1
καὶ συναθροίζουσιν ἀλλόφυλοι πάσας τὰς παρεμβολὰς αὐτῶν εἰς Αφεκ καὶ Ισραηλ παρενέβαλεν ἐν Αενδωρ τῇ ἐν Ιεζραελ
And the Philistines gathered together all their camps at Aphek, and Israel encamped at Aendor, which is in Jezreel.
The chapter opens with the historic present συναθροίζουσιν ('they gather'), a vivid LXX narrative device that sets the muster before the reader's eyes; the καί-parataxis juxtaposes the two encampments (Philistines at Aphek, Israel at the Jezreel spring) to frame the coming confrontation at Gilboa.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συναθροίζουσινthey gather togetherPres Act Indic 3 Pl · συναθροίζωmain verb (historic present opening the episode)→ verbal action or stateσυναθροίζω: 'gather together / assemble'; renders Hebrew קָבַץ; the historic present at the head of a narrative unit is a common LXX device giving immediacy to the mobilization of the Philistine forces.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistines / foreignersNominativesubject (anarthrous: 'foreigners' = the Philistines)→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: lit. 'of another tribe / foreigner'; the standard LXX rendering of פְּלִשְׁתִּים ('Philistines'), avoiding a transliteration; throughout 1 Kingdoms it consistently designates Israel's coastal enemies.
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying παρεμβολὰς)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / every'; the feminine accusative plural πάσας agrees with παρεμβολάς, stressing the totality of the Philistine mobilization — every contingent is brought up.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολὰςcamps / armiesAccusativedirect object of συναθροίζουσιν→ object specificationπαρεμβολή: 'camp / army / battle-array'; renders מַחֲנֶה; in military contexts the plural denotes the assembled host with its several divisions; the word recurs in vv. 4 and 6 (ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ), binding the episode together.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying παρεμβολάς)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying παρεμβολάς).
εἰςto / atpreposition + accusative (direction / place of mustering)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction / place of mustering).
ΑφεκAphekaccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΑφεκ: transliteration of Hebrew אֲפֵק ('Aphek'); indeclinable in the LXX; a recurring Philistine staging-ground (cf. 4:1) on the route toward the Jezreel valley.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (contrasting the two encampments)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙσραηλIsraelsubject (indeclinable: the Israelite army)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; here a collective for the Israelite forces under Saul, set in syntactic and geographical antithesis to the ἀλλόφυλοι.
παρενέβαλενencampedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παρεμβάλλωmain verb (collective singular with Ισραηλ)→ verbal action or stateπαρεμβάλλω: 'encamp / pitch camp / draw up in line'; renders חָנָה; the singular verb with the collective Ισραηλ is normal LXX usage; cognate with παρεμβολή above.
ἐνat / inpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΑενδωρAendordative object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΑενδωρ: transliteration of עֵין דֹּאר ('En-dor', the spring of Dor); indeclinable; the LXX here reads the spring-name where the MT of 1 Sam 29:1 has בָעַיִן ('at the spring') in Jezreel — the LXX has specified the well-known spring of Endor (cf. ch. 28).
τῇthe (which is)Dativearticle (attributive, with the locative ἐν Ιεζραελ phrase)→ noun-phrase markingἡ (fem. dat. τῇ): the article governs the following prepositional phrase ἐν Ιεζραελ attributively ('the [spring] which is in Jezreel'), a common Greek substantivizing construction.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative, defining Aendor's region)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative, defining Aendor's region).
ΙεζραελJezreeldative object of ἐν (indeclinable region-name)→ participant identificationΙεζραελ: transliteration of יִזְרְעֶאל ('Jezreel'); indeclinable; the broad valley between the Galilean and Samarian hills that served as the strategic battlefield where Saul would meet his end (ch. 31).
2
καὶ σατράπαι ἀλλοφύλων παρεπορεύοντο εἰς ἑκατοντάδας καὶ χιλιάδας καὶ Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ παρεπορεύοντο ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτων μετὰ Αγχους
And the satraps of the Philistines were passing on by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men were passing on in the rear with Achish.
Two parallel imperfects (παρεπορεύοντο … παρεπορεύοντο) describe the procession of the host: the Philistine lords advance in military formation while David's contingent marches ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτων ('at the rear') with Achish — a position that exposes David to the suspicious gaze of the other commanders and sets up the objection of vv. 3–5.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σατράπαιsatraps / lordsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceσατράπης: a Persian loanword 'satrap / provincial governor', used by the LXX to render סַרְנֵי ('lords / tyrants') of the Philistine pentapolis; the choice lends the five Philistine rulers an imperial coloring familiar to the LXX's Hellenistic readers.
ἀλλοφύλωνof the PhilistinesGenitivegenitive (partitive/possessive: 'satraps of the Philistines')→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος (gen. pl.): see v. 1; the genitive identifies the satraps as the rulers of the five Philistine cities.
παρεπορεύοντοwere passing onImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραπορεύομαιmain verb (durative imperfect of the march)→ verbal action or stateπαραπορεύομαι: 'pass along / march past / proceed'; renders עָבַר; the imperfect pictures the continuous filing-past of the troops in review-order, by units.
εἰςby / inpreposition + accusative (distributive: 'by hundreds')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: here distributive ('by / in groups of'), rendering the Hebrew לְ of military organization; the troops advance arrayed in their units of hundreds and thousands.
ἑκατοντάδαςhundredsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (unit of organization)→ object specificationἑκατοντάς: 'a hundred / company of a hundred'; renders מֵאוֹת; the military hundreds were a standard subdivision of the host (cf. the commanders 'of hundreds').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χιλιάδαςthousandsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (unit of organization, parallel to ἑκατοντάδας)→ object specificationχιλιάς: 'a thousand / company of a thousand'; renders אֲלָפִים; together with ἑκατοντάδας it conveys the full military array of the Philistine host advancing in ordered divisions.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing David's contingent)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable transliteration of דָּוִד; the future king of Israel, here a fugitive vassal of Achish; his presence in the Philistine line is the dramatic crux of the chapter.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (coordinate with Δαυιδ: 'his men')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): 'man / warrior'; renders אֲנָשִׁים; the six hundred fighting men who followed David in his fugitive years (cf. 27:2; 30:9); the term recurs in v. 4 (τῶν ἀνδρῶν) and v. 11.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ἄνδρες)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ἄνδρες).
παρεπορεύοντοwere passing onImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραπορεύομαιmain verb (second parallel imperfect, David's contingent)→ verbal action or stateπαραπορεύομαι: the repetition of the same verb for David's company as for the satraps underscores that he is fully embedded in the Philistine order of march — the very fact that will alarm the commanders.
ἐπ᾿at / inpreposition + genitive (elided before vowel: 'in the rear')→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (elided before vowel: 'in the rear').
ἐσχάτωνthe rear / the last positionsGenitivegenitive object of ἐπ᾿ (substantivized: 'at the rearmost')→ relational specificationἔσχατος: 'last / rearmost'; the neuter plural ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτων ('in the rear / at the back') renders בָּאַחֲרֹנָה; David's position behind the main host is both a mark of Achish's trust and the source of the other lords' suspicion.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
ΑγχουςAchishgenitive object of μετά (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑγχους: the LXX's Hellenized transliteration of אָכִישׁ ('Achish'), the Philistine king of Gath; treated as indeclinable here (gen. = nom. in form); David's overlord and protector during his exile (chs. 21, 27).
3
καὶ εἶπον οἱ σατράπαι τῶν ἀλλοφύλων τίνες οἱ διαπορευόμενοι οὗτοι καὶ εἶπεν Αγχους πρὸς τοὺς στρατηγοὺς τῶν ἀλλοφύλων οὐχ οὗτος Δαυιδ ὁ δοῦλος Σαουλ βασιλέως Ισραηλ γέγονεν μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν ἡμέρας τοῦτο δεύτερον ἔτος καὶ οὐχ εὕρηκα ἐν αὐτῷ οὐθὲν ἀφ᾿ ἧς ἡμέρας ἐνέπεσεν πρός με καὶ ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης
And the satraps of the Philistines said, 'Who are these who are passing through?' And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, 'Is this not David, the servant of Saul king of Israel? He has been with me days — this is the second year — and I have found nothing in him from the day he came over to me until this day.'
The satraps' terse question τίνες οἱ διαπορευόμενοι οὗτοι ('who are these passing through?') triggers Achish's character-defense of David. Achish answers with a rhetorical question (οὐχ οὗτος Δαυιδ …, anticipating 'yes') and a record of David's blameless tenure, marked by the perfect γέγονεν ('he has been') and εὕρηκα ('I have found'), stressing settled, ongoing trustworthiness.
Word-by-word analysis· 50 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπονsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction, 3rd plural)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπον): here 3rd plural ('they said'), introducing the satraps' question; the same form can be 1st singular, but the subject οἱ σατράπαι fixes it as plural.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σατράπαιsatraps / lordsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceσατράπης: see v. 2; the Philistine pentapolis-rulers, the decisive authority who will overrule Achish.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'satraps of the Philistines')→ relational specificationἀλλοφύλων: meaning 'Philistines'; it serves as genitive (possessive: 'satraps of the Philistines').
τίνεςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate of the question)→ participant referenceτίς, τί: interrogative pronoun 'who? / what?'; the nominative plural τίνες heads the satraps' direct question identifying David's contingent.
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαπορευόμενοιpassing throughPres Mid Part Nom Pl Masc · διαπορεύομαιsubstantival participle (subject of the question: 'these who are passing through')→ verbal action or stateδιαπορεύομαι: 'pass through / march along'; the articular participle οἱ διαπορευόμενοι functions as a noun ('the ones marching past'); cognate with the παραπορεύομαι of v. 2, keeping the imagery of the procession before the reader.
οὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (in apposition: 'these')→ participant referenceοὗτος: near demonstrative 'this / these'; the somewhat scornful οὗτοι ('these fellows') singles out David's Hebrew band as out of place in the Philistine line.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing Achish's reply)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor.): introduces Achish's reply to the commanders.
ΑγχουςAchishsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑγχους: see v. 2.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στρατηγοὺςcommanders / generalsAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (addressees of Achish)→ object specificationστρατηγός: 'general / commander'; here interchangeable with σατράπαι for the Philistine military leaders; the variation (σατράπαι in v. 2–3a, στρατηγοί in v. 3b–4) reflects the LXX's loose rendering of the Philistine סְרָנִים.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive (possessive)→ relational specificationἀλλοφύλων: meaning 'Philistines'; it serves as genitive (possessive).
οὐχnotnegative particle (introducing a rhetorical question expecting 'yes')→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (οὐχ before rough breathing): the negative introduces the rhetorical question οὐχ οὗτος Δαυιδ; … ('Is this not David?'), which expects affirmative assent and functions as an emphatic assertion of David's identity and worth.
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of the rhetorical question)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this (man)'; points to David, whom Achish is vouching for before the suspicious commanders.
ΔαυιδDavidpredicate nominative (indeclinable: 'this [is] David')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: see v. 2.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with appositional δοῦλος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δοῦλοςservant / slaveNominativeapposition to Δαυιδ ('the servant of Saul')→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'slave / servant'; renders עֶבֶד; Achish describes David as Saul's former servant who has now defected — the appositive both explains David's pedigree and (ironically) reassures the lords that he has broken with Israel's king.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'servant of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable transliteration of שָׁאוּל ('Saul'); the reigning king of Israel and David's pursuer; the genitive relation ('David, the servant of Saul') is the historical hook of the whole David narrative.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive in apposition to Σαουλ ('Saul king of Israel')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; the appositive βασιλέως Ισραηλ formally identifies Saul's office and sharpens the irony that his servant now marches with Israel's enemies.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'king of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: see v. 1; here the kingdom over which Saul reigns.
γέγονενhe has beenPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (perfect: settled and continuing state)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (perf. γέγονεν): 'has come to be / has been'; the perfect stresses the abiding result — David has been (and remains) with Achish, an established relationship the satraps cannot easily set aside.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided before rough breathing)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided before rough breathing).
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of μετά (1st person plural: Achish and the Philistines)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (1st person plural: Achish and the Philistines).
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time ('for days')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative plural ἡμέρας is an accusative of duration ('for [some] days'), idiomatically rendering the Hebrew יָמִים for an extended period; clarified by the following 'this second year.'
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of the verbless clause: 'this [is] a second year')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the neuter τοῦτο heads a parenthetical equational clause τοῦτο δεύτερον ἔτος ('this is the second year'), specifying the length of David's service with Achish.
δεύτερονsecondNominativeattributive/predicate adjective (ordinal: 'second year')→ participant prominenceδεύτερος: 'second'; the ordinal numeral marks the duration — David has been with Achish into a second year (cf. 27:7, where the period is given as 'days and four months').
ἔτοςyearNominativepredicate nominative ('a second year')→ participant prominenceἔτος: 'year'; renders שָׁנָה; the time-note authenticates Achish's testimony of David's long and faithful residence.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐχnotnegative particle (with εὕρηκα)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὕρηκαI have foundPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (perfect: settled verdict of exoneration)→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (perf. εὕρηκα): 'I have found'; the perfect expresses Achish's standing verdict that he has discovered no fault in David; the same verb recurs in Achish's oath at v. 6 (οὐχ εὕρηκα κατὰ σοῦ κακίαν), binding his two defenses together.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere: 'in him')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: 'in him').
αὐτῷhimDativedative object of ἐν (referring to David)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (referring to David).
οὐθὲνnothingAccusativedirect object of εὕρηκα (with double negative for emphasis)→ object specificationοὐθείς (= οὐδείς): 'nothing / no one'; the Hellenistic form with -θ- is characteristic of the LXX and Koine; the double negative οὐχ … οὐθέν intensifies ('I have found nothing at all'), an emphatic Semitic-style negation.
ἀφ᾿frompreposition + genitive (temporal starting-point, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: in the temporal formula ἀφ᾿ ἧς ἡμέρας … ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ('from the day … until this day'), a Hebraism for an unbroken span of time.
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive, attracted to ἡμέρας: 'from the day on which')→ relational specificationὅς, ἥ, ὅ: relative pronoun; the genitive ἧς is attracted to its antecedent ἡμέρας in the idiom ἀφ᾿ ἧς ἡμέρας ('from the day on which').
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive (temporal: 'from the day')→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; part of the temporal-span Hebraism marking David's whole tenure.
ἐνέπεσενhe came over / fell inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐμπίπτωverb of the relative/temporal clause ('the day he came over to me')→ verbal action or stateἐμπίπτω: lit. 'fall into / fall in with'; here idiomatically 'come over / desert to', rendering נָפַל אֶל ('fall away to', i.e. defect); the verb pictures David's transfer of allegiance to Achish (cf. the same idiom for defectors in 2 Kgs 25:11).
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Achish)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Achish).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking the temporal poles)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal end-point)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / up to'; completes the temporal span ('until this day').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal end-point)→ relational specificationἡμέρας: meaning 'day'; it serves as genitive object of ἕως (temporal end-point).
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρας: 'this day')→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; the phrase ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ('until this very day') closes the temporal span, underscoring the unbroken record of David's good conduct.
4
καὶ ἐλυπήθησαν ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ οἱ στρατηγοὶ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ ἀπόστρεψον τὸν ἄνδρα εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ οὗ κατέστησας αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ καὶ μὴ ἐρχέσθω μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν εἰς τὸν πόλεμον καὶ μὴ γινέσθω ἐπίβουλος τῆς παρεμβολῆς καὶ ἐν τίνι διαλλαγήσεται οὗτος τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτοῦ οὐχὶ ἐν ταῖς κεφαλαῖς τῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐκείνων
And the commanders of the Philistines were angry at him, and they say to him, 'Send the man back to his place where you stationed him, and let him not come with us into the battle, and let him not become a traitor in the camp. And by what would this man reconcile himself to his master? Would it not be with the heads of those men?'
The commanders' anger (ἐλυπήθησαν) drives the speech; the historic present λέγουσιν heightens the confrontation. Their argument moves from a command (ἀπόστρεψον) to two prohibitions (μὴ ἐρχέσθω … μὴ γινέσθω) and a clinching rhetorical question (ἐν τίνι διαλλαγήσεται …), reasoning that David could buy back Saul's favor with Philistine heads — the worst-case treachery of an embedded enemy.
Word-by-word analysis· 51 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλυπήθησανwere angry / grievedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · λυπέωmain verb (emotional reaction of the commanders)→ verbal action or stateλυπέω (aor. pass.): 'grieve / vex / be angry'; the passive ἐλυπήθησαν ('were grieved/indignant') renders Hebrew קָצַף ('be wroth'); the emotion fuels the demand that follows — the lords are not merely uneasy but provoked at David's presence.
ἐπ᾿atpreposition + dative (cause/object of emotion, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dative: here marks the ground of the emotion ('angry at/over him').
αὐτῷhimDativedative object of ἐπ᾿ (object of anger: David — or Achish)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐπ᾿ (object of anger: David — or Achish).
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στρατηγοὶcommandersNominativesubject→ participant prominenceστρατηγός: see v. 3; the Philistine military chiefs whose collective will overrides Achish's personal confidence in David.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive (possessive)→ relational specificationἀλλοφύλων: meaning 'Philistines'; it serves as genitive (possessive).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λέγουσινthey sayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (historic present, speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (hist. pres.): the present λέγουσιν after the aorist ἐλυπήθησαν dramatizes the lords' outburst, bringing their demand into the foreground.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Achish, the addressee)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Achish, the addressee).
ἀπόστρεψονsend backAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (imperative demand to Achish)→ verbal action or stateἀποστρέφω: 'turn back / send back / return'; renders הָשֵׁב (Hiphil of שׁוּב); the commanders order Achish to return David to his assigned place, removing him from the battle-line.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδραmanAccusativedirect object of ἀπόστρεψον (David, pointedly unnamed)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the lords refer to David curtly as τὸν ἄνδρα ('the man'), a distancing usage that withholds his name and treats him as a security problem to be removed.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (David's assigned town, Ziklag)→ object specificationτόπος: 'place / location'; renders מָקוֹם; 'his place' is the town Achish had assigned David, namely Ziklag (cf. 27:6); cf. the same word in Achish's order at v. 10.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying τόπον)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying τόπον).
οὗwhererelative adverb of place ('where')→ participant referenceοὗ: relative adverb 'where'; introduces the relative clause defining 'his place' as the spot where Achish had stationed David.
κατέστησαςyou stationed / appointedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · καθίστημιverb of relative clause (Achish's prior act)→ verbal action or stateκαθίστημι: 'set / appoint / station'; renders הִפְקִיד / שָׂם; recalls Achish's earlier grant of Ziklag to David (27:6); the same verb in 1st person (κατέστησα) recurs in Achish's own order at v. 10.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of κατέστησας (David)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of κατέστησας (David).
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (resumptive: 'there')→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the resumptive adverb after the relative οὗ ('where … there') is a Hebraism reproducing the Hebrew resumptive שָׁם, redundant in idiomatic Greek but standard in the LXX.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative: prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative of prohibition; with the 3rd-person imperative ἐρχέσθω it forbids David's participation in the battle.
ἐρχέσθωlet him comePres Mid Impv 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (3rd-person prohibition: 'let him not come')→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; the 3rd-person imperative with μή ('let him not come') bars David from marching into battle with the Philistines.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the Philistine army)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (the Philistine army).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction/purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction/purpose).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεμονbattle / warAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς ('into the battle')→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; renders מִלְחָמָה; the coming engagement at Gilboa; the lords fear David's conduct precisely in the heat of this battle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegative particle (prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γινέσθωlet him becomePres Mid Impv 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (3rd-person prohibition: 'let him not become')→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι: 'become / turn into'; the prohibition μὴ γινέσθω ἐπίβουλος ('let him not become a plotter') names the lords' precise fear — that David will turn into an internal enemy at the decisive moment.
ἐπίβουλοςtraitor / plotterNominativepredicate nominative (with γινέσθω: 'become a plotter')→ participant prominenceἐπίβουλος: 'one who plots against / treacherous adversary' (from ἐπιβουλεύω, 'plot against'); a vivid choice rendering the Hebrew לְשָׂטָן ('an adversary / accuser'); it crystallizes the danger of an enemy embedded within one's own camp.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῆςcampGenitiveobjective genitive (with ἐπίβουλος: 'plotter against the camp')→ relational specificationπαρεμβολή: 'camp / army'; see v. 1; the genitive specifies the target of the feared treachery — David might turn against the Philistine host from within.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the clinching question)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνby / withpreposition + dative (instrument/means)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dative: here instrumental ('by what means?'), a Hebraistic use (= בְּמָה); introduces the rhetorical question about how David might regain Saul's favor.
τίνιwhatDativeinterrogative pronoun (dative of means: 'by what?')→ participant reference or interestτίς, τί: interrogative pronoun; the dative τίνι in ἐν τίνι ('by what means') asks how David could reconcile himself to Saul — answered cynically by the lords themselves.
διαλλαγήσεταιwill he reconcile himselfFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · διαλλάσσωmain verb of the rhetorical question (future)→ verbal action or stateδιαλλάσσω: 'reconcile / restore to favor'; the future passive ('be reconciled / make himself reconciled') renders הִתְרַצָּה ('make oneself acceptable'); the lords reason that David might win back Saul's goodwill by betraying them.
οὗτοςthis manNominativesubject of διαλλαγήσεται (David)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this one'; the contemptuous demonstrative again (cf. v. 3) keeps David at arm's length in the lords' speech.
τῷthe / to hisDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳmaster / lordDativedative of relation/advantage (with διαλλαγήσεται: 'reconcile to his master')→ sphere or referenceκύριος: here a human 'master / lord' (= Saul, David's original overlord), rendering אֲדֹנָיו, NOT the Tetragrammaton; the lords assume David would seek reconciliation with the king he had served.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying κυρίῳ: 'his master')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying κυρίῳ: 'his master').
οὐχὶis it notemphatic negative interrogative (expecting 'yes')→ clausal contributionοὐχί: the strengthened form of οὐ; introduces the answering rhetorical question ('would it not be …?'), which the lords pose and answer themselves, expecting emphatic agreement.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrument/means)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrument/means).
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλαῖςheadsDativedative of means (with ἐν: 'with the heads')→ sphere or referenceκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רָאשֵׁי; the grisly image — David would buy back Saul's favor 'with the heads of these men' (the Philistine soldiers) — names the worst-case treachery the lords fear; cf. David's earlier presentation of Philistine foreskins (18:27).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνδρῶνmenGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'heads of the men')→ relational specificationἀνήρ (gen. pl. ἀνδρῶν): 'men'; here the Philistine soldiers whose heads David might take; the word recurs from v. 2 (David's own men) in deliberate contrast.
ἐκείνωνthoseGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἀνδρῶν: 'those men')→ relational specificationἐκεῖνος: far demonstrative 'those'; τῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐκείνων ('those men') points to the Philistine troops themselves, sharpening the lords' self-interested fear.
5
οὐχ οὗτος Δαυιδ ᾧ ἐξῆρχον ἐν χοροῖς λέγοντες ἐπάταξεν Σαουλ ἐν χιλιάσιν αὐτοῦ καὶ Δαυιδ ἐν μυριάσιν αὐτοῦ
Is this not David, of whom they used to sing in the dances, saying, 'Saul struck his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?
The commanders seal their case with another rhetorical question (οὐχ οὗτος Δαυιδ …, cf. v. 3) and the famous women's victory-song first heard at 18:7 and recalled by Achish's own servants at 21:12. The couplet ἐπάταξεν Σαουλ ἐν χιλιάσιν … καὶ Δαυιδ ἐν μυριάσιν is a tight Hebrew parallelism whose escalation (thousands → ten thousands) is precisely what makes David more dangerous than Saul.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
οὐχnotnegative particle (rhetorical question expecting 'yes')→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (οὐχ): introduces the second rhetorical question identifying David (cf. v. 3), expecting affirmative assent and functioning as emphatic assertion.
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of the verbless question)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this (man)'; points again to David, now to be damned by his own legend.
ΔαυιδDavidpredicate nominative (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: see v. 2.
ᾧof whom / for whomDativerelative pronoun (dative with ἐξῆρχον: 'about/for whom they sang')→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. ᾧ): relative pronoun; the dative is governed by ἐξῆρχον ('lead off the singing for/about'), introducing the celebrated victory-chant in David's honor.
ἐξῆρχονthey led off the songImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξάρχωverb of relative clause (habitual: 'they used to sing')→ verbal action or stateἐξάρχω: 'lead off / begin (a song) / strike up'; renders עָנָה ('sing antiphonally') / the leading of the dance-chant; the imperfect ἐξῆρχον depicts the recurring, well-known refrain led by the dancing women (cf. 18:7).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (attendant circumstance: 'in the dances')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (attendant circumstance: 'in the dances').
χοροῖςdances / choral dancesDativedative object of ἐν (the festive dancing)→ sphere or referenceχορός: 'dance / round-dance / festive band'; renders מְחֹלוֹת; the women's celebratory dances at which the victory-song was sung (cf. 18:6); the public, musical fame of David is what now condemns him in Philistine eyes.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Part Nom Pl Masc · λέγωparticiple of speech (introducing the quoted song)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (pres. ptc.): the participle λέγοντες ('saying') introduces direct quotation, a standard LXX way of attaching the words of a song or speech to the verb of utterance.
ἐπάταξενstruck / slewAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb of the quoted song (first colon)→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike / smite / slay'; renders הִכָּה (Hiphil of נָכָה); the verb governs both cola of the parallelism by gapping (Saul struck … and David [struck] …); the chant credits military slaughter to both, but in escalating measure.
ΣαουλSaulsubject of ἐπάταξεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: see v. 3; the king credited with 'thousands' — the lesser figure of the couplet's deliberate escalation.
ἐνin / bypreposition + dative (measure/extent: 'in thousands')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (measure/extent: 'in thousands').
χιλιάσινthousandsDativedative of measure (with ἐν: the tally of Saul's slain)→ sphere or referenceχιλιάς: 'a thousand'; renders אֲלָפִים; the lesser numeral of the parallelism; cf. v. 2, where the same word denoted military units.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying χιλιάσιν)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying χιλιάσιν).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the parallel cola)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject of the gapped verb (second colon: 'David [struck]')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: the parallel subject, credited with the higher tally; the very fame celebrated in this chant is what makes the Philistines distrust him.
ἐνin / bypreposition + dative (measure/extent: 'in ten thousands')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (measure/extent: 'in ten thousands').
μυριάσινten thousands / myriadsDativedative of measure (with ἐν: David's greater tally)→ sphere or referenceμυριάς: 'ten thousand / myriad'; renders רְבָבוֹת; the climactic numeral of the parallelism — David's 'ten thousands' over Saul's 'thousands' is the escalation that first kindled Saul's jealousy (18:8) and now alarms the Philistine lords.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying μυριάσιν)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying μυριάσιν).
6
καὶ ἐκάλεσεν Αγχους τὸν Δαυιδ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ζῇ κύριος ὅτι εὐθὴς σὺ καὶ ἀγαθὸς ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς μου καὶ ἡ ἔξοδός σου καὶ ἡ εἴσοδός σου μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ καὶ ὅτι οὐχ εὕρηκα κατὰ σοῦ κακίαν ἀφ᾿ ἧς ἡμέρας ἥκεις πρός με ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας καὶ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς τῶν σατραπῶν οὐκ ἀγαθὸς σύ
And Achish called David and said to him, 'As the LORD lives, you are upright and good in my eyes, and your going out and your coming in with me in the camp are good; and I have found no evil in you from the day you came to me until this present day. But in the eyes of the satraps you are not good.'
Achish's speech opens with the solemn oath-formula ζῇ κύριος ('as the LORD lives') — Achish, a Philistine, swears by Israel's God, a striking touch of LXX dramatic characterization. He affirms David's uprightness in the warmest terms (εὐθὴς … ἀγαθός … οὐχ εὕρηκα κακίαν) before the deflating adversative: 'but in the eyes of the satraps you are not good' — placing the dismissal squarely on the lords, not himself.
Word-by-word analysis· 56 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάλεσενcalledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (Achish summons David)→ verbal action or stateκαλέω: 'call / summon'; renders קָרָא; Achish calls David aside to convey privately the lords' decision, framing it with personal warmth.
ΑγχουςAchishsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑγχους: see v. 2.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with the indeclinable name, marking it as object)→ noun-phrase markingὁ (acc. τόν): the article preposed to the indeclinable Δαυιδ marks the accusative case syntactically — a common LXX device for declining indeclinable names.
ΔαυιδDaviddirect object of ἐκάλεσεν (case shown by the article τόν)→ noun-phrase markingΔαυιδ: see v. 2.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (David)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (David).
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb of the oath-formula ('as the LORD lives')→ verbal action or stateζάω: 'live / be alive'; the formula ζῇ κύριος ('as the LORD lives') renders the Hebrew oath חַי יְהוָה; remarkably, the Philistine Achish swears by Israel's God — a LXX touch underscoring his sincerity and, ironically, the providential standing of David before the very deity of the people he serves against.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ζῇ (the divine name in the oath-formula)→ participant prominenceκύριος: here renders the Tetragrammaton יהוה in the oath-formula ζῇ κύριος; this is the one occurrence in the chapter where κύριος is the divine name rather than a human master; Achish swears by the LORD, the God of David.
ὅτιthat / surelyconjunction (introducing the content of the oath)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: after an oath-formula, ὅτι introduces the asseveration ('[I swear] that …'), functioning almost as an emphatic 'surely'; renders the Hebrew כִּי of oaths.
εὐθὴςuprightNominativepredicate adjective (with implied 'you are')→ participant prominenceεὐθής: 'straight / upright / honest'; renders יָשָׁר; Achish's strong moral commendation of David; the parallel MT adds 'as an angel of God' (cf. v. 9 LXX), heightening the praise.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun: 'you are')→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic 2nd-person pronoun personalizes Achish's commendation directly to David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀγαθὸςgoodNominativepredicate adjective (coordinate with εὐθής)→ participant prominenceἀγαθός: 'good / pleasing'; renders טוֹב; the keyword of Achish's speech, repeated as the contrast-point ('good in my eyes' v. 6, 'not good in the satraps' eyes' v. 6, 'good in my eyes' v. 9); cf. the same root in v. 9 and v. 10.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere of judgment: 'in my eyes')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere of judgment: 'in my eyes').
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative object of ἐν (idiom of evaluation: 'in [my] eyes')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the idiom ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς μου ('in my eyes') renders בְּעֵינַי ('in my estimation'); the recurring 'eyes' motif (vv. 6 [×2], 7) opposes Achish's favorable estimate to the satraps' hostile one.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ὀφθαλμοῖς)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ὀφθαλμοῖς).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔξοδόςgoing outNominativesubject (of an implied 'is good': 'your going out')→ participant prominenceἔξοδος: 'going out / departure'; renders צֵאת; paired with εἴσοδος ('coming in') in the merism 'your going out and coming in' (= one's whole conduct/movement), a Hebraism for total manner of life and activity (cf. Deut 28:6; Ps 121:8).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ἔξοδος)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ἔξοδος).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the merism)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἴσοδόςcoming inNominativesubject (coordinate with ἔξοδος in the merism)→ participant prominenceεἴσοδος: 'entrance / coming in'; renders בּוֹא; the second member of the 'going out and coming in' merism denoting David's blameless total conduct in the camp.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying εἴσοδος)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying εἴσοδος).
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of μετά (emphatic 1st person: Achish)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. ἐμοῦ): the emphatic genitive ('with me') stresses the personal bond between Achish and David in their shared military service.
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.
παρεμβολῇcamp / armyDativedative object of ἐν (locative: 'in the camp')→ sphere or referenceπαρεμβολή: 'camp / army'; see v. 1; David's conduct 'in the camp' has been exemplary — the very setting the lords fear he might subvert (v. 4).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing the oath-content)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὅτιthatconjunction (second ὅτι clause of the asseveration)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: introduces the second clause of Achish's sworn testimony ('and that I have found no evil in you').
οὐχnotnegative particle (with εὕρηκα)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὕρηκαI have foundPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (perfect: standing verdict of exoneration)→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (perf.): repeats the verb of v. 3 (οὐχ εὕρηκα … οὐθέν), now in direct address with the object κακίαν; the perfect again expresses Achish's settled clearance of David.
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (hostile: 'against you')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + genitive: 'against'; κατὰ σοῦ ('against you') marks the charge that Achish has not found — no fault chargeable against David.
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of κατά (David)→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of κατά (David).
κακίανevil / wrongAccusativedirect object of εὕρηκα ('no evil')→ object specificationκακία: 'evil / wickedness / wrongdoing'; renders רָעָה; the same word recurs in v. 7 (οὐ μὴ ποιήσεις κακίαν) — Achish finds none in David, yet warns him to do none before the lords.
ἀφ᾿frompreposition + genitive (temporal start, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: opens the temporal-span formula (cf. v. 3) 'from the day … until this day.'
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (attracted: 'the day on which')→ relational specificationὅς (ἧς): relative, attracted to ἡμέρας; see v. 3.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive (temporal: 'from the day')→ relational specificationἡμέρας: meaning 'day'; it serves as genitive (temporal: 'from the day').
ἥκειςyou have comePres Act Indic 2 Sg · ἥκωverb of the temporal clause ('the day you came to me')→ verbal action or stateἥκω: 'have come / be present'; the present has perfect force ('you have come and remain'); renders בּוֹא; describes David's arrival into Achish's service; the verb recurs in v. 10 (οἱ ἥκοντες, 'those who have come with you').
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Achish)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Achish).
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal end-point)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; completes the temporal span ('until this present day').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σήμερονtoday / presentadverb used attributively (with ἡμέρας: 'this present day')→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; the adverb stands attributively between article and noun (τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας, 'this present day'), a Greek idiom emphasizing the up-to-the-moment completeness of David's blameless record.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal end-point)→ relational specificationἡμέρας: meaning 'day'; it serves as genitive object of ἕως (temporal end-point).
καὶbut / andcoordinate conjunction (adversative in force: 'but')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative in effect, turning from Achish's warm verdict to the deflating qualification — 'but in the eyes of the satraps you are not good.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere of judgment: 'in the eyes')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere of judgment: 'in the eyes').
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative object of ἐν (idiom of evaluation, now the satraps')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: the same 'eyes' idiom (cf. v. 6a) now turns negative — the satraps' estimate opposes Achish's, sealing David's dismissal.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σατραπῶνsatraps / lordsGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'in the eyes of the satraps')→ relational specificationσατράπης: see v. 2; their adverse judgment is decisive even over Achish's personal trust.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with predicate ἀγαθός)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγαθὸςgoodNominativepredicate adjective (with implied 'you are': 'you are not good')→ participant prominenceἀγαθός: 'good / acceptable'; the pointed antithesis to v. 6a (ἀγαθὸς ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς μου) — good to Achish, not good to the lords; the repetition crystallizes David's predicament.
σύyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (emphatic pronoun).
7
καὶ νῦν ἀνάστρεφε καὶ πορεύου εἰς εἰρήνην καὶ οὐ μὴ ποιήσεις κακίαν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς τῶν σατραπῶν τῶν ἀλλοφύλων
And now turn back and go in peace, and you shall not do anything evil in the eyes of the satraps of the Philistines.
The transitional καὶ νῦν ('and now') draws the practical consequence from v. 6: since the satraps object, David must go. Two imperatives (ἀνάστρεφε … πορεύου) urge a peaceable withdrawal (εἰς εἰρήνην), reinforced by the emphatic prohibition οὐ μὴ ποιήσεις κακίαν ('you must do nothing to displease them').
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (in the transitional formula καὶ νῦν)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transition to the practical command)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; the formula καὶ νῦν ('and now') renders וְעַתָּה, a standard Hebrew discourse-marker drawing a practical inference from what precedes; here it pivots from verdict (v. 6) to directive (v. 7); it recurs at v. 10.
ἀνάστρεφεturn back / returnPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναστρέφωmain verb (imperative of dismissal)→ verbal action or stateἀναστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; renders שׁוּב; the gentle dismissal asks David to retrace his steps homeward rather than march on to battle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the imperatives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πορεύουgoPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (second imperative)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / proceed / journey'; renders הָלַךְ; the verb of departure; with εἰς εἰρήνην it forms the courteous send-off 'go in peace'; the same verb recurs in vv. 10–11 (πορεύεσθε, πορεύθητε).
εἰςin / topreposition + accusative (idiomatic: 'in peace')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: in πορεύου εἰς εἰρήνην the preposition renders the Hebrew לְשָׁלוֹם ('to/in peace'), a courteous formula of dismissal (cf. Exod 4:18; 1 Sam 1:17).
εἰρήνηνpeaceAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom of dismissal)→ object specificationεἰρήνη: 'peace / well-being'; renders שָׁלוֹם; 'go in peace' assures David that Achish dismisses him without hostility, preserving their good relationship despite the lords' veto.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative particle (first element of emphatic double negative)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: with μή forms the emphatic negation οὐ μή ('by no means / certainly not').
μὴnotnegative particle (second element of οὐ μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: with οὐ and the future indicative forms a strong prohibition ('you shall by no means do …').
ποιήσειςyou shall doFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (emphatic prohibition with οὐ μή)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; the construction οὐ μὴ ποιήσεις with the future indicative is a strong prohibition — David is to do nothing that would provoke the satraps; the same verb recurs in David's reply (πεποίηκα, v. 8).
κακίανevil / anything wrongAccusativedirect object of ποιήσεις→ object specificationκακία: 'evil / harm / offense'; see v. 6; here 'do no evil in the eyes of the satraps' means David should give them no cause for complaint — depart quietly.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere of judgment: 'in the eyes')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere of judgment: 'in the eyes').
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative object of ἐν (evaluation idiom: the satraps' eyes)→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: the 'eyes' idiom once more (cf. v. 6); David's conduct must remain acceptable in the satraps' sight as he withdraws.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σατραπῶνsatrapsGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'eyes of the satraps')→ relational specificationσατράπης: see v. 2.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive (attributive: 'satraps of the Philistines')→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: see v. 1; the full title 'the satraps of the Philistines' formally locates the authority that David must not offend.
8
καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Αγχους τί πεποίηκά σοι καὶ τί εὗρες ἐν τῷ δούλῳ σου ἀφ᾿ ἧς ἡμέρας ἤμην ἐνώπιόν σου καὶ ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ὅτι οὐ μὴ ἔλθω πολεμῆσαι τοὺς ἐχθροὺς τοῦ κυρίου μου τοῦ βασιλέως
And David said to Achish, 'What have I done to you, and what have you found in your servant from the day I was before you until this day, that I may not come and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?'
David answers with two parallel rhetorical questions (τί πεποίηκά … τί εὗρες …) protesting his blamelessness, echoing Achish's own language (εὗρες; cf. εὕρηκα vv. 3, 6). The clinching ὅτι-clause expresses his ostensible desire to fight 'the enemies of my lord the king' — a phrase whose referent (Achish? Saul?) is studiedly ambiguous, the dramatic irony at the heart of the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: see v. 2.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΑγχουςAchishaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑγχους: see v. 2.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of πεποίηκα: 'what have I done?')→ participant referenceτίς, τί: interrogative; the accusative τί heads David's first protest-question ('what have I done [wrong]?'), expecting the answer 'nothing.'
πεποίηκάhave I donePerf Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of the first rhetorical question (perfect)→ verbal action or stateποιέω (perf. πεποίηκα): 'I have done'; the perfect asks whether any fault of David's still stands against him; picks up Achish's κακίαν/ποιήσεις language (v. 7).
σοιto youDativedative of disadvantage (Achish)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of disadvantage (Achish).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two questions)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of εὗρες: 'what have you found?')→ participant referenceτίς, τί: the second interrogative heads the parallel question ('what have you found [against me]?').
εὗρεςhave you foundAor Act Indic 2 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb of the second rhetorical question→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (aor. εὗρες): 'you have found'; deliberately echoes Achish's own οὐχ εὕρηκα (vv. 3, 6), turning the king's exoneration into the basis of David's protest — 'you yourself have found nothing.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere: 'in your servant')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: 'in your servant').
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούλῳservantDativedative object of ἐν (David's self-designation)→ sphere or referenceδοῦλος: 'servant / slave'; renders עֶבֶד; David's deferential self-reference 'your servant' (τῷ δούλῳ σου) is the courtly idiom of subordinate address, the opposite of the lords' contemptuous τὸν ἄνδρα (v. 4).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying δούλῳ)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying δούλῳ).
ἀφ᾿frompreposition + genitive (temporal start, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: the temporal-span formula again (cf. vv. 3, 6) — 'from the day … until this day.'
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (attracted: 'the day on which')→ relational specificationὅς (ἧς): see vv. 3, 6.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive (temporal: 'from the day')→ relational specificationἡμέρας: meaning 'day'; it serves as genitive (temporal: 'from the day').
ἤμηνI wasImpf Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίverb of the temporal clause ('the day I was before you')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (impf. ἤμην): 'I was'; the Koine middle-form imperfect ἤμην (for classical ἦν) is characteristic of the LXX; describes David's continuous presence in Achish's service.
ἐνώπιόνbefore / in the presence ofpreposition + genitive (presence: 'before you')→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; a Hebraism rendering לִפְנֵי; here 'in your service / attendance'; the same preposition recurs in Achish's words at v. 10 (ἐνώπιόν μου).
σουyouGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον (Achish)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐνώπιον (Achish).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking temporal poles)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal end-point)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; completes the temporal span (cf. vv. 3, 6).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive object of ἕως→ relational specificationἡμέρας: meaning 'day'; it serves as genitive object of ἕως.
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρας: 'this day')→ relational specificationοὗτος: see v. 3; 'until this day' closes David's appeal to an unbroken record of faithful service.
ὅτιthatconjunction (consecutive/purpose: 'that [I may not]…')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: here introduces the resultative/purpose clause expressing the grievance — that, despite his blamelessness, he is barred from fighting for his lord.
οὐnotnegative particle (first element of οὐ μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μὴnotnegative particle (second element of οὐ μή with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: with οὐ and the aorist subjunctive ἔλθω forms the emphatic negation ('that I may by no means come').
ἔλθωI may comeAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb of the ὅτι-clause (emphatic negative subjunctive)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι (aor. subj. ἔλθω): 'come / go'; the construction οὐ μὴ ἔλθω laments that David is forbidden to come and join the fight; the apparent zeal masks the providential reality that he is being spared from fighting his own people.
πολεμῆσαιto fightAor Act Inf · πολεμέωcomplementary/purpose infinitive (with ἔλθω: 'come to fight')→ verbal action or stateπολεμέω: 'wage war / fight against'; renders נִלְחַם; the infinitive expresses the purpose of David's would-be coming; cf. the cognate πόλεμος (v. 4) and πολεμεῖν (v. 11).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθροὺςenemiesAccusativedirect object of πολεμῆσαι→ object specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy / foe'; renders אֹיֵב; 'the enemies of my lord the king' — left pointedly unspecified; from Achish's standpoint they are Israel, but David's words could equally mean Saul's enemies, the studied ambiguity that is the chapter's central irony.
τοῦof the / of myGenitivearticle (with κυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίουlord / masterGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'enemies of my lord')→ relational specificationκύριος: here a human 'lord / master' (= Achish, addressed as 'my lord the king'), rendering אֲדֹנִי, NOT the Tetragrammaton; the courtly title 'my lord the king' (τοῦ κυρίου μου τοῦ βασιλέως) is the deferential address of a vassal — yet its referent is deliberately equivocal.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying κυρίου)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying κυρίου).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with appositional βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου ('my lord the king')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; the apposition 'my lord the king' addresses Achish with full royal courtesy; the ambiguity of whom David ultimately serves remains unresolved, sustaining the dramatic irony.
9
καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Αγχους πρὸς Δαυιδ οἶδα ὅτι ἀγαθὸς σὺ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς μου ἀλλ᾿ οἱ σατράπαι τῶν ἀλλοφύλων λέγουσιν οὐχ ἥξει μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν εἰς πόλεμον
And Achish answered David, 'I know that you are good in my eyes, but the satraps of the Philistines say, "He shall not go with us into battle."'
Achish's reply balances personal conviction (οἶδα ὅτι ἀγαθὸς σύ, 'I know you are good', echoing v. 6) against the decisive adversative ἀλλά and the satraps' veto, quoted directly (οὐχ ἥξει … εἰς πόλεμον). The parallel MT here adds 'as an angel of God', but the LXX keeps the praise compact; the structure 'I know … but the lords say' politely transfers responsibility for the dismissal.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (speech-introduction, reply)→ verbal action or stateἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / reply'; renders עָנָה; the aorist passive ἀπεκρίθη is the standard LXX form for 'answered'; it marks Achish's response to David's protest.
ΑγχουςAchishsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑγχους: see v. 2.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: see v. 2.
οἶδαI knowPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · οἶδαmain verb (Achish's affirmation of knowledge)→ verbal action or stateοἶδα: 'know'; the perfect-with-present-meaning verb expresses Achish's settled personal certainty about David's goodness — a conviction that persists despite the lords' contrary verdict.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing object clause of οἶδα)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of Achish's knowledge ('that you are good in my eyes').
ἀγαθὸςgoodNominativepredicate adjective (with implied 'you are')→ participant prominenceἀγαθός: 'good'; see v. 6; Achish repeats his own keyword, reaffirming the warm verdict; the MT enriches it with 'as an angel of God,' implicit in the LXX's strong commendation.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσὺ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (emphatic pronoun).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere: 'in my eyes')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: 'in my eyes').
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative object of ἐν (evaluation idiom)→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: the 'eyes' idiom again (cf. v. 6) — Achish's own favorable estimate, now set against the lords' veto by ἀλλά.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ὀφθαλμοῖς)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ὀφθαλμοῖς).
ἀλλ᾿butadversative conjunction (elided before vowel)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but'; the strong adversative pivots from Achish's personal trust to the overriding will of the satraps, which he cannot defy.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σατράπαιsatrapsNominativesubject (of λέγουσιν)→ participant prominenceσατράπης: see v. 2; their collective decision is the immovable obstacle.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive (possessive)→ relational specificationἀλλοφύλων: meaning 'Philistines'; it serves as genitive (possessive).
λέγουσινsayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (introducing the lords' quoted veto)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (pres.): the present λέγουσιν reports the satraps' firmly held demand, which Achish now relays verbatim to David.
οὐχnotnegative particle (with ἥξει)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (οὐχ): negates ἥξει in the lords' direct prohibition ('he shall not go up').
ἥξειhe shall go / comeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἥκωmain verb of the quoted veto (future of prohibition)→ verbal action or stateἥκω: 'come / go / arrive'; the future ἥξει with οὐχ functions as a flat refusal — 'he shall not go with us into battle'; cf. the cognate participle ἥκοντες in v. 10.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the Philistine host)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (the Philistine host).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
πόλεμονbattle / warAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς ('into battle')→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; see v. 4; the anarthrous εἰς πόλεμον ('into battle') restates the lords' precise demand from v. 4 (μὴ ἐρχέσθω … εἰς τὸν πόλεμον).
10
καὶ νῦν ὄρθρισον τὸ πρωί σὺ καὶ οἱ παῖδες τοῦ κυρίου σου οἱ ἥκοντες μετὰ σοῦ καὶ πορεύεσθε εἰς τὸν τόπον οὗ κατέστησα ὑμᾶς ἐκεῖ καὶ λόγον λοιμὸν μὴ θῇς ἐν καρδίᾳ σου ὅτι ἀγαθὸς σὺ ἐνώπιόν μου καὶ ὀρθρίσατε ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ φωτισάτω ὑμῖν καὶ πορεύθητε
And now rise early in the morning, you and the servants of your master who have come with you, and go to the place where I stationed you; and do not put a mischievous word in your heart, for you are good in my sight. And rise early on the road, and when it grows light for you, depart.
The second καὶ νῦν (cf. v. 7) gives the concrete marching-orders: rise early, return to the assigned place, harbor no resentment ('do not put a mischievous word in your heart'), and depart at first light. The repeated ὀρθρίζω (ὄρθρισον … ὀρθρίσατε), the cognate of v. 11's ὤρθρισεν, frames the departure around the dawn, while ἀγαθὸς … ἐνώπιόν μου reprises Achish's steady commendation.
Word-by-word analysis· 48 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (in καὶ νῦν)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transition to the marching-order)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: see v. 7; καὶ νῦν again draws the practical directive from the foregoing — now that the matter is settled, depart at dawn.
ὄρθρισονrise earlyAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ὀρθρίζωmain verb (imperative of departure)→ verbal action or stateὀρθρίζω: 'rise early / do something at dawn'; renders הִשְׁכִּים; the verb dominates this closing scene (here, ὀρθρίσατε later in the verse, and ὤρθρισεν in v. 11), keeping the early-morning departure in view.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with adverbial πρωί)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωίmorning / earlyadverb of time (substantivized with τό: 'in the morning')→ clausal contributionπρωί: 'early / in the morning'; the articular τὸ πρωί ('the morning') functions adverbially ('at dawn'), reinforcing ὄρθρισον; renders בַּבֹּקֶר.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun, with the following compound subject)→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic 'you' heads the compound subject 'you and the servants … who have come with you.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the compound subject)→ 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.
παῖδεςservants / attendantsNominativesubject (coordinate with σύ: 'the servants')→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / attendant / boy'; renders עַבְדֵי; here David's men described as the 'servants of your master' (i.e. Saul, or loosely Achish); cf. the synonyms δοῦλος (v. 3, 8) and ἄνδρες (v. 2).
τοῦof the / of yourGenitivearticle (with κυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίουmaster / lordGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'servants of your master')→ relational specificationκύριος: here a human 'master / lord' (David's master — most naturally Saul, or Achish himself), rendering אֲדֹנֶיךָ, NOT the Tetragrammaton; the phrase 'the servants of your master' designates David's own following.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying κυρίου)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying κυρίου).
οἱthe (who)Nominativearticle (substantivizing the participle ἥκοντες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἥκοντεςwho have comePres Act Part Nom Pl Masc · ἥκωattributive participle (modifying παῖδες: 'who have come with you')→ verbal action or stateἥκω (pres. ptc.): 'who have come'; the articular participle οἱ ἥκοντες identifies David's men as those who accompanied him into Philistine territory; cognate with ἥκεις (v. 6) and ἥξει (v. 9).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά (David)→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (David).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing second imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πορεύεσθεgoPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (plural imperative to David and his men)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / journey'; see v. 7; the shift to 2nd plural (πορεύεσθε) addresses the whole company; cf. πορεύθητε at the verse's end and v. 11's departure.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (David's assigned town)→ object specificationτόπος: 'place'; see v. 4; 'the place where I stationed you' = Ziklag; Achish echoes the lords' own demand (εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ οὗ κατέστησας, v. 4).
οὗwhererelative adverb of place ('where')→ participant referenceοὗ: relative adverb 'where'; see v. 4; introduces the clause defining 'the place.'
κατέστησαI stationed / appointedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · καθίστημιverb of relative clause (Achish's prior act)→ verbal action or stateκαθίστημι: 'set / appoint / station'; see v. 4; here in the 1st person (κατέστησα), Achish recalls his own grant of Ziklag to David (27:6).
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of κατέστησα (David and his men, plural)→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of κατέστησα (David and his men, plural).
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (resumptive: 'there')→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the resumptive adverb after οὗ ('where … there'), a Hebraism (cf. v. 4) reproducing the Hebrew resumptive שָׁם.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λόγονword / matterAccusativedirect object of θῇς ('do not put a word')→ object specificationλόγος: 'word / matter / thing'; renders דָּבָר; the phrase λόγον λοιμόν ('a mischievous/baneful word') means a grudge or resentful thought; the idiom μὴ θῇς ἐν καρδίᾳ ('do not put in your heart') warns David not to nurse bitterness over the dismissal.
λοιμὸνbaneful / mischievousAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λόγον: 'a harmful word')→ object specificationλοιμός: properly 'pestilence / plague', here adjectival 'pestilent / baneful / pernicious'; λόγον λοιμόν is a vivid rendering of דָּבָר רָע ('an evil/resentful word'), describing a grievance harbored in the heart that could fester into action.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive: prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: with the aorist subjunctive θῇς forms a prohibition ('do not put').
θῇςyou put / setAor Act Subj 2 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (prohibitive subjunctive with μή)→ verbal action or stateτίθημι (aor. subj. θῇς): 'put / place / set'; the construction μὴ … θῇς ἐν καρδίᾳ σου ('do not set in your heart') warns against nursing resentment; renders שִׂים בְּלֵב.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: 'in your heart')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'in your heart').
καρδίᾳheartDativedative object of ἐν (seat of thought/will)→ sphere or referenceκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; in Hebraic anthropology the seat of thought, will, and resolve; 'put no baneful word in your heart' = harbor no hostile intent over the dismissal.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying καρδίᾳ)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying καρδίᾳ).
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction ('because you are good')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; gives the ground for the reassurance — David need harbor no grudge precisely because Achish esteems him as good.
ἀγαθὸςgoodNominativepredicate adjective (with implied 'you are')→ participant prominenceἀγαθός: 'good'; see vv. 6, 9; the third reaffirmation of David's goodness in Achish's eyes, softening the dismissal.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσὺ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (emphatic pronoun).
ἐνώπιόνbefore / in the sight ofpreposition + genitive (presence/judgment: 'in my sight')→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the sight of'; see v. 8; here ἐνώπιόν μου ('in my sight') is synonymous with the earlier ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς μου (v. 6), again locating Achish's favorable estimate.
μουmyGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον (Achish)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐνώπιον (Achish).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (resuming the marching-order)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀρθρίσατεrise earlyAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὀρθρίζωmain verb (plural imperative repeating the dawn-command)→ verbal action or stateὀρθρίζω: see earlier in this verse; the plural ὀρθρίσατε ('rise early', addressed to the whole company) repeats and reinforces ὄρθρισον — the early start that David carries out at v. 11 (ὤρθρισεν).
ἐνonpreposition + dative (locative: 'on the road')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'on the road').
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδῷroad / wayDativedative object of ἐν (locative: 'on the road')→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'road / way / journey'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; 'rise early on the road' = set out on the homeward journey at first light.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the temporal cue)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φωτισάτωlet it give lightAor Act Impv 3 Sg · φωτίζωmain verb (impersonal 3rd-person imperative: 'let it grow light')→ verbal action or stateφωτίζω: 'give light / illuminate'; renders אוֹר; the impersonal φωτισάτω ὑμῖν ('let it be light for you' = 'when day dawns for you') marks the moment of departure — at first daylight; an idiomatic LXX rendering of the Hebrew 'and the morning grew light for you.'
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of advantage (with φωτισάτω: 'let it be light for you')→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'for you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (with φωτισάτω: 'let it be light for you').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (final imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πορεύθητεdepart / goAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (final imperative: depart)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep. πορεύθητε): 'go / depart / journey'; the deponent aorist imperative concludes Achish's orders — once it is light, set out; fulfilled in David's prompt obedience at v. 11.
11
καὶ ὤρθρισεν Δαυιδ αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ἀπελθεῖν καὶ φυλάσσειν τὴν γῆν τῶν ἀλλοφύλων καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι ἀνέβησαν πολεμεῖν ἐπὶ Ισραηλ
And David rose early, he and his men, to depart and to guard the land of the Philistines; and the Philistines went up to make war against Israel.
The closing verse reports David's prompt compliance: ὤρθρισεν ('he rose early') fulfills Achish's ὄρθρισον/ὀρθρίσατε (v. 10). The two infinitives ἀπελθεῖν … φυλάσσειν define his purpose (depart and guard Philistine territory, i.e. return toward Ziklag). The final clause pivots to the larger movement — the Philistines go up to make war on Israel — leaving the reader on the threshold of Gilboa, with David providentially absent.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὤρθρισενrose earlyAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀρθρίζωmain verb (David's obedient action)→ verbal action or stateὀρθρίζω: 'rise early'; see v. 10; the narrative ὤρθρισεν fulfills Achish's twin imperatives ὄρθρισον / ὀρθρίσατε — David obeys at once and without resentment, exactly as instructed.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: see v. 2; his prompt obedience quietly extracts him from the battle that will destroy Saul.
αὐτὸςhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (in apposition to Δαυιδ: 'he himself')→ participant referenceαὐτός: intensive 'himself'; Δαυιδ αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ('David himself and his men') stresses that the whole company departed together, as Achish had commanded (v. 10).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (coordinate with Δαυιδ: 'his men')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): 'men'; see v. 2; David's six hundred followers, who depart with him; the word forms an inclusio with v. 2 (David and his men marching in).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ἄνδρες)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ἄνδρες).
ἀπελθεῖνto departAor Act Inf · ἀπέρχομαιinfinitive of purpose (with ὤρθρισεν: 'rose early to depart')→ verbal action or stateἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; renders הָלַךְ / שׁוּב; the first of two purpose-infinitives expressing why David rose early — to set out homeward; the compound ἀπ- marks departure from the Philistine host.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the infinitives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φυλάσσεινto guard / keepPres Act Inf · φυλάσσωinfinitive of purpose (coordinate with ἀπελθεῖν)→ verbal action or stateφυλάσσω: 'guard / watch / keep'; renders שָׁמַר; the second purpose-infinitive — David returns to 'guard the land of the Philistines' (his assigned territory around Ziklag); the present aspect suits an ongoing duty.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of φυλάσσειν ('the land')→ object specificationγῆ: 'land / earth / country'; renders אֶרֶץ; 'the land of the Philistines' is David's base of operations under Achish (Ziklag and its environs); the same word closes the chapter's geographical framing.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'land of the Philistines')→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: see v. 1; David is sent back to guard Philistine territory — a task that, ironically, keeps him from harming Israel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (scene-shift to the army's advance)→ 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.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject (of ἀνέβησαν)→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: see v. 1; the chapter ends as it began, with the Philistine host on the move — now advancing to the battle at Gilboa from which David has been removed.
ἀνέβησανwent upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (the army's advance)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend / march up'; renders עָלָה; the standard verb for a military advance, especially up into the highlands of the Jezreel/Gilboa region; it propels the narrative directly into ch. 30 (David at Ziklag) and ch. 31 (Saul's death).
πολεμεῖνto make warPres Act Inf · πολεμέωinfinitive of purpose (with ἀνέβησαν: 'went up to make war')→ verbal action or stateπολεμέω: 'wage war / fight'; see v. 8; the purpose-infinitive states the army's objective — war against Israel; cognate with πόλεμος (vv. 4, 9) and πολεμῆσαι (v. 8), binding the war-theme across the chapter.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction: 'against Israel')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'against'; marks the hostile target of the Philistine advance — Israel; the same hostile sense as in Exod 11:1 (ἐπὶ Φαραω).
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable: target of war)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: see v. 1; the chapter's final word names the victim of the coming battle — the people David has been spared from fighting; the narrative now turns to Gilboa and Saul's fall (ch. 31).