeal for action (καὶ νῦν: call to decision)καὶ νῦν γνῶθι καὶ ἰδὲ
The servant ends with an urgent imperative pair (γνῶθι καὶ ἰδέ, 'know and see') pressing Abigail to act. The perfect συντετέλεσται ('has been determined/completed') treats the coming disaster as already settled; Nabal is dismissed as υἱὸς λοιμός ('a son of worthlessness/a scoundrel') with whom reasoning is impossible — only Abigail can avert the ruin.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with νῦν)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (discourse transition to appeal)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν (Heb. וְעַתָּה) shifts from report to the urgent call for decision.
γνῶθιknowAor Act Impv 2 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateγινώσκω: 'know/recognize'; renders יָדַע; the urgent 'know!' calls Abigail to grasp the situation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδὲsee / considerAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ὁράω (εἶδον)main verb (command)→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. impv. ἰδέ): 'see/consider'; renders רָאָה; the pair 'know and see' = 'consider carefully' what action to take.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of ποιήσεις, indirect question)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative 'what?'; introduces the indirect deliberative question.
σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic pronoun; the burden of decision falls on Abigail ('what YOU will do').
ποιήσειςyou will doFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωverb of indirect deliberative question→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do/make'; the deliberative future presses Abigail to decide on a course of action.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because/for'; gives the reason for urgency.
συντετέλεσταιhas been determined / completedPerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · συντελέωmain verb (perfect of settled state)→ verbal action or stateσυντελέω: 'complete/accomplish/bring to its end'; the perfect passive presents the disaster as already determined and inevitable — 'evil is fully resolved against' the house.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κακίαevil / harmNominativesubject of συντετέλεσται→ participant prominenceκακία: 'evil/harm/disaster'; renders רָעָה; the impending catastrophe (David's vengeance) determined against Nabal's house.
εἰςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + accusative: here hostile, 'against.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριονmasterAccusativeobject of εἰς (the target of the evil)→ object specificationκύριος: here a HUMAN master — Nabal, 'our master' (not the Tetragrammaton).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouse / householdAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house/household'; the whole family threatened by David's vengeance.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὗτοςhe / this oneNominativesubject ('this man')→ participant referenceοὗτος: demonstrative 'this (man)'; here contemptuous of Nabal.
υἱὸςsonNominativepredicate nominative ('a son of worthlessness')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the idiom υἱὸς λοιμός renders Hebrew בֶּן בְּלִיַּעַל ('son of Belial/worthlessness'), i.e. 'a worthless scoundrel.'
λοιμόςworthless / a pestNominativegenitive-of-quality predicate (with υἱός)→ participant prominenceλοιμός: lit. 'plague/pestilence,' hence 'pestilent/worthless fellow'; the LXX uses υἱὸς λοιμός for בְּלִיַּעַל — a man so base that reason is wasted on him.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative adverb→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἔστινit is (possible)Pres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίimpersonal verb (possibility)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: here impersonal οὐκ ἔστιν + infinitive = 'it is not possible to,' i.e. one cannot reason with Nabal.
λαλῆσαιto speakAor Act Inf · λαλέωcomplementary infinitive (with οὐκ ἔστιν)→ verbal action or stateλαλέω: 'speak'; 'one cannot speak to him' — Nabal is impervious to counsel.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of πρός→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός.
18

καὶ ἔσπευσεν Αβιγαια καὶ ἔλαβεν διακοσίους ἄρτους καὶ δύο ἀγγεῖα οἴνου καὶ πέντε πρόβατα πεποιημένα καὶ πέντε οιφι ἀλφίτου καὶ γομορ ἓν σταφίδος καὶ διακοσίας παλάθας καὶ ἔθετο ἐπὶ τοὺς ὄνους

And Abigail hastened and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep ready-dressed and five measures of parched grain and one homer of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on the donkeys.

Abigail's decisive action (the rescue gift)καὶ ἔσπευσεν Αβιγαια
Abigail's wisdom turns at once to action: ἔσπευσεν ('she hastened') frames the whole verse. The lavish inventory — loaves, wine, dressed sheep, parched grain, raisins, fig-cakes — is precisely the hospitality Nabal denied, now supplied a hundredfold. The detailed catalogue mirrors and reverses Nabal's grudging list in v. 11.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσπευσενhastenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σπεύδωmain verb (urgency)→ verbal action or stateσπεύδω: 'hasten/make haste'; renders מָהַר; Abigail's speed (repeated in vv. 23, 34) is the practical wisdom that averts disaster.
ΑβιγαιαAbigailsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβιγαια: indeclinable proper noun.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (gathering the gift)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take'; introduces the inventory of the conciliatory gift.
διακοσίουςtwo hundredAccusativenumeral (modifying ἄρτους)→ object specificationδιακόσιοι: 'two hundred'; the generous quantity of bread.
ἄρτουςloavesAccusativedirect object→ object specificationἄρτος: 'loaf/bread'; the very item Nabal refused (v. 11), now supplied lavishly.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral (modifying ἀγγεῖα)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable numeral.
ἀγγεῖαvessels / skinsAccusativedirect object→ object specificationἀγγεῖον: 'vessel/jar/skin'; renders נֵבֶל; here the wineskins, again the very wine Nabal withheld (v. 11).
οἴνουof wineGenitivegenitive of content→ relational specificationοἶνος: 'wine'; genitive of content ('vessels of wine').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πέντεfiveAccusativenumeral (modifying πρόβατα)→ measure or countπέντε: 'five'; indeclinable numeral.
πρόβαταsheepAccusativedirect object→ object specificationπρόβατον: 'sheep'; the dressed meat answering Nabal's withheld θύματα (v. 11).
πεποιημέναprepared / dressedPerf Mid/Pass Ptc Acc Pl Neut · ποιέωattributive participle (modifying πρόβατα)→ verbal action or stateποιέω (perf. pass. ptc.): here 'made ready/dressed (for cooking)'; the perfect indicates the sheep already slaughtered and prepared.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πέντεfiveAccusativenumeral (modifying οιφι)→ measure or countπέντε: 'five'.
οιφιephahs / measuresAccusativemeasure-noun (indeclinable transliteration)→ object specificationοιφι: transliteration of Hebrew אֵיפָה (ephah), a dry measure (about 22 litres); indeclinable; the LXX leaves the Hebrew measure untranslated.
ἀλφίτουof barley-meal / parched grainGenitivegenitive of content→ relational specificationἄλφιτον: 'barley-meal/parched grain'; renders קָלִי ('roasted grain'); genitive of content with οιφι.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γομορa gomor / homerAccusativemeasure-noun (indeclinable transliteration)→ object specificationγομορ: transliteration of a Hebrew dry measure (cf. עֹמֶר / חֹמֶר); indeclinable; here a measure of raisins.
ἓνoneAccusativenumeral (modifying γομορ)→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; neuter ἕν, 'one gomor.'
σταφίδοςof raisinsGenitivegenitive of content→ relational specificationσταφίς: 'dried grapes/raisins'; renders צִמּוּקִים; genitive of content.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διακοσίαςtwo hundredAccusativenumeral (modifying παλάθας)→ object specificationδιακόσιοι: 'two hundred'; feminine διακοσίας agreeing with παλάθας.
παλάθαςcakes of figsAccusativedirect object→ object specificationπαλάθη: 'cake of pressed figs/fruit'; renders דְּבֵלִים; a staple of travel-provision (cf. 1 Kgdms 30:12).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθετοlaid / placedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (loading the gift)→ verbal action or stateτίθημι (mid. ἔθετο): 'put/place/load'; renders שִׂים; the middle suggests action for her own purpose; she loads the provisions onto the donkeys.
ἐπὶon / uponpreposition + accusative (placement)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (placement).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνουςdonkeysAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationὄνος: 'donkey/ass'; renders חֲמוֹר; the pack-animals carrying the gift.
19

καὶ εἶπεν τοῖς παιδαρίοις αὐτῆς προπορεύεσθε ἔμπροσθέν μου καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ὀπίσω ὑμῶν παραγίνομαι καὶ τῷ ἀνδρὶ αὐτῆς οὐκ ἀπήγγειλεν

And she said to her young men, 'Go on ahead of me, and behold, I am coming after you.' But to her husband she did not report it.

Abigail dispatches the gift secretly (decisive discretion)καὶ εἶπεν τοῖς παιδαρίοις αὐτῆς
Abigail sends her servants ahead and follows, deliberately keeping the mission from Nabal (τῷ ἀνδρὶ αὐτῆς οὐκ ἀπήγγειλεν). The secrecy is prudence, not deceit: telling the churlish Nabal would only invite refusal and ruin. Her independent action embodies the σύνεσις of v. 3.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 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 (command-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Abigail's instruction to her servants.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίοιςyoung men / servantsDativeindirect object (her servants)→ sphere or referenceπαιδάριον: Abigail's own household servants, sent ahead with the gift.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
προπορεύεσθεgo on aheadPres Mid/Pass Impv 2 Pl · προπορεύομαιmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateπροπορεύομαι: 'go before/go on ahead'; the servants precede Abigail with the laden donkeys.
ἔμπροσθένbefore / ahead ofpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingἔμπροσθεν: 'before/in front of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the servants go in advance.
μουmeGenitiveobject of ἔμπροσθεν→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἔμπροσθεν.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdattention-marker (interjection)→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic pronoun, 'I myself am coming after.'
ὀπίσωafter / behindpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'behind/after'; renders אַחֲרֵי; Abigail follows the gift-bearers.
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ὀπίσω.
παραγίνομαιI am comingPres Mid/Pass Indic 1 Sg · παραγίνομαιmain verb (futuristic present)→ verbal action or stateπαραγίνομαι: 'come/arrive/be present'; the present expresses imminent action — she will follow at once.
καὶbut / andadversative-coordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('but'), introducing the contrast that she withheld it from Nabal.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνδρὶhusbandDativeindirect object (Nabal)→ sphere or referenceἀνήρ: 'man/husband'; renders אִישׁ; Nabal, from whom Abigail keeps the mission secret.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οὐκnotnegative adverb→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἀπήγγειλενshe reportedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (negated)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report/tell'; Abigail's prudent silence toward Nabal — telling the fool would only have provoked another refusal.
20

καὶ ἐγενήθη αὐτῆς ἐπιβεβηκυίης ἐπὶ τὴν ὄνον καὶ καταβαινούσης ἐν σκέπῃ τοῦ ὄρους καὶ ἰδοὺ Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ κατέβαινον εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτῆς καὶ ἀπήντησεν αὐτοῖς

And it happened, as she was riding on the donkey and going down under cover of the hill, behold, David and his men were coming down to meet her, and she met them.

Convergence of the two parties (dramatic meeting)καὶ ἐγενήθη … ἰδοὺ Δαυιδ
The temporal frame καὶ ἐγενήθη with genitive-absolute participles (ἐπιβεβηκυίης … καταβαινούσης) sets the scene cinematically, then the deictic ἰδού stages the sudden encounter: Abigail descending under cover of the hill, David descending to attack — the two converge at the very moment of crisis.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηit happenedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιimpersonal narrative verb ('and it came to pass')→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. pass. ἐγενήθη): the impersonal καὶ ἐγενήθη renders Hebrew וַיְהִי, framing the dramatic convergence.
αὐτῆςshe / herGenitivesubject of genitive absolute→ relational specificationαὐτή: subject of the doubled genitive-absolute construction.
ἐπιβεβηκυίηςhaving mounted / ridingPerf Act Ptc Gen Sg Fem · ἐπιβαίνωgenitive absolute (circumstantial)→ verbal action or stateἐπιβαίνω: 'mount/get up on'; the perfect participle denotes her settled state of riding the donkey.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (mounted position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (mounted position).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνονdonkeyAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationὄνος: 'donkey'; here feminine (the she-ass Abigail rode).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking participles)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταβαινούσηςgoing downPres Act Ptc Gen Sg Fem · καταβαίνωgenitive absolute (circumstantial, coordinate)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'go down/descend'; the present participle marks her ongoing descent of the hill.
ἐνin / underpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
σκέπῃcover / shelterDativedative of place ('under cover of')→ sphere or referenceσκέπη: 'cover/shelter/concealment'; renders סֵתֶר; 'under cover of the hill' — her descent hidden by the slope, so the meeting is sudden.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρουςhill / mountainGenitivegenitive (defining σκέπῃ: 'cover of the hill')→ relational specificationὄρος: 'mountain/hill'; renders הָהָר; the terrain concealing her approach.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (apodosis after ἐγενήθη)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: the apodotic καί introducing the main clause after the temporal frame.
ἰδοὺbeholdattention-marker (interjection)→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; stages the sudden appearance of David.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: 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 (David's armed band)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; David's four hundred, descending to attack.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κατέβαινονwere coming downImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · καταβαίνωmain verb (imperfect of ongoing action)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'come down'; the imperfect depicts David's band already descending toward her — the two parties converging.
εἰςto / forpreposition + accusative (purpose: 'to meet')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'to meet').
συνάντησινa meetingAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose-idiom)→ object specificationσυνάντησις: 'meeting/encounter'; εἰς συνάντησιν ('to meet') is a Hebraism rendering לִקְרַאת; here ironically — David descends 'to meet' her with murderous intent.
αὐτῆςherGenitiveobjective genitive (with συνάντησιν)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as objective genitive (with συνάντησιν).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπήντησενshe metAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαντάωmain verb (encounter)→ verbal action or stateἀπαντάω: 'meet/encounter'; renders פָּגַשׁ / קָרָא; the actual meeting that triggers Abigail's intercession.
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative complement of ἀπήντησεν→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative complement of ἀπήντησεν.
21

καὶ Δαυιδ εἶπεν ἴσως εἰς ἄδικον πεφύλακα πάντα τὰ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ οὐκ ἐνετειλάμεθα λαβεῖν ἐκ πάντων τῶν αὐτοῦ οὐθέν καὶ ἀνταπέδωκέν μοι πονηρὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν

Now David had said, 'Perhaps in vain I have guarded all that is his in the wilderness, and we took nothing of all that is his; and he has repaid me evil for good.'

Flashback/aside: David's inner grievance (motivation for the oath)καὶ Δαυιδ εἶπεν
A retrospective glimpse into David's mind (the aorist εἶπεν here has pluperfect force, 'had been saying') reveals the sense of betrayed justice fueling his rage: he had protected Nabal's property for nothing and now receives evil for good (πονηρὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν). This self-justification sets up the rash oath of v. 22.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶnow / andnarrative conjunction (introducing retrospective aside)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
εἶπενhad saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (aorist with pluperfect/retrospective force)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; the aorist functions retrospectively, recalling what David had been saying to himself on the way — his grievance prior to meeting Abigail.
ἴσωςperhaps / surely in vainadverb (modal)→ clausal contributionἴσως: 'perhaps/probably'; here with bitter irony, 'so it was for nothing that …' — David reflects that his protection went unrewarded.
εἰςfor / untopreposition + accusative (result: 'to no purpose')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς ἄδικον: idiom 'to/for injustice, in vain, for nothing'; David's guarding has yielded only wrong in return.
ἄδικονinjustice / nothingAccusativeobject of εἰς (substantivized adjective)→ object specificationἄδικος: 'unjust/wrong'; the neuter substantive εἰς ἄδικον = 'to no avail/for an unjust return.'
πεφύλακαI have guardedPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb (perfect of abiding result)→ verbal action or stateφυλάσσω: 'guard/protect/keep'; renders שָׁמַר; the perfect stresses David's sustained protection of Nabal's holdings, now seemingly wasted.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying τὰ αὐτοῦ)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; 'all that is his.'
τὰthe (things)Accusativearticle (substantivizing αὐτοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (substantivized: 'his things/property')→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; τὰ αὐτοῦ = 'his possessions/all that belongs to him.'
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→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness'; where David's band guarded Nabal's flocks.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative adverb→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἐνετειλάμεθαwe charged / gave orderAor Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb (negated)→ verbal action or stateἐντέλλομαι: 'command/charge'; here 'we gave no order to take anything' — David's men were forbidden to plunder Nabal's property.
λαβεῖνto takeAor Act Inf · λαμβάνωcomplementary infinitive→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take/seize'; the forbidden plundering David's men abstained from.
ἐκfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
πάντωνallGenitivepartitive genitive (modifying τῶν αὐτοῦ)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; 'of all that is his.'
τῶνthe (things)Genitivearticle (substantivizing αὐτοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (substantivized)→ relational specificationαὐτός: τῶν αὐτοῦ = 'his possessions.'
οὐθένnothingAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖν (emphatic negation)→ object specificationοὐθείς (= οὐδείς): 'nothing'; Hellenistic spelling with θ; David took absolutely nothing.
καὶand / yetadversative-coordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('and yet'), marking the unjust return.
ἀνταπέδωκένhe has repaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνταποδίδωμιmain verb (requital)→ verbal action or stateἀνταποδίδωμι: 'repay/requite/recompense'; renders שִׁלֵּם / גָּמַל; the verb of (in this case unjust) recompense — Nabal has paid back evil for David's good.
μοιmeDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
πονηρὰevil thingsAccusativedirect object (substantivized adjective)→ object specificationπονηρός: 'evil/bad'; neuter plural 'evil (deeds),' the unjust requital.
ἀντὶfor / in return forpreposition + genitive (exchange)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί + genitive: 'in place of/in return for'; the idiom πονηρὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν ('evil for good') is a stock antithesis of ingratitude (cf. Ps 34:12 LXX; Gen 44:4).
ἀγαθῶνgood thingsGenitiveobject of ἀντί→ relational specificationἀγαθός: 'good'; neuter plural 'good (deeds),' David's protective kindness.
22

τάδε ποιήσαι ὁ θεὸς τῷ Δαυιδ καὶ τάδε προσθείη εἰ ὑπολείψομαι ἐκ πάντων τῶν τοῦ Ναβαλ ἕως πρωὶ οὐροῦντα πρὸς τοῖχον

May God do thus to David and thus add more, if I leave alive of all that belongs to Nabal until morning even one that urinates against a wall.

David's rash self-imprecatory oath (the climax of his anger)τάδε ποιήσαι ὁ θεὸς
David swears a self-curse oath (τάδε ποιήσαι … καὶ τάδε προσθείη, 'may God do so … and add more') — the standard LXX oath-formula — vowing to leave no male of Nabal's house alive. The crude idiom οὐροῦντα πρὸς τοῖχον ('one urinating against a wall') is the LXX's literal calque of the Hebrew expression for 'male.' This is precisely the blood-guilt Abigail will avert.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
τάδεthus / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative object (content of the curse)→ object specificationὅδε: 'this/these'; in the oath-formula τάδε ποιήσαι ὁ θεός ('may God do so') the τάδε gestures vaguely at unspecified calamity invoked on oneself.
ποιήσαιmay he doAor Act Opt 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (optative of wish: self-imprecation)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do/make'; the aorist optative ποιήσαι expresses the wish/curse; τάδε ποιήσαι ὁ θεός renders the Hebrew oath-formula כֹּה יַעֲשֶׂה אֱלֹהִים.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of the oath-formula→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; invoked as the executor of the self-curse.
τῷtoDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidDativeindirect object (indeclinable; David speaks of himself in the third person)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; David refers to himself in the third person in the oath, a common convention (cf. the MT 'to the enemies of David').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τάδεthus / moreAccusativedemonstrative object (intensifying the curse)→ object specificationὅδε: the repeated τάδε in 'and may he add thus' heightens the self-curse.
προσθείηmay he addAor Act Opt 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (optative of wish)→ verbal action or stateπροστίθημι: 'add/add more'; καὶ τάδε προσθείη renders וְכֹה יֹסִיף, the intensifying second half of the oath-formula ('and may he add yet more').
εἰif (surely not)conditional particle (oath-negation Hebraism)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: in oath-formulae εἰ renders the Hebrew אִם, functioning as an emphatic negation ('I will surely NOT leave …') — the apodosis ('God do so') stands for the unspeakable curse.
ὑπολείψομαιI will leave (remaining)Fut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ὑπολείπωverb of oath-clause→ verbal action or stateὑπολείπω (mid.): 'leave behind/leave remaining/spare'; renders שָׁאַר (Hiphil); in the oath 'if I leave any survivor' = 'I will surely leave none.'
ἐκof / frompreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
πάντωνallGenitivepartitive genitive→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; 'of all that belongs to Nabal.'
τῶνthe (those)Genitivearticle (substantivizing)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τοῦof the / belonging toGenitivearticle (possessive, with Ναβαλ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΝαβαλNabalgenitive of possession (indeclinable; τῶν τοῦ Ναβαλ = 'those of Nabal')→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: indeclinable; τῶν τοῦ Ναβαλ = 'all who belong to Nabal,' i.e. his males/household.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; ἕως πρωί ('until morning') sets the deadline of the threatened slaughter.
πρωὶmorningtemporal adverb (object of ἕως)→ clausal contributionπρωί: 'early/morning'; renders בֹּקֶר; the limit by which no male would survive.
οὐροῦνταone urinatingPres Act Ptc Acc Sg Masc · οὐρέωsubstantival participle (direct object of ὑπολείψομαι)→ verbal action or stateοὐρέω: 'urinate'; the substantival participle οὐροῦντα πρὸς τοῖχον ('one who urinates against a wall') is the LXX's literal calque of the Hebrew idiom מַשְׁתִּין בְּקִיר, a coarse expression for 'male' — David vows to destroy every male of Nabal's house.
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τοῖχονwallAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationτοῖχος: 'wall (of a house)'; renders קִיר; completes the crude Hebrew idiom for 'male.'
23

καὶ εἶδεν Αβιγαια τὸν Δαυιδ καὶ ἔσπευσεν καὶ κατεπήδησεν ἀπὸ τῆς ὄνου καὶ ἔπεσεν ἐνώπιον Δαυιδ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῆς καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν

And Abigail saw David, and she hastened and dismounted from the donkey, and fell before David on her face, and bowed down to him to the ground.

Abigail's act of submission (preparing her plea)καὶ εἶδεν Αβιγαια τὸν Δαυιδ
A rapid sequence of aorists (εἶδεν … ἔσπευσεν … κατεπήδησεν … ἔπεσεν … προσεκύνησεν) conveys Abigail's instant, total self-abasement. The repeated ἔσπευσεν echoes v. 18; the prostration ἐπὶ πρόσωπον … ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν is the deepest gesture of supplication, disarming David's wrath before she utters a word.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράω (εἶδον)main verb (perception)→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see'; Abigail's sight of David triggers her instant submission.
ΑβιγαιαAbigailsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβιγαια: indeclinable.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with name)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDaviddirect object (articular indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; here with accusative article τόν as object.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσπευσενhastenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σπεύδωmain verb (urgency)→ verbal action or stateσπεύδω: 'hasten'; the recurrence (cf. v. 18) underlines Abigail's decisive speed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατεπήδησενdismounted / leapt downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταπηδάωmain verb (dismounting)→ verbal action or stateκαταπηδάω: 'leap/jump down'; renders יָרַד; she quickly gets down from the donkey to prostrate herself.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνουdonkeyGenitiveobject of ἀπό→ relational specificationὄνος: 'donkey'; feminine (the she-ass).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔπεσενfellAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (prostration)→ verbal action or stateπίπτω: 'fall'; renders נָפַל; the gesture of falling before a superior in supplication.
ἐνώπιονbefore / in front ofpreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before/in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; Hebraistic improper preposition.
ΔαυιδDavidobject of ἐνώπιον (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
ἐπὶon / uponpreposition + accusative (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (position).
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeobject of ἐπί ('on her face')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ('fell on her face') is the deepest posture of homage (cf. Gen 17:3).
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσεκύνησενbowed down / did obeisanceAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσκυνέωmain verb (homage)→ verbal action or stateπροσκυνέω: 'do obeisance/prostrate oneself'; renders שָׁחָה / הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה; here homage to a superior, not worship; takes the dative αὐτῷ.
αὐτῷto himDativedative complement of προσεκύνησεν→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative complement of προσεκύνησεν.
ἐπὶto / uponpreposition + accusative (extent: 'to the ground')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (extent: 'to the ground').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνground / earthAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationγῆ: 'earth/ground'; προσκυνέω ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν = bowing to the ground, the full prostration of supplication.
24

ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν ἐν ἐμοί κύριέ μου ἡ ἀδικία λαλησάτω δὴ ἡ δούλη σου εἰς τὰ ὦτά σου καὶ ἄκουσον τῆς δούλης σου λόγον

And falling at his feet she said, 'On me, my lord, be the guilt! Let your servant speak, please, in your ears, and hear the word of your servant.'

Opening of Abigail's speech (taking the blame upon herself)ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν
Abigail's speech opens with stunning self-sacrifice: ἐν ἐμοί … ἡ ἀδικία ('on me be the guilt'). She addresses David as κύριέ μου — 'my lord' (HUMAN, throughout her speech) — and adopts the self-effacing ἡ δούλη σου ('your servant/handmaid'), a posture she sustains. The polite δή and the request to 'speak in your ears' frame her plea with utmost deference.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
ἐπὶat / uponpreposition + accusative (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'at/upon'; ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ ('at his feet') continues the prostration of v. 23.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόδαςfeetAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationπούς: 'foot'; falling 'at his feet' is the climactic gesture of supplication.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Abigail's great intercessory speech (vv. 24–31).
ἐνon / inpreposition + dative (sphere: 'on me')→ spatial or relational framingἐν ἐμοί: 'on me'; the idiom ἐν ἐμοί … ἡ ἀδικία ('on me be the guilt') renders Hebrew בִּי אֲנִי … הֶעָוֹן, Abigail's voluntary assumption of blame.
ἐμοίmeDativeobject of ἐν (emphatic first person)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. ἐμοί): emphatic; Abigail places the guilt squarely on herself.
κύριέmy lordVocativevocative of address (to David)→ direct addressκύριος (voc. κύριε): here a HUMAN 'lord' — Abigail's deferential address to David (κύριέ μου, 'my lord'), sustained throughout her speech; NOT the Tetragrammaton.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (with κύριε)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with κύριε).
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδικίαguilt / wrongNominativesubject (of implied verb 'be'): 'the guilt (be) on me'→ participant prominenceἀδικία: 'injustice/wrong/guilt'; renders עָוֹן; Abigail takes upon herself the legal liability for Nabal's offense.
λαλησάτωlet speakAor Act Impv 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (third-person imperative of request)→ verbal action or stateλαλέω: 'speak'; the deferential third-person request 'let your servant speak' seeks permission to plead her case.
δὴplease / prayparticle of entreaty→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: hortatory/entreaty particle rendering נָא; softens the request.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούληservant / handmaidNominativesubject of λαλησάτω (self-designation)→ participant prominenceδούλη: 'female slave/handmaid'; renders שִׁפְחָה / אָמָה; Abigail's self-effacing self-reference (ἡ δούλη σου), recurring throughout her speech (vv. 24, 25, 27, 28, 31).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςin / intopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὦτάearsAccusativeobject of εἰς ('in your ears')→ object specificationοὖς (pl. ὦτα): 'ear'; λαλεῖν εἰς τὰ ὦτα ('speak in the ears of') is a Hebraism for direct, personal address (cf. Exod 11:2).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἄκουσονhearAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (imperative of entreaty)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear/listen'; renders שָׁמַע; Abigail asks David to give her plea a hearing.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούληςservant / handmaidGenitivegenitive (possessor of λόγον: 'your servant's word')→ relational specificationδούλη: Abigail's self-designation, here in the genitive.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
λόγονwordAccusativedirect object of ἄκουσον→ object specificationλόγος: 'word/plea'; renders דָּבָר; the substance of Abigail's intercession that David is asked to hear.
25

μὴ δὴ θέσθω ὁ κύριός μου καρδίαν αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸν ἄνθρωπον τὸν λοιμὸν τοῦτον ὅτι κατὰ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ οὕτως ἐστίν Ναβαλ ὄνομα αὐτῷ καὶ ἀφροσύνη μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐγὼ ἡ δούλη σου οὐκ εἶδον τὰ παιδάριά σου ἃ ἀπέστειλας

Let not my lord, please, set his heart against this worthless man, for as his name, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him. But I, your servant, did not see my lord's young men whom you sent.

Abigail's plea: disregard the fool (name-pun argument)μὴ δὴ θέσθω ὁ κύριός μου
Abigail urges David not to take Nabal seriously: he is a mere λοιμός ('worthless fellow'), living up to his name — Ναβαλ means 'fool,' and ἀφροσύνη ('folly') is his constant companion. The wordplay κατὰ τὸ ὄνομα … Ναβαλ … ἀφροσύνη is the rhetorical hinge. She also pleads her own innocence: she never saw David's envoys. κύριός μου here is HUMAN (David).
Word-by-word analysis· 40 words
μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: negative for the volitive/imperative ('let not').
δὴplease / prayparticle of entreaty→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: entreaty particle (Heb. נָא); softens the negative command.
θέσθωlet him setAor Mid Impv 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (third-person prohibition)→ verbal action or stateτίθημι (mid. θέσθω): 'set/put/place'; the idiom θέσθαι καρδίαν ἐπί ('set the heart upon') = 'pay regard to/take to heart'; Abigail begs David not to dignify Nabal with his attention.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριόςmy lordNominativesubject (deferential third-person reference to David)→ participant prominenceκύριος: HUMAN 'lord' — David, addressed deferentially in the third person (ὁ κύριός μου, 'my lord'); not the Tetragrammaton.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καρδίανheartAccusativedirect object of θέσθω→ object specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; in the idiom 'set the heart upon' = give attention/concern to.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐπὶagainst / uponpreposition + accusative (object of attention)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (object of attention).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωπονmanAccusativeobject of ἐπί (Nabal)→ object specificationἄνθρωπος: 'man'; here 'this worthless man,' Nabal.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λοιμὸνworthless / pestilentAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄνθρωπον)→ object specificationλοιμός: 'pestilent/worthless'; renders בְּלִיַּעַל; the same dismissive epithet the servant used of Nabal (v. 17, υἱὸς λοιμός).
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; contemptuous demonstrative ('this worthless man').
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; grounds the plea in Nabal's character.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (correspondence)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: 'according to'; κατὰ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ('as his name') sets up the name-pun.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameAccusativeobject of κατά→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; the pivot of the wordplay — Nabal's name (= 'fool') matches his nature.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οὕτωςso / thusadverb (correlative with κατά)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'so/thus'; 'as his name, so is he' — character matches name.
ἐστίνhe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'is'; the copula of the name-character equation.
ΝαβαλNabal (= Fool)predicate (indeclinable, the name)→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: Hebrew נָבָל means 'fool/senseless person'; Abigail makes the latent meaning explicit, punning name against folly.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject ('his name')→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; ὄνομα αὐτῷ ('his name is') — verbless nominal clause.
αὐτῷto him / hisDativedative of possession ('his name')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: dative of possession in the naming clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀφροσύνηfollyNominativesubject ('folly is with him')→ participant prominenceἀφροσύνη: 'folly/senselessness'; renders נְבָלָה; cognate in sense with the name Ναβαλ; 'folly is with him' completes the name-pun.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + genitive: 'with'; elided μετ᾿ before αὐτοῦ.
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of μετά→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of μετά.
καὶand / butcoordinate conjunction (mild contrast)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here mildly contrastive, shifting to Abigail's own plea of innocence.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic; Abigail distances herself from Nabal's offense.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούληservant / handmaidNominativeappositive to ἐγώ (self-designation)→ participant prominenceδούλη: 'handmaid'; Abigail's recurring self-reference.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οὐκnotnegative adverb→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
εἶδονI sawAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράω (εἶδον)main verb (negated)→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'; Abigail pleads she never saw David's envoys — she bears no personal blame for the affront.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριάyoung menAccusativedirect object of εἶδον→ object specificationπαιδάριον: David's envoys, whom Abigail says she never saw.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
whomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀπέστειλας)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, neuter plural agreeing with παιδάρια.
ἀπέστειλαςyou sentAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀποστέλλωverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω: 'send'; referring to David's dispatch of the envoys (vv. 5, 9).
26

καὶ νῦν κύριε ζῇ κύριος καὶ ζῇ ἡ ψυχή σου καθὼς ἐκώλυσέν σε κύριος τοῦ μὴ ἐλθεῖν εἰς αἷμα ἀθῷον καὶ σῴζειν τὴν χεῖρά σού σοι καὶ νῦν γένοιντο ὡς Ναβαλ οἱ ἐχθροί σου καὶ οἱ ζητοῦντες τῷ κυρίῳ μου κακά

And now, my lord, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives — since the LORD has kept you from coming into blood-guilt and from saving yourself with your own hand — now may your enemies, and those who seek evil against my lord, become like Nabal.

Abigail's oath and prophetic wish (the theological turn)καὶ νῦν κύριε ζῇ κύριος
Abigail binds her plea with the double oath-formula ζῇ κύριος καὶ ζῇ ἡ ψυχή σου ('as the LORD lives and as your soul lives'). Here κύριος (in ζῇ κύριος and ἐκώλυσέν σε κύριος) is the Tetragrammaton — YHWH himself restrains David from blood-guilt — while κύριε (address) and τῷ κυρίῳ μου are HUMAN (David). The wish that David's enemies become 'like Nabal' subtly foreshadows Nabal's coming death.
Word-by-word analysis· 41 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with νῦν)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (discourse transition)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν (Heb. וְעַתָּה) introduces the central oath of the speech.
κύριεmy lordVocativevocative of address (to David)→ direct addressκύριος (voc.): HUMAN 'lord' — direct address to David; not the Tetragrammaton.
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωverb of oath-formula ('as the LORD lives')→ verbal action or stateζάω: 'live'; ζῇ κύριος ('as the LORD lives') renders חַי יהוה, the standard oath-asseveration invoking YHWH's life as guarantor.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ζῇ (the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: here the TETRAGRAMMATON (YHWH); the living God by whom Abigail swears.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωverb of second oath-clause→ verbal action or stateζάω: the doubled oath ζῇ ἡ ψυχή σου ('as your soul lives') renders חֵי נַפְשְׁךָ, joining David's own life to the asseveration.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχήsoul / lifeNominativesubject of second ζῇ→ participant prominenceψυχή: 'soul/life/self'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; 'your soul/life' as the second guarantor of the oath.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καθὼςsince / inasmuch assubordinating conjunction (causal-comparative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθώς: 'as/just as/since'; here introducing the ground of the oath — YHWH's restraining of David.
ἐκώλυσένrestrained / kept backAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κωλύωverb of causal clause→ verbal action or stateκωλύω: 'hinder/restrain/keep back'; renders מָנַע; Abigail credits YHWH himself (through her intervention) with keeping David from bloodshed — anticipating the outcome as already accomplished.
σεyouAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἐκώλυσέν (the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the TETRAGRAMMATON (YHWH), the agent who restrains David from blood-guilt.
τοῦfrom / ofGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive of separation)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ + infinitive: here a genitive articular infinitive of hindrance/separation ('from coming').
μὴnotredundant negative (with verb of hindering)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: the redundant μή after a verb of hindering (κωλύω) is idiomatic Greek ('kept you from coming').
ἐλθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιarticular infinitive (of hindrance)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come'; ἐλθεῖν εἰς αἷμα ('come into blood') = incur blood-guilt by shedding innocent blood.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (entry into a state)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (entry into a state).
αἷμαblood / bloodshedAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood/bloodshed/blood-guilt'; renders דָּמִים; 'coming into blood' = incurring the guilt of shedding innocent blood — the central moral stake of the chapter.
ἀθῷονinnocentAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying αἷμα)→ object specificationἀθῷος: 'innocent/unpunished/guiltless'; renders נָקִי; 'innocent blood' is blood shed without just cause, bringing guilt on the shedder.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking infinitives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σῴζεινto save / avengePres Act Inf · σῴζωinfinitive (coordinate, of hindrance)→ verbal action or stateσῴζω: 'save/deliver'; here the idiom σῴζειν τὴν χεῖρά σού σοι ('save your hand for yourself') = to take vengeance/secure redress by one's own hand; YHWH keeps David from self-help vengeance.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράhandAccusativedirect object of σῴζειν→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; here metonymy for self-administered vengeance ('your own hand').
σούyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσού: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
σοιfor yourselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive: 'for yourself')→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): dative of advantage; 'saving your hand for yourself' = taking vengeance into your own hands.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with νῦν)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; introduces the imprecatory wish.
γένοιντοmay they becomeAor Mid Opt 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (optative of wish)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι: 'become'; the optative γένοιντο expresses the wish that David's enemies share Nabal's fate — an ominous foreshadowing of Nabal's death.
ὡςlike / ascomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'like'; 'like Nabal' — i.e. cursed, doomed.
ΝαβαλNabalobject of comparison (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: indeclinable; the standard of the imprecation — Abigail unwittingly prophesies his end.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθροίenemiesNominativesubject of γένοιντο→ participant prominenceἐχθρός: 'enemy/hostile'; renders אֹיֵב; David's foes, wished the fate of Nabal.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱthe (those)Nominativearticle (with participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ζητοῦντεςthose who seekPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ζητέωsubstantival participle (subject, coordinate with ἐχθροί)→ verbal action or stateζητέω: 'seek'; οἱ ζητοῦντες … κακά ('those who seek evil') = those plotting David's harm.
τῷto / againstDativearticle (with κυρίῳ, dative of disadvantage)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳlordDativedative of disadvantage (against David)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: HUMAN 'lord' — David (τῷ κυρίῳ μου); the dative of disadvantage ('evil against my lord'); not the Tetragrammaton.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κακάevil thingsAccusativedirect object of ζητοῦντες→ object specificationκακός: 'evil/bad'; neuter plural 'evils,' the harm sought against David.
27

καὶ νῦν λαβὲ τὴν εὐλογίαν ταύτην ἣν ἐνήνοχεν ἡ δούλη σου τῷ κυρίῳ μου καὶ δώσεις τοῖς παιδαρίοις τοῖς παρεστηκόσιν τῷ κυρίῳ μου

And now, take this blessing which your servant has brought to my lord, and give it to the young men who attend my lord.

Presentation of the gift (the 'blessing')καὶ νῦν λαβὲ τὴν εὐλογίαν ταύτην
Abigail presents her gift, calling it εὐλογία ('a blessing') — a gracious euphemism for a present given to secure favor (cf. Gen 33:11). She humbly directs it to David's young men, again styling herself ἡ δούλη σου and David τῷ κυρίῳ μου (HUMAN throughout).
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with νῦν)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (discourse transition)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν shifts to the practical presentation of the gift.
λαβὲtakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (request)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take/receive'; Abigail asks David to accept her present.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐλογίανblessing / giftAccusativedirect object of λαβέ→ object specificationεὐλογία: 'blessing'; renders בְּרָכָה; used euphemistically of a present/gift offered to win favor (cf. Gen 33:11; 2 Kgdms 9:6 LXX).
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the gift she has just brought.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐνήνοχεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, feminine, agreeing with εὐλογίαν.
ἐνήνοχενhas broughtPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · φέρωverb of relative clause (perfect)→ verbal action or stateφέρω (perf. ἐνήνοχεν): 'bring/carry'; the perfect stresses that the gift has been brought and now lies ready for David.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούληservant / handmaidNominativesubject of ἐνήνοχεν (self-designation)→ participant prominenceδούλη: Abigail's humble self-reference.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳlordDativeindirect object (HUMAN: David)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: HUMAN 'lord' — David (τῷ κυρίῳ μου); not the Tetragrammaton.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δώσειςyou shall giveFut Act Indic 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (future with directive force)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give'; the future δώσεις functions as a gentle directive — David may distribute the gift to his men.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίοιςyoung men / servantsDativeindirect object→ sphere or referenceπαιδάριον: David's followers/retainers, the recipients of the distributed gift.
τοῖςthe (who)Dativearticle (with participle)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεστηκόσινwho attend / stand byPerf Act Ptc Dat Pl Masc · παρίστημιattributive participle (modifying παιδαρίοις)→ verbal action or stateπαρίστημι (perf. ptc. παρεστηκώς): 'stand by/attend/be in attendance'; the perfect denotes the settled status of David's attendants (cf. courtiers 'standing before' a king).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳlordDativedative complement of παρεστηκόσιν (HUMAN: David)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: HUMAN 'lord' — David, whom the young men attend; not the Tetragrammaton.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
28

ἆρον δὴ τὸ ἀνόμημα τῆς δούλης σου ὅτι ποιῶν ποιήσει κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μου οἶκον πιστόν ὅτι πόλεμον κυρίου ὁ κύριός μου πολεμεῖ καὶ κακία οὐχ εὑρεθήσεται ἐν σοὶ πώποτε

Forgive, please, the trespass of your servant, for the LORD will surely make my lord a sure house, because my lord fights the battles of the LORD, and evil shall never be found in you.

Petition for pardon + prophecy of the sure house (theological climax)ἆρον δὴ τὸ ἀνόμημα τῆς δούλης σου
The petition ἆρον … τὸ ἀνόμημα ('take away/forgive the trespass') leads into the speech's great prophetic promise: the LORD will make David οἶκον πιστόν ('a sure/enduring house') — language echoing the dynastic promise of 2 Kgdms 7 — because David fights πόλεμον κυρίου ('the battles of the LORD'). Here κύριος = YHWH (ποιήσει κύριος; πόλεμον κυρίου) and ὁ κύριός μου / τῷ κυρίῳ μου = David (HUMAN). The cognate ποιῶν ποιήσει is an emphatic Hebraism.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
ἆρονtake away / forgiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · αἴρωmain verb (petition)→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: 'lift/take away'; the idiom αἴρειν τὸ ἀνόμημα ('take away the trespass') = forgive/pardon (cf. נָשָׂא פֶּשַׁע).
δὴplease / prayparticle of entreaty→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: entreaty particle (Heb. נָא).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνόμημαtrespass / transgressionAccusativedirect object of ἆρον→ object specificationἀνόμημα: 'lawless act/transgression/trespass'; renders פֶּשַׁע; the offense for which Abigail seeks pardon on her own (and her household's) behalf.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούληςservant / handmaidGenitivepossessive genitive (self-designation)→ relational specificationδούλη: Abigail's humble self-reference.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; grounds the petition in the prophetic assurance that follows.
ποιῶνsurely (doing)Pres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωcognate participle (intensifying ποιήσει: Hebraism)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do/make'; the figura etymologica ποιῶν ποιήσει ('doing he will do' = 'will surely do/make') renders the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute עָשֹׂה יַעֲשֶׂה, expressing certainty.
ποιήσειwill makeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (predictive: the divine promise)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'make'; ποιήσει … οἶκον πιστόν ('will make a sure house') is the dynastic promise, anticipating the Davidic covenant of 2 Kgdms 7:16 (οἶκος πιστός).
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ποιήσει (the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the TETRAGRAMMATON (YHWH), maker of David's sure house.
τῷto the / forDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳlordDativeindirect object (HUMAN: David)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: HUMAN 'lord' — David (τῷ κυρίῳ μου); the beneficiary of the divine promise; not the Tetragrammaton.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οἶκονhouseAccusativedirect object of ποιήσει→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house/dynasty'; renders בַּיִת; here the enduring royal house/dynasty promised to David.
πιστόνsure / faithful / enduringAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying οἶκον)→ object specificationπιστός: 'faithful/trustworthy/enduring'; renders נֶאֱמָן; οἶκος πιστός ('a sure house') is the precise phrase of the dynastic oracle (2 Kgdms 7:16; cf. 3 Kgdms 11:38).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; gives the reason for the sure house — David's holy warfare.
πόλεμονwar / battleAccusativecognate accusative (with πολεμεῖ)→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war/battle'; πόλεμον κυρίου ('the battles of the LORD') casts David's campaigns as YHWH's own holy wars (cf. 1 Kgdms 18:17; 'the wars of the LORD,' Num 21:14).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (the LORD's battles)→ relational specificationκύριος: the TETRAGRAMMATON (YHWH); the wars David fights are the LORD's.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριόςlordNominativesubject of πολεμεῖ (HUMAN: David)→ participant prominenceκύριος: HUMAN 'lord' — David (ὁ κύριός μου), the one who wages the LORD's battles; not the Tetragrammaton.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
πολεμεῖfights / wages warPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πολεμέωmain verb (characterizing David's vocation)→ verbal action or stateπολεμέω: 'wage war/fight'; the present marks David's ongoing vocation as YHWH's warrior.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κακίαevilNominativesubject of εὑρεθήσεται→ participant prominenceκακία: 'evil/wickedness'; renders רָעָה; here moral evil — Abigail affirms David's blameless character.
οὐχnotnegative adverb (before rough breathing)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐ (οὐχ): negative; 'shall not be found.'
εὑρεθήσεταιshall be foundFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (predictive)→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (fut. pass.): 'be found'; Abigail's confidence that no moral evil will ever be found in David — provided he refrains now from needless bloodshed.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
σοὶyouDativeobject of ἐν→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοί): 'in you' — in David.
πώποτεever / at any timetemporal adverb (with negative: 'never')→ clausal contributionπώποτε: 'ever/at any time'; with the negation = 'never'; reinforces the absoluteness of the assurance.
29

καὶ ἀναστήσεται ἄνθρωπος καταδιώκων σε καὶ ζητῶν τὴν ψυχήν σου καὶ ἔσται ἡ ψυχὴ κυρίου μου ἐνδεδεμένη ἐν δεσμῷ τῆς ζωῆς παρὰ κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ καὶ ψυχὴν ἐχθρῶν σου σφενδονήσεις ἐν μέσῳ τῆς σφενδόνης

And though a man rises up to pursue you and to seek your life, the life of my lord will be bound in the bundle of the living with the LORD God; but the life of your enemies you will sling out from the midst of the sling.

Lyrical heart of the speech: the bundle of the living vs. the slingκαὶ ἀναστήσεται ἄνθρωπος
The speech's poetic summit. Against any pursuer (Saul implied), David's ψυχή will be 'bound in the bundle of the living' (ἐνδεδεμένη ἐν δεσμῷ τῆς ζωῆς) — secure in YHWH's keeping — while his enemies' lives will be slung away ἐν μέσῳ τῆς σφενδόνης. The sling-image poignantly recalls David's own victory over Goliath. Here κύριος = YHWH (παρὰ κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ) and κυρίου μου = David (HUMAN).
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶand / thoughcoordinate conjunction (concessive nuance)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here with concessive nuance ('and though').
ἀναστήσεταιwill rise upFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (hypothetical pursuer)→ verbal action or stateἀνίστημι (mid.): 'rise up/stand up (against)'; renders קוּם; of an adversary arising to pursue David (Saul is the obvious referent).
ἄνθρωποςa manNominativesubject (the hypothetical pursuer)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man'; an indefinite adversary — diplomatically unnamed, but Saul is meant.
καταδιώκωνpursuingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · καταδιώκωcircumstantial participle (purpose/attendant)→ verbal action or stateκαταδιώκω: 'pursue closely/hunt down'; renders רָדַף; the relentless pursuit David endured from Saul.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of καταδιώκων→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of καταδιώκων.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ζητῶνseekingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ζητέωcircumstantial participle (coordinate)→ verbal action or stateζητέω: 'seek'; ζητεῖν τὴν ψυχήν ('seek the life of') is the standard idiom for a deadly threat to life (Heb. בִּקֵּשׁ אֶת נֶפֶשׁ).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχήνlife / soulAccusativedirect object of ζητῶν→ object specificationψυχή: 'life/soul'; the object of the pursuer's deadly intent.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶyet / andcoordinate conjunction (adversative force in concession)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('yet'), contrasting the pursuer's threat with David's divine security.
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (periphrastic with participle)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'will be'; with the participle ἐνδεδεμένη forms a periphrastic future ('will be bound').
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχὴlife / soulNominativesubject ('the life of my lord')→ participant prominenceψυχή: 'life/soul'; David's life, secured by YHWH.
κυρίουlordGenitivegenitive of possession (HUMAN: David)→ relational specificationκύριος: HUMAN 'lord' — David (κυρίου μου); not the Tetragrammaton.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνδεδεμένηbound upPerf Mid/Pass Ptc Nom Sg Fem · ἐνδέωpredicate participle (periphrastic with ἔσται)→ verbal action or stateἐνδέω: 'bind in/tie up'; the perfect participle in the image ἐνδεδεμένη ἐν δεσμῷ τῆς ζωῆς ('bound in the bundle of the living') renders the Hebrew צְרוּרָה בִּצְרוֹר הַחַיִּים — life kept safe as a precious thing tied up in a bundle for safekeeping.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
δεσμῷbundle / bondDativeobject of ἐν (locative of the image)→ sphere or referenceδεσμός: 'bond/bundle/that which binds'; renders צְרוֹר ('bundle/pouch'); the 'bundle of the living' is a treasured pouch in which life is securely tied — a metaphor for divine protection.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ζωῆςof life / of the livingGenitivegenitive (defining δεσμῷ: 'bundle of life')→ relational specificationζωή: 'life'; δεσμὸς τῆς ζωῆς ('bundle of the living') — the company of the living kept safe by God.
παρὰwith / besidepreposition + dative (in the keeping of)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + dative: 'with/in the keeping of'; David's life is secure 'with the LORD God.'
κυρίῳthe LORDDativeobject of παρά (the divine name)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the TETRAGRAMMATON (YHWH); παρὰ κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ = 'with the LORD God,' the keeper of David's life.
τῷtheDativearticle (with θεῷ in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεῷGodDativeapposition to κυρίῳ ('the LORD God')→ sphere or referenceθεός: 'God'; in apposition to κυρίῳ, rendering יהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ / the divine title.
καὶbut / andcoordinate conjunction (antithesis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('but'), contrasting the enemies' fate with David's security.
ψυχὴνlife / soulAccusativedirect object of σφενδονήσεις (fronted)→ object specificationψυχή: 'life'; here the lives of David's enemies, the object slung away.
ἐχθρῶνof enemiesGenitivegenitive of possession (the enemies' lives)→ relational specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy'; the foes whose lives will be flung away like a sling-stone.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
σφενδονήσειςyou will sling outFut Act Indic 2 Sg · σφενδονάωmain verb (predictive)→ verbal action or stateσφενδονάω: 'sling/hurl with a sling'; the vivid image of slinging away the enemies' lives poignantly evokes David's own sling that felled Goliath (1 Kgdms 17:49).
ἐνin / frompreposition + dative (locative of the image)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative of the image).
μέσῳmidstDativeobject of ἐν ('in the midst of')→ sphere or referenceμέσος: 'middle/midst'; ἐν μέσῳ τῆς σφενδόνης = 'from the pocket of the sling,' whence the stone is hurled.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σφενδόνηςslingGenitivegenitive (defining μέσῳ: 'midst of the sling')→ relational specificationσφενδόνη: 'sling'; renders קֶלַע; the weapon-image completing the antithesis — enemies hurled away as a stone from the sling.
30

καὶ ἔσται ὅτι ποιήσει κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μου πάντα ὅσα ἐλάλησεν ἀγαθὰ ἐπὶ σέ καὶ ἐντελεῖταί σοι κύριος εἰς ἡγούμενον ἐπὶ Ισραηλ

And it shall be, when the LORD does for my lord all the good things that he has spoken concerning you, and the LORD appoints you as ruler over Israel,

Prophecy of David's accession (protasis of vv. 30–31)καὶ ἔσται ὅτι ποιήσει κύριος
Abigail looks ahead to David's certain kingship: when the LORD fulfils all his good promises and appoints David ἡγούμενον ἐπὶ Ισραηλ ('ruler over Israel'). This forms the protasis whose apodosis comes in v. 31 — David will then be glad he kept his hands clean of blood. Here κύριος = YHWH throughout (ποιήσει κύριος; ἐντελεῖταί … κύριος); τῷ κυρίῳ μου = David (HUMAN).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίimpersonal verb (temporal framing: 'and it shall come to pass')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (fut. ἔσται): καὶ ἔσται renders Hebrew וְהָיָה, the future temporal-framing formula introducing a foretold event.
ὅτιwhentemporal conjunction ('when')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: here temporal ('when'), introducing the protasis of the prophecy.
ποιήσειwill doFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of temporal clause→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do/make'; YHWH will perform all the good he promised David.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ποιήσει (the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the TETRAGRAMMATON (YHWH).
τῷto the / forDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳlordDativeindirect object (HUMAN: David)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: HUMAN 'lord' — David (τῷ κυρίῳ μου); not the Tetragrammaton.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
πάνταallAccusativedirect object of ποιήσει (with ὅσα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; 'all the good things' YHWH promised.
ὅσαas many as / whateverAccusativerelative pronoun (correlative with πάντα)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as'; πάντα ὅσα = 'all that.'
ἐλάλησενhe has spokenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateλαλέω: 'speak'; refers to YHWH's prior promises concerning David (e.g. the anointing of 1 Kgdms 16).
ἀγαθὰgood thingsAccusativeappositive object (the content of the promises)→ object specificationἀγαθός: 'good'; neuter plural 'good things,' the substance of the divine promises to David.
ἐπὶconcerning / uponpreposition + accusative (reference)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'concerning/with reference to'; the good spoken 'concerning you.'
σέyouAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ participant referenceσέ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐπί.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐντελεῖταίwill appoint / commissionFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb (coordinate prediction)→ verbal action or stateἐντέλλομαι: 'command/charge/appoint'; here 'will commission/appoint you as ruler'; renders צִוָּה; YHWH's installation of David over Israel.
σοιyouDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἐντελεῖταί (the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the TETRAGRAMMATON (YHWH), who appoints David ruler.
εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (predicative role)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + accusative: predicative 'as' (Hebraism for לְ), 'appoint you as ruler.'
ἡγούμενονruler / leaderPres Mid Ptc Acc Sg Masc · ἡγέομαιsubstantival participle (predicative: 'as ruler')→ verbal action or stateἡγέομαι: 'lead/govern'; the substantival participle ἡγούμενος ('leader/ruler/prince') renders נָגִיד, the title used of David's designation as ruler over Israel (cf. 1 Kgdms 13:14; 2 Kgdms 5:2).
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (authority over)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'over'; 'ruler over Israel.'
ΙσραηλIsraelobject of ἐπί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the nation over which David will rule.
31

καὶ οὐκ ἔσται σοι τοῦτο βδελυγμὸς καὶ σκάνδαλον τῷ κυρίῳ μου ἐκχέαι αἷμα ἀθῷον δωρεὰν καὶ σῶσαι χεῖρα κυρίου μου αὐτῷ καὶ ἀγαθώσει κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μου καὶ μνησθήσῃ τῆς δούλης σου ἀγαθῶσαι αὐτῇ

then this shall not be to you a cause of staggering or a stumbling-block of heart for my lord — to have shed innocent blood without cause and to have avenged himself by my lord's own hand. And when the LORD deals well with my lord, then remember your servant, to do her good.

Apodosis: restraint now spares future remorse + personal requestκαὶ οὐκ ἔσται σοι τοῦτο
The apodosis: when David is king, he will be spared the grief of a conscience stained by needless bloodshed (βδελυγμὸς καὶ σκάνδαλον — 'staggering and stumbling-block'). Abigail ends with a delicate personal petition: 'remember your servant' when YHWH prospers David. Here κύριος = YHWH (ἀγαθώσει κύριος); τῷ κυρίῳ μου / κυρίου μου = David (HUMAN).
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶand / thencoordinate conjunction (apodosis-marker)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: introduces the apodosis of the prophecy begun in v. 30.
οὐκnotnegative adverb→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (predictive)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'will be'; the negated 'this will not be to you a cause of remorse.'
σοιto youDativedative of disadvantage / possession→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of disadvantage / possession.
τοῦτοthisNominativesubject (the matter of bloodshed)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; pointing to the act of shedding blood, defined by the infinitives below.
βδελυγμὸςstaggering / abominationNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceβδελυγμός: 'abomination/loathing'; here a 'cause of staggering/revulsion' — the recoil of a guilty conscience over needless bloodshed.
καὶand / orcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σκάνδαλονstumbling-blockNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate with βδελυγμός)→ participant prominenceσκάνδαλον: 'snare/stumbling-block/cause of offense'; renders מִכְשׁוֹל; a 'stumbling-block of heart' (pang of conscience) that needless bloodshed would have caused David.
τῷto the / forDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳlordDativedative of disadvantage (HUMAN: David)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: HUMAN 'lord' — David (τῷ κυρίῳ μου); the one spared the stumbling-block; not the Tetragrammaton.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐκχέαιto have shed / pour outAor Act Inf · ἐκχέωepexegetic infinitive (defining τοῦτο)→ verbal action or stateἐκχέω: 'pour out/shed'; ἐκχέαι αἷμα ('shed blood') renders שָׁפַךְ דָּם; the epexegetic infinitive specifies the 'this' that would have troubled David's conscience.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of ἐκχέαι→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood'; the innocent blood David nearly shed.
ἀθῷονinnocentAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying αἷμα)→ object specificationἀθῷος: 'innocent/guiltless'; 'innocent blood,' as in v. 26.
δωρεὰνwithout cause / freelyadverbial accusative ('gratuitously')→ clausal contributionδωρεάν: 'as a gift/freely/without cause'; renders חִנָּם; here 'without just cause' — blood shed gratuitously brings guilt.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking infinitives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σῶσαιto save / avengeAor Act Inf · σῴζωepexegetic infinitive (coordinate)→ verbal action or stateσῴζω: 'save/deliver'; σῶσαι χεῖρα … αὐτῷ ('save his hand for himself') = take vengeance by one's own hand (cf. the same idiom in v. 26).
χεῖραhandAccusativedirect object of σῶσαι→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; metonymy for self-administered vengeance.
κυρίουlordGenitivegenitive of possession (HUMAN: David)→ relational specificationκύριος: HUMAN 'lord' — David (κυρίου μου, 'my lord's hand'); not the Tetragrammaton.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
αὐτῷfor himselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): reflexive dative of advantage, 'for himself' — David avenging himself by his own hand.
καὶand / whencoordinate conjunction (introducing the petition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀγαθώσειwill deal wellFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀγαθόωmain verb (predictive)→ verbal action or stateἀγαθόω: 'do good/deal well with'; renders הֵיטִיב; YHWH's future benefaction of David grounds Abigail's modest personal request.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἀγαθώσει (the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the TETRAGRAMMATON (YHWH), who will deal well with David.
τῷto the / withDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳlordDativeindirect object (HUMAN: David)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: HUMAN 'lord' — David (τῷ κυρίῳ μου); not the Tetragrammaton.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶthen / andcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'then'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μνησθήσῃrememberFut Pass(dep) Indic 2 Sg · μιμνῄσκομαιmain verb (future with imperatival/petitionary force)→ verbal action or stateμιμνῄσκομαι: 'remember/call to mind'; renders זָכַר; the future here is a deferential request ('then remember your servant') — Abigail's only personal petition, fulfilled when David marries her (v. 39).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούληςservant / handmaidGenitivegenitive object of μνησθήσῃ (verb of remembering takes genitive)→ relational specificationδούλη: Abigail's self-designation; μιμνῄσκομαι takes the genitive of the thing/person remembered.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἀγαθῶσαιto do goodAor Act Inf · ἀγαθόωinfinitive of purpose→ verbal action or stateἀγαθόω: 'do good to'; the infinitive of purpose ('to do her good') states the aim of David's remembering.
αὐτῇto herDativeindirect object of ἀγαθῶσαι→ participant reference or interestαὐτή (dat. αὐτῇ): 'to her' — Abigail, the object of the hoped-for kindness.
32

καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ τῇ Αβιγαια εὐλογητὸς κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ ὃς ἀπέστειλέν σε σήμερον ἐν ταύτῃ εἰς ἀπάντησίν μου

And David said to Abigail, 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me!'

David's response: blessing of the LORD (the turn from wrath)καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ τῇ Αβιγαια
David's answer (vv. 32–35) begins with the doxology εὐλογητὸς κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ ('Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel') — here κύριος is the Tetragrammaton — recognizing Abigail's coming as a providential intervention that has spared him from blood-guilt. The wrath of vv. 13, 22 dissolves into gratitude.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces David's grateful reply.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
τῇto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιγαιαAbigailDativeindirect object (indeclinable, with dative article)→ participant identificationΑβιγαια: indeclinable, governed by the dative article τῇ.
εὐλογητὸςblessedNominativepredicate adjective (doxology)→ participant prominenceεὐλογητός: 'blessed/praised'; renders בָּרוּךְ; the standard opening of a berakah (doxology), ascribing praise to YHWH.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of the doxology (the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the TETRAGRAMMATON (YHWH); the object of David's blessing.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativeapposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ ('the God of Israel') in apposition to κύριος, the covenant title of YHWH.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'God of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; defines YHWH as the covenant God of Israel.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἀπέστειλέν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; introduces the reason for the blessing — YHWH's providential sending of Abigail.
ἀπέστειλένsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω: 'send'; David sees Abigail's arrival as YHWH's own commissioning — divine providence in the timely encounter.
σεyouAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; the decisive 'this day' of the providential meeting.
ἐνon / inpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν ταύτῃ: 'on this (day)'; the demonstrative implies ἡμέρᾳ, reinforcing σήμερον.
ταύτῃthis (day)Dativedemonstrative (object of ἐν, with implied ἡμέρᾳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; ἐν ταύτῃ ('on this very day') intensifies the temporal emphasis.
εἰςto / forpreposition + accusative (purpose: 'to meet')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'to meet').
ἀπάντησίνa meetingAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose-idiom)→ object specificationἀπάντησις: 'meeting/encounter'; εἰς ἀπάντησίν μου ('to meet me') is a Hebraism (לִקְרָאתִי); the providential interception.
μουme / myGenitiveobjective genitive (with ἀπάντησιν)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as objective genitive (with ἀπάντησιν).
33

καὶ εὐλογητὸς ὁ τρόπος σου καὶ εὐλογημένη σὺ ἡ ἀποκωλύσασά με σήμερον ἐν ταύτῃ μὴ ἐλθεῖν εἰς αἵματα καὶ σῶσαι χεῖρά μου ἐμοί

And blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from coming into bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand.

David's double blessing of Abigail (gratitude)καὶ εὐλογητὸς ὁ τρόπος σου
David's blessing now turns to Abigail herself: blessed be her τρόπος ('manner/discretion/good judgment') and blessed be she, the one who restrained him (ἡ ἀποκωλύσασά με) from blood-guilt. The participle echoes the verb ἀποκωλύω used of David's own restraint toward the shepherds (vv. 7, 15) — Abigail has done for David what David did for Nabal.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐλογητὸςblessedNominativepredicate adjective (blessing)→ participant prominenceεὐλογητός: 'blessed/praised'; renders בָּרוּךְ; here pronounced over Abigail's discretion.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρόποςdiscretion / mannerNominativesubject of the blessing→ participant prominenceτρόπος: 'way/manner/character/discretion'; renders טַעַם ('judgment/discretion'); David praises Abigail's wise good sense.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐλογημένηblessedPerf Mid/Pass Ptc Nom Sg Fem · εὐλογέωpredicate participle (perfect, blessing of person)→ verbal action or stateεὐλογέω (perf. pass. ptc.): 'be blessed'; εὐλογημένη σύ ('blessed are you') pronounces blessing on Abigail herself (cf. the same form of Jael, Judg 5:24; of Mary, Luke 1:42).
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic, the one blessed)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic pronoun; Abigail personally is blessed.
the (who)Nominativearticle (with participle)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀποκωλύσασάwho restrainedAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Fem · ἀποκωλύωattributive participle (defining σύ)→ verbal action or stateἀποκωλύω: 'hinder/restrain/keep back'; the participle ἡ ἀποκωλύσασά με ('the one who restrained me') pointedly echoes the verb used of David's own restraint toward the shepherds (vv. 7, 15); Abigail has restrained David from sin.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of ἀποκωλύσασα→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἀποκωλύσασα.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; the decisive day of restraint.
ἐνon / inpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν ταύτῃ: 'on this (day)'; reinforcing σήμερον (cf. v. 32).
ταύτῃthis (day)Dativedemonstrative (object of ἐν, implied ἡμέρᾳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; 'on this very day.'
μὴnot / fromredundant negative (with verb of hindering)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: redundant negation after the hindering verb ἀποκωλύω ('kept me from coming').
ἐλθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιinfinitive (of hindrance)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come'; ἐλθεῖν εἰς αἵματα ('come into bloodshed') = incur blood-guilt, as in v. 26.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (entry into a state)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (entry into a state).
αἵματαbloodshed / blood-guiltAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationαἷμα (pl. αἵματα): the plural 'bloods' renders Hebrew דָּמִים, specifically denoting blood-guilt — the guilt incurred by shedding blood.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σῶσαιto save / avengeAor Act Inf · σῴζωinfinitive (coordinate, of hindrance)→ verbal action or stateσῴζω: 'save'; σῶσαι χεῖρά μου ἐμοί ('save my hand for myself') = avenge myself by my own hand, the idiom of vv. 26, 31.
χεῖράhandAccusativedirect object of σῶσαι→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; metonymy for self-administered vengeance.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐμοίfor myselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. ἐμοί): reflexive dative of advantage, 'for myself' — David nearly took vengeance into his own hands.
34

πλὴν ὅτι ζῇ κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ ὃς ἀπεκώλυσέν με σήμερον τοῦ κακοποιῆσαί σε ὅτι εἰ μὴ ἔσπευσας καὶ παρεγένου εἰς ἀπάντησίν μοι τότε εἶπα εἰ ὑπολειφθήσεται τῷ Ναβαλ ἕως φωτὸς τοῦ πρωὶ οὐρῶν πρὸς τοῖχον

But truly, as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me back this day from harming you — for if you had not hastened and come to meet me, surely there would not have been left to Nabal until the light of morning even one that urinates against a wall.

David's solemn oath confirming the narrowness of the escapeπλὴν ὅτι ζῇ κύριος
David swears by the living LORD (ζῇ κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ — Tetragrammaton) that, had Abigail not hastened to meet him, he would have annihilated every male of Nabal's house by dawn — quoting back his own oath of v. 22 (οὐρῶν πρὸς τοῖχον). The acknowledgment that YHWH 'kept me back from harming you' confirms Abigail's reading of the providence.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
πλὴνbut / truly / howeveradversative particle (strong asseveration)→ discourse linkage or contrastπλήν: 'but/however/nevertheless'; here strongly asseverative, introducing the solemn oath ('but truly').
ὅτιthat / forconjunction (with oath-formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: introduces the oath asseveration.
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωverb of oath-formula→ verbal action or stateζάω: 'live'; ζῇ κύριος ('as the LORD lives') renders חַי יהוה, the oath-formula.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ζῇ (the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the TETRAGRAMMATON (YHWH); the living God by whom David swears.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativeapposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ, the covenant title.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; 'God of Israel.'
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἀπεκώλυσέν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; introduces YHWH's restraining act.
ἀπεκώλυσένkept back / restrainedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκωλύωverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateἀποκωλύω: 'hinder/restrain/keep back'; David credits YHWH himself with restraining him from harming Abigail (and Nabal's house) — the verb that has threaded through the chapter (vv. 7, 15, 33).
μεmeAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; the decisive day of restraint.
τοῦfrom / ofGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive of hindrance)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ + infinitive: genitive articular infinitive of separation ('from harming').
κακοποιῆσαίto harm / do evil toAor Act Inf · κακοποιέωarticular infinitive (of hindrance)→ verbal action or stateκακοποιέω: 'do harm/injure/do evil to'; renders הֵרַע; the harm YHWH kept David from inflicting.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of κακοποιῆσαι→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of κακοποιῆσαι.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for/because'; introduces the counterfactual that proves how near the slaughter came.
εἰifconditional particle (contrary-to-fact protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; with μή introducing the contrary-to-fact condition ('if you had not hastened').
μὴnotnegative particle (with εἰ)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: negation of the protasis.
ἔσπευσαςyou had hastenedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · σπεύδωverb of protasis (contrary-to-fact)→ verbal action or stateσπεύδω: 'hasten'; Abigail's haste (vv. 18, 23) is the decisive factor that averted the massacre.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρεγένουyou had comeAor Mid Indic 2 Sg · παραγίνομαιverb of protasis (coordinate)→ verbal action or stateπαραγίνομαι: 'come/arrive'; Abigail's timely arrival to meet David.
εἰςto / forpreposition + accusative (purpose: 'to meet')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'to meet').
ἀπάντησίνa meetingAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose-idiom)→ object specificationἀπάντησις: 'meeting'; εἰς ἀπάντησίν μοι ('to meet me'), Hebraism for לִקְרָאתִי.
μοιmeDativedative complement (with ἀπάντησιν)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative complement (with ἀπάντησιν).
τότεthentemporal adverb (apodosis-marker)→ adverbial qualificationτότε: 'then'; introduces the apodosis of the contrary-to-fact condition.
εἶπαI said / I sworeAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (recalling the oath)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπα, Hellenistic): 'say'; David recalls the oath he had sworn (v. 22) — 'I had said/sworn.'
εἰif (surely not)conditional particle (oath-negation Hebraism)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: in the oath εἰ renders Hebrew אִם as emphatic negation ('surely there would not have been left').
ὑπολειφθήσεταιwill be leftFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὑπολείπωverb of oath-clause→ verbal action or stateὑπολείπω (fut. pass.): 'be left remaining/survive'; in the oath 'if any would be left' = 'none would have survived,' echoing v. 22.
τῷto the / ofDativearticle (with Ναβαλ, dative of possession)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΝαβαλNabaldative of possession (indeclinable: 'to/of Nabal')→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: indeclinable; τῷ Ναβαλ = 'belonging to Nabal' (his males).
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; sets the dawn deadline of the threatened slaughter.
φωτὸςlightGenitiveobject of ἕως ('until the light')→ relational specificationφῶς: 'light'; φωτὸς τοῦ πρωί ('the light of morning') = daybreak, the limit of the oath.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωὶmorningtemporal noun/adverb (genitive sense with φωτός)→ clausal contributionπρωί: 'morning'; 'the light of the morning' = dawn.
οὐρῶνone urinatingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · οὐρέωsubstantival participle (subject of ὑπολειφθήσεται)→ verbal action or stateοὐρέω: 'urinate'; the substantival participle οὐρῶν πρὸς τοῖχον ('one urinating against a wall') is the LXX's literal calque of the Hebrew idiom מַשְׁתִּין בְּקִיר for 'male' — David repeats verbatim his oath of v. 22.
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τοῖχονwallAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationτοῖχος: 'wall'; completes the Hebrew idiom for 'male' (cf. v. 22).
35

καὶ ἔλαβεν Δαυιδ ἐκ χειρὸς αὐτῆς πάντα ἃ ἔφερεν αὐτῷ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ ἀνάβηθι εἰς εἰρήνην εἰς οἶκόν σου βλέπε ἤκουσα τῆς φωνῆς σου καὶ ᾑρέτισα τὸ πρόσωπόν σου

And David took from her hand all that she had brought him, and said to her, 'Go up in peace to your house. See, I have listened to your voice and have accepted your person.'

Resolution: David accepts gift and dismisses Abigail in peaceκαὶ ἔλαβεν Δαυιδ ἐκ χειρὸς αὐτῆς
David accepts the gift and dismisses Abigail with the formula ἀνάβηθι εἰς εἰρήνην ('go up in peace') — the very εἰρήνη that opened the embassy (v. 5) is now restored. ἤκουσα τῆς φωνῆς σου καὶ ᾑρέτισα τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ('I have heard your voice and accepted your face') signals full acceptance, foreshadowing the marriage of v. 39.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (acceptance of gift)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take/receive'; David accepts the gift, signalling reconciliation.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
χειρὸςhandGenitiveobject of ἐκ ('from her hand')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἐκ χειρὸς αὐτῆς ('from her hand') — direct personal acceptance.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
πάνταallAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; 'all that she had brought.'
whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔφερεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, neuter plural.
ἔφερενshe had broughtImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · φέρωverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateφέρω: 'bring/carry'; the gift Abigail had carried to David.
αὐτῷhimDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces David's dismissal in peace.
αὐτῇto herDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'to her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
ἀνάβηθιgo upAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (dismissal command)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; the dismissal ἀνάβηθι εἰς εἰρήνην ('go up in peace') sends her home reconciled.
εἰςin / topreposition + accusative (manner/goal: 'in peace')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς εἰρήνην: 'in/to peace'; the dismissal-formula (Heb. לְשָׁלוֹם), restoring the εἰρήνη of the failed embassy (v. 5).
εἰρήνηνpeaceAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationεἰρήνη: 'peace/welfare'; the keynote restored — the conflict is resolved.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
οἶκόνhouseAccusativeaccusative of destination→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house'; Abigail is sent safely home.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
βλέπεsee / lookPres Act Impv 2 Sg · βλέπωmain verb (attention-marker imperative)→ verbal action or stateβλέπω: 'see/look'; the imperative βλέπε ('see/note') calls Abigail to mark David's acceptance of her plea.
ἤκουσαI have heard / heededAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (acceptance)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear/heed'; ἀκούειν τῆς φωνῆς ('listen to the voice of') = grant a request; David has heeded Abigail.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνῆςvoiceGenitivegenitive object of ἤκουσα→ relational specificationφωνή: 'voice'; ἀκούω takes the genitive of the person/voice heeded.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ᾑρέτισαI have accepted / shown favor toAor Act Indic 1 Sg · αἱρετίζωmain verb (acceptance)→ verbal action or stateαἱρετίζω: 'choose/accept/show favor to'; renders נָשָׂא פָנִים ('lift the face' = accept the person); 'I have accepted your person' signals full favor — and quietly foreshadows the marriage of v. 39.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρόσωπόνface / personAccusativedirect object of ᾑρέτισα→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face/person'; 'accept your face' = grant your petition / receive you favorably (Hebraism נָשָׂא פָנִים).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
36

καὶ παρεγενήθη Αβιγαια πρὸς Ναβαλ καὶ ἰδοὺ αὐτῷ πότος ἐν οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ ὡς πότος βασιλέως καὶ ἡ καρδία Ναβαλ ἀγαθὴ ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν καὶ αὐτὸς μεθύων ἕως σφόδρα καὶ οὐκ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῷ ῥῆμα μικρὸν ἢ μέγα ἕως φωτὸς τοῦ πρωί

And Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he had a banquet in his house like a king's banquet, and Nabal's heart was merry within him, and he was very drunk; so she told him nothing, small or great, until the light of morning.

Scene-shift to Nabal's feast (dramatic irony)καὶ παρεγενήθη Αβιγαια πρὸς Ναβαλ
The scene shifts back to Nabal, oblivious in drunken revelry 'like a king's banquet' (ὡς πότος βασιλέως — ironic, given his refusal to share with David) while his fate has just been decided on the road. His merry, drunken heart sets up the lethal reversal of v. 37. Abigail's prudent silence (οὐκ ἀπήγγειλεν … μικρὸν ἢ μέγα) awaits his sobering.
Word-by-word analysis· 39 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (scene-shift)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρεγενήθηcame / arrivedAor Pass(dep) Indic 3 Sg · παραγίνομαιmain verb (arrival)→ verbal action or stateπαραγίνομαι: 'come/arrive'; Abigail returns home to Nabal.
ΑβιγαιαAbigailsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβιγαια: indeclinable.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΝαβαλNabalobject of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: indeclinable.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdattention-marker (interjection)→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; stages the scene of revelry Abigail finds.
αὐτῷto him / he hadDativedative of possession ('he had a banquet')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): dative of possession, 'he had.'
πότοςbanquet / drinking-feastNominativesubject (of implied ἦν)→ participant prominenceπότος: 'drinking-bout/banquet'; renders מִשְׁתֶּה; the lavish feast at shearing-time — ironically the bounty Nabal refused to share with David.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
οἴκῳhouseDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house'; the venue of Nabal's feast.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὡςlike / ascomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'like'; introduces the comparison 'like a king's banquet.'
πότοςbanquetNominativepredicate (in comparison)→ participant prominenceπότος: 'banquet'; ὡς πότος βασιλέως ('like a king's feast') — ironic, since Nabal scorned David, the future king.
βασιλέωςof a kingGenitivegenitive of possession ('a king's banquet')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; the regal scale of Nabal's revelry, set against his churlish refusal to David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject ('Nabal's heart was merry')→ participant prominenceκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; the seat of mood — 'his heart was merry' (with wine).
ΝαβαλNabal'sgenitive of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: indeclinable; 'Nabal's heart.'
ἀγαθὴmerry / goodNominativepredicate adjective ('was merry')→ participant prominenceἀγαθός: 'good'; here idiomatic 'merry/glad' (καρδία ἀγαθή = a heart made merry, Heb. לֵב טוֹב); the festive cheerfulness of drink.
ἐπ᾿in / uponpreposition + accusative (within him, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: here 'in/upon him' (ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν), of the mood resting upon Nabal.
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐπί.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject (emphatic)→ participant prominenceαὐτός: intensive 'he himself'; subject of the participle μεθύων.
μεθύωνbeing drunkPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · μεθύωpredicate participle (periphrastic/circumstantial)→ verbal action or stateμεθύω: 'be drunk/intoxicated'; renders שִׁכּוֹר; Nabal's drunkenness explains Abigail's prudent silence and sets up his fatal sobering.
ἕωςto / untopreposition (degree: 'to excess')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: here of degree, ἕως σφόδρα ('to excess/very much').
σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very/exceedingly'; ἕως σφόδρα = 'to a great degree'; Nabal is utterly drunk.
καὶand / socoordinate conjunction (resultative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative adverb→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἀπήγγειλενshe toldAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (negated)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report/tell'; Abigail's prudent silence — she tells the drunken Nabal nothing until he is sober.
αὐτῷhimDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
ῥῆμαword / thingAccusativedirect object of ἀπήγγειλεν→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word/matter/thing'; renders דָּבָר; 'nothing, small or great' = not a single word.
μικρὸνsmallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ῥῆμα)→ object specificationμικρός: 'small/little'; in the merism 'small or great' = nothing at all.
ordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; joins the merism μικρὸν ἢ μέγα ('small or great').
μέγαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ῥῆμα)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; the merism 'small or great' (Heb. מִקָּטֹן וְעַד גָּדוֹל) = absolutely nothing.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; the limit of her silence — daybreak.
φωτὸςlightGenitiveobject of ἕως→ relational specificationφῶς: 'light'; φωτὸς τοῦ πρωί ('the light of morning') = dawn.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωίmorningtemporal noun (genitive sense with φωτός)→ clausal contributionπρωί: 'morning'; 'the light of the morning' = daybreak, when Nabal would be sober.
37

καὶ ἐγένετο πρωί ὡς ἐξένηψεν ἀπὸ τοῦ οἴνου Ναβαλ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῷ ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα καὶ ἐναπέθανεν ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ αὐτὸς γίνεται ὡς λίθος

And it happened in the morning, when Nabal had sobered from the wine, that his wife told him these things; and his heart died within him, and he became like a stone.

The lethal reversal: Nabal's stone-heartκαὶ ἐγένετο πρωί
The reversal of fortune. When the sober Nabal hears 'these things,' his heart 'dies within him' (ἐναπέθανεν ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ) and he becomes ὡς λίθος ('like a stone') — most likely a stroke. The play on καρδία (merry with wine in v. 36, now dead) seals the irony; divine judgment begins where David's restrained hand left off.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιimpersonal narrative verb ('and it came to pass')→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. ἐγένετο): the impersonal καὶ ἐγένετο renders Hebrew וַיְהִי, framing the morning's events.
πρωίin the morningtemporal adverb→ clausal contributionπρωί: 'morning/early'; renders בֹּקֶר; the time of Nabal's sobering.
ὡςwhen / astemporal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: here temporal 'when/as'; introduces the moment of his sobering.
ἐξένηψενhad sobered upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκνήφωverb of temporal clause→ verbal action or stateἐκνήφω: 'become sober/wake from a drunken stupor'; renders יָצָא הַיַּיִן; the wine has left him, restoring lucidity just in time to hear the news.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴνουwineGenitiveobject of ἀπό→ relational specificationοἶνος: 'wine'; the drink from which Nabal sobered.
ΝαβαλNabalsubject of ἐξένηψεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: indeclinable.
ἀπήγγειλενtoldAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (report)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report/tell'; Abigail now tells the sober Nabal what happened.
αὐτῷhimDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυνὴwifeNominativesubject (Abigail)→ participant prominenceγυνή: 'wife'; Abigail, here designated by her relation to Nabal.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαthings / wordsAccusativedirect object of ἀπήγγειλεν→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word/matter'; renders דָּבָר; 'these things' = the near-disaster and Abigail's intervention.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective→ object specificationοὗτος: 'these'; the events of the day.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐναπέθανενdied withinAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐναποθνῄσκωmain verb (the lethal reaction)→ verbal action or stateἐναποθνῄσκω: 'die in/within'; the vivid compound ἐναπέθανεν ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ ('his heart died within him') depicts a sudden seizure or stroke — the failure of his heart at the shock of the news.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of ἐναπέθανεν→ participant prominenceκαρδία: 'heart'; the merry heart of v. 36 now dies — the pointed reversal.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνin / withinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐν ('within him')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐν ('within him').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject (emphatic)→ participant prominenceαὐτός: intensive 'he himself.'
γίνεταιbecame / becomesPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι: 'become'; the historic present γίνεται ὡς λίθος ('he becomes like a stone') vividly conveys his paralysis/petrification — perhaps a coma or stroke.
ὡςlikecomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'like'; introduces the stone-simile.
λίθοςstoneNominativepredicate (in simile)→ participant prominenceλίθος: 'stone'; renders אֶבֶן; 'like a stone' — rigid, unresponsive, paralyzed; the prelude to his death ten days later.
38

καὶ ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ δέκα ἡμέραι καὶ ἐπάταξεν κύριος τὸν Ναβαλ καὶ ἀπέθανεν

And it happened about ten days later that the LORD struck Nabal, and he died.

Divine judgment: the death of Nabalκαὶ ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ δέκα ἡμέραι
The terse climax: about ten days after the stroke, ἐπάταξεν κύριος τὸν Ναβαλ — 'the LORD struck Nabal' (κύριος = Tetragrammaton). The narrative is explicit that Nabal's death is YHWH's act, vindicating David's restraint: vengeance belonged to God, not to David's sword (cf. vv. 26, 39).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιimpersonal narrative verb ('and it came to pass')→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι: the impersonal καὶ ἐγένετο renders Hebrew וַיְהִי, framing the ten-day interval.
ὡσεὶaboutadverb (approximation with number)→ clausal contributionὡσεί: 'about/approximately'; renders כְּ; with a number, 'about ten days.'
δέκαtennumeral (modifying ἡμέραι)→ measure or countδέκα: 'ten'; indeclinable numeral; the interval before the lethal stroke.
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject (with ἐγένετο: 'there were ten days')→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the span between Nabal's stroke and his death.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξενstruckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (divine action)→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike/smite'; renders נָגַף; the verb of divine lethal judgment (cf. the plagues, Exod 12:29) — YHWH himself executes the death-stroke David refrained from.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἐπάταξεν (the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the TETRAGRAMMATON (YHWH); the agent of Nabal's death — divine vengeance, vindicating David's restraint.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with name)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΝαβαλNabaldirect object (articular indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: indeclinable; with the accusative article τόν as object.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέθανενhe diedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (death)→ verbal action or stateἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the same verb that opened the chapter with Samuel's death (v. 1) now closes Nabal's career — the fool's end.
39

καὶ ἤκουσεν Δαυιδ καὶ εἶπεν εὐλογητὸς κύριος ὃς ἔκρινεν τὴν κρίσιν τοῦ ὀνειδισμοῦ μου ἐκ χειρὸς Ναβαλ καὶ τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ περιεποιήσατο ἐκ χειρὸς κακῶν καὶ τὴν κακίαν Ναβαλ ἀπέστρεψεν κύριος εἰς κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπέστειλεν Δαυιδ καὶ ἐλάλησεν περὶ Αβιγαιας λαβεῖν αὐτὴν ἑαυτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα

And David heard, and said, 'Blessed be the LORD, who has judged the cause of my reproach at the hand of Nabal, and has kept his servant back from evil, and the evil of Nabal the LORD has returned upon his own head.' And David sent and spoke concerning Abigail, to take her to himself as wife.

David's doxology over divine justice + proposal to Abigailκαὶ ἤκουσεν Δαυιδ καὶ εἶπεν
David responds to Nabal's death with a doxology (εὐλογητὸς κύριος — Tetragrammaton) acknowledging that YHWH has both vindicated his reproach and kept him (τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ) from doing evil himself. The retributive principle ἀπέστρεψεν … εἰς κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ ('returned the evil on his own head') is the chapter's moral. David then fulfils Abigail's request of v. 31 by sending to marry her.
Word-by-word analysis· 46 words
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 (perception)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear'; David learns of Nabal's death.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: 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 (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces David's doxology over divine justice.
εὐλογητὸςblessedNominativepredicate adjective (doxology)→ participant prominenceεὐλογητός: 'blessed'; renders בָּרוּךְ; David blesses YHWH for executing the justice he himself withheld his hand from.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of the doxology (the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the TETRAGRAMMATON (YHWH); the just judge of David's cause.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἔκρινεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; introduces YHWH's just act.
ἔκρινενjudged / vindicatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κρίνωverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateκρίνω: 'judge/decide a case'; ἔκρινεν τὴν κρίσιν ('judged the cause') is a cognate construction (Heb. רִיב רִיב) — YHWH has tried and vindicated David's case against Nabal.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κρίσινcause / case / judgmentAccusativecognate accusative (with ἔκρινεν)→ object specificationκρίσις: 'judgment/lawsuit/cause'; the cognate accusative 'judged the judgment/cause' — YHWH has adjudicated David's grievance.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀνειδισμοῦreproach / insultGenitivegenitive (defining κρίσιν: 'cause of my reproach')→ relational specificationὀνειδισμός: 'reproach/insult/disgrace'; renders חֶרְפָּה; the insult Nabal had heaped on David (v. 10–11), now avenged by God.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐκfrom / at the hand ofpreposition + genitive (agency/source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ χειρός: 'from the hand of'; a Hebraism (מִיַּד) for 'at the hands of/from.'
χειρὸςhandGenitiveobject of ἐκ→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἐκ χειρὸς Ναβαλ = 'from/at the hand of Nabal.'
ΝαβαλNabalgenitive of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: indeclinable.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δοῦλονservantAccusativedirect object of περιεποιήσατο (David of himself)→ object specificationδοῦλος: 'servant/slave'; David humbly calls himself 'his (YHWH's) servant' — God has preserved his servant from doing evil.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (God's servant)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (God's servant).
περιεποιήσατοkept back / preservedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · περιποιέωmain verb (divine preservation)→ verbal action or stateπεριποιέω (mid.): 'preserve/keep safe/spare'; YHWH has kept David back from the evil of bloodshed — preserving him from the guilt Abigail warned of.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
χειρὸςhandGenitiveobject of ἐκ ('from the hand/power of')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἐκ χειρὸς κακῶν ('from the hand of evil') = from the power/commission of evildoing.
κακῶνof evilsGenitivegenitive (defining χειρός: 'hand of evils')→ relational specificationκακός: 'evil'; neuter plural 'evils'; the wicked deeds David was kept from committing.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κακίανevil / wickednessAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστρεψεν (fronted)→ object specificationκακία: 'evil/wickedness'; Nabal's own wickedness, returned upon his head — the lex talionis principle of retributive justice.
ΝαβαλNabal'sgenitive of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαβαλ: indeclinable; 'the evil of Nabal.'
ἀπέστρεψενreturned / turned backAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (retribution)→ verbal action or stateἀποστρέφω: 'turn back/return'; ἀπέστρεψεν … εἰς κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ ('returned it on his own head') expresses retributive justice (Heb. הֵשִׁיב בְּרֹאשׁ) — Nabal's malice rebounds fatally on himself.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἀπέστρεψεν (the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the TETRAGRAMMATON (YHWH); the agent of the retribution.
εἰςupon / ontopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativeobject of εἰς ('on his head')→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; εἰς κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ ('on his own head') — the standard idiom for retribution falling on the doer.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (the marriage initiative)→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω: 'send'; David sends messengers to propose to Abigail, fulfilling her request of v. 31 ('remember your servant').
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (negotiation)→ verbal action or stateλαλέω: 'speak'; David 'spoke concerning Abigail' = opened marriage negotiations through his envoys.
περὶconcerning / aboutpreposition + genitive (reference)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + genitive: 'concerning/about'; the subject of David's message.
ΑβιγαιαςAbigailGenitiveobject of περί (declined genitive form)→ participant identificationΑβιγαια: here declined as a first-declension genitive Αβιγαιας ('of Abigail'), unlike the indeclinable usage elsewhere in the chapter.
λαβεῖνto takeAor Act Inf · λαμβάνωinfinitive of purpose→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take'; λαβεῖν … εἰς γυναῖκα ('take as wife') is the standard idiom for marrying (Heb. לָקַח לְאִשָּׁה).
αὐτὴνherAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖν→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of λαβεῖν.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativereflexive dative of advantage→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'himself'; 'to take her for himself as wife.'
εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (predicative role)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + accusative: predicative 'as' (Hebraism for לְ), 'as a wife.'
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativepredicative accusative (with εἰς)→ object specificationγυνή: 'woman/wife'; renders אִשָּׁה; the role into which David takes Abigail.
40

καὶ ἦλθον οἱ παῖδες Δαυιδ πρὸς Αβιγαιαν εἰς Κάρμηλον καὶ ἐλάλησαν αὐτῇ λέγοντες Δαυιδ ἀπέστειλεν ἡμᾶς πρὸς σὲ λαβεῖν σε αὐτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα

And the servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel, and spoke to her, saying, 'David has sent us to you, to take you to him as wife.'

Delivery of the marriage proposalκαὶ ἦλθον οἱ παῖδες Δαυιδ
David's servants carry the proposal to Abigail at Carmel, repeating the marriage-idiom λαβεῖν σε … εἰς γυναῖκα ('to take you as wife'). The same envoys who once met Nabal's contempt (vv. 9–10) now bring an honorable proposal to his widow — a structural reversal completing the reversal of fortunes.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (arrival)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθον): 'come'; the servants reach Abigail at Carmel.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject (David's envoys)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant/lad'; David's envoys, here on an honorable errand of marriage.
ΔαυιδDavid'sgenitive of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; 'the servants of David.'
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΑβιγαιανAbigailAccusativeobject of πρός (declined accusative form)→ participant identificationΑβιγαια: here declined as a first-declension accusative Αβιγαιαν ('Abigail'), unlike the indeclinable usage elsewhere.
εἰςto / atpreposition + accusative (place)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (place).
ΚάρμηλονCarmelAccusativeaccusative of place (destination)→ object specificationΚάρμηλος: Carmel of Judah; Abigail's home, where the proposal is delivered.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησανspokeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωmain verb (speech)→ verbal action or stateλαλέω: 'speak'; the envoys deliver the proposal.
αὐτῇto herDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'to her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · λέγωparticiple of speech (introducing direct discourse)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: redundant λέγοντες ('saying') introducing direct speech, a Hebraism for לֵאמֹר.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject of reported speech (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
ἀπέστειλενhas sentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb of reported speech→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω: 'send'; the envoys state their commission.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
σὲyouAccusativeobject of πρός→ participant referenceσὲ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός.
λαβεῖνto takeAor Act Inf · λαμβάνωinfinitive of purpose→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take'; λαβεῖν σε … εἰς γυναῖκα ('take you as wife'), the marriage-idiom.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖν→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of λαβεῖν.
αὐτῷto him / for himDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): 'for him' — David.
εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (predicative role)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + accusative: predicative 'as' (Hebraism for לְ).
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativepredicative accusative (with εἰς)→ object specificationγυνή: 'wife'; the role David offers Abigail.
41

καὶ ἀνέστη καὶ προσεκύνησεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον καὶ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ ἡ δούλη σου εἰς παιδίσκην νίψαι πόδας τῶν παίδων σου

And she arose and bowed down to the ground on her face, and said, 'Behold, your servant is for a handmaid to wash the feet of my lord's servants.'

Abigail's humble acceptanceκαὶ ἀνέστη καὶ προσεκύνησεν
Abigail accepts with extreme humility, prostrating herself and offering to be a παιδίσκη ('servant-girl') who washes the feet of David's servants — the lowliest menial task. Her self-abasement (ἡ δούλη σου, as throughout her speech) confirms the σύνεσις and grace that have characterized her, and seals her transition from Nabal's widow to David's wife.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 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 (rising)→ verbal action or stateἀνίστημι (intrans. aor. ἀνέστη): 'rise up'; Abigail rises to respond to the proposal.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσεκύνησενbowed downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσκυνέωmain verb (homage)→ verbal action or stateπροσκυνέω: 'do obeisance/prostrate oneself'; renders הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה; Abigail's deep bow of acceptance and homage.
ἐπὶto / uponpreposition + accusative (extent: 'to the ground')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (extent: 'to the ground').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνground / earthAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationγῆ: 'earth/ground'; προσκυνέω ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν = bow to the ground (cf. v. 23).
ἐπὶon / uponpreposition + accusative (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (position).
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeobject of ἐπί ('on her face')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; the full prostration 'on the face' (cf. v. 23).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Abigail's humble acceptance.
ἰδοὺbeholdattention-marker (interjection)→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούληservant / handmaidNominativesubject (self-designation)→ participant prominenceδούλη: 'handmaid'; Abigail's continued self-effacement (ἡ δούλη σου), now in glad acceptance.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (predicative role)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + accusative: predicative 'as/for' (Hebraism for לְ), 'as a maidservant.'
παιδίσκηνmaidservant / servant-girlAccusativepredicative accusative (with εἰς)→ object specificationπαιδίσκη: 'maidservant/female slave'; renders שִׁפְחָה / אָמָה; Abigail offers herself in the lowest servile capacity, the deepest expression of humility.
νίψαιto washAor Act Inf · νίπτωinfinitive of purpose→ verbal action or stateνίπτω: 'wash'; renders רָחַץ; washing the feet of guests/servants was the most menial task, undertaken by the lowest slave — Abigail's gesture of profound humility.
πόδαςfeetAccusativedirect object of νίψαι→ object specificationπούς: 'foot'; the feet of David's servants — she stoops even below them.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παίδωνservantsGenitivegenitive of possession (whose feet)→ relational specificationπαῖς: 'servant'; David's servants/retainers, whose feet she humbly offers to wash.
σουyour / my lord'sGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
42

καὶ ἀνέστη Αβιγαια καὶ ἐπέβη ἐπὶ τὴν ὄνον καὶ πέντε κοράσια ἠκολούθουν αὐτῇ καὶ ἐπορεύθη ὀπίσω τῶν παίδων Δαυιδ καὶ γίνεται αὐτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα

And Abigail arose and mounted the donkey, and five maids followed her, and she went after David's servants, and she became his wife.

Abigail's departure and marriage (resolution of her arc)καὶ ἀνέστη Αβιγαια
Abigail acts at once (ἀνέστη … ἐπέβη … ἐπορεύθη), riding off with five attendant maids to become David's wife. The historic present γίνεται αὐτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα ('she becomes his wife') brings her story to its honorable consummation, her petition of v. 31 fully answered.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 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 (setting out)→ verbal action or stateἀνίστημι (aor. ἀνέστη): 'rise up/set out'; Abigail rises to depart with the envoys.
ΑβιγαιαAbigailsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβιγαια: indeclinable.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέβηmountedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιβαίνωmain verb (mounting)→ verbal action or stateἐπιβαίνω: 'mount/get up on'; renders רָכַב; she mounts the donkey for the journey to David.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (mounted position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (mounted position).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνονdonkeyAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationὄνος: 'donkey'; her mount (cf. vv. 20, 23).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πέντεfiveNominativenumeral (modifying κοράσια)→ measure or countπέντε: 'five'; indeclinable numeral; the size of her retinue befits her standing.
κοράσιαmaids / young womenNominativesubject of ἠκολούθουν→ participant prominenceκοράσιον: 'girl/young woman/maid'; renders נַעֲרָה; Abigail's attendant maidservants accompanying their mistress.
ἠκολούθουνfollowedImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκολουθέωmain verb (accompaniment)→ verbal action or stateἀκολουθέω: 'follow/accompany'; takes the dative αὐτῇ; the maids attend Abigail on her journey.
αὐτῇherDativedative complement of ἠκολούθουν→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative complement of ἠκολούθουν.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwent / journeyedAor Pass(dep) Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (journey)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go/journey'; renders הָלַךְ; Abigail travels behind David's servants to her new home.
ὀπίσωafter / behindpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'behind/after'; she follows David's envoys.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παίδωνservantsGenitiveobject of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationπαῖς: 'servant'; David's envoys, whom Abigail follows.
ΔαυιδDavid'sgenitive of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; 'the servants of David.'
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γίνεταιbecame / becomesPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι: 'become'; the historic present γίνεται … εἰς γυναῖκα ('she becomes his wife') consummates Abigail's story-arc.
αὐτῷto him / hisDativedative of advantage (David)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): 'to/for him' — David.
εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (predicative role)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + accusative: predicative 'as' (Hebraism for לְ).
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativepredicative accusative (with εἰς)→ object specificationγυνή: 'wife'; Abigail's new status.
43

καὶ τὴν Αχινααμ ἔλαβεν Δαυιδ ἐξ Ιεζραελ καὶ ἀμφότεραι ἦσαν αὐτῷ γυναῖκες

And David also took Ahinoam from Jezreel, and both of them were his wives.

Note on David's second marriageκαὶ τὴν Αχινααμ ἔλαβεν Δαυιδ
A supplementary note records David's marriage to Ahinoam of Jezreel, so that both women (ἀμφότεραι) are his wives. Ahinoam will appear alongside Abigail in David's household (cf. 1 Kgdms 27:3; 30:5; 2 Kgdms 2:2; 3:2). The note quietly establishes the plural-wife household of the rising king.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with name, fronted as object)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑχινααμAhinoamdirect object (articular indeclinable, fronted)→ participant identificationΑχινααμ: transliteration of Hebrew אֲחִינֹעַם (Ahinoam); indeclinable, here with accusative article τήν; David's other wife, from Jezreel of Judah.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (marriage)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take'; λαμβάνειν (γυναῖκα) is the marriage-idiom; David also married Ahinoam.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (origin, before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ (ἐξ before vowel): 'from/out of'; marks Ahinoam's place of origin.
ΙεζραελJezreelplace-name (object of ἐξ, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙεζραελ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as place-name (object of ἐξ, indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀμφότεραιbothNominativesubject ('both women')→ participant prominenceἀμφότεροι: 'both'; feminine ἀμφότεραι, of Abigail and Ahinoam together.
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula (state)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (impf. ἦσαν): 'were'; both women were David's wives.
αὐτῷto him / hisDativedative of possession ('his wives')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): dative of possession, 'his.'
γυναῖκεςwivesNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceγυνή (pl. γυναῖκες): 'wives'; both Abigail and Ahinoam now belong to David's household.
44

καὶ Σαουλ ἔδωκεν Μελχολ τὴν θυγατέρα αὐτοῦ τὴν γυναῖκα Δαυιδ τῷ Φαλτι υἱῷ Λαις τῷ ἐκ Ρομμα

But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Paltiel son of Laish, who was from Rommah.

Closing note: Saul's transfer of Michal (narrative tension preserved)καὶ Σαουλ ἔδωκεν Μελχολ
The chapter closes with a pointed contrast: while David gains two wives, Saul has taken away his first wife, Michal (Σαουλ's daughter, given to David in 1 Kgdms 18:27), giving her to Paltiel son of Laish of Rommah. The note keeps alive the Saul-David conflict and the question of David's legitimate claim — Michal will be reclaimed in 2 Kgdms 3:13–16.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶand / butnarrative conjunction (contrastive)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here mildly adversative ('but/meanwhile'), contrasting Saul's action with David's marriages.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliteration of Hebrew שָׁאוּל (Saul); indeclinable; David's adversary and former father-in-law.
ἔδωκενhad givenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (with pluperfect/retrospective force)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give'; here of giving a daughter in marriage; the aorist functions retrospectively (Saul had meanwhile given Michal away).
ΜελχολMichaldirect object (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜελχολ: the LXX form of Hebrew מִיכַל (Michal); indeclinable; Saul's daughter, David's first wife (1 Kgdms 18:20–27).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with appositive)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατέραdaughterAccusativeappositive to Μελχολ ('his daughter')→ object specificationθυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; renders בַּת; identifies Michal as Saul's daughter.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with second appositive)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativeappositive to Μελχολ ('David's wife')→ object specificationγυνή: 'wife'; pointedly recalls that Michal was David's lawful wife — Saul's giving her away is an injustice to be redressed later (2 Kgdms 3:13–16).
ΔαυιδDavid'sgenitive of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; 'the wife of David.'
τῷto the / toDativearticle (with name)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΦαλτιPaltiel / Phaltiindirect object (indeclinable, with dative article)→ participant identificationΦαλτι: transliteration of Hebrew פַּלְטִי (Palti/Paltiel); indeclinable, here with dative article τῷ; the man to whom Saul gave Michal.
υἱῷsonDativeappositive to Φαλτι ('son of Laish')→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; identifies Paltiel by patronymic.
ΛαιςLaishgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΛαις: transliteration of Hebrew לַיִשׁ (Laish), Paltiel's father; indeclinable.
τῷthe (who was)Dativearticle (substantivizing the following phrase)→ noun-phrase markingὁ (τῷ): the article + prepositional phrase = 'the one from Rommah,' identifying Paltiel's town.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (origin).
ΡομμαRommahplace-name (object of ἐκ, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΡομμα: the LXX form of the place-name (cf. Hebrew גַּלִּים / context); indeclinable; Paltiel's home town, closing the chapter on this note of unresolved tension over Michal.