1
καὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ ταῦτα καὶ ἐποίησεν ἑαυτῷ Αβεσσαλωμ ἅρματα καὶ ἵππους καὶ πεντήκοντα ἄνδρας παρατρέχειν ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ
And it came to pass after these things that Absalom made for himself chariots and horses and fifty men to run before him.
The formula καὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ ταῦτα ('and it came to pass after these things') is the standard LXX rendering of וַיְהִי אַחֲרֵי כֵן and marks a major narrative seam, opening the Absalom-revolt cycle. The redundant second καί before ἐποίησεν is a Hebraism reproducing the apodotic waw after the temporal protasis.
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.
ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb of temporal formula (impersonal)→ constative aorist (narrative onset)γίνομαι: 'become / happen / come to pass'; the impersonal ἐγένετο renders Hebrew וַיְהִי, the conventional macro-syntactic marker introducing a new narrative block in LXX historiography.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal).
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeaccusative object of μετά (temporal: 'after these things')→ object specificationοὗτος: the demonstrative ταῦτα looks back to the reconciliation of Absalom and David in ch. 14; μετὰ ταῦτα is a standard LXX formula for narrative succession.
καὶandapodotic conjunction (Hebraism: waw after temporal protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: the 'redundant' καί introducing the main clause after καὶ ἐγένετο is a calque of the Hebrew apodosis-waw; it is left untranslated in idiomatic English.
ἐποίησενmadeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (Absalom's acquisition)→ constative aorist (completed action)ποιέω: 'make / do / provide'; here in the sense of procuring or acquiring royal equipage; the same self-aggrandizing 'making' marked Adonijah at 3 Kgdms 1:5 (ἐποίησεν ἑαυτῷ ἅρματα καὶ ἱππεῖς), a deliberate verbal parallel between the two usurping sons.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive)→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; the dative of advantage ἑαυτῷ ('for himself') underscores Absalom's self-promotion — the apparatus of kingship is acquired for his own ambition.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliteration of Hebrew אַבְשָׁלוֹם ('my father is peace'); indeclinable in the LXX; David's third son, whose name's irony pervades the chapter — the 'son of peace' raises war against his father.
ἅρματαchariotsAccusativedirect object of ἐποίησεν→ object specificationἅρμα: 'chariot'; renders רֶכֶב / מֶרְכָּבָה; the chariot is a symbol of royal-military pretension; together with horses and runners it constitutes the visible claim to kingly state.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἵππουςhorsesAccusativedirect object (coordinate with ἅρματα)→ object specificationἵππος: 'horse'; renders סוּס; horses for the chariot-team, completing the royal cavalcade.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πεντήκονταfiftyindeclinable numeral (modifying ἄνδρας)→ measure or countπεντήκοντα: 'fifty'; indeclinable cardinal numeral rendering חֲמִשִּׁים; the fifty runners are the royal escort that precedes the chariot, a mark of monarchic display (cf. 3 Kgdms 1:5).
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object (the fifty runners)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; renders אִישׁ; the men are the body of runners who go before the prince's chariot as a herald-escort.
παρατρέχεινto run beforePres Act Inf · παρατρέχωinfinitive of purpose (with ἄνδρας: 'men to run before him')→ purpose infinitive (function of the escort)παρατρέχω: 'run alongside / run before'; the compound παρα- denotes accompaniment; the present infinitive expresses the customary, ongoing function of the royal runners who clear the way before the prince.
ἔμπροσθενbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (position: 'in front of')→ spatial or relational framingἔμπροσθεν: 'in front of / before'; an improper preposition taking the genitive (αὐτοῦ); locates the runners ahead of Absalom, the conventional position of a royal vanguard.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἔμπροσθεν→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἔμπροσθεν.
2
καὶ ὤρθρισεν Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ ἔστη ἀνὰ χεῖρα τῆς ὁδοῦ τῆς πύλης καὶ ἐγένετο πᾶς ἀνήρ ᾧ ἐγένετο κρίσις ἦλθεν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα εἰς κρίσιν καὶ ἐβόησεν πρὸς αὐτὸν Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ ἐκ ποίας πόλεως σὺ εἶ καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀνήρ ἐκ μιᾶς φυλῶν Ισραηλ ὁ δοῦλός σου
And Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way of the gate, and it would happen that every man who had a lawsuit came to the king for judgment; and Absalom would call out to him and say to him, 'From what city are you?' And the man would say, 'Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.'
The aorists ὤρθρισεν / ἔστη and the imperfect ἔλεγεν here describe a customary, repeated practice rather than a single event — the LXX uses the aorist iteratively in narrative summaries. The gate (πύλη) is the seat of judicial business in the ancient city, so Absalom intercepts litigants at the very threshold of royal justice.
Word-by-word analysis· 48 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὤρθρισενwould rise earlyAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀρθρίζωmain verb (iterative custom)→ iterative aorist (habitual rising)ὀρθρίζω: 'rise early / do early in the morning'; renders הִשְׁכִּים; the early rising signals diligent, calculated effort — Absalom's coup is methodical and persistent.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστηwould standAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (iterative)→ iterative aorist (habitual standing)ἵστημι (intrans. aor. ἔστη): 'stand / take one's stand'; the intransitive second aorist denotes Absalom's taking up a fixed position beside the road to the gate.
ἀνὰalong / besidepreposition + accusative (in the idiom ἀνὰ χεῖρα: 'beside')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά + acc.: 'up / along'; in the idiom ἀνὰ χεῖρα ('at the side / beside'), a Hebraism rendering עַל־יַד ('by the hand of / beside'), denoting position alongside the road.
χεῖραside (lit. hand)Accusativeaccusative in idiom ἀνὰ χεῖρα ('beside')→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; in the Hebraism ἀνὰ χεῖρα the 'hand' means 'side / edge'; Absalom stations himself at the very edge of the road leading to the gate, to catch litigants before they reach the king.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδοῦwayGenitivegenitive (the road of the gate)→ relational specificationὁδός: 'road / way'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the road leading up to the city gate, where judicial petitioners passed.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύληςgateGenitivegenitive (the gate, locus of judgment)→ relational specificationπύλη: 'gate'; renders שַׁעַר; the city gate was the seat of legal proceedings and royal audience in ancient Israel (cf. Ruth 4:1; Amos 5:15); Absalom usurps the function of justice at its very threshold.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing iterative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit would happenAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (iterative formula introducing the case)→ iterative aorist (recurring circumstance)γίνομαι: here introduces a recurring circumstance ('it would happen that …'), rendering the Hebrew frequentative וְהָיָה.
πᾶςeveryNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀνήρ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every / all'; the distributive πᾶς ἀνήρ ('every man') stresses the comprehensiveness of Absalom's interception — no litigant escapes his attention.
ἀνήρmanNominativesubject of the relative construction→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; renders אִישׁ; here the individual litigant coming with a legal case to the royal court.
ᾧto whomDativerelative pronoun (dative of possession in relative clause)→ participant reference or interestὅς: relative pronoun; the dative ᾧ ἐγένετο κρίσις is a dative of possession ('who had a lawsuit'), a Greek idiom rendering the Hebrew 'who had a dispute.'
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb of relative clause (possessive: 'who had a case')→ constative aoristγίνομαι: with dative of possession, 'there came to be (for him)' = 'he had'; the lawsuit that brought the man to the king.
κρίσιςlawsuit / judgmentNominativesubject of ἐγένετο (the case the man had)→ participant prominenceκρίσις: 'judgment / lawsuit / legal dispute'; renders רִיב / מִשְׁפָּט; the legal cause for which the man sought royal adjudication.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the litigant's coming)→ iterative aorist (each came)ἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; the litigant's habitual coming to the king for adjudication, which Absalom intercepts.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: 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.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the king = David)→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; David, to whom the litigants come for royal justice — the very office Absalom is undermining.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose: 'for judgment')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'for judgment').
κρίσινjudgmentAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose of coming)→ object specificationκρίσις: 'judgment'; the purpose of the litigant's visit — to have his case adjudicated by the king.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐβόησενwould call outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βοάωmain verb (Absalom's hailing the litigant)→ iterative aorist (habitual)βοάω: 'cry out / call'; Absalom hails the litigant before he can reach the king, initiating his ingratiating interview.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of address)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of address).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the litigant)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (the litigant).
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλεγενwould sayImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (iterative imperfect of habitual speech)→ iterative imperfect (repeated address)λέγω (impf.): the imperfect ἔλεγεν signals customary, repeated speech — Absalom's standard opening line to each petitioner.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (the litigant addressed)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (the litigant addressed).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (origin).
ποίαςwhat / whichGenitiveinterrogative adjective (modifying πόλεως)→ relational specificationποῖος: 'what kind of / which'; interrogative adjective; Absalom's question 'from what city are you?' is the opening of his calculated personal interest in each litigant.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (origin)→ relational specificationπόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; the litigant's home city, the subject of Absalom's flattering inquiry.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic 2nd person pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic personal pronoun, making the question pointedly personal: 'you — from what city are you?'
εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίcopula (predicate of origin)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; copula in the question of origin.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενwould sayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (the litigant's reply)→ iterative aorist (each man's reply)λέγω: the litigant's customary answer to Absalom's opening question.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἀνήρ)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνήρmanNominativesubject (the litigant)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: the petitioner who answers Absalom.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (origin).
μιᾶςoneGenitivenumeral adjective (genitive: 'from one of the tribes')→ relational specificationεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the feminine genitive μιᾶς agrees with the partitive φυλῶν ('from one of the tribes').
φυλῶνtribesGenitivepartitive genitive (with μιᾶς: 'one of the tribes')→ relational specificationφυλή: 'tribe'; renders שֵׁבֶט / מַטֶּה; the litigant identifies himself as an Israelite, which Absalom exploits to pose as the people's champion against royal neglect.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'tribes of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; the covenant people whose loyalty Absalom seeks to capture.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with δοῦλος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δοῦλόςservantNominativesubject in apposition (self-deprecating 'your servant')→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'servant / slave'; the litigant refers to himself in the deferential third person, ὁ δοῦλός σου ('your servant'), the courtly idiom of self-abasement before a superior.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession ('your servant')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('your servant').
3
καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτὸν Αβεσσαλωμ ἰδοὺ οἱ λόγοι σου ἀγαθοὶ καὶ εὔκολοι καὶ ἀκούων οὐκ ἔστιν σοι παρὰ τοῦ βασιλέως
And Absalom would say to him, 'See, your words are good and straightforward, but there is no one to hear you from the king.'
Absalom's two-part rhetoric: first he validates the petitioner's case (οἱ λόγοι σου ἀγαθοί), then he insinuates that royal justice has failed him (οὐκ ἔστιν ἀκούων … παρὰ τοῦ βασιλέως). The strategy slanders David's administration without ever directly attacking the king — the subtle groundwork of sedition.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενwould sayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (iterative speech)→ iterative aorist (habitual reply)λέγω: Absalom's customary response to each petitioner after hearing his city of origin.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of address)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of address).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the petitioner)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (the petitioner).
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (attention-marker)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; frozen aorist imperative of εἶδον used as a presentative particle, rendering הִנֵּה; here it draws the litigant's attention to Absalom's flattering verdict on his case.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with λόγοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγοιwords / causeNominativesubject (the litigant's case)→ participant prominenceλόγος: 'word / matter / cause'; renders דָּבָר; here 'your words' = the substance of the litigant's legal case, which Absalom pronounces sound.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἀγαθοὶgoodNominativepredicate adjective ('your words are good')→ participant prominenceἀγαθός: 'good / valid'; renders טוֹב; Absalom's blanket endorsement of every case (regardless of merit) is the flattery by which he wins favor.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὔκολοιstraightforward / easyNominativepredicate adjective (coordinate with ἀγαθοί)→ participant prominenceεὔκολος: 'easy / straightforward / agreeable'; the case is 'easy' to decide in the litigant's favor — Absalom flatters him that his cause is self-evidently just, implying only royal negligence stands in the way.
καὶbutadversative conjunction (contrastive καί)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('but'), introducing the insinuation that the king provides no one to hear the case.
ἀκούωνone who hearsPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ἀκούωsubstantival participle (subject of οὐκ ἔστιν: 'there is no hearer')→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear / give a hearing'; the substantival present participle ἀκούων ('one who hears') here means a judicial hearer — Absalom insinuates that the king has appointed no one to give the petitioner a hearing.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential verb ('there is no hearer for you')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: existential 'there is'; οὐκ ἔστιν ἀκούων = 'there is no one to hear,' the slanderous claim that royal justice is unavailable.
σοιfor youDativedative of advantage ('for you')→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'for you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage ('for you').
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'from the king')→ spatial or relational framingπαρὰ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: 'from the king').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive object of παρά (source of the absent hearing)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king' = David; Absalom subtly indicts the king's administration of justice without naming a fault in David himself.
4
καὶ εἶπεν Αβεσσαλωμ τίς με καταστήσει κριτὴν ἐν τῇ γῇ καὶ ἐπ᾿ ἐμὲ ἐλεύσεται πᾶς ἀνήρ ᾧ ἐὰν ᾖ ἀντιλογία καὶ κρίσις καὶ δικαιώσω αὐτόν
And Absalom would say, 'Who will make me a judge in the land, that every man who has a dispute and lawsuit might come to me, and I would do him justice?'
The rhetorical question τίς με καταστήσει κριτήν ('who will make me judge?') is a transparent self-nomination; the wish expresses Absalom's ambition to displace the king's judicial role. The future-oriented ἐλεύσεται and δικαιώσω paint an idealized picture of accessible justice under his rule.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενwould sayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (iterative speech)→ iterative aorist (habitual lament)λέγω: Absalom's recurring wish, spoken to each disappointed litigant.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of καταστήσει)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative pronoun; the question τίς με καταστήσει κριτήν is an idiomatic expression of wish ('would that someone would make me judge!'), a self-promoting lament.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of καταστήσει→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of καταστήσει.
καταστήσειwill appoint / makeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίστημιmain verb (interrogative-optative force)→ future of wish (idiomatic optative)καθίστημι: 'set / appoint / establish'; renders שִׂים / נָתַן; the future in a rhetorical question ('who will appoint me?') functions as an expression of desire — Absalom covets the judicial office, and by extension the throne.
κριτὴνjudgeAccusativepredicate accusative (object complement: 'make me a judge')→ object specificationκριτής: 'judge'; renders שֹׁפֵט; the office Absalom covets — the judge in the land, the role properly belonging to the king and his appointees.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῇlandDativedative of place (locative: 'in the land')→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land / earth'; renders אֶרֶץ; 'in the land' = throughout Israel, the scope of the judgeship Absalom desires.
καὶthat / andconsecutive conjunction ('and so that')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here consecutive, introducing the imagined result of his appointment ('and then every man would come to me').
ἐπ᾿topreposition + accusative (direction, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction, elided before vowel).
ἐμὲmeAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (emphatic 'to me')→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic accusative ἐμέ stresses the contrast — the litigants would come to me (Absalom), not to the neglectful royal court.
ἐλεύσεταιwould comeFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (imagined result)→ predictive future (idealized scenario)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the future ἐλεύσεται paints the imagined situation under Absalom's judgeship — universal recourse to him for justice.
πᾶςeveryNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀνήρ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every'; the distributive πᾶς ἀνήρ envisions all Israel resorting to Absalom for adjudication.
ἀνήρmanNominativesubject of ἐλεύσεται→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the litigant of the imagined ideal — every man with a grievance.
ᾧwhoDativerelative pronoun (dative of possession in relative clause)→ participant reference or interestὅς: relative pronoun; ᾧ ἐὰν ᾖ = 'whoever has' (dative of possession), generalized by ἐάν + subjunctive.
ἐὰνeverconditional particle (generalizing the relative)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: with the subjunctive ᾖ generalizes the relative clause ('whoever may have a dispute').
ᾖmight bePres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of generalized relative clause (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ stative present subjunctiveεἰμί (subj.): 'be'; with dative of possession, 'whoever may have' a dispute and a lawsuit.
ἀντιλογίαdispute / controversyNominativesubject of ᾖ (the controversy possessed)→ participant prominenceἀντιλογία: 'dispute / contradiction / controversy'; renders רִיב; the legal contention that brings a man to court.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κρίσιςlawsuitNominativesubject of ᾖ (coordinate with ἀντιλογία)→ participant prominenceκρίσις: 'judgment / lawsuit'; paired with ἀντιλογία as a hendiadys for a contested legal cause.
καὶandconsecutive conjunction ('and then')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δικαιώσωI would do justiceFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δικαιόωmain verb (Absalom's promised verdict)→ predictive future (self-promised justice)δικαιόω: 'justify / vindicate / do justice to'; here in the forensic sense of 'give a favorable verdict / vindicate'; Absalom promises that he would vindicate each petitioner — a populist pledge of universal favorable judgment.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of δικαιώσω (the litigant vindicated)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of δικαιώσω (the litigant vindicated).
5
καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ἐγγίζειν ἄνδρα τοῦ προσκυνῆσαι αὐτῷ καὶ ἐξέτεινεν τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπελαμβάνετο αὐτοῦ καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν
And it would happen, when a man drew near to do him homage, that he would stretch out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him.
The articular infinitive ἐν τῷ ἐγγίζειν ('when [a man] drew near') is a standard LXX temporal construction rendering the Hebrew infinitive construct with בְּ. By refusing homage and instead embracing the petitioner as an equal, Absalom poses as the accessible, affectionate prince — the gesture that completes his theft of the people's affection.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit would happenAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (iterative formula)→ iterative aorist (recurring circumstance)γίνομαι: introduces a recurring circumstance, rendering the Hebrew frequentative וְהָיָה.
ἐνin / whenpreposition + dative articular infinitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with the articular infinitive (ἐν τῷ + inf.) forms a temporal clause ('when …'), the LXX's standard rendering of Hebrew בְּ + infinitive construct.
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive ἐγγίζειν)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐγγίζεινto draw nearPres Act Inf · ἐγγίζωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'when a man drew near')→ verbal action or stateἐγγίζω: 'draw near / approach'; renders קָרַב / נָגַשׁ; the petitioner approaches to render homage to the prince.
ἄνδραa manAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the accusative ἄνδρα is the subject of the infinitive ἐγγίζειν, a Greek idiom for 'when a man drew near.'
τοῦtoGenitivearticle with genitive infinitive of purpose→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσκυνῆσαιto do homageAor Act Inf · προσκυνέωgenitive infinitive of purpose ('in order to do homage')→ purpose infinitiveπροσκυνέω: 'bow down / do obeisance / worship'; renders הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה; the petitioner approaches to prostrate himself before the prince — the very homage Absalom refuses in order to appear humbly accessible.
αὐτῷto himDativedative object of προσκυνῆσαι (Absalom)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of προσκυνῆσαι (Absalom).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξέτεινενhe would stretch outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκτείνωmain verb (Absalom's gesture)→ iterative aorist (habitual gesture)ἐκτείνω: 'stretch out / extend'; renders שָׁלַח (יָד); Absalom extends his hand not to receive homage but to lift up and embrace the petitioner.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραhandAccusativedirect object of ἐξέτεινεν→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the extended hand is the gesture of intimate welcome by which Absalom flatters each man.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Absalom's hand)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Absalom's hand).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπελαμβάνετοwould take hold ofImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιλαμβάνομαιmain verb (iterative imperfect of habitual grasp)→ iterative imperfect (repeated embrace)ἐπιλαμβάνομαι: 'take hold of / grasp'; the deponent takes the genitive (αὐτοῦ); Absalom grasps the petitioner familiarly, raising him from his bow — a calculated display of fellow-feeling.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἐπελαμβάνετο→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐπελαμβάνετο.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατεφίλησενwould kissAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταφιλέωmain verb (climax of the familiar gesture)→ iterative aorist (habitual kiss)καταφιλέω: 'kiss warmly / kiss repeatedly'; the intensive κατα- compound; the kiss seals Absalom's pose of brotherly affection — an ironic foreshadowing of the kiss as a sign of treacherous intimacy elsewhere in Scripture.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of κατεφίλησεν→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of κατεφίλησεν.
6
καὶ ἐποίησεν Αβεσσαλωμ κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο παντὶ Ισραηλ τοῖς παραγινομένοις εἰς κρίσιν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα καὶ ἰδιοποιεῖτο Αβεσσαλωμ τὴν καρδίαν ἀνδρῶν Ισραηλ
And Absalom did according to this manner to all Israel who came for judgment to the king; and Absalom appropriated to himself the heart of the men of Israel.
v. 6 summarizes and seals unit A: the repeated behavior (κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο, 'according to this manner') has the cumulative effect captured by the imperfect ἰδιοποιεῖτο ('was appropriating to himself') — Absalom gradually 'steals the heart' of Israel, the LXX's vivid rendering of וַיְגַנֵּב … אֶת־לֵב.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησενdidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (summary of habitual practice)→ summary aorist (cumulative practice)ποιέω: 'do / act'; here gathering up the whole iterative practice of vv. 2–5 into a single summarizing statement.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard / manner)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; introduces the standard of behavior — Absalom acted 'in this manner' toward everyone.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ῥῆμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαmanner / matterAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (the described practice)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / matter / thing'; renders דָּבָר; in the idiom κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο ('according to this manner / in this way') it refers to the whole described mode of conduct, not a spoken word.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ῥῆμα)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; points back to the described pattern of behavior in vv. 2–5.
παντὶto allDativedative (indirect object: 'to all Israel')→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; the dative παντὶ Ισραηλ ('to all Israel') marks the comprehensive scope of Absalom's manipulation.
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable noun in apposition to παντί (dative force)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the covenant people, here as the collective recipients of Absalom's flattery.
τοῖςthe onesDativearticle (with participle παραγινομένοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παραγινομένοιςwho camePres Mid Ptc Dat Masc Pl · παραγίνομαιattributive participle (modifying παντὶ Ισραηλ: 'who came')→ verbal action or stateπαραγίνομαι: 'come / arrive / present oneself'; the attributive participle restricts 'all Israel' to those who came with cases to the royal court — the very people Absalom intercepted.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose).
κρίσινjudgmentAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose of coming)→ object specificationκρίσις: 'judgment'; the litigants' purpose in coming — to obtain a royal verdict.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: 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.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the king = David)→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king' = David, the proper judge whom Absalom is supplanting in the people's affection.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδιοποιεῖτοwould appropriate to himselfImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἰδιοποιέομαιmain verb (climactic imperfect: the gradual theft of allegiance)→ iterative/conative imperfect (was winning over)ἰδιοποιέομαι: 'make one's own / appropriate to oneself'; a rare LXX verb rendering וַיְגַנֵּב אֶת־לֵב ('stole the heart'); the imperfect captures the gradual, progressive capture of Israel's loyalty — Absalom 'was making the heart of Israel his own.'
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with καρδίαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίανheartAccusativedirect object of ἰδιοποιεῖτο→ object specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; the seat of loyalty, will, and allegiance; 'the heart of the men of Israel' is their corporate devotion, which Absalom appropriates from his father.
ἀνδρῶνof the menGenitivegenitive of possession (the heart belonging to the men)→ relational specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the genitive plural ἀνδρῶν Ισραηλ ('of the men of Israel') specifies whose collective allegiance is stolen.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'men of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the covenant people; their heart is the prize of Absalom's long campaign of ingratiation.
7
καὶ ἐγένετο ἀπὸ τέλους τεσσαράκοντα ἐτῶν καὶ εἶπεν Αβεσσαλωμ πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ πορεύσομαι δὴ καὶ ἀποτείσω τὰς εὐχάς μου ἃς ηὐξάμην τῷ κυρίῳ ἐν Χεβρων
And it came to pass at the end of forty years that Absalom said to his father, 'Let me go and pay my vows which I vowed to the LORD in Hebron.'
The temporal formula opens unit B. The figure τεσσαράκοντα ('forty') is the reading of the LXX and several witnesses, where MT reads אַרְבָּעִים likewise (commonly emended/translated 'four' in English versions); the present text is rendered verbatim. Absalom cloaks his treasonous departure in the piety of paying a vow at Hebron, his own birthplace and David's first capital.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb of temporal formula (impersonal)→ constative aorist (narrative onset)γίνομαι: impersonal 'it came to pass,' rendering וַיְהִי; marks the transition to the launch of the revolt.
ἀπὸat / frompreposition + genitive (temporal: 'at the end of')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; in the temporal idiom ἀπὸ τέλους ('at the end of'), rendering מִקֵּץ ('at the end of').
τέλουςendGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (temporal point)→ relational specificationτέλος: 'end / completion'; renders קֵץ; the phrase ἀπὸ τέλους … ἐτῶν dates the launch of the conspiracy to the close of the stated period.
τεσσαράκονταfortyindeclinable numeral (modifying ἐτῶν)→ measure or countτεσσαράκοντα: 'forty'; indeclinable cardinal rendering אַרְבָּעִים; the LXX figure for the interval before the revolt (English versions often render 'four years').
ἐτῶνyearsGenitivegenitive (the period measured)→ relational specificationἔτος: 'year'; the genitive plural ἐτῶν measures the interval after which Absalom moves.
καὶthatapodotic conjunction (Hebraism after temporal protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: the apodotic waw-calque introducing the main clause after the temporal phrase.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Absalom's request)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Absalom's deceptive request to his father.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πατέρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (David)→ object specificationπατήρ: 'father'; renders אָב; the designation 'his father' heightens the pathos of the coming betrayal — the son deceives the father to his face.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (Absalom's father)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Absalom's father).
πορεύσομαιlet me goFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (volitive future: request for leave)→ volitive future (request: 'let me go')πορεύομαι: 'go / journey'; the future with δή ('let me go now') functions as a polite request for permission to depart for Hebron.
δὴnow / prayentreaty particle (softening the request)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: enclitic particle of entreaty/urgency, rendering נָא; it lends the request a polite, deferential tone.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποτείσωpayFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποτίνωmain verb (the alleged purpose)→ volitive future (purpose of the journey)ἀποτίνω: 'pay back / discharge / render'; renders שִׁלֵּם; the verb of discharging a vow — Absalom claims to be fulfilling a religious obligation, the pretext for his journey to Hebron.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with εὐχάς)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐχάςvowsAccusativedirect object of ἀποτείσω→ object specificationεὐχή: 'vow / prayer'; renders נֶדֶר; the vows Absalom claims to have made in exile, now offered as a pious cover for treason.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ηὐξάμην)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, feminine accusative plural agreeing with εὐχάς.
ηὐξάμηνI vowedAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · εὔχομαιverb of relative clause (the vow's making)→ constative aoristεὔχομαι: 'vow / pray'; renders נָדַר; cognate with εὐχή; Absalom alleges a past vow made during his Geshur exile (v. 8).
τῷto theDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative indirect object (recipient of the vow)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the dative τῷ κυρίῳ marks YHWH as the addressee of the alleged vow — Absalom cynically invokes the divine name to mask his rebellion.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΧεβρωνHebrondative of place (indeclinable place name: 'in Hebron')→ participant identificationΧεβρων: transliteration of Hebrew חֶבְרוֹן; indeclinable in the LXX; Hebron was Absalom's birthplace (3:2–3) and David's original capital (2:1–4), a strategically and symbolically charged site for launching the revolt.
8
ὅτι εὐχὴν ηὔξατο ὁ δοῦλός σου ἐν τῷ οἰκεῖν με ἐν Γεδσουρ ἐν Συρίᾳ λέγων ἐὰν ἐπιστρέφων ἐπιστρέψῃ με κύριος εἰς Ιερουσαλημ καὶ λατρεύσω τῷ κυρίῳ
For your servant vowed a vow while I dwelt in Geshur in Syria, saying, 'If the LORD will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.'
ὅτι ('for / because') supplies the justifying detail behind the request of v. 7. Absalom speaks in the deferential third person (ὁ δοῦλός σου, 'your servant') and quotes the supposed vow with the Hebraizing emphatic construction ἐπιστρέφων ἐπιστρέψῃ ('if he will indeed bring back'), a calque of the Hebrew infinitive absolute that lends his lie the cadence of authentic piety.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the justification for Absalom's request — the alleged vow he must now discharge.
εὐχὴνa vowAccusativecognate accusative (with ηὔξατο: 'vowed a vow')→ object specificationεὐχή: 'vow'; the cognate accusative εὐχὴν ηὔξατο ('vowed a vow') is a Hebraism rendering נֶדֶר נָדַר, emphasizing the solemnity of the supposed undertaking.
ηὔξατοvowedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · εὔχομαιmain verb (the act of vowing)→ constative aoristεὔχομαι: 'vow / pray'; Absalom refers to himself in the third person ('your servant vowed') before slipping into the first person ('while I dwelt') — courtly self-reference.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with δοῦλος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δοῦλόςservantNominativesubject (deferential self-reference: 'your servant')→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'servant'; the courtly idiom ὁ δοῦλός σου ('your servant') by which Absalom addresses his father-king with feigned humility.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνwhilepreposition + dative articular infinitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with the articular infinitive forms a temporal clause ('while …').
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive οἰκεῖν)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἰκεῖνto dwellPres Act Inf · οἰκέωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'while I dwelt')→ progressive / durative (ongoing residence)οἰκέω: 'dwell / live'; renders יָשַׁב; refers to Absalom's exile in Geshur after killing Amnon (13:37–38).
μεI (acc.)Accusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive→ participant referenceἐγώ: the accusative με is the subject of the infinitive οἰκεῖν ('while I dwelt'); Absalom shifts to first person here.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΓεδσουρGeshurdative of place (indeclinable place name)→ participant identificationΓεδσουρ: transliteration of Hebrew גְּשׁוּר (Geshur); indeclinable; the Aramean kingdom of Absalom's maternal grandfather Talmai (3:3), where Absalom took refuge after murdering Amnon.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΣυρίᾳSyria / AramDativedative of place ('in Syria')→ sphere or referenceΣυρία: 'Syria / Aram'; renders אֲרָם; locates Geshur within the broader Aramean region north-east of Israel.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · λέγωparticiple of speech (introducing the quoted vow)→ imperfective participle (Hebraizing speech-marker)λέγω: the circumstantial participle λέγων introduces the direct quotation of the vow, a Hebraism rendering לֵאמֹר.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the conditional protasis of the vow ('if the LORD brings me back').
ἐπιστρέφωνindeed (returning)Pres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ἐπιστρέφωcognate participle (Hebraism: intensifying ἐπιστρέψῃ)→ intensive (emphatic certainty)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn / return / bring back'; the cognate participle ἐπιστρέφων ἐπιστρέψῃ ('if he will surely bring back') renders the Hebrew infinitive absolute הָשֵׁב יָשִׁיב, expressing emphatic certainty.
ἐπιστρέψῃwill bring backAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωverb of conditional protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ verbal action or stateἐπιστρέφω: here transitive 'bring back / restore'; the subjunctive with ἐάν states the condition; together with the cognate participle it forms the Hebraizing emphatic construction.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of ἐπιστρέψῃ→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐπιστρέψῃ.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐπιστρέψῃ→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; YHWH is named as the one who would (allegedly) restore Absalom — a name cynically invoked to legitimize the journey.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemaccusative of direction (indeclinable place name)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: transliteration of Hebrew יְרוּשָׁלַיִם; indeclinable in the LXX; the city of David, the goal of the alleged return-vow.
καὶthenapodotic conjunction (introducing the vow's apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'then'; introduces the apodosis of the vow ('then I will serve the LORD').
λατρεύσωI will serveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · λατρεύωmain verb of the vow's apodosis→ promissory future (vow content)λατρεύω: 'serve / render cultic service / worship'; renders עָבַד; the vowed obligation — to render religious service to YHWH at Hebron — the pious mask over Absalom's treason.
τῷtheDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative object of λατρεύσω (recipient of service)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; λατρεύω regularly takes the dative of the deity served.
9
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ βασιλεύς βάδιζε εἰς εἰρήνην καὶ ἀναστὰς ἐπορεύθη εἰς Χεβρων
And the king said to him, 'Go in peace.' And he arose and went to Hebron.
David's unsuspecting benediction βάδιζε εἰς εἰρήνην ('go in peace') is laden with dramatic irony — the father blesses with 'peace' the son going out to make war. The participle ἀναστάς + finite ἐπορεύθη ('having risen, he went') is a typical LXX serial-verb construction marking decisive departure.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (David's reply)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces David's unwitting grant of permission.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (Absalom)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (Absalom).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king' = David; here named by his office, granting the request as sovereign and as father.
βάδιζεgoPres Act Impv 2 Sg · βαδίζωmain verb (imperative of dismissal)→ imperative of permission (dismissal-blessing)βαδίζω: 'go / walk'; the present imperative βάδιζε εἰς εἰρήνην ('go in peace') is the conventional formula of dismissal-blessing, rendering לֵךְ בְּשָׁלוֹם; bitterly ironic here.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (in the idiom 'in peace')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (in the idiom 'in peace').
εἰρήνηνpeaceAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiomatic: 'go in peace')→ object specificationεἰρήνη: 'peace / well-being'; renders שָׁלוֹם; the dismissal-blessing 'go in peace' is poignantly contradicted by the war Absalom is about to ignite.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναστὰςhaving arisenAor Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ἀνίστημιcircumstantial participle (attendant: 'having risen')→ coincident/antecedent actionἀνίστημι: 'rise / get up'; the aorist participle ἀναστάς in the serial construction ἀναστὰς ἐπορεύθη ('arose and went') renders the Hebrew וַיָּקָם וַיֵּלֶךְ, marking decisive departure.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (Absalom's departure)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go / journey'; the aorist passive (deponent) ἐπορεύθη marks Absalom's actual departure for Hebron, where the revolt will be proclaimed.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΧεβρωνHebronaccusative of direction (indeclinable place name)→ participant identificationΧεβρων: Hebron; the destination, soon to be the seat of the revolt.
10
καὶ ἀπέστειλεν Αβεσσαλωμ κατασκόπους ἐν πάσαις φυλαῖς Ισραηλ λέγων ἐν τῷ ἀκοῦσαι ὑμᾶς τὴν φωνὴν τῆς κερατίνης καὶ ἐρεῖτε βεβασίλευκεν βασιλεὺς Αβεσσαλωμ ἐν Χεβρων
And Absalom sent spies into all the tribes of Israel, saying, 'When you hear the sound of the horn, then you shall say, "Absalom has become king in Hebron."'
Absalom's covert network of agents (κατασκόπους, 'spies/scouts') is to broadcast a single message at the trumpet-blast. The temporal articular infinitive ἐν τῷ ἀκοῦσαι ('when you hear') sets the trigger; the perfect βεβασίλευκεν ('has become king') proclaims an accomplished fact, presenting the coup as a fait accompli to seize momentum.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
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 (dispatch of agents)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch (with a commission)'; renders שָׁלַח; Absalom sends out his agents with a precise seditious message.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
κατασκόπουςspies / scoutsAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλεν→ object specificationκατάσκοπος: 'spy / scout / secret agent'; renders מְרַגְּלִים; here the covert agents who coordinate the simultaneous proclamation of Absalom's kingship throughout the tribes.
ἐνin / amongpreposition + dative (distribution among the tribes)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: 'in / among'; here marking distribution throughout the tribes.
πάσαιςallDativeattributive adjective (modifying φυλαῖς)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; the spies are sent into every tribe, ensuring nationwide coordination of the uprising.
φυλαῖςtribesDativedative (distribution: 'among all the tribes')→ sphere or referenceφυλή: 'tribe'; renders שֵׁבֶט; the whole tribal confederation is targeted by the seditious signal.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'tribes of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the covenant people; 'all the tribes of Israel' marks the comprehensive reach of the conspiracy.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · λέγωparticiple of speech (introducing the instructions)→ imperfective participle (Hebraizing speech-marker)λέγω: the participle introduces the commission given to the spies, rendering לֵאמֹר.
ἐνwhenpreposition + dative articular infinitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with the articular infinitive forms a temporal clause ('when you hear …').
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive ἀκοῦσαι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀκοῦσαιto hearAor Act Inf · ἀκούωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'when you hear')→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear'; renders שָׁמַע; the hearing of the trumpet is the trigger for the proclamation.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive→ participant referenceσύ: the accusative ὑμᾶς is the subject of the infinitive ἀκοῦσαι ('when you hear').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with φωνήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνὴνsoundAccusativedirect object of ἀκοῦσαι→ object specificationφωνή: 'sound / voice'; renders קוֹל; the 'sound of the horn' is the prearranged signal for the simultaneous acclamation.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with κερατίνης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κερατίνηςhorn / trumpetGenitivegenitive (the source of the sound)→ relational specificationκερατίνη: '(ram's) horn / trumpet'; renders שׁוֹפָר; the shofar-blast signals the proclamation of a new king (cf. 3 Kgdms 1:34, 39); its sound marks the public moment of the coup.
καὶthenapodotic conjunction (after temporal clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic 'then,' introducing what the agents are to proclaim.
ἐρεῖτεyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb (commissioned proclamation)→ imperatival future (command to proclaim)λέγω (fut. ἐρῶ): the future with imperatival force ('you shall say') instructs the agents in the exact words of the acclamation.
βεβασίλευκενhas become kingPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · βασιλεύωmain verb of the proclamation (accomplished-state perfect)→ perfect of accomplished fact (kingship achieved)βασιλεύω: 'be / become king / reign'; renders מָלַךְ; the perfect βεβασίλευκεν ('has become and now is king') presents Absalom's accession as an accomplished, settled fact — designed to create the impression of irreversible momentum.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativepredicate nominative (in apposition to Αβεσσαλωμ)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the title claimed for Absalom in the proclamation — 'King Absalom has begun to reign.'
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject of βεβασίλευκεν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of βεβασίλευκεν (indeclinable proper noun).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΧεβρωνHebrondative of place (indeclinable place name)→ participant identificationΧεβρων: Hebron; the seat of the proclaimed kingship, deliberately echoing David's own beginning there (2:1–4).
11
καὶ μετὰ Αβεσσαλωμ ἐπορεύθησαν διακόσιοι ἄνδρες ἐξ Ιερουσαλημ κλητοὶ καὶ πορευόμενοι τῇ ἁπλότητι αὐτῶν καὶ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν πᾶν ῥῆμα
And with Absalom there went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, invited guests, and going in their innocence; and they knew nothing of the matter.
A narratorial note on the two hundred Jerusalemites who accompany Absalom as innocent guests (κλητοί, 'invited ones'), going 'in their simplicity' (τῇ ἁπλότητι). Their ignorance (οὐκ ἔγνωσαν πᾶν ῥῆμα, 'they knew nothing') underlines Absalom's duplicity — even his retinue is deceived, lending the appearance of legitimacy to his procession.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with'; marks the two hundred as Absalom's companions on the journey to Hebron.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomgenitive object of μετά (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (indeclinable proper noun).
ἐπορεύθησανwentAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (the two hundred's departure)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; the aorist passive (deponent) describes the two hundred accompanying Absalom to Hebron.
διακόσιοιtwo hundredNominativenumeral adjective (modifying ἄνδρες)→ participant prominenceδιακόσιοι: 'two hundred'; a declinable cardinal (nom. masc. pl.) agreeing with ἄνδρες; the substantial company lends Absalom's procession an air of dignified legitimacy.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of ἐπορεύθησαν→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the two hundred prominent Jerusalemites invited as guests.
ἐξout ofpreposition + genitive (origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (origin).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemgenitive object of ἐξ (indeclinable place name)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: Jerusalem; the men are drawn from the capital, so their presence suggests the city's endorsement of Absalom.
κλητοὶinvited ones / guestsAor Pass Ptc/Adj Nom Masc Pl · καλέωpredicate adjective (verbal adjective: 'as invited guests')→ verbal action or stateκλητός: 'called / invited'; the verbal adjective from καλέω; they are 'invited guests,' summoned by Absalom on the pretext of the sacrificial feast (cf. v. 12), unaware of the political design.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πορευόμενοιgoingPres Mid Ptc Nom Masc Pl · πορεύομαιcircumstantial participle (manner: 'going in their innocence')→ durative present participle (the ongoing march)πορεύομαι: 'go'; the present participle πορευόμενοι τῇ ἁπλότητι ('going in their simplicity') describes the manner of their journey — unsuspecting and sincere.
τῇin theDativearticle (with ἁπλότητι)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁπλότητιinnocence / simplicityDativedative of manner ('in their simplicity')→ sphere or referenceἁπλότης: 'singleness / simplicity / sincerity'; renders תֹּם ('integrity / innocence'); the dative of manner stresses the guests' guileless ignorance — they have no part in the conspiracy.
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.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔγνωσανthey knewAor Act Indic 3 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (the guests' ignorance)→ constative aorist (state of ignorance)γινώσκω: 'know / recognize'; renders יָדַע; οὐκ ἔγνωσαν πᾶν ῥῆμα ('they knew nothing of the matter') underscores the total innocence of the two hundred — they are unwitting dupes.
πᾶνany / nothingAccusativeadjective (with negative: 'not … anything')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / any'; οὐκ … πᾶν is a Hebraism (לֹא … כֹּל) for 'not … anything' = 'nothing at all.'
ῥῆμαmatter / thingAccusativedirect object of ἔγνωσαν (the secret plan)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / matter / thing'; renders דָּבָר; here 'the matter' = the conspiracy; the guests knew nothing of the plot they were unwittingly adorning.
12
καὶ ἀπέστειλεν Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τὸν Αχιτοφελ τὸν Γελμωναῖον τὸν σύμβουλον Δαυιδ ἐκ τῆς πόλεως αὐτοῦ ἐκ Γωλα ἐν τῷ θυσιάζειν αὐτόν καὶ ἐγένετο σύστρεμμα ἰσχυρόν καὶ ὁ λαὸς πορευόμενος καὶ πολὺς μετὰ Αβεσσαλωμ
And Absalom sent and summoned Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, from Giloh, while he was sacrificing; and the conspiracy became strong, and the people going with Absalom grew many.
The recruitment of Ahithophel, David's own famed counsellor, is the decisive escalation — his defection turns a popular movement into a credible coup. The closing clause (σύστρεμμα ἰσχυρόν, 'a strong conspiracy'; ὁ λαὸς … πολύς, 'the people … many') reports the snowballing of support, setting up the alarm that reaches David in v. 13.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
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 (Absalom dispatches a summons)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send'; here in the serial idiom ἀπέστειλεν … καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ('sent and summoned'), rendering שָׁלַח וַיִּקְרָא.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (serial verb)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάλεσενsummonedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (the summoning of Ahithophel)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call / summon / invite'; renders קָרָא; Absalom summons David's counsellor to lend the revolt strategic weight.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Αχιτοφελ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑχιτοφελAhithopheldirect object of ἐκάλεσεν (indeclinable proper noun, articular)→ participant identificationΑχιτοφελ: transliteration of Hebrew אֲחִיתֹפֶל; indeclinable, but here marked accusative by the article τόν; David's renowned counsellor whose advice was 'as if one inquired of God' (16:23); his defection is the pivot of the conspiracy.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Γελμωναῖον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΓελμωναῖονGiloniteAccusativeapposition to Αχιτοφελ (gentilic)→ object specificationΓελμωναῖος: 'Gilonite,' the gentilic from Giloh (Γωλα); a declinable gentilic adjective in the accusative agreeing with the articular Αχιτοφελ; identifies Ahithophel by his hometown.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with σύμβουλον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σύμβουλονcounsellorAccusativeapposition to Αχιτοφελ (his office)→ object specificationσύμβουλος: 'counsellor / adviser'; renders יוֹעֵץ; the title underscores the gravity of the betrayal — David's own chief adviser joins the rebellion.
Δαυιδof Davidgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'David's counsellor')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliteration of Hebrew דָּוִד; indeclinable in the LXX; here in genitive force — Ahithophel was David's counsellor, making his defection the more devastating.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (origin).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with πόλεως)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (Ahithophel's hometown)→ relational specificationπόλις: 'city'; Ahithophel's hometown, named in the next phrase as Giloh.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Ahithophel's city)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Ahithophel's city).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (origin, in apposition)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (origin, in apposition).
ΓωλαGilohgenitive in apposition to πόλεως (indeclinable place name)→ participant identificationΓωλα: transliteration of Hebrew גִּלֹה (Giloh); indeclinable; a town in the Judean hill country, Ahithophel's home, specified in apposition to 'his city.'
ἐνwhilepreposition + dative articular infinitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with the articular infinitive forms a temporal clause ('while he was sacrificing').
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive θυσιάζειν)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιάζεινsacrificingPres Act Inf · θυσιάζωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'while sacrificing')→ verbal action or stateθυσιάζω: 'sacrifice / offer'; renders זָבַח; Absalom's sacrificial feast at Hebron is the religious cover under which the summons and conspiracy proceed.
αὐτόνheAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive (Absalom)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the accusative αὐτόν is the subject of θυσιάζειν ('while he was sacrificing'), referring to Absalom.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοbecameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (the growth of the conspiracy)→ ingressive aorist (came to be)γίνομαι: 'become / come to be'; here the conspiracy 'became strong,' marking the decisive consolidation of the revolt.
σύστρεμμαconspiracyNominativesubject of ἐγένετο→ participant prominenceσύστρεμμα: 'band / conspiracy / faction'; renders קֶשֶׁר ('conspiracy'); from συστρέφω ('band together'); the organized faction of rebels gathered around Absalom.
ἰσχυρόνstrongNominativepredicate adjective (modifying σύστρεμμα)→ participant prominenceἰσχυρός: 'strong / mighty'; renders אַמִּץ; the conspiracy grows formidable — strong enough to drive the king from his capital.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (the people joining Absalom)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; here the growing body of supporters rallying to Absalom's cause.
πορευόμενοςgoingPres Mid Ptc Nom Masc Sg · πορεύομαιattributive participle (modifying λαός: 'the people going')→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go'; the participle describes the people continually streaming to join Absalom — a movement gathering momentum.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πολὺςmany / numerousNominativepredicate adjective (modifying λαός: 'grew numerous')→ participant prominenceπολύς: 'much / many'; renders רַב; the people with Absalom continually increased in number, dramatizing the swelling tide of rebellion.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomgenitive object of μετά (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (indeclinable proper noun).
13
καὶ παρεγένετο ὁ ἀπαγγέλλων πρὸς Δαυιδ λέγων ἐγενήθη ἡ καρδία ἀνδρῶν Ισραηλ ὀπίσω Αβεσσαλωμ
And the messenger came to David, saying, 'The heart of the men of Israel has gone after Absalom.'
The arrival of the messenger opens unit C and the flight narrative. The report ἐγενήθη ἡ καρδία … ὀπίσω Αβεσσαλωμ ('the heart … has gone after Absalom') deliberately echoes ἰδιοποιεῖτο … τὴν καρδίαν of v. 6 — the theft of the heart is now an accomplished defection.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρεγένετοcameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · παραγίνομαιmain verb (the messenger's arrival)→ constative aoristπαραγίνομαι: 'come / arrive / be present'; renders בּוֹא; marks the arrival of the alarming report at David's court.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with participle ἀπαγγέλλων)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀπαγγέλλωνmessenger / one reportingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωsubstantival participle (subject: 'the one reporting')→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce / bring word'; the substantival participle ὁ ἀπαγγέλλων ('the reporter / messenger') renders the Hebrew הַמַּגִּיד; the bearer of the news that triggers David's flight.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: David; the king, now the recipient of the dire news.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · λέγωparticiple of speech (introducing the report)→ imperfective participle (Hebraizing speech-marker)λέγω: introduces the content of the report, rendering לֵאמֹר.
ἐγενήθηhas gone / becomeAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb of the report→ resultative aorist (settled state)γίνομαι (aor. pass.): 'become / come to be'; ἐγενήθη … ὀπίσω Αβεσσαλωμ ('the heart has come to be after Absalom') = Israel's allegiance has shifted decisively to the usurper.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with καρδία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of ἐγενήθη→ participant prominenceκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; the corporate allegiance of Israel, now lost to David — the fulfillment of the heart-theft of v. 6.
ἀνδρῶνof the menGenitivegenitive of possession (whose heart)→ relational specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the genitive plural specifies whose loyalty has turned — the men of Israel.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'men of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the covenant people, here the body of Israelites whose hearts have followed Absalom.
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive (allegiance: 'after Absalom')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'behind / after'; an improper preposition taking the genitive; the idiom 'the heart is after X' (rendering אַחֲרֵי) denotes following / allegiance — Israel now follows Absalom.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomgenitive object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun).
14
καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πᾶσιν τοῖς παισὶν αὐτοῦ τοῖς μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ τοῖς ἐν Ιερουσαλημ ἀνάστητε καὶ φύγωμεν ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν σωτηρία ἀπὸ προσώπου Αβεσσαλωμ ταχύνατε τοῦ πορευθῆναι ἵνα μὴ ταχύνῃ καὶ καταλάβῃ ἡμᾶς καὶ ἐξώσῃ ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς τὴν κακίαν καὶ πατάξῃ τὴν πόλιν στόματι μαχαίρης
And David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, 'Arise, and let us flee, for there is no deliverance for us from before Absalom. Make haste to go, lest he make haste and overtake us and thrust the evil upon us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.'
David's urgent triple imperative (ἀνάστητε … φύγωμεν … ταχύνατε) is governed by a strategic calculation: flight will spare both the royal party and Jerusalem from a massacre (στόματι μαχαίρης, 'with the edge of the sword'). The ἵνα μή purpose clause stacks four subjunctives (ταχύνῃ, καταλάβῃ, ἐξώσῃ, πατάξῃ) to convey the cascading danger of delay.
Word-by-word analysis· 45 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (David's command)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces David's urgent order to flee.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
πᾶσινto allDativeattributive adjective (modifying παισίν)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; David addresses his entire retinue still loyal in Jerusalem.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with παισίν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παισὶνservantsDativedative indirect object (the addressees)→ sphere or referenceπαῖς: 'servant / attendant / official'; renders עֶבֶד; the royal household servants and officials who remain loyal to David.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τοῖςthe onesDativearticle (attributive: 'those with him')→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
τοῖςthe onesDativearticle (attributive: 'those in Jerusalem')→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemdative of place (indeclinable place name)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: Jerusalem; the royal city David is about to abandon.
ἀνάστητεariseAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀνίστημιmain verb (imperative of urgency)→ ingressive aorist imperative (rouse to action)ἀνίστημι: 'rise / get up'; the aorist imperative ἀνάστητε ('arise!') calls the household to immediate, decisive action — the conventional summons to set out (cf. Hebrew קוּמוּ).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φύγωμενlet us fleeAor Act Subj 1 Pl · φεύγωhortatory subjunctive ('let us flee')→ hortatory subjunctive (urgent exhortation)φεύγω: 'flee / escape'; renders בָּרַח / נוּס; the hortatory subjunctive φύγωμεν ('let us flee') frames the flight as a shared, urgent necessity for the whole household.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; gives the reason for flight — there is no safety in remaining.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential verb ('there is no deliverance')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: existential 'there is'; οὐκ ἔστιν … σωτηρία = 'there is no deliverance' if they stay to face Absalom.
ἡμῖνfor usDativedative of advantage ('for us')→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'for us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage ('for us').
σωτηρίαdeliverance / safetyNominativesubject of ἔστιν→ participant prominenceσωτηρία: 'deliverance / safety / salvation'; renders יְשׁוּעָה / פְּלֵיטָה; here 'escape / safety' — there is no way to survive a siege, so flight is the only option.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (in the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (in the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου).
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive in idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου ('from before')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; the Hebraism ἀπὸ προσώπου ('from before / from the face of') renders מִפְּנֵי; 'from before Absalom' = away from his advancing power.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomgenitive object of προσώπου (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of προσώπου (indeclinable proper noun).
ταχύνατεmake hasteAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ταχύνωmain verb (imperative of urgency)→ ingressive aorist imperativeταχύνω: 'hasten / hurry'; renders מָהַר; the imperative ταχύνατε ('hurry!') intensifies the urgency — every moment of delay increases the danger.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle with genitive infinitive (complementary/purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πορευθῆναιto goAor Pass Inf · πορεύομαιcomplementary genitive infinitive (with ταχύνατε)→ telic aorist infinitiveπορεύομαι: 'go / depart'; the articular genitive infinitive τοῦ πορευθῆναι complements ταχύνατε ('hasten to go'), a common LXX construction.
ἵναlestpurpose conjunction (negative, with μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: 'in order that'; with μή ('lest') introduces the negative purpose clause spelling out the danger to be averted.
μὴnotnegative particle (with ἵνα)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ταχύνῃhe make hasteAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ταχύνωverb of negative purpose clause (subjunctive)→ verbal action or stateταχύνω: 'hasten'; the subjunctive in the ἵνα μή clause — David fears Absalom will move quickly and trap them.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (within purpose clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταλάβῃovertakeAor Act Subj 3 Sg · καταλαμβάνωverb of negative purpose clause (subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (feared outcome)καταλαμβάνω: 'seize / overtake / catch'; renders הִשִּׂיג / נָשַׂג; the danger that Absalom will catch up with the slow-moving column.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of καταλάβῃ→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of καταλάβῃ.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (within purpose clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξώσῃthrust / bringAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐξωθέωverb of negative purpose clause (subjunctive)→ verbal action or stateἐξωθέω: 'thrust out / drive / force'; here 'force / bring down (evil) upon'; the verb pictures Absalom forcibly imposing calamity upon David's party.
ἐφ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (direction, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐφ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction, elided).
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κακίαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κακίανevil / calamityAccusativedirect object of ἐξώσῃ→ object specificationκακία: 'evil / harm / calamity'; renders רָעָה; the disaster Absalom would inflict — bloodshed and destruction — if he overtakes the fleeing party.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (within purpose clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πατάξῃstrikeAor Act Subj 3 Sg · πατάσσωverb of negative purpose clause (subjunctive)→ constative aorist subjunctive (the act of striking)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; renders נָכָה / הִכָּה; the verb of military slaughter; David fears Absalom would put the city to the sword.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of πατάξῃ→ object specificationπόλις: 'city' = Jerusalem; David's flight is partly to spare the capital from a bloody assault.
στόματιwith the edge (lit. mouth)Dativedative of instrument (idiom: 'with the edge of the sword')→ sphere or referenceστόμα: 'mouth'; the Hebraism στόματι μαχαίρης ('with the mouth of the sword') renders לְפִי־חֶרֶב, meaning 'with the edge of the sword' — total military slaughter.
μαχαίρηςof the swordGenitivegenitive (with στόματι: 'edge of the sword')→ relational specificationμάχαιρα: 'sword / dagger'; renders חֶרֶב; the instrument of the feared massacre of the city.
15
καὶ εἶπον οἱ παῖδες τοῦ βασιλέως πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα κατὰ πάντα ὅσα αἱρεῖται ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν ὁ βασιλεύς ἰδοὺ οἱ παῖδές σου
And the servants of the king said to the king, 'According to all that our lord the king chooses, behold, your servants are ready.'
The servants answer with a formula of complete submission. The phrase ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν ὁ βασιλεύς ('our lord the king') is a courtly human-master usage — κύριος here is David, not the Tetragrammaton. The verbless ἰδοὺ οἱ παῖδές σου ('behold, your servants') is an idiom of readiness ('we are at your command').
Word-by-word analysis· 22 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 (the servants' reply)→ constative aoristλέγω: the aorist εἶπον (3rd pl.) introduces the servants' collective pledge of obedience.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with παῖδες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject (the king's servants)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / attendant'; renders עֶבֶד; the loyal royal household who declare their readiness to obey.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship (servants of the king)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king' = David; the servants are identified by their loyalty to the king.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (David addressed)→ object specificationβασιλεύς: David, addressed by his servants.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; introduces the standard of the servants' obedience — the king's own choice.
πάνταallAccusativeaccusative object of κατά ('all that')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; κατὰ πάντα ὅσα ('according to all that') marks the unconditional scope of their submission.
ὅσαwhateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of αἱρεῖται)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as / whatever'; the relative ὅσα generalizes — 'whatever the king chooses.'
αἱρεῖταιchoosesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · αἱρέωverb of relative clause (the king's choosing)→ customary presentαἱρέω (mid. αἱρέομαι): 'choose / prefer / decide'; renders בָּחַר; the middle voice means 'choose for oneself'; the servants defer entirely to the king's decision.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with κύριος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριοςlordNominativesubject of αἱρεῖται (human master: David)→ participant prominenceκύριος: 'lord / master'; here a human honorific for David, not the Tetragrammaton — the servants address their earthly sovereign as ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν ὁ βασιλεύς ('our lord the king'), the standard courtly formula.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession ('our lord')→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('our lord').
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς, in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεύςkingNominativenominative in apposition to ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; in apposition, clarifying that 'our lord' is the king himself, David.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (idiom of readiness)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; in the idiom ἰδοὺ οἱ παῖδές σου ('behold, your servants') it expresses readiness and availability — 'here we are at your service.'
οἱtheNominativearticle (with παῖδες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδέςservantsNominativepredicate nominative (verbless: 'your servants [are ready]')→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant'; the verbless clause ἰδοὺ οἱ παῖδές σου declares the servants' total availability to do the king's will.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession ('your servants')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('your servants').
16
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ πᾶς ὁ οἶκος αὐτοῦ τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν καὶ ἀφῆκεν ὁ βασιλεὺς δέκα γυναῖκας τῶν παλλακῶν αὐτοῦ φυλάσσειν τὸν οἶκον
And the king went out, and all his household on foot; and the king left ten women of his concubines to keep the house.
The exodus 'on foot' (τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν) marks the humiliation of a fleeing monarch. The ten concubines left to keep the house (φυλάσσειν τὸν οἶκον) is a fateful detail: Absalom will publicly violate them (16:21–22), fulfilling Nathan's oracle of 12:11–12.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the king's departure)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / depart'; renders יָצָא; the king's 'going out' from the palace begins the flight from Jerusalem.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David, here departing his capital in humiliation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying οἶκος)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; πᾶς ὁ οἶκος = 'the whole household,' the entire royal family and domestic establishment.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with οἶκος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκοςhouseholdNominativesubject (coordinate with βασιλεύς)→ participant prominenceοἶκος: 'house / household'; renders בַּיִת; here the royal family and domestic retinue who flee with David.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τοῖςon theDativearticle (with ποσίν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποσὶνfeetDativedative of manner ('on foot')→ sphere or referenceπούς (dat. pl. ποσίν): 'foot'; the idiom τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν ('on their feet') = 'on foot,' rendering בְּרַגְלָיו; the king and his house go out humbly afoot, not in royal state.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; 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.
ἀφῆκενleftAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίημιmain verb (the king leaves behind the concubines)→ constative aoristἀφίημι: 'leave / let go / forsake'; renders עָזַב / הִנִּיחַ; David leaves the ten concubines behind — a detail pregnant with the coming fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (David).
δέκαtenindeclinable numeral (modifying γυναῖκας)→ measure or countδέκα: 'ten'; indeclinable cardinal rendering עֶשֶׂר; the ten concubines left to keep the house.
γυναῖκαςwomenAccusativedirect object of ἀφῆκεν→ object specificationγυνή: 'woman / wife'; renders אִשָּׁה; here the concubines, specified in the next phrase.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with παλλακῶν, partitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παλλακῶνconcubinesGenitivepartitive genitive (ten of his concubines)→ relational specificationπαλλακή: 'concubine'; renders פִּילֶגֶשׁ; secondary wives of the royal harem; their being left behind sets up Absalom's public outrage in 16:21–22.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
φυλάσσεινto keepPres Act Inf · φυλάσσωinfinitive of purpose ('to keep the house')→ purpose infinitiveφυλάσσω: 'guard / keep / watch over'; renders שָׁמַר; the concubines are left to maintain the palace in the king's absence.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with οἶκον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativedirect object of φυλάσσειν→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / palace'; here the royal residence left in the concubines' care.
17
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ πάντες οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ πεζῇ καὶ ἔστησαν ἐν οἴκῳ τῷ μακράν
And the king went out, and all his servants on foot, and they halted at the house that was far off.
A resumptive notice of the departure (ἐξῆλθεν … πεζῇ, 'went out … on foot') followed by the first halt 'at the house that was far off' (ἐν οἴκῳ τῷ μακράν) — the last building on the city's edge, where David musters the column before the loyal guard passes in review (v. 18).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (departure resumed)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; resumes the departure of v. 16, now focusing on the king and his servants.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying παῖδες)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the entire body of the king's servants accompanies him.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with παῖδες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject (coordinate with βασιλεύς)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / attendant'; the king's loyal retinue.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
πεζῇon footadverb of manner ('on foot')→ clausal contributionπεζῇ: 'on foot / by land'; an adverbial dative used as a fixed adverb; reinforces the humiliation of v. 16 — the royal household travels afoot like refugees.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστησανthey haltedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb (the procession's halt)→ constative aorist (intransitive)ἵστημι (intrans. aor.): 'stand / halt / take a stand'; renders עָמַד; the column pauses at the outskirts to organize before the guard passes in review.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
οἴκῳhouseDativedative of place ('at the house')→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house / building'; here a specific building, 'the far house,' marking the edge of the inhabited area — the last halt before the wilderness road.
τῷtheDativearticle (with adverb μακράν, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μακράνfar offadverb (attributive with article: 'that was far off')→ clausal contributionμακράν: 'far / at a distance'; an adverb here used attributively with the article (τῷ μακράν, 'the [house] far off'), rendering בֵּית הַמֶּרְחָק ('the far house'), the last dwelling at the city's edge.
18
καὶ πάντες οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ ἀνὰ χεῖρα αὐτοῦ παρῆγον καὶ πᾶς ὁ Χεττι καὶ πᾶς ὁ Φελετθι καὶ ἔστησαν ἐπὶ τῆς ἐλαίας ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς παρεπορεύετο ἐχόμενος αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες οἱ περὶ αὐτὸν καὶ πάντες οἱ ἁδροὶ καὶ πάντες οἱ μαχηταί ἑξακόσιοι ἄνδρες καὶ παρῆσαν ἐπὶ χεῖρα αὐτοῦ καὶ πᾶς ὁ Χερεθθι καὶ πᾶς ὁ Φελεθθι καὶ πάντες οἱ Γεθθαῖοι ἑξακόσιοι ἄνδρες οἱ ἐλθόντες τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν ἐκ Γεθ πορευόμενοι ἐπὶ πρόσωπον τοῦ βασιλέως
And all his servants passed on beside him, and all the Cherethites and all the Pelethites; and they halted by the olive tree in the wilderness; and all the people marched along close beside him, and all those about him, and all the mighty men, and all the warriors, six hundred men; and they were present beside him, and all the Cherethites and all the Pelethites and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had come on foot from Gath, marching before the king.
A muster-scene reviewing David's loyal forces as they file past (παρῆγον … παρεπορεύετο). The verse is textually overloaded in the Greek tradition, doubling the foreign guard: the Cherethites (Χεττι / Χερεθθι), Pelethites (Φελετθι / Φελεθθι), and the six hundred Gittites who 'came on foot from Gath.' This is the bodyguard of professional soldiers — the foreign mercenaries whose loyalty contrasts pointedly with Israel's defection.
Word-by-word analysis· 78 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying παῖδες)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole body of the king's servants passing in review.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with παῖδες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject of παρῆγον→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / attendant'; the royal retinue marching past the king.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἀνὰbesidepreposition + accusative (idiom ἀνὰ χεῖρα: 'beside')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά + acc.: in the Hebraism ἀνὰ χεῖρα ('at the side of'), rendering עַל־יַד; the servants pass close by the king's side.
χεῖραside (lit. hand)Accusativeaccusative in idiom ἀνὰ χεῖρα ('beside')→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; in the Hebraism 'hand' = 'side'; the troops file past at the king's side as he reviews them.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive (in idiom: 'beside him')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (in idiom: 'beside him').
παρῆγονpassed onImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · παράγωmain verb (the troops file past)→ descriptive imperfect (procession in progress)παράγω: 'pass by / lead past / march past'; the imperfect παρῆγον depicts the continuous filing-past of the troops in the review — the king's forces marching by in order.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ὁ Χεττι)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the entire corps of the Cherethite guard.
ὁtheNominativearticle (collective with gentilic Χεττι)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧεττιCherethite(s)collective gentilic (indeclinable, subject)→ participant identificationΧεττι: transliteration (here for the Cherethites, כְּרֵתִי); indeclinable gentilic with collective article πᾶς ὁ ('all the Cherethite [corps]'); a foreign guard unit, part of David's professional bodyguard (cf. 8:18; 20:23).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ὁ Φελετθι)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the entire corps of the Pelethite guard.
ὁtheNominativearticle (collective with gentilic Φελετθι)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΦελετθιPelethite(s)collective gentilic (indeclinable, subject)→ participant identificationΦελετθι: transliteration of the Pelethites (פְּלֵתִי); indeclinable gentilic; with the Cherethites they form David's elite foreign bodyguard.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστησανthey haltedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb (the guard halts)→ constative aorist (intransitive)ἵστημι (intrans.): 'halt / take position'; the guard halts by the olive tree at the desert's edge.
ἐπὶbypreposition + genitive (position: 'by / at')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position: 'by / at').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ἐλαίας)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλαίαςolive treeGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (landmark)→ relational specificationἐλαία: 'olive tree / olive'; here a landmark olive tree at the edge of the wilderness where the column pauses; possibly read in some traditions as a place-name.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἐρήμῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place ('in the wilderness')→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness / desert'; renders מִדְבָּר; the wild country east of Jerusalem toward the Jordan, David's route of flight.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole body of the people accompanying David.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of παρεπορεύετο→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; here the loyal company and troops marching with the king.
παρεπορεύετοmarched alongImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · παραπορεύομαιmain verb (the people's passing by)→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing march)παραπορεύομαι: 'pass by / march along'; the imperfect depicts the continuous movement of the people filing past the king.
ἐχόμενοςclose besidePres Mid Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ἔχωparticiple (idiom ἐχόμενος + gen.: 'next to / close beside')→ verbal action or stateἔχω (mid. ptc. ἐχόμενος): with the genitive, 'holding to / next to / close beside'; the idiom ἐχόμενος αὐτοῦ means 'right beside him,' marking the people's nearness to the king.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive with ἐχόμενος ('beside him')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive with ἐχόμενος ('beside him').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativesubstantival adjective ('all those')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; 'all those around him' = the king's close attendants.
οἱthe onesNominativearticle (substantival with περὶ αὐτόν)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
περὶaroundpreposition + accusative (those 'around him')→ spatial or relational framingπερί + acc.: 'around / about'; οἱ περὶ αὐτόν = 'those around him,' his immediate entourage.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of περί→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of περί.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἁδροί)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole body of the chief men / mighty ones.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἁδροί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁδροὶmighty / chief menNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)→ participant prominenceἁδρός: 'stout / strong / important'; substantivized 'the great/mighty men'; here the leading warriors or notables among David's followers.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying μαχηταί)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole body of warriors.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with μαχηταί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαχηταίwarriors / fighting menNominativesubject (the fighting men)→ participant prominenceμαχητής: 'warrior / fighter'; renders גִּבּוֹר / אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה; David's professional soldiers, the core of his fighting force.
ἑξακόσιοιsix hundredNominativenumeral adjective (modifying ἄνδρες)→ measure or countἑξακόσιοι: 'six hundred'; a declinable cardinal (nom. masc. pl.); the six hundred who had followed David since his outlaw days (cf. 1 Kgdms 23:13; 27:2; 30:9) — his veteran core.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject in apposition (numbering the warriors)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the six hundred fighting men.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρῆσανwere presentImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · πάρειμιmain verb (the troops in attendance)→ descriptive imperfectπάρειμι: 'be present / be at hand'; the imperfect παρῆσαν describes the guard standing in attendance at the king's side during the review.
ἐπὶbesidepreposition + accusative (idiom ἐπὶ χεῖρα: 'beside')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: in the idiom ἐπὶ χεῖρα ('at the side of'), rendering עַל־יַד; the troops attend beside the king.
χεῖραside (lit. hand)Accusativeaccusative in idiom ἐπὶ χεῖρα ('beside')→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand' = 'side' in the Hebraism; the guard stands at the king's side.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive (in idiom: 'beside him')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (in idiom: 'beside him').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ὁ Χερεθθι)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; a second (doublet) mention of the Cherethite corps.
ὁtheNominativearticle (collective with gentilic Χερεθθι)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧερεθθιCherethite(s)collective gentilic (indeclinable, subject)→ participant identificationΧερεθθι: transliteration of the Cherethites (כְּרֵתִי); indeclinable; a doublet of Χεττι above, reflecting the conflated Greek text-tradition of this overloaded verse.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ὁ Φελεθθι)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; a second mention of the Pelethite corps.
ὁtheNominativearticle (collective with gentilic Φελεθθι)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΦελεθθιPelethite(s)collective gentilic (indeclinable, subject)→ participant identificationΦελεθθι: transliteration of the Pelethites (פְּלֵתִי); indeclinable; a doublet of Φελετθι above in the conflated text.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying Γεθθαῖοι)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole company of the Gittites.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with Γεθθαῖοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΓεθθαῖοιGittitesNominativesubject (gentilic noun: the men of Gath)→ participant prominenceΓεθθαῖος: 'Gittite / man of Gath'; a declinable gentilic; the Philistine contingent under Ittai (Εθθι) who had recently joined David from Gath — their loyalty (v. 21) contrasts with Israel's defection.
ἑξακόσιοιsix hundredNominativenumeral adjective (modifying ἄνδρες)→ measure or countἑξακόσιοι: 'six hundred'; declinable cardinal; the number of the Gittite contingent (matching the six hundred of David's veteran core).
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject in apposition (numbering the Gittites)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the six hundred Gittite warriors.
οἱthe onesNominativearticle (with participle ἐλθόντες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλθόντεςwho had comeAor Act Ptc Nom Masc Pl · ἔρχομαιattributive participle (modifying ἄνδρες: 'who had come')→ antecedent actionἔρχομαι: 'come'; the aorist participle describes the Gittites as recent arrivals — they had come from Gath to follow David, newcomers whose fidelity is striking.
τοῖςon theDativearticle (with ποσίν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποσὶνfeetDativedative of manner ('on foot')→ sphere or referenceπούς: 'foot'; the idiom τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν ('on their feet') = 'on foot'; the Gittites came on foot, sharing the king's humble march.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (origin).
ΓεθGathgenitive object of ἐκ (indeclinable place name)→ participant identificationΓεθ: transliteration of Hebrew גַּת (Gath); indeclinable; the Philistine city from which Ittai's six hundred came to serve David.
πορευόμενοιmarchingPres Mid Ptc Nom Masc Pl · πορεύομαιcircumstantial participle (manner: 'marching before')→ durative present participle (the ongoing march)πορεύομαι: 'go / march'; the present participle describes the Gittites marching in procession before the king.
ἐπὶbeforepreposition + accusative (idiom ἐπὶ πρόσωπον: 'before')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: in the idiom ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ('before / in front of'), rendering עַל־פְּנֵי / לִפְנֵי; the guard marches in front of the king.
πρόσωπονface / frontAccusativeaccusative in idiom ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ('before')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / front'; in the Hebraism 'before the face of' = 'in front of'; the Gittites lead the procession ahead of the king.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive (with πρόσωπον: 'before the king')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: David, before whom the loyal foreign guard marches in review.
19
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς Εθθι τὸν Γεθθαῖον ἵνα τί πορεύῃ καὶ σὺ μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν ἐπίστρεφε καὶ οἴκει μετὰ τοῦ βασιλέως ὅτι ξένος εἶ σὺ καὶ ὅτι μετῴκηκας σὺ ἐκ τοῦ τόπου σου
And the king said to Ittai the Gittite, 'Why do you also go with us? Turn back and dwell with the king, for you are a stranger, and you have migrated from your own place.'
David's selfless concern: he releases Ittai from sharing his exile, since the Gittite is a recent foreign immigrant (ξένος … μετῴκηκας) with no obligation to a deposed king. 'Dwell with the king' here means 'stay with whoever holds power' (i.e. Absalom) — David magnanimously frees Ittai to serve the new regime.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (David addresses Ittai)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces David's words urging Ittai to depart.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΕθθιIttaiaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕθθι: transliteration of Hebrew אִתַּי (Ittai); indeclinable; the Gittite commander whose oath of loyalty (v. 21) is the emotional center of the flight narrative.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Γεθθαῖον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΓεθθαῖονGittiteAccusativeapposition to Εθθι (gentilic)→ object specificationΓεθθαῖος: 'Gittite / man of Gath'; identifies Ittai as a Philistine from Gath, underscoring his foreign origin.
ἵναwhyinterrogative particle (in idiom ἵνα τί: 'why?')→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα τί: 'why? / for what purpose?'; a fixed interrogative idiom (lit. 'in order that what?'), rendering לָמָּה.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (in idiom ἵνα τί)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative; combines with ἵνα to form 'why?'
πορεύῃdo you goPres Mid Indic 2 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (the question)→ progressive presentπορεύομαι: 'go'; 'why do you also go with us?' — David questions why a foreigner should share his misfortune.
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive: 'you also')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: ascensive 'also / even'; 'why do you too (a foreigner) come along?'
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic 2nd person pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic pronoun — 'you, of all people, a stranger.'
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→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
ἐπίστρεφεturn backPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (imperative of dismissal)→ present imperative (advice to return)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn / return'; renders שׁוּב; David urges Ittai to go back to Jerusalem rather than share exile.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἴκειdwellPres Act Impv 2 Sg · οἰκέωmain verb (imperative)→ present imperativeοἰκέω: 'dwell / remain'; 'dwell with the king' = remain in the city under whoever reigns (i.e. Absalom); David releases Ittai to serve the new power.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the reigning king)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; here likely the de facto king in the city (Absalom), or generically 'whoever is king' — David magnanimously frees Ittai from allegiance to a deposed monarch.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; gives the reason Ittai is free to stay — he is a foreigner with no native obligation.
ξένοςstranger / foreignerNominativepredicate nominative ('you are a stranger')→ participant prominenceξένος: 'stranger / foreigner / guest'; renders נָכְרִי / גֵּר; Ittai is a non-Israelite, under no covenant or national duty to David.
εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίcopula ('you are')→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; copula of the predicate ξένος.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic 'you' — stressing Ittai's foreign status.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (second reason)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; adds the second ground — Ittai is also a recent migrant.
μετῴκηκαςyou have migratedPerf Act Indic 2 Sg · μετοικέωmain verb (Ittai's settled migrant status)→ perfect of present state (settled condition)μετοικέω: 'migrate / change one's dwelling / emigrate'; the perfect μετῴκηκας ('you have emigrated and now reside') marks Ittai's recent resettlement — he has uprooted from Gath and need not share David's further uprooting.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic 'you.'
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with τόπου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπουplaceGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (Ittai's homeland)→ relational specificationτόπος: 'place / home / region'; renders מָקוֹם; Ittai's native land (Gath), from which he has only recently come.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession ('your place')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('your place').
20
εἰ ἐχθὲς παραγέγονας καὶ σήμερον κινήσω σε μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν καί γε μεταναστήσεις τὸν τόπον σου ἐχθὲς ἡ ἐξέλευσίς σου καὶ σήμερον μετακινήσω σε μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν τοῦ πορευθῆναι καὶ ἐγὼ πορεύσομαι οὗ ἂν ἐγὼ πορευθῶ ἐπιστρέφου καὶ ἐπίστρεψον τοὺς ἀδελφούς σου μετὰ σοῦ καὶ κύριος ποιήσει μετὰ σοῦ ἔλεος καὶ ἀλήθειαν
Whereas you came only yesterday, shall I today make you move about with us? And I am going wherever I may go. Turn back, and take back your brethren with you, and may the LORD show you mercy and faithfulness.
David elaborates: it would be unjust to drag a man who only 'yesterday' arrived (ἐχθές … σήμερον, 'yesterday … today') into the uncertainty of his own wandering ('wherever I may go'). The Greek text is somewhat conflated here. David dismisses Ittai with the covenantal blessing-pair ἔλεος καὶ ἀλήθειαν ('mercy and faithfulness' = חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת), invoking the LORD's covenant kindness.
Word-by-word analysis· 50 words
εἰwhereas / sinceconditional/concessive particle→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if / since / whereas'; here introduces a concessive-conditional reflection on Ittai's recent arrival.
ἐχθὲςyesterdayadverb of time→ clausal contributionἐχθές: 'yesterday'; renders אֶתְמוֹל; the ἐχθές … σήμερον ('yesterday … today') antithesis stresses how recent Ittai's arrival is — he has barely settled.
παραγέγοναςyou have comePerf Act Indic 2 Sg · παραγίνομαιmain verb (Ittai's recent arrival)→ perfect of recent completed arrivalπαραγίνομαι: 'come / arrive'; the perfect παραγέγονας ('you have arrived [and are here]') marks Ittai's settled-but-recent presence.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; in antithesis with ἐχθές, it sharpens the unfairness of uprooting a newcomer.
κινήσωshall I make moveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · κινέωmain verb (deliberative future)→ deliberative future (rhetorical question)κινέω: 'move / set in motion / dislodge'; David asks (rhetorically) whether he should make Ittai 'move about / be unsettled' along with the fugitives.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of κινήσω→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of κινήσω.
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→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
καίandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γεindeedemphatic particle (intensifying)→ discourse linkage or contrastγε: enclitic particle of emphasis; καί γε ('and indeed / and even') renders the Hebrew וְגַם, intensifying the statement.
μεταναστήσειςyou would changeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · μετανίστημιmain verb (Ittai's renewed displacement)→ predictive futureμετανίστημι: 'move / migrate / change one's dwelling'; David notes that Ittai would again have to abandon his place — a second uprooting it would be unjust to require.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τόπον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeaccusative of respect/object (the place left)→ object specificationτόπος: 'place / home'; Ittai's newly-adopted dwelling, which he would have to leave again.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐχθὲςyesterdayadverb of time→ clausal contributionἐχθές: 'yesterday'; resuming the temporal antithesis — Ittai's 'going out' (arrival) was only yesterday.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ἐξέλευσις)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξέλευσίςgoing out / departureNominativesubject (verbless clause: 'your departure was yesterday')→ participant prominenceἐξέλευσις: 'going out / departure / emigration'; here Ittai's recent departure from his homeland to join David — only 'yesterday.'
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; 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.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; antithetic to ἐχθές.
μετακινήσωshall I dislodgeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · μετακινέωmain verb (deliberative future)→ deliberative futureμετακινέω: 'move away / dislodge / shift'; David asks whether he should uproot Ittai yet again to wander with him.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of μετακινήσω→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of μετακινήσω.
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→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle with genitive infinitive (purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πορευθῆναιto goAor Pass Inf · πορεύομαιgenitive infinitive of purpose ('to go [with us]')→ telic aorist infinitiveπορεύομαι: 'go / journey'; the articular genitive infinitive expresses the purpose — to come along on the uncertain march.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; David contrasts his own uncertain wandering with Ittai's freedom to stay.
πορεύσομαιwill goFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (David's own uncertain journey)→ predictive futureπορεύομαι: 'go'; David will go 'wherever' — his destination is unknown, a hardship not to be imposed on a stranger.
οὗwhereverrelative adverb of place (generalized with ἄν)→ participant referenceοὗ: relative adverb 'where'; οὗ ἂν … πορευθῶ = 'wherever I may go,' a generalized indefinite clause.
ἂν-evermodal particle (with subjunctive, generalizing)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle marking the indefinite generalized clause with the subjunctive.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic, resumptive)→ participant referenceἐγώ: resumptive emphatic 'I.'
πορευθῶI may goAor Pass Subj 1 Sg · πορεύομαιverb of indefinite relative clause (subjunctive)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: the subjunctive with οὗ ἄν generalizes — 'wherever I happen to go.'
ἐπιστρέφουturn backPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (imperative of dismissal)→ present imperative (renewed urging)ἐπιστρέφω (mid.): 'turn back / return'; David renews his urging that Ittai go home.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπίστρεψονtake backAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (imperative, transitive: 'lead back')→ aorist imperativeἐπιστρέφω (act.): here transitive 'turn back / bring back'; David tells Ittai to take his men back with him to the city.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφούς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφούςbrethrenAccusativedirect object of ἐπίστρεψον→ object specificationἀδελφός: 'brother / kinsman / comrade'; renders אָח; here Ittai's fellow Gittites, his men-at-arms, called his 'brethren.'
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing blessing)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ποιήσει (the LORD as blessing-giver)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; David invokes YHWH's covenant kindness upon the departing Ittai — the divine name, not a human title, in this benediction.
ποιήσειwill show / doFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of blessing (optative-like future)→ future of blessing ('may the LORD show')ποιέω: 'do / show / deal'; the idiom ποιεῖν … ἔλεος καὶ ἀλήθειαν ('to show mercy and faithfulness') renders עָשָׂה חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת; a benedictory future invoking divine covenant kindness.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (the recipient of kindness)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: in the idiom ποιεῖν ἔλεος μετά τινος ('show kindness with/to someone'), rendering עִם.
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
ἔλεοςmercy / lovingkindnessAccusativedirect object of ποιήσει→ object specificationἔλεος: 'mercy / lovingkindness'; the standard LXX rendering of חֶסֶד (covenant loyalty); paired with ἀλήθεια as the classic covenant word-pair.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀλήθειανfaithfulness / truthAccusativedirect object of ποιήσει (coordinate with ἔλεος)→ object specificationἀλήθεια: 'truth / faithfulness / fidelity'; renders אֱמֶת; the pair ἔλεος καὶ ἀλήθεια (חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת) denotes steadfast covenant love and reliability — David's parting blessing on the loyal foreigner.
21
καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Εθθι τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ εἶπεν ζῇ κύριος καὶ ζῇ ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς ὅτι εἰς τὸν τόπον οὗ ἐὰν ᾖ ὁ κύριός μου καὶ ἐὰν εἰς θάνατον καὶ ἐὰν εἰς ζωήν ὅτι ἐκεῖ ἔσται ὁ δοῦλός σου
And Ittai answered the king and said, 'As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, in whatever place my lord shall be, whether for death or for life, there will your servant be.'
The emotional summit of the chapter. Ittai answers David's release with a double oath-formula: ζῇ κύριος ('as the LORD lives' — the Tetragrammaton) and ζῇ ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς ('as my lord the king lives' — human master). His vow to share death or life 'wherever my lord shall be' is a model of covenant fidelity, set in deliberate contrast to Israel's defection.
Word-by-word analysis· 40 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 (Ittai's reply)→ constative aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / reply'; renders עָנָה; introduces Ittai's resolute response to David's dismissal.
ΕθθιIttaisubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕθθι: Ittai the Gittite, whose oath models loyalty.
τῷtheDativearticle (with βασιλεῖ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativedative indirect object (David)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: David, to whom Ittai swears.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing the oath)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the content of Ittai's vow.
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb of oath-formula ('as the LORD lives')→ asseverative present (oath)ζάω: 'live / be alive'; the oath-formula ζῇ κύριος ('as the LORD lives') renders חַי־יהוה, the most solemn Israelite oath, invoking the living God as witness.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ζῇ (the LORD invoked in oath)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; in the oath ζῇ κύριος the divine name is invoked — Ittai the foreigner swears by the God of Israel, a remarkable confession of allegiance.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb of second oath-formula→ asseverative present (oath)ζάω: the second oath ζῇ ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς ('as my lord the king lives') invokes the king's life — the standard pairing of divine and royal oath (cf. 1 Kgdms 20:3; 25:26).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with κύριος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριόςlordNominativesubject of ζῇ (human master: David)→ participant prominenceκύριος: 'lord / master'; here a human honorific for David (ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς, 'my lord the king'), NOT the Tetragrammaton — Ittai's deferential address to his royal master.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession ('my lord')→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('my lord').
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς, in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεύςkingNominativenominative in apposition to ὁ κύριός μου→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; in apposition, identifying 'my lord' as David the king.
ὅτιsurely / thatoath-introducing conjunction (recitativum/asseverative)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: here introduces the content/substance of the oath ('[I swear] that …'); after an oath-formula ὅτι functions asseveratively, rendering כִּי.
εἰςin / atpreposition + accusative (place)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (place).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τόπον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeaccusative of place (the place where the king is)→ object specificationτόπος: 'place'; 'in whatever place my lord shall be' — Ittai pledges to be wherever David is.
οὗwhereverrelative adverb of place (generalized with ἐάν)→ participant referenceοὗ: relative adverb 'where'; οὗ ἐὰν ᾖ = 'wherever (the king) may be,' generalized.
ἐὰν-everconditional particle (generalizing the relative)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: with the subjunctive generalizes the relative ('wherever he may be').
ᾖmay bePres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of generalized relative clause (subjunctive)→ stative present subjunctiveεἰμί (subj.): 'be'; with οὗ ἐάν, 'wherever my lord may be.'
ὁtheNominativearticle (with κύριος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριόςlordNominativesubject of ᾖ (human master: David)→ participant prominenceκύριος: 'lord / master'; again the human honorific for David, 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.
καὶwhetherdisjunctive conjunction (in 'whether … or')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here introducing the disjunctive pair 'whether for death or for life.'
ἐὰνifconditional particle ('if it be for death')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; here in the disjunctive 'whether … or' construction.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/result)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose/result).
θάνατονdeathAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς ('for death')→ object specificationθάνατος: 'death'; renders מָוֶת; Ittai pledges fidelity even to death — total commitment to the king's fortunes.
καὶordisjunctive conjunction ('or for life')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'or'; second member of the disjunction.
ἐὰνifconditional particle ('if it be for life')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; in the disjunctive 'whether … or.'
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/result)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose/result).
ζωήνlifeAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς ('for life')→ object specificationζωή: 'life'; renders חַיִּים; the antithetic pair death/life expresses Ittai's whole-hearted, unconditional loyalty.
ὅτιthat / surelyasseverative conjunction (resuming the oath's content)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that / surely'; resumes and emphasizes the oath's content after the disjunctive aside.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (emphatic: 'there')→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders שָׁם; emphatic — 'there (wherever the king is) will your servant be.'
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (Ittai's pledged presence)→ predictive future (vow)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'will be'; the climactic pledge — 'there will your servant be,' wherever death or life may take the king.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with δοῦλος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δοῦλόςservantNominativesubject of ἔσται (Ittai's self-designation)→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'servant / slave'; Ittai's humble self-reference (ὁ δοῦλός σου, 'your servant') seals his vow of total devotion.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession ('your servant')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('your servant').
22
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς Εθθι δεῦρο καὶ διάβαινε μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ καὶ παρῆλθεν Εθθι ὁ Γεθθαῖος καὶ πάντες οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος ὁ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ
And the king said to Ittai, 'Come and cross over with me.' And Ittai the Gittite passed on, and all his servants, and all the multitude that was with him.
David, moved by the oath, accepts Ittai with the warm invitation δεῦρο καὶ διάβαινε ('come and cross over'). The whole Gittite contingent passes over with the king, their loyalty now formally enrolled in David's exiled company.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (David's acceptance)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces David's warm invitation to Ittai.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΕθθιIttaiaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕθθι: Ittai the Gittite.
δεῦροcomeadverb used as imperative ('come!')→ clausal contributionδεῦρο: 'come here / come!'; an adverb of place functioning as an imperative of invitation, rendering לֵךְ / בֹּא; David's warm welcome.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διάβαινεcross overPres Act Impv 2 Sg · διαβαίνωmain verb (imperative of acceptance)→ present imperativeδιαβαίνω: 'cross over / pass through'; renders עָבַר; David bids Ittai cross over (the Kidron / onward) with him, formally enrolling him in the exiled company.
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)→ relational specificationἐγώ: emphatic genitive 'me'; David embraces Ittai's companionship in exile.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρῆλθενpassed onAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παρέρχομαιmain verb (Ittai's crossing)→ constative aoristπαρέρχομαι: 'pass by / pass on / go past'; renders עָבַר; Ittai and his men file past in the procession, now part of David's loyal column.
ΕθθιIttaisubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕθθι: Ittai the Gittite.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with Γεθθαῖος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΓεθθαῖοςGittiteNominativeapposition to Εθθι (gentilic)→ participant prominenceΓεθθαῖος: 'Gittite'; the gentilic again identifying Ittai by his Philistine origin, heightening the wonder of his loyalty.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying παῖδες)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; all of Ittai's men cross over with him.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with παῖδες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservants / menNominativesubject (coordinate with Εθθι)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / attendant / soldier'; here Ittai's followers and dependents.
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.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ὄχλος)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole accompanying crowd.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ὄχλος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄχλοςmultitude / crowdNominativesubject (the crowd with Ittai)→ participant prominenceὄχλος: 'crowd / multitude'; the whole body of dependents and camp-followers accompanying the Gittite contingent.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (attributive: 'that was with him')→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
23
καὶ πᾶσα ἡ γῆ ἔκλαιεν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς παρεπορεύοντο ἐν τῷ χειμάρρῳ Κεδρων καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς διέβη τὸν χειμάρρουν Κεδρων καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς παρεπορεύοντο ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ὁδοῦ τὴν ἔρημον
And all the land wept with a loud voice; and all the people passed over the brook Kidron, and the king crossed the brook Kidron; and all the people and the king went on along the way toward the wilderness.
The whole land weeps (ἔκλαιεν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ, 'wept with a loud voice') as David crosses the Kidron — the brook on Jerusalem's east, the threshold between the city and the wilderness of his exile. The crossing of the Kidron is a charged geographical marker echoed in later Scripture (cf. John 18:1).
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσαallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying γῆ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; πᾶσα ἡ γῆ ('all the land') is a Hebraism (כָּל־הָאָרֶץ) for the whole population — everyone weeps.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with γῆ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆland / countryNominativesubject of ἔκλαιεν (metonymy for the people)→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'land / earth / country'; renders אֶרֶץ; by metonymy 'all the land' = all its inhabitants, who lament the king's departure.
ἔκλαιενweptImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · κλαίωmain verb (the land's lamentation)→ descriptive imperfect (continuous weeping)κλαίω: 'weep / wail / lament'; renders בָּכָה; the imperfect depicts sustained, ongoing weeping as the king's column passes.
φωνῇwith a voiceDativedative of manner ('with a loud voice')→ sphere or referenceφωνή: 'voice / sound'; the dative of manner φωνῇ μεγάλῃ ('with a loud voice') renders בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל, marking the intensity of public grief.
μεγάλῃloud / greatDativeattributive adjective (modifying φωνῇ)→ sphere or referenceμέγας: 'great / loud'; intensifies the cry of lamentation.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole company crossing the brook.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of παρεπορεύοντο (constructio ad sensum, plural verb)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the collective 'people' takes a plural verb (παρεπορεύοντο) by sense-construction — the crowd of David's followers.
παρεπορεύοντοpassed overImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραπορεύομαιmain verb (the people's crossing)→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing march)παραπορεύομαι: 'pass by / pass along'; the imperfect (plural by sense) depicts the continuous passage of the people across the brook.
ἐνover / atpreposition + dative (place of crossing)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: 'in / at / by'; here of the place of crossing — at/along the brook.
τῷtheDativearticle (with χειμάρρῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειμάρρῳbrook / wadiDativedative of place (the brook Kidron)→ sphere or referenceχείμαρρος: 'winter-torrent / wadi / brook'; renders נַחַל; a seasonal stream-bed; here the Kidron valley east of Jerusalem.
ΚεδρωνKidrongenitive/appositional name (indeclinable place name)→ participant identificationΚεδρων: transliteration of Hebrew קִדְרוֹן (Kidron); indeclinable; the valley/brook between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, the eastern boundary David must cross to flee.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of διέβη (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David, crossing the Kidron in flight.
διέβηcrossedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαβαίνωmain verb (the king's crossing)→ constative aoristδιαβαίνω: 'cross over'; renders עָבַר; the decisive crossing of the brook marks David's formal departure from the capital into exile.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with χειμάρρουν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειμάρρουνbrookAccusativedirect object of διέβη (the brook crossed)→ object specificationχείμαρρος: 'winter-torrent / brook'; here in the accusative as the object directly crossed.
ΚεδρωνKidronappositional name (indeclinable place name)→ participant identificationΚεδρων: Kidron; the brook the king crosses.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole people, now joined with the king.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of παρεπορεύοντο→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the company of David's followers.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (coordinate with λαός)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David, marching with the people toward the wilderness.
παρεπορεύοντοwent onImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραπορεύομαιmain verb (the march continues)→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing march)παραπορεύομαι: 'pass along / march on'; the imperfect (plural with compound subject) depicts the king and people moving on together toward the desert.
ἐπὶalong / towardpreposition + accusative (idiom ἐπὶ πρόσωπον: 'along / facing')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: in the idiom ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ('toward / in the direction of'), rendering עַל־פְּנֵי; the column heads in the direction of the wilderness.
πρόσωπονface / directionAccusativeaccusative in idiom ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ὁδοῦ ('along the way')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / front / surface'; the Hebraism ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ὁδοῦ ('toward the face of the way') = 'along the road, in the direction of.'
ὁδοῦof the wayGenitivegenitive (with πρόσωπον: 'the face of the way')→ relational specificationὁδός: 'road / way'; the route leading out to the wilderness.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἔρημον)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔρημονwildernessAccusativeaccusative of direction/goal ('toward the wilderness')→ object specificationἔρημος: 'wilderness / desert'; renders מִדְבָּר; the destination of the flight — the wild country toward the Jordan, where David will regroup.
24
καὶ ἰδοὺ καί γε Σαδωκ καὶ πάντες οἱ Λευῖται μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ αἴροντες τὴν κιβωτὸν διαθήκης κυρίου ἀπὸ Βαιθαρ καὶ ἔστησαν τὴν κιβωτὸν τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἀνέβη Αβιαθαρ ἕως ἐπαύσατο πᾶς ὁ λαὸς παρελθεῖν ἐκ τῆς πόλεως
And behold, Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Baithar; and they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up, until all the people had finished passing out of the city.
The presentative ἰδού introduces the priestly party at the ford. Zadok and the Levites bear the ark of the covenant; Abiathar 'goes up' (offering sacrifice or simply ascending) until the whole people have passed out of the city. The scene poses the question David answers in vv. 25–26: should the ark go into exile with the king?
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (introducing new participant)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; rendering הִנֵּה; introduces the priestly party as a new element in the scene.
καίalsoadverbial (additive: 'also')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: additive 'also / even'; combined with γε to emphasize the inclusion of Zadok and the Levites in the company.
γεindeedemphatic particle→ discourse linkage or contrastγε: emphatic enclitic; καί γε ('and indeed / and even') renders וְגַם, intensifying the notice that even the priests with the ark joined the exodus.
ΣαδωκZadoksubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαδωκ: transliteration of Hebrew צָדוֹק (Zadok); indeclinable; the chief priest of David's line, loyal throughout the revolt; ancestor of the Zadokite priesthood.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying Λευῖται)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole company of Levites accompanies Zadok with the ark.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with Λευῖται)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΛευῖταιLevitesNominativesubject (coordinate with Σαδωκ)→ participant prominenceΛευίτης: 'Levite'; renders לֵוִי; the Levites are the proper bearers of the ark (cf. Num 4; Deut 10:8); here they carry it out to accompany the king.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (Zadok)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (Zadok).
αἴροντεςbearingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Pl · αἴρωcircumstantial participle (manner: 'bearing the ark')→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: 'lift / take up / carry'; renders נָשָׂא; the Levites carry the ark on its poles, as the law prescribes.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κιβωτόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object of αἴροντες→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'box / chest / ark'; renders אֲרוֹן; the ark of the covenant, the throne-symbol of YHWH's presence enthroned among Israel.
διαθήκηςof the covenantGenitivegenitive of content/relationship ('ark of the covenant')→ relational specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant / testament'; renders בְּרִית; the ark of the covenant houses the tablets of the covenant — the sign of YHWH's bond with Israel.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of relationship ('covenant of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; 'the covenant of the LORD' — the ark belongs to YHWH, whose presence it represents.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (origin)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (origin).
ΒαιθαρBaithargenitive object of ἀπό (indeclinable place name)→ participant identificationΒαιθαρ: a transliterated place name (indeclinable), of uncertain reference, where the ark or the priests had been; the Greek text here differs from the MT, which has no proper name at this point.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστησανthey set downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb (transitive: 'they set / placed')→ constative aorist (transitive)ἵστημι (trans. aor.): 'set / place / station'; here transitive — the Levites set the ark down (or set it in position) while the people pass by.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κιβωτόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object of ἔστησαν→ object specificationκιβωτός: the ark, set down at the wayside as the people file out.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with θεοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship ('ark of God')→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; 'the ark of God' — the variant designation alongside 'ark of the covenant of the LORD,' both stressing the divine presence the ark embodies.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (Abiathar's going up)→ constative aoristἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; renders עָלָה; Abiathar 'goes up' — possibly to offer sacrifice, or simply ascending the slope — while the people complete their passage.
ΑβιαθαρAbiatharsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβιαθαρ: transliteration of Hebrew אֶבְיָתָר (Abiathar); indeclinable; the other chief priest, the last survivor of the house of Eli, partner with Zadok in David's service.
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; introduces the temporal limit — until the people finished passing out.
ἐπαύσατοhad finished / ceasedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · παύωverb of temporal clause (the people's completing)→ constative aoristπαύω (mid. παύομαι): 'cease / stop / finish'; with the complementary infinitive παρελθεῖν, 'finished passing'; the priests wait until the whole exodus is complete.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole people must pass out before the priests act.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἐπαύσατο→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the whole company of David's followers leaving the city.
παρελθεῖνto pass outAor Act Inf · παρέρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with ἐπαύσατο: 'finished passing')→ epexegetic aorist infinitive (defining the content of the evil deed)παρέρχομαι: 'pass by / pass out'; the complementary infinitive completing παύομαι ('finished passing out of the city').
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with πόλεως)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (Jerusalem)→ relational specificationπόλις: 'city' = Jerusalem, out of which the people are passing into exile.
25
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Σαδωκ ἀπόστρεψον τὴν κιβωτὸν τοῦ θεοῦ εἰς τὴν πόλιν ἐὰν εὕρω χάριν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς κυρίου καὶ ἐπιστρέψει με καὶ δείξει μοι αὐτὴν καὶ τὴν εὐπρέπειαν αὐτῆς
And the king said to Zadok, 'Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, then he will bring me back and show me both it and its beauty.'
David refuses to make the ark a magical guarantee of his cause. The command ἀπόστρεψον … εἰς τὴν πόλιν ('carry it back') expresses his faith that YHWH's presence is not bound to his fortunes. The conditional ἐὰν εὕρω χάριν ('if I find favor') submits his restoration entirely to divine grace — he will not coerce God by carrying the ark.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (David's command to Zadok)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces David's instruction concerning the ark.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Σαδωκ, dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαδωκZadokdative indirect object (indeclinable, marked by article)→ participant identificationΣαδωκ: Zadok the priest, addressed by David; the article τῷ marks the dative.
ἀπόστρεψονcarry backAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (imperative: return the ark)→ aorist imperative (decisive command)ἀποστρέφω: 'turn back / bring back / return'; renders הֵשִׁיב; David commands the ark's return — an act of faith refusing to instrumentalize the divine presence.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κιβωτόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object of ἀπόστρεψον→ object specificationκιβωτός: the ark of God, to be returned to its place in the city.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with θεοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship ('ark of God')→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; 'the ark of God,' whose proper place is the sanctuary in Jerusalem.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (Jerusalem)→ object specificationπόλις: 'city' = Jerusalem, the ark's rightful home.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the condition of David's hoped-for restoration — entirely dependent on divine favor.
εὕρωI findAor Act Subj 1 Sg · εὑρίσκωverb of conditional protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ constative aorist subjunctiveεὑρίσκω: 'find'; the idiom εὑρεῖν χάριν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ('find favor in the eyes of') renders מָצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֵי; David's restoration rests on finding divine favor.
χάρινfavorAccusativedirect object of εὕρω→ object specificationχάρις: 'favor / grace'; renders חֵן; the unearned good-pleasure of God, on which David rests his hope of return.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (idiom 'in the eyes of')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (idiom 'in the eyes of').
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative in idiom ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ('in the eyes of')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the Hebraism ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς κυρίου ('in the eyes of the LORD') renders בְּעֵינֵי יהוה, i.e. 'in the LORD's estimation / favor.'
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (whose eyes/favor)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the divine judge in whose favor David's future rests.
καὶthenapodotic conjunction (introducing apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'then'; apodotic, introducing the consequence of finding favor.
ἐπιστρέψειhe will bring backFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb of apodosis (the LORD restores David)→ predictive future (conditioned hope)ἐπιστρέφω: here transitive 'bring back / restore'; subject is the LORD — if David finds favor, YHWH will restore him to Jerusalem and the sanctuary.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of ἐπιστρέψει→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐπιστρέψει.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δείξειwill showFut Act Indic 3 Sg · δείκνυμιmain verb (the LORD will let David see the ark again)→ predictive futureδείκνυμι: 'show / display'; renders הֶרְאָה; if restored, David will again be shown the ark and its sanctuary — his deepest desire is renewed access to the presence of God.
μοιmeDativedative indirect object of δείξει→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object of δείξει.
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object of δείξει (the ark)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'it'; refers to the ark (κιβωτός, fem.) — David longs to see it again.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with εὐπρέπειαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐπρέπειανbeauty / comelinessAccusativedirect object of δείξει (coordinate with αὐτήν)→ object specificationεὐπρέπεια: 'beauty / comeliness / fitting splendor'; here the ark's 'beauty' = its dwelling-place / the splendor of the sanctuary; David yearns to behold again the beauty of the LORD's house (cf. Ps 26:8).
αὐτῆςitsGenitivegenitive of possession ('its beauty')→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('its beauty').
26
καὶ ἐὰν εἴπῃ οὕτως οὐκ ἠθέληκα ἐν σοί ἰδοὺ ἐγώ εἰμι ποιείτω μοι κατὰ τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ
But if he says thus, 'I have no delight in you,' behold, here I am: let him do to me as seems good in his eyes.
The complement of v. 25's condition: David accepts even rejection. ἰδοὺ ἐγώ εἰμι ('behold, here I am') is the posture of total availability; ποιείτω μοι κατὰ τὸ ἀγαθόν ('let him do as is good') surrenders his fate to the divine verdict. This is the theological heart of unit D — faith that submits, refusing to bargain with God.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶbut / andnarrative/adversative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here introducing the alternative possibility ('but if …').
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the alternative condition — divine rejection rather than favor.
εἴπῃhe saysAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λέγωverb of conditional protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ aorist subjunctiveλέγω: 'say'; subject is the LORD — the hypothetical divine verdict of rejection.
οὕτωςthusadverb of manner (introducing the quoted verdict)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / in this way'; anticipates the direct quotation of the divine refusal.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠθέληκαI have delightedPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · θέλωmain verb of the quoted divine verdict→ perfect of settled disposition (no pleasure in)θέλω: 'wish / will / delight in'; the perfect οὐκ ἠθέληκα ἐν σοί ('I have no delight / pleasure in you') renders לֹא חָפַצְתִּי בְּךָ; the construction θέλω ἐν (with ἐν + dative) is a Hebraism for taking pleasure in someone.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (Hebraism: 'delight in')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: in the Hebraism θέλειν ἐν ('to delight in'), rendering חָפֵץ בְּ.
σοίyouDativedative object of the idiom (the one not delighted in)→ participant reference or interestσύ: emphatic dative 'you'; David himself, the object of the hypothetical divine displeasure.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (idiom of self-surrender)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; in ἰδοὺ ἐγώ εἰμι ('behold, here I am') it expresses ready, submissive availability — the response of a servant awaiting his master's will.
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic: 'here I am')→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; in ἰδοὺ ἐγώ εἰμι, the posture of total submission to God.
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula ('here I am')→ stative present (divine self-attestation)εἰμί: 'be'; in the idiom ἰδοὺ ἐγώ εἰμι ('here I am'), rendering הִנְנִי, expressing readiness for whatever God decrees.
ποιείτωlet him doPres Act Impv 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (third-person imperative of submission)→ imperative of permission (submission to God)ποιέω: 'do / act'; the third-person imperative ποιείτω ('let him do') surrenders David's fate entirely to the LORD's good pleasure.
μοιto meDativedative indirect object of ποιείτω→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object of ποιείτω.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; introduces the standard of God's dealing — his own good pleasure.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἀγαθόν, substantival)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγαθὸνgoodAccusativesubstantival adjective (object of κατά: 'what is good')→ object specificationἀγαθός: 'good'; τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ ('what is good in his eyes') renders הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינָיו ('what is good in his sight') — David yields to whatever God deems best.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (idiom 'in the eyes of')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (idiom 'in the eyes of').
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative in idiom ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ('in the eyes of')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the Hebraism ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ ('in his eyes') = 'in his judgment / estimation.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (God's eyes)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; refers to the LORD, whose judgment David accepts unconditionally.
27
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Σαδωκ τῷ ἱερεῖ ἴδετε σὺ ἐπιστρέφεις εἰς τὴν πόλιν ἐν εἰρήνῃ καὶ Αχιμαας ὁ υἱός σου καὶ Ιωναθαν ὁ υἱὸς Αβιαθαρ οἱ δύο υἱοὶ ὑμῶν μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν
And the king said to Zadok the priest, 'See, you are to return to the city in peace, and Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar, your two sons with you.'
David deploys Zadok and Abiathar as loyal agents within the city. Their two sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan, will be the couriers relaying intelligence (cf. vv. 35–36; 17:17–21). 'Return in peace' both reassures and commissions: the priests are to operate openly in Jerusalem while secretly serving David.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (David's instruction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces David's directive to Zadok.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Σαδωκ, dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαδωκZadokdative indirect object (indeclinable, marked by article)→ participant identificationΣαδωκ: Zadok the priest.
τῷtheDativearticle (with ἱερεῖ, apposition)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖpriestDativedative in apposition to Σαδωκ (his office)→ sphere or referenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; identifies Zadok by his sacred office, which gives him standing to remain in the city and access to the sanctuary.
ἴδετεsee / lookAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (attention-getting imperative)→ aorist imperative (drawing attention)ὁράω (aor. impv. ἴδετε): 'see / look / consider'; the plural ἴδετε ('see, [you priests]') addresses both Zadok and Abiathar, introducing the commission.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic 2nd person pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic 'you' (Zadok), singled out to return.
ἐπιστρέφειςyou returnPres Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (directive present: 'you are to return')→ directive present (instruction with future force)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; the present with imperatival/future force directs Zadok to go back into the city.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (Jerusalem)→ object specificationπόλις: 'city' = Jerusalem, where the priests are to remain as David's eyes and ears.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (in the idiom 'in peace')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (in the idiom 'in peace').
εἰρήνῃpeaceDativedative in idiom ἐν εἰρήνῃ ('in peace')→ sphere or referenceεἰρήνη: 'peace / safety'; ἐν εἰρήνῃ ('in peace / safely'), rendering בְּשָׁלוֹם; the priests may return unmolested, having legitimate cultic reason to be in the city.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑχιμααςAhimaazsubject (indeclinable proper noun, nominative force)→ participant identificationΑχιμαας: transliteration of Hebrew אֲחִימַעַץ (Ahimaaz); indeclinable; Zadok's son, one of the two courier-sons who relay intelligence to David (cf. 17:17–21).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with υἱός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱόςsonNominativeapposition to Αχιμαας ('your son')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; renders בֵּן; Ahimaaz is Zadok's son and runner.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your son')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship ('your son').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωναθανJonathansubject (indeclinable proper noun, nominative force)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliteration of Hebrew יְהוֹנָתָן (Jonathan); indeclinable; Abiathar's son, the second courier.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with υἱός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸςsonNominativeapposition to Ιωναθαν ('son of Abiathar')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; Jonathan is the son of Abiathar.
Αβιαθαρof Abiathargenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Abiathar')→ participant identificationΑβιαθαρ: Abiathar the priest, Jonathan's father.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί, summarizing apposition)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δύοtwoNominativenumeral adjective (modifying υἱοί)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; the numeral summing up the two priest-sons who will serve as David's messengers.
υἱοὶsonsNominativeappositional summary ('your two sons')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the two sons together, the courier-pair.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your [pl.] sons')→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship ('your [pl.] sons').
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά ('with you [priests]')→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά ('with you [priests]').
28
ἴδετε ἐγώ εἰμι στρατεύομαι ἐν Αραβωθ τῆς ἐρήμου ἕως τοῦ ἐλθεῖν ῥῆμα παρ᾿ ὑμῶν τοῦ ἀπαγγεῖλαί μοι
See, I will be encamped in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to bring me tidings.
David specifies his waiting-position — the fords/plains of the wilderness (Αραβωθ τῆς ἐρήμου, the Arabah) — where he will hold until intelligence arrives. The clause sets up the courier network of vv. 35–36 and is fulfilled when the warning to cross the Jordan reaches him (17:15–22).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἴδετεsee / lookAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (attention-getting imperative)→ aorist imperativeὁράω (aor. impv. ἴδετε): 'see / take note'; addressed to the priests, introducing David's rendezvous plan.
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; David states his own intended position.
εἰμιam / will bePres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula/auxiliary (with στρατεύομαι: periphrastic-like emphasis)→ stative present (divine self-attestation)εἰμί: 'be'; here reinforcing the following verb — 'I (for my part) will be waiting / encamped.'
στρατεύομαιI will encamp / waitPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · στρατεύωmain verb (David's waiting-position)→ futuristic present (settled intention)στρατεύω (mid. στρατεύομαι): 'serve as a soldier / encamp / take up military position'; here 'I will be encamped / I will tarry [in battle-readiness]'; David waits in the wilderness for intelligence before deciding his next move.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΑραβωθAraboth / the plainsdative of place (indeclinable transliteration)→ participant identificationΑραβωθ: transliteration of Hebrew עַרְבוֹת ('plains / steppes,' the Arabah); indeclinable; the desert plains / fords near the Jordan, David's waiting-station (cf. 17:16).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with ἐρήμου)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμουwildernessGenitivegenitive (the plains 'of the wilderness')→ relational specificationἔρημος: 'wilderness / desert'; the wild region toward the Jordan where David awaits word.
ἕωςuntilpreposition/conjunction + genitive infinitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; with the articular genitive infinitive (ἕως τοῦ ἐλθεῖν, 'until the coming of') forms a temporal clause.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive infinitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιarticular genitive infinitive (temporal: 'until word comes')→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come'; the articular infinitive with ἕως τοῦ ('until the coming of word'), a common LXX temporal construction.
ῥῆμαword / messageAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive ('until word comes')→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / message / report'; renders דָּבָר; the intelligence the priests are to send David.
παρ᾿frompreposition + genitive (source, elided)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + gen.: 'from (the side of)'; marks the priests as the source of the message.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of παρά ('from you')→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of παρά ('from you').
τοῦtoGenitivearticle with genitive infinitive (purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀπαγγεῖλαίto reportAor Act Inf · ἀπαγγέλλωgenitive infinitive of purpose ('to bring me tidings')→ purpose infinitiveἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce / bring word'; the purpose of the message — to inform David of developments in the city so he can act.
μοιto meDativedative indirect object of ἀπαγγεῖλαι→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object of ἀπαγγεῖλαι.
29
καὶ ἀπέστρεψεν Σαδωκ καὶ Αβιαθαρ τὴν κιβωτὸν εἰς Ιερουσαλημ καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἐκεῖ
So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark back to Jerusalem, and it remained there.
The priests obey: the ark returns to Jerusalem and 'remains' (ἐκάθισεν, lit. 'sat / settled') there. David's act of faith stands — the symbol of God's presence stays in the city, while David goes into exile trusting in YHWH alone, not in the talisman.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶand / sonarrative conjunction (consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστρεψενcarried backAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (singular with compound subject)→ constative aoristἀποστρέφω: 'turn back / bring back'; renders הֵשִׁיב; the priests carry out David's order, returning the ark; the singular verb with a compound subject is normal LXX usage.
ΣαδωκZadoksubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαδωκ: Zadok the priest.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβιαθαρAbiatharsubject (coordinate, indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβιαθαρ: Abiathar the priest, Zadok's colleague.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κιβωτόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστρεψεν→ object specificationκιβωτός: the ark of God, restored to the city.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemaccusative of direction (indeclinable place name)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: Jerusalem, the ark's restored home.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάθισενit remainedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίζωmain verb (the ark's settling)→ constative aorist (intransitive: 'settled / remained')καθίζω: 'sit / settle / remain'; here intransitive of the ark — it 'sat / stayed' in Jerusalem; rendering יָשַׁב; the ark abides in the city while David departs.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place ('there' = in Jerusalem)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders שָׁם; the ark remains 'there,' in its place in the city, awaiting David's hoped-for restoration.
30
καὶ Δαυιδ ἀνέβαινεν ἐν τῇ ἀναβάσει τῶν ἐλαιῶν ἀναβαίνων καὶ κλαίων καὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν ἐπικεκαλυμμένος καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπορεύετο ἀνυπόδετος καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὁ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐπεκάλυψεν ἀνὴρ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀνέβαινον ἀναβαίνοντες καὶ κλαίοντες
And David went up by the ascent of the olives, going up and weeping, with his head covered; and he himself went barefoot; and all the people that were with him, each man covered his head, and they went up, going up and weeping.
The chapter's tableau of grief: David ascends the Mount of Olives in the postures of mourning — weeping (κλαίων), head covered (ἐπικεκαλυμμένος), barefoot (ἀνυπόδετος). The piling of imperfects and participles (ἀνέβαινεν … ἀναβαίνων … κλαίων … ἀνέβαινον ἀναβαίνοντες) renders the slow, sustained lament of the whole company.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: David, the mourning king ascending Olivet.
ἀνέβαινενwent upImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (the ascent in progress)→ descriptive imperfect (slow, ongoing ascent)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; the imperfect depicts the laborious, sorrowful climb up the Mount of Olives.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (place/route)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place/route).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἀναβάσει)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναβάσειascentDativedative of place (the route of ascent)→ sphere or referenceἀνάβασις: 'ascent / way up / slope'; renders מַעֲלֶה; the ascending path up the Mount of Olives.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ἐλαιῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλαιῶνolivesGenitivegenitive (the ascent 'of the olives' = Mount of Olives)→ relational specificationἐλαία: 'olive tree / olive'; ἡ ἀνάβασις τῶν ἐλαιῶν ('the ascent of the olives') = the Mount of Olives (הַר הַזֵּיתִים), the ridge east of Jerusalem.
ἀναβαίνωνgoing upPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ἀναβαίνωcircumstantial participle (manner, reinforcing ἀνέβαινεν)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: the participle ἀναβαίνων reinforces the main verb — 'going up [continually]' — a Hebraizing intensification (cf. the infinitive-absolute idiom).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κλαίωνweepingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · κλαίωcircumstantial participle (manner: 'weeping')→ verbal action or stateκλαίω: 'weep / wail'; renders בָּכָה; David ascends in continuous weeping — the posture of a king in mourning and humiliation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κεφαλήν, accusative of respect)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativeaccusative of respect (with ἐπικεκαλυμμένος: 'covered as to his head')→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; covering the head was a sign of mourning and shame (cf. Jer 14:3–4; Esth 6:12).
ἐπικεκαλυμμένοςcoveredPerf Mid/Pass Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ἐπικαλύπτωperfect participle (state: 'having his head covered')→ perfect of resultant stateἐπικαλύπτω: 'cover over / veil'; the perfect participle denotes the resultant state — David's head remains veiled in mourning throughout the ascent.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeintensive pronoun (subject: 'he himself')→ participant referenceαὐτός: intensive 'himself'; emphasizes that the king personally walked barefoot, sharing the lowliness of his people.
ἐπορεύετοwentImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (David's walking)→ descriptive imperfectπορεύομαι: 'go / walk'; the imperfect depicts David's continued progress, barefoot, up the slope.
ἀνυπόδετοςbarefootNominativepredicate adjective (manner: 'barefoot')→ participant prominenceἀνυπόδετος: 'unshod / barefoot'; renders יָחֵף; going barefoot was a sign of mourning and abasement (cf. Isa 20:2; Ezek 24:17); the king walks like a penitent.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole company shares the king's mourning.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (the company with David)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; David's loyal company, mourning with their king.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (attributive: 'who was with him')→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
ἐπεκάλυψενcoveredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπικαλύπτωmain verb (distributive, with ἀνήρ as subject)→ constative aorist (distributive)ἐπικαλύπτω: 'cover over'; the singular verb with distributive subject ἀνήρ ('each man covered') is a Hebraism — every individual in the crowd veiled his own head in grief.
ἀνὴρeach manNominativedistributive subject ('each man')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; here distributive 'each man,' rendering אִישׁ in the sense of 'everyone'; the whole company mourns individually.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κεφαλήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativedirect object of ἐπεκάλυψεν→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; each man covers his own head in the shared rite of mourning.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his head')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his head').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβαινονthey went upImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (the whole company's ascent)→ descriptive imperfectἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; the imperfect (3rd pl.) depicts the whole crowd ascending alongside the king.
ἀναβαίνοντεςgoing upPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Pl · ἀναβαίνωcircumstantial participle (reinforcing ἀνέβαινον)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: the participle ἀναβαίνοντες reinforces the imperfect, a Hebraizing intensification of the continual ascent.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κλαίοντεςweepingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Pl · κλαίωcircumstantial participle (manner: 'weeping')→ verbal action or stateκλαίω: 'weep'; the whole company weeps as it climbs — the corporate lament mirrors the king's own grief.
31
καὶ ἀνηγγέλη Δαυιδ λέγοντες καὶ Αχιτοφελ ἐν τοῖς συστρεφομένοις μετὰ Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ διασκέδασον δὴ τὴν βουλὴν Αχιτοφελ κύριε ὁ θεός μου
And it was reported to David, saying, 'Ahithophel also is among the conspirators with Absalom.' And David said, 'Turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness, I pray, O LORD my God.'
The news of Ahithophel's defection — David's most dangerous loss, given the counsellor's near-oracular reputation (16:23) — prompts the chapter's one explicit prayer: διασκέδασον … τὴν βουλὴν Αχιτοφελ ('frustrate the counsel of Ahithophel'). The petition is answered through Hushai (vv. 32–37) and fulfilled at 17:14, where the LORD ordains the defeat of Ahithophel's good counsel.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνηγγέληit was reportedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (impersonal passive: 'it was reported')→ constative aorist (passive)ἀναγγέλλω: 'report / announce / tell'; the passive ἀνηγγέλη ('it was reported') renders the Hebrew הֻגַּד; impersonal, with the message-content following.
Δαυιδto Daviddative indirect object (indeclinable: 'to David')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: David, the recipient of the report; indeclinable, here in dative force.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Pl · λέγωparticiple of speech (loose construction: 'saying')→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the plural participle λέγοντες after a passive ('it was reported … saying') is a Hebraism (loose agreement), rendering לֵאמֹר; introduces the report's content.
καὶalsoadverbial (additive: 'also')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: additive 'also / even'; 'Ahithophel too is among the conspirators' — adding him to the list of defectors.
ΑχιτοφελAhithophelsubject of implied 'is' (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑχιτοφελ: Ahithophel, David's defected counsellor, now named among the conspirators.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (membership: 'among')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: 'in / among'; 'among the conspirators' — Ahithophel is reckoned with the rebel faction.
τοῖςthe onesDativearticle (with participle συστρεφομένοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συστρεφομένοιςconspiratorsPres Mid Ptc Dat Masc Pl · συστρέφωsubstantival participle (object of ἐν: 'those banding together')→ verbal action or stateσυστρέφω (mid.): 'band together / conspire / form a faction'; cognate with σύστρεμμα (v. 12); the substantival participle 'the conspirators' = those who have joined the revolt with Absalom.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomgenitive object of μετά (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (indeclinable proper noun).
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 (introducing David's prayer)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces David's brief, urgent prayer.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: David, here at prayer.
διασκέδασονturn to foolishness / frustrateAor Act Impv 2 Sg · διασκεδάννυμιmain verb (imperative of petition to God)→ aorist imperative (urgent prayer)διασκεδάννυμι: 'scatter / dissipate / frustrate / bring to nothing'; renders סָכַל / הֵפֵר; David prays that YHWH 'scatter / nullify' Ahithophel's counsel — i.e. turn his wise advice into folly (cf. 17:14).
δὴI pray / nowentreaty particle (softening the petition)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: particle of entreaty, rendering נָא; lends the petition urgency and earnestness — 'do, I pray.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with βουλήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βουλὴνcounselAccusativedirect object of διασκέδασον→ object specificationβουλή: 'counsel / plan / advice'; renders עֵצָה; Ahithophel's strategic counsel, which David prays God will render foolish.
Αχιτοφελof Ahithophelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'counsel of Ahithophel')→ participant identificationΑχιτοφελ: Ahithophel, whose counsel is the object of David's prayer.
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative (address to God)→ direct addressκύριος (voc. κύριε): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; here the vocative of direct address to God in prayer — the divine name, not a human title.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός, nominative for vocative)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative for vocative (apposition: 'my God')→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the articular nominative ὁ θεός μου ('my God') in vocative function (a Hebraism); David's personal address to his covenant God.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship ('my God')→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship ('my God').
32
καὶ ἦν Δαυιδ ἐρχόμενος ἕως τοῦ Ροως οὗ προσεκύνησεν ἐκεῖ τῷ θεῷ καὶ ἰδοὺ εἰς ἀπαντὴν αὐτῷ Χουσι ὁ Αρχι ἑταῖρος Δαυιδ διερρηχὼς τὸν χιτῶνα αὐτοῦ καὶ γῆ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ
And David came as far as Ros, where he worshiped God; and behold, Hushai the Archite, David's companion, came to meet him with his tunic torn and earth upon his head.
The periphrastic imperfect ἦν … ἐρχόμενος ('was coming') sets the scene at the summit, where David worshiped. The presentative ἰδού introduces Hushai — appearing in mourning (torn tunic, earth on head) at the very moment after David's prayer against Ahithophel, the providential instrument by which that prayer will be answered.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίauxiliary of periphrastic imperfect (with ἐρχόμενος)→ participant referenceεἰμί: 'be'; here the auxiliary of the periphrastic imperfect ἦν … ἐρχόμενος ('was coming'), a common LXX construction emphasizing ongoing action.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: David, arriving at the summit.
ἐρχόμενοςcomingPres Mid Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ἔρχομαιparticiple of periphrastic imperfect (with ἦν: 'was coming')→ progressive (ongoing arrival)ἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; with ἦν forms the periphrastic 'was coming / had come as far as,' depicting David's arrival at the place of worship.
ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (extent: 'up to')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'up to / as far as'; marks the terminus of David's ascent — the summit of Olivet.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with Ροως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΡοωςRos / the summitgenitive object of ἕως (transliterated name)→ participant identificationΡοως: transliteration of Hebrew רֹאשׁ ('head / top / summit'); here treated as a place-name ('the summit' of the Mount of Olives) where there was a place of worship; the article τοῦ marks the genitive.
οὗwhererelative adverb of place ('where')→ participant referenceοὗ: relative adverb 'where'; introduces the locative relative clause describing what David did there.
προσεκύνησενhe worshipedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσκυνέωverb of relative clause (David's act of worship)→ constative aoristπροσκυνέω: 'bow down / worship / do obeisance'; renders הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה; at the summit David pauses to worship God — an act of devotion in the midst of flight, immediately preceding the providential meeting with Hushai.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (resumptive: 'there')→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; resumptive of οὗ, a Hebraism (the redundant resumptive adverb after the relative).
τῷtheDativearticle (with θεῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεῷGodDativedative object of προσεκύνησεν (the object of worship)→ sphere or referenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; προσκυνέω here takes the dative of the one worshiped — David worships God at the summit.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (introducing Hushai)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; rendering הִנֵּה; introduces the sudden, providential appearance of Hushai.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (in idiom εἰς ἀπαντήν: 'to meet')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: in the idiom εἰς ἀπαντήν ('to meet / to encounter'), rendering לִקְרַאת.
ἀπαντὴνmeetingAccusativeaccusative in idiom εἰς ἀπαντήν ('to meet him')→ object specificationἀπάντησις/ἀπαντή: 'meeting / encounter'; the idiom εἰς ἀπαντὴν αὐτῷ ('to meet him') = 'coming to meet him.'
αὐτῷhimDativedative (the one met: David)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative (the one met: David).
ΧουσιHushaisubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΧουσι: transliteration of Hebrew חוּשַׁי (Hushai); indeclinable; David's friend and counsellor, the human means by which the prayer of v. 31 will be answered (cf. 17:5–14).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with Αρχι, gentilic)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑρχιArchitegentilic in apposition to Χουσι (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑρχι: transliteration of הָאַרְכִּי ('the Archite'), Hushai's clan/region (Josh 16:2); indeclinable gentilic identifying his origin.
ἑταῖροςcompanion / friendNominativeapposition to Χουσι (his office/title)→ participant prominenceἑταῖρος: 'companion / friend / confidant'; renders רֵעַ ('the king's friend,' an official court title; cf. 16:16; 1 Kgs 4:5); Hushai holds the formal position of royal confidant.
Δαυιδof Davidgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'David's companion')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: David, whose 'friend' (court confidant) Hushai is.
διερρηχὼςhaving tornPerf Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · διαρρήγνυμιperfect participle (state of mourning: 'with torn tunic')→ perfect of resultant stateδιαρρήγνυμι: 'tear apart / rend'; renders קָרַע; the perfect participle denotes the resultant state — Hushai comes with his garment already rent, the conventional sign of mourning and distress.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with χιτῶνα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χιτῶναtunicAccusativedirect object of διερρηχώς→ object specificationχιτών: 'tunic / undergarment'; renders כֻּתֹּנֶת; the torn tunic is a sign of grief and dismay at the catastrophe befalling David.
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.
γῆearth / dustNominativesubject of verbless clause ('earth upon his head')→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'earth / dust / soil'; renders אֲדָמָה / עָפָר; dust on the head, like the torn tunic, is a standard sign of mourning (cf. Josh 7:6; 1 Kgdms 4:12).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with κεφαλῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλῆςheadGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (position: 'upon his head')→ relational specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; the dust upon Hushai's head completes the picture of mourning with which he presents himself to the king.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
33
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Δαυιδ ἐὰν μὲν διαβῇς μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ καὶ ἔσῃ ἐπ᾿ ἐμὲ εἴς βάσταγμα
And David said to him, 'If you go on with me, then you will be a burden upon me.'
David reasons that Hushai accompanying him in exile would be merely 'a burden' (εἰς βάσταγμα), whereas sent back he can serve a vital purpose (v. 34). The μέν here anticipates an unstated δέ contrast completed by the alternative in v. 34 ('but if you return …').
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (David addresses Hushai)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces David's words to Hushai.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (Hushai)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (Hushai).
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: David.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the first horn of David's deliberation — Hushai going with him.
μὲνindeed (on the one hand)correlative particle (anticipating contrast in v. 34)→ discourse linkage or contrastμέν: correlative particle 'on the one hand'; sets up the contrast completed by the alternative in v. 34 ('but if you return …').
διαβῇςyou go onAor Act Subj 2 Sg · διαβαίνωverb of conditional protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ verbal action or stateδιαβαίνω: 'cross over / go on'; renders עָבַר; 'if you cross over (continue) with me' into exile.
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)→ relational specificationἐγώ: emphatic genitive 'me.'
καὶthenapodotic conjunction (introducing the consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic 'then'; introduces the result — Hushai would be a liability.
ἔσῃyou will beFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of apodosis ('you will be a burden')→ predictive futureεἰμί (fut. ἔσῃ): 'will be'; the future states the consequence — Hushai would only encumber David's company.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (burden 'upon')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'upon'; ἐπ᾿ ἐμέ ('upon me') = a load borne by David.
ἐμὲmeAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic accusative 'me.'
εἴςas / forpreposition + accusative (predicative: 'as a burden')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: here predicative ('as / for'), a Hebraism (לְ of result) — 'you will be to me for a burden' = 'you will become a burden to me.'
βάσταγμαburden / loadAccusativepredicate accusative (with εἰς: 'a burden')→ object specificationβάσταγμα: 'burden / load / that which is carried'; from βαστάζω ('carry'); Hushai in exile would be dead weight, but as a returning agent he becomes a strategic asset (v. 34).
34
καὶ ἐὰν εἰς τὴν πόλιν ἐπιστρέψῃς καὶ ἐρεῖς τῷ Αβεσσαλωμ διεληλύθασιν οἱ ἀδελφοί σου καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς κατόπισθέν μου διελήλυθεν ὁ πατήρ σου καὶ νῦν παῖς σού εἰμι βασιλεῦ ἔασόν με ζῆσαι παῖς τοῦ πατρός σου ἤμην τότε καὶ ἀρτίως καὶ νῦν ἐγὼ δοῦλος σός καὶ διασκεδάσεις μοι τὴν βουλὴν Αχιτοφελ
But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, 'Your brethren have passed by, and the king, and your father has passed on behind me; and now I am your servant, O king; let me live; I was your father's servant then and just now, and now I am your servant' — then you will frustrate for me the counsel of Ahithophel.
The δέ-clause answering the μέν of v. 33: instead of exile, Hushai is to return and feign allegiance to Absalom. The scripted pledge of loyalty (παῖς σού εἰμι … δοῦλος σός) is the cover story by which Hushai will infiltrate the rebel council. The purpose is explicit: καὶ διασκεδάσεις … τὴν βουλὴν Αχιτοφελ ('you will frustrate the counsel of Ahithophel') — the human means to the answered prayer of v. 31.
Word-by-word analysis· 51 words
καὶbut / andnarrative/contrastive conjunction (answering μέν of v. 33)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here the contrastive member answering the μέν of v. 33 ('but if instead you return …').
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the alternative course — Hushai's return to the city.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (Jerusalem)→ object specificationπόλις: 'city' = Jerusalem, where Hushai is to operate as David's agent.
ἐπιστρέψῃςyou returnAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωverb of conditional protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ aorist subjunctive of prohibitionἐπιστρέφω: 'return / turn back'; Hushai's return to the city is the alternative to exile, enabling the counter-espionage.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρεῖςyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Sg · λέγωmain verb (the scripted speech to Absalom)→ imperatival future (instruction)λέγω (fut. ἐρῶ): the future with directive force scripts the exact words Hushai is to speak to Absalom.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Αβεσσαλωμ, dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomdative indirect object (indeclinable, marked by article)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: Absalom, whom Hushai will address with feigned loyalty.
διεληλύθασινhave passed byPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · διέρχομαιmain verb of the scripted speech (perfect of completed passage)→ perfect of accomplished factδιέρχομαι: 'pass through / go past'; the perfect διεληλύθασιν ('have passed by [and are gone]') reports the departure of David's party as an accomplished fact — part of Hushai's cover.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀδελφοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοίbrethrenNominativesubject of διεληλύθασιν→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: 'brother / kinsman'; here Absalom's 'brethren / kinsmen' = the royal party / fellow Israelites who left with David — Hushai's diplomatic framing.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your brethren')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship ('your brethren').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (coordinate with ἀδελφοί)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king' = David, mentioned in Hushai's report as having departed.
κατόπισθένbehindimproper preposition + genitive (position: 'behind')→ spatial or relational framingκατόπισθεν: 'behind / after'; an improper preposition taking the genitive; 'behind me' — Hushai presents himself as the last to leave, lending verisimilitude to his loyalty-claim.
μουmeGenitivegenitive object of κατόπισθεν→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of κατόπισθεν.
διελήλυθενhas passed onPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · διέρχομαιmain verb (perfect: 'your father has passed on')→ perfect of accomplished factδιέρχομαι: 'pass through / go past'; the perfect again reports the completed departure — here of 'your father' (David).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with πατήρ)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατήρfatherNominativesubject of διελήλυθεν (David, Absalom's father)→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father'; Hushai refers to David as 'your father' in addressing Absalom — diplomatic acknowledgment of the new claimant.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your father')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship ('your father').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowadverb of time (transitional: 'and now')→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; renders עַתָּה; the transitional 'and now' moves from report to Hushai's offer of service.
παῖςservantNominativepredicate nominative ('I am your servant')→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant'; Hushai's feigned pledge — 'I am your servant, O king' — the deceptive offer of allegiance to Absalom.
σούyourGenitivegenitive of possession ('your servant')→ relational specificationσού: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('your servant').
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula ('I am your servant')→ stative present (divine self-attestation)εἰμί: 'be'; copula of Hushai's pledge of service.
βασιλεῦO kingVocativevocative (address to Absalom)→ direct addressβασιλεύς (voc. βασιλεῦ): 'O king'; Hushai addresses Absalom as king, formally recognizing his usurped claim as part of the ruse.
ἔασόνlet / allowAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐάωmain verb (imperative: 'let me live')→ aorist imperative (petition)ἐάω: 'allow / permit / let'; ἔασόν με ζῆσαι ('let me live / allow me to survive') is Hushai's plea for acceptance into Absalom's service.
μεmeAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive ζῆσαι→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of the infinitive ζῆσαι.
ζῆσαιto liveAor Act Inf · ζάωcomplementary infinitive (with ἔασόν: 'let me live')→ verbal action or stateζάω: 'live'; the infinitive completing ἐάω — Hushai asks to be spared and kept on as a servant.
παῖςservantNominativepredicate nominative ('I was a servant')→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant'; Hushai reinforces the ruse by claiming continuity of service — 'I was your father's servant.'
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with πατρός)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your father's servant')→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; David, whose servant Hushai claims to have been — transferring that service now (ostensibly) to Absalom.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἤμηνI wasImpf Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (Hushai's past service)→ descriptive imperfect (past state)εἰμί (impf. ἤμην): 'I was'; Hushai claims a record of past service to establish his credibility with Absalom.
τότεthenadverb of time ('then / formerly')→ adverbial qualificationτότε: 'then / at that time'; 'then' (in the past) — Hushai's prior service to David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀρτίωςjust now / recentlyadverb of time ('just now')→ clausal contributionἀρτίως: 'just now / lately / recently'; bridges past and present service — 'then, and just recently, and now.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowadverb of time ('and now')→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; the climactic 'and now' transferring the offered service to Absalom in the present.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I' — 'I am now your slave.'
δοῦλοςservant / slaveNominativepredicate nominative ('I am your slave')→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'servant / slave'; Hushai's final pledge of total subjection to Absalom — the deepest layer of the deception.
σόςyoursNominativepossessive adjective ('your [slave]')→ participant prominenceσός: 'your / yours'; the possessive adjective emphasizes belonging — 'I am wholly yours.'
καὶthen / and soconsecutive conjunction (purpose/result of the ruse)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: consecutive 'and so / then'; introduces the strategic aim of the whole maneuver.
διασκεδάσειςyou will frustrateFut Act Indic 2 Sg · διασκεδάννυμιmain verb (the goal: defeat Ahithophel's counsel)→ predictive future (purposed result)διασκεδάννυμι: 'scatter / frustrate / bring to nothing'; the same verb as David's prayer in v. 31 (διασκέδασον) — Hushai is the human instrument by which the LORD will nullify Ahithophel's counsel (fulfilled 17:14).
μοιfor meDativedative of advantage ('for me')→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'for me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage ('for me').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with βουλήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βουλὴνcounselAccusativedirect object of διασκεδάσεις→ object specificationβουλή: 'counsel / plan'; Ahithophel's counsel, which Hushai is to defeat from within the rebel court.
Αχιτοφελof Ahithophelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'counsel of Ahithophel')→ participant identificationΑχιτοφελ: Ahithophel, whose dangerous counsel is the target of Hushai's mission.
35
καὶ ἰδοὺ μετὰ σοῦ ἐκεῖ Σαδωκ καὶ Αβιαθαρ οἱ ἱερεῖς καὶ ἔσται πᾶν ῥῆμα ὃ ἐὰν ἀκούσῃς ἐξ οἴκου τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ ἀναγγελεῖς τῷ Σαδωκ καὶ τῷ Αβιαθαρ τοῖς ἱερεῦσιν
And behold, Zadok and Abiathar the priests are there with you; and it shall be that whatever word you hear from the king's house, you shall report it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
David completes the espionage plan: Hushai gathers intelligence inside the royal house and passes it to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, who form the secure link in the network (cf. v. 27). The generalizing relative πᾶν ῥῆμα ὃ ἐὰν ἀκούσῃς ('whatever word you hear') makes the commission comprehensive.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; draws Hushai's attention to the priestly allies already in place.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place ('there' = in the city)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; in the city, where the priests will be Hushai's secure contacts.
ΣαδωκZadoksubject of implied 'are' (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαδωκ: Zadok the priest, one of Hushai's contacts.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβιαθαρAbiatharsubject (coordinate, indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβιαθαρ: Abiathar the priest, the other contact.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεῖς, apposition)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativeapposition to Σαδωκ καὶ Αβιαθαρ (their office)→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; the two priests whose office gives them legitimate access and secure communication.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the standing instruction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (formula introducing the standing arrangement)→ future of arrangementεἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'it shall be'; καὶ ἔσται ('and it shall be that') is a Hebraism (וְהָיָה) introducing the standing instruction that follows.
πᾶνevery / whateverNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ῥῆμα)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every / all'; πᾶν ῥῆμα ὃ ἐάν ('whatever word') makes the relay comprehensive — all intelligence is to be passed on.
ῥῆμαword / matterNominativesubject of ἔσται (the intelligence)→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / matter / report'; renders דָּבָר; any item of news or plan Hushai overhears.
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀκούσῃς)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, neuter accusative agreeing with ῥῆμα.
ἐὰνeverconditional particle (generalizing the relative)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: with the subjunctive generalizes the relative ('whatever you may hear').
ἀκούσῃςyou hearAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ἀκούωverb of generalized relative clause (subjunctive)→ prohibitive aorist subjunctiveἀκούω: 'hear / overhear'; Hushai is to report whatever he hears within the rebel court.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (the king's house)→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house / household / court'; here the royal palace, now Absalom's seat — the source of the intelligence Hushai is to gather.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship ('the king's house')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; here the palace of the reigning power (Absalom), where Hushai will be positioned.
καὶthenapodotic conjunction (after the protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic 'then'; introduces the consequent instruction.
ἀναγγελεῖςyou shall reportFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (the relay instruction)→ imperatival future (command)ἀναγγέλλω: 'report / announce / relay'; the future with directive force — Hushai must pass on all intelligence to the priests.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Σαδωκ, dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαδωκZadokdative indirect object (indeclinable, marked by article)→ participant identificationΣαδωκ: Zadok, first link in the relay.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Αβιαθαρ, dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιαθαρAbiathardative indirect object (indeclinable, marked by article)→ participant identificationΑβιαθαρ: Abiathar, the second link.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ἱερεῦσιν, apposition)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῦσινpriestsDativedative in apposition to Σαδωκ and Αβιαθαρ→ sphere or referenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; the priestly office of the two contacts, repeated for emphasis on the chain of communication.
36
ἰδοὺ ἐκεῖ μετ᾿ αὐτῶν δύο υἱοὶ αὐτῶν Αχιμαας υἱὸς τῷ Σαδωκ καὶ Ιωναθαν υἱὸς τῷ Αβιαθαρ καὶ ἀποστελεῖτε ἐν χειρὶ αὐτῶν πρός με πᾶν ῥῆμα ὃ ἐὰν ἀκούσητε
Behold, their two sons are there with them, Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar; and by their hand you shall send to me whatever word you hear.
The final link: the priests' two sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan, are the runners who will carry the intelligence 'by their hand' (ἐν χειρὶ αὐτῶν, a Hebraism for agency) out to David in the wilderness. The plural ἀποστελεῖτε addresses the whole network — Hushai and the priests together — completing the chain set up in vv. 27–28.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; introduces the couriers who complete the relay.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place ('there' = in the city)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; in the city with their fathers, ready to run.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the priests)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (the priests).
δύοtwoNominativenumeral adjective (modifying υἱοί)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; the two priest-sons who serve as couriers.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (the two sons)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the priests' sons, the runners of the network.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of relationship ('their sons')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship ('their sons').
ΑχιμααςAhimaazapposition to υἱοί (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑχιμαας: Ahimaaz, Zadok's son and courier (cf. 17:17–21; 18:19–29).
υἱὸςsonNominativeapposition ('son to Zadok')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; Ahimaaz is the son of Zadok.
τῷto / ofDativearticle (with Σαδωκ, dative of relationship)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαδωκZadokdative of relationship ('son to/of Zadok'; indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαδωκ: Zadok; the dative τῷ Σαδωκ ('son to Zadok') is a Hebraizing dative of relationship/possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωναθανJonathanapposition to υἱοί (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: Jonathan, Abiathar's son and the second courier.
υἱὸςsonNominativeapposition ('son to Abiathar')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; Jonathan is the son of Abiathar.
τῷto / ofDativearticle (with Αβιαθαρ, dative of relationship)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιαθαρAbiathardative of relationship ('son to/of Abiathar'; indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβιαθαρ: Abiathar; the dative τῷ Αβιαθαρ ('son to Abiathar'), a Hebraizing dative of relationship.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποστελεῖτεyou shall sendFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (plural: the network's task)→ imperatival future (command to the network)ἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch'; the plural ἀποστελεῖτε addresses Hushai and the priests together — they are to send word to David by the couriers.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (instrument/agency, Hebraism 'by the hand of')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: in the idiom ἐν χειρὶ ('by the hand of'), rendering בְּיַד, denoting agency — the message is sent through the sons.
χειρὶhandDativedative in idiom ἐν χειρί ('by the hand of')→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; the Hebraism ἐν χειρὶ αὐτῶν ('by their hand') = 'through their agency' — the sons are the human conduit.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession ('their hand' = the sons')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('their hand' = the sons').
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (David, the recipient)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (David, the recipient).
πᾶνevery / whateverAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ῥῆμα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'every / all'; πᾶν ῥῆμα ὃ ἐάν ('whatever word') — the full scope of intelligence to be relayed.
ῥῆμαword / matterAccusativedirect object of ἀποστελεῖτε→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / report'; the intelligence to be sent to David.
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀκούσητε)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, neuter accusative agreeing with ῥῆμα.
ἐὰνeverconditional particle (generalizing the relative)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: with the subjunctive generalizes — 'whatever you may hear.'
ἀκούσητεyou hearAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἀκούωverb of generalized relative clause (subjunctive)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear'; the plural addresses the whole network — whatever any of them hears is to be sent to David.
37
καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Χουσι ὁ ἑταῖρος Δαυιδ εἰς τὴν πόλιν καὶ Αβεσσαλωμ εἰσεπορεύετο εἰς Ιερουσαλημ
So Hushai, David's companion, entered the city; and Absalom was entering Jerusalem.
The chapter closes with a tense synchronism: Hushai 'entered' (aorist εἰσῆλθεν) the city just as Absalom 'was entering' (imperfect εἰσεπορεύετο) Jerusalem. The agent of David's prayer and the usurper arrive at the same moment — the stage is set for the contest of counsel (Hushai vs. Ahithophel) that follows in chapters 16–17.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶand / sonarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθενenteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (Hushai's entrance)→ constative aorist (completed entrance)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; renders בּוֹא; the aorist marks Hushai's completed entry into the city to begin his mission.
ΧουσιHushaisubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΧουσι: Hushai the Archite, now entering the city as David's secret agent.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἑταῖρος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑταῖροςcompanion / friendNominativeapposition to Χουσι (his title)→ participant prominenceἑταῖρος: 'companion / friend / confidant'; the court title 'the king's friend' (cf. v. 32; 16:16) — a reminder, at the climactic entrance, of where Hushai's true loyalty lies.
Δαυιδof Davidgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'David's companion')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: David, whose confidant Hushai remains even as he enters Absalom's city.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (Jerusalem)→ object specificationπόλις: 'city' = Jerusalem, which Hushai enters to take up his counter-espionage.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (synchronizing the two entrances)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'and'; here coordinating the simultaneous arrivals of Hushai and Absalom — a pointed narrative juxtaposition.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: Absalom, the usurper, arriving to take possession of the capital.
εἰσεπορεύετοwas enteringImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσπορεύομαιmain verb (Absalom's entrance, imperfect)→ descriptive imperfect (entrance in progress)εἰσπορεύομαι: 'enter / go in'; the imperfect εἰσεπορεύετο ('was entering') contrasts with the aorist εἰσῆλθεν of Hushai — Absalom's triumphal entry is depicted as in progress, coinciding with the planting of David's agent.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemaccusative of direction (indeclinable place name)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: Jerusalem; Absalom enters the capital, completing his seizure of the city as the chapter ends and the war of counsel begins.