1
καὶ Δαυιδ παρῆλθεν βραχύ τι ἀπὸ τῆς Ροως καὶ ἰδοὺ Σιβα τὸ παιδάριον Μεμφιβοσθε εἰς ἀπαντὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ζεῦγος ὄνων ἐπισεσαγμένων καὶ ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς διακόσιοι ἄρτοι καὶ ἑκατὸν σταφίδες καὶ ἑκατὸν φοίνικες καὶ Νεβελ οἴνου
And David had passed a little beyond the summit, and behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him, with a yoke of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread and a hundred clusters of raisins and a hundred dates and a skin of wine.
The chapter opens with subject-fronting (Δαυιδ before the verb) marking a scene shift from David's departure over the Mount of Olives (ch. 15) to the encounter with Ziba; the presentative ἰδού then introduces the new character Ziba and the laden supply-train as something visually surprising on the road.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (fronted, indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliteration of Hebrew דָּוִד; indeclinable in the LXX; the fronted position before the verb marks the topical shift to David at the head of the new scene.
παρῆλθενhad passed byAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παρέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (completed movement, here with pluperfect force in English)παρέρχομαι: 'pass by / go past'; renders Hebrew עָבַר; the compound παρα- indicates moving alongside and beyond a point — David has gone a little past the crest of the ridge.
βραχύa littleAccusativeadverbial accusative (extent)→ object specificationβραχύς: 'short / little'; the neuter βραχύ functions adverbially ('a little way'), rendering Hebrew מְעַט.
τιsomewhatAccusativeindefinite pronoun reinforcing βραχύ (adverbial)→ participant referenceτις, τι: indefinite pronoun; βραχύ τι ('a little something') softens the measure of distance, an idiomatic pairing.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source / point of reference)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source / point of reference).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with Ροως)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Ροωςsummitobject of ἀπό (indeclinable transliteration; article supplies case)→ noun-phrase markingΡοως: a transliteration of Hebrew הָרֹאשׁ ('the head / summit / top'), here treated as an indeclinable proper-name-like form rather than translated; the place is 'the top' of the Mount of Olives where worship was offered (cf. 15:32).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing presentative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders Hebrew הִנֵּה; the presentative marker introduces a new participant (Ziba) into the visual field of the narrative, heightening immediacy.
ΣιβαZibasubject of the presentative clause (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣιβα: transliteration of Hebrew צִיבָא (Ziba); indeclinable in the LXX; the servant of the house of Saul appointed steward over Mephibosheth's estate (cf. 9:2–10).
τὸtheNominativearticle (with παιδάριον, in apposition to Σιβα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριονservant / young attendantNominativenominative in apposition to Σιβα→ participant prominenceπαιδάριον: diminutive of παῖς, 'lad / young servant / attendant'; renders Hebrew נַעַר; here a designation of household rank rather than age — Ziba is the steward-servant of Mephibosheth's establishment.
ΜεμφιβοσθεMephiboshethgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'servant of Mephibosheth')→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: transliteration of Hebrew מְפִיבֹשֶׁת (Mephibosheth), the lame son of Jonathan; indeclinable in the LXX; the article on παιδάριον carries the relation, the name standing in genitival apposition.
εἰςfor / topreposition + accusative (purpose: 'to meet')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'to meet').
ἀπαντὴνa meetingAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose phrase: 'for the meeting of him')→ object specificationἀπάντησις / ἀπαντή: 'a meeting / encounter'; the idiom εἰς ἀπαντήν τινος ('to meet someone') renders Hebrew לִקְרַאת; Ziba has positioned himself deliberately to intercept the fleeing king.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive (objective: the one to be met)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (objective: the one to be met).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the provisions)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ζεῦγοςa yoke / pairNominativenominative (presentative: 'a pair of donkeys')→ participant prominenceζεῦγος: 'yoke / pair / team'; renders Hebrew צֶמֶד; here a span of two donkeys harnessed for burden.
ὄνωνof donkeysGenitivegenitive (partitive/descriptive with ζεῦγος)→ relational specificationὄνος: 'donkey / ass'; renders Hebrew חֲמוֹר; the pack-animals bear the provisions Ziba brings.
ἐπισεσαγμένωνsaddled / ladenPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Gen Pl Masc/Fem · ἐπισάττωattributive participle (modifying ὄνων)→ resultative perfect (donkeys in the state of having been saddled)ἐπισάττω: 'saddle / load up'; renders Hebrew חָבַשׁ; the perfect passive participle describes the donkeys as already fully saddled and laden, ready for travel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπ᾿onpreposition + dative (elided before vowel; location: 'upon them')→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (elided before vowel; location: 'upon them').
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative object of ἐπί (the donkeys as load-bearers)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐπί (the donkeys as load-bearers).
διακόσιοιtwo hundredNominativeattributive numeral (modifying ἄρτοι)→ participant prominenceδιακόσιοι: 'two hundred'; the cardinal quantifies the loaves of bread in Ziba's gift.
ἄρτοιloavesNominativenominative (presentative list of provisions)→ participant prominenceἄρτος: 'bread / loaf'; renders Hebrew לֶחֶם; the bread heads a fourfold inventory of staples and luxuries Ziba supplies.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἑκατὸνa hundredattributive numeral (indeclinable, modifying σταφίδες)→ measure or countἑκατόν: 'one hundred'; indeclinable cardinal; quantifies the raisin-clusters.
σταφίδεςclusters of raisinsNominativenominative (list item)→ participant prominenceσταφίς: 'dried grapes / raisin-cake'; renders Hebrew צִמּוּקִים; a hundred raisin-cakes, a portable preserved food (cf. 1 Kgdms 25:18).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἑκατὸνa hundredattributive numeral (indeclinable, modifying φοίνικες)→ measure or countἑκατὸν: meaning 'a hundred'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
φοίνικεςdates / date-cakesNominativenominative (list item)→ participant prominenceφοῖνιξ: 'palm / date-fruit'; renders Hebrew קַיִץ ('summer fruit'); here the dried dates / fruit-cakes that round out the supply.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (final list item)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
Νεβελa skin / jarnominative (transliterated noun, indeclinable; head of 'skin of wine')→ participant identificationΝεβελ: a transliteration of Hebrew נֵבֶל, a skin-bottle or large jar for wine; rather than translate with ἀσκός the LXX here simply carries over the Hebrew measure-word as an indeclinable form.
οἴνουof wineGenitivegenitive of content (with Νεβελ: 'a skin of wine')→ relational specificationοἶνος: 'wine'; renders Hebrew יַיִן; the genitive of content completes the provision-list, closing the inventory with drink to match the bread, raisins, and dates.
2
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς Σιβα τί ταῦτά σοι καὶ εἶπεν Σιβα τὰ ὑποζύγια τῇ οἰκίᾳ τοῦ βασιλέως τοῦ ἐπικαθῆσθαι καὶ οἱ ἄρτοι καὶ οἱ φοίνικες εἰς βρῶσιν τοῖς παιδαρίοις καὶ ὁ οἶνος πιεῖν τοῖς ἐκλελυμένοις ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ
And the king said to Ziba, 'What are these to you?' And Ziba said, 'The beasts of burden are for the king's household to ride, and the bread and the dates are for the young men to eat, and the wine for those exhausted in the wilderness to drink.'
A tight question-and-answer pair: David's terse τί ταῦτά σοι ('what are these to you?') elicits Ziba's itemized explanation, each provision matched to a purpose (riding, eating, drinking) and to a beneficiary (household, servants, the weary), preparing the ground for the slander that follows in v. 3.
Word-by-word analysis· 39 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: 'say'; the aorist εἶπεν introduces direct speech, here David's question to Ziba.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders Hebrew מֶלֶךְ; David is consistently designated 'the king' through this scene, underscoring royal authority even in flight.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΣιβαZibaaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣιβα: see v. 1; addressee of the king's question.
τίwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate of the verbless question)→ participant referenceτίς, τί: interrogative; τί ταῦτά σοι ('what are these to you?') is a verbless Hebraizing question (מָה־אֵלֶּה לָּךְ), asking the meaning and purpose of the provisions.
ταῦτάthese thingsNominativedemonstrative subject (the provisions just listed)→ participant prominenceοὗτος: 'this'; the neuter plural ταῦτα points back to the donkeys and goods of v. 1.
σοιto youDativedative of interest / possession→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): 'to/for you'; the dative of interest asks what Ziba intends by these things.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Ziba's reply.
ΣιβαZibasubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣιβα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
τὰtheNominativearticle (with ὑποζύγια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑποζύγιαbeasts of burdenNominativesubject (first item of the explanation)→ participant prominenceὑποζύγιον: 'beast under the yoke / pack-animal'; renders Hebrew חֲמוֹר; literally 'that which is under the yoke,' here the donkeys of v. 1 designated for the household's riding.
τῇfor theDativearticle (with οἰκίᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἰκίᾳhouseholdDativedative of advantage (for whose benefit)→ sphere or referenceοἰκία: 'house / household'; renders Hebrew בַּיִת; the king's household is the intended beneficiary of the riding-animals.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of possession (the king's household)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς (gen. βασιλέως): the household belongs to the king; the gift is framed as deference to royal need.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle + infinitive (articular infinitive of purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπικαθῆσθαιto ride / sit uponPres Mid/Pass Inf · ἐπικάθημαιarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ purpose (intended use of the beasts)ἐπικάθημαι: 'sit upon / ride'; the articular infinitive τοῦ ἐπικαθῆσθαι expresses purpose — the donkeys are for the household to ride upon, rendering the Hebrew infinitival construction.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second explanatory item)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄρτοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄρτοιloavesNominativesubject (second item)→ participant prominenceἄρτος: 'bread'; see v. 1; designated as food for the servants.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with φοίνικες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φοίνικεςdatesNominativesubject (coordinate with ἄρτοι)→ participant prominenceφοῖνιξ: see v. 1; the dates join the bread as nourishment for the young men.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose).
βρῶσινfood / eatingAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose: 'for food')→ object specificationβρῶσις: 'eating / food'; renders Hebrew אֲכִילָה; the bread and dates are εἰς βρῶσιν, for the servants' sustenance.
τοῖςfor theDativearticle (with παιδαρίοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίοιςyoung men / servantsDativedative of advantage→ sphere or referenceπαιδάριον: 'lad / young servant'; here the king's attendants (cf. v. 1) for whom the food is intended.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (third explanatory item)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with οἶνος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶνοςwineNominativesubject (third item)→ participant prominenceοἶνος: 'wine'; see v. 1; provided for the refreshment of the exhausted.
πιεῖνto drinkAor Act Inf · πίνωinfinitive of purpose (epexegetic)→ purpose (intended use of the wine)πίνω: 'drink'; the bare aorist infinitive πιεῖν ('to drink') gives the purpose of the wine, parallel to εἰς βρῶσιν for the food.
τοῖςfor thoseDativearticle (with the participle ἐκλελυμένοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐκλελυμένοιςthe exhausted onesPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Dat Pl Masc · ἐκλύωsubstantival participle (dative of advantage: 'for those grown weary')→ resultative perfect (in the settled state of exhaustion)ἐκλύω: 'loose out / weaken / exhaust'; the perfect passive participle τοῖς ἐκλελυμένοις ('those who have become faint') renders Hebrew יָעֵף; the wine is for those worn out by the wilderness flight (cf. v. 14).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἐρήμῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness / desert'; renders Hebrew מִדְבָּר; the desert through which David is fleeing toward the Jordan, the setting of the company's exhaustion.
3
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς καὶ ποῦ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ κυρίου σου καὶ εἶπεν Σιβα πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα ἰδοὺ κάθηται ἐν Ιερουσαλημ ὅτι εἶπεν σήμερον ἐπιστρέψουσίν μοι ὁ οἶκος Ισραηλ τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ πατρός μου
And the king said, 'And where is the son of your master?' And Ziba said to the king, 'Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, Today the house of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my father.'
David's question about Mephibosheth ('the son of your master') opens the way for Ziba's slander: he reports a self-serving quotation (ascribed to the absent Mephibosheth) that Israel will restore Saul's kingdom to him 'today.' The embedded direct speech (ὅτι εἶπεν … ἐπιστρέψουσίν μοι) puts incriminating royal ambition in Mephibosheth's mouth without any way for him to answer.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the king's further question.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: see v. 2.
καὶandconjunction introducing the question (Hebraizing waw)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποῦwhereinterrogative adverb of place→ clausal contributionποῦ: 'where?'; renders Hebrew אַיֵּה / אֵיפֹה; introduces the verbless question about Mephibosheth's whereabouts.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with υἱός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸςsonNominativesubject of the verbless question→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; renders Hebrew בֵּן; here Mephibosheth, descendant of Saul through Jonathan, designated by his relation to 'your master' (the house of Saul).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with κυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίουmasterGenitivegenitive of relationship (Ziba's human master)→ relational specificationκύριος: here in the secular sense 'master / lord' (rendering אָדוֹן), NOT the Tetragrammaton; 'your master' is Saul / the house of Saul to which Ziba's service belongs (cf. 9:9–10), Mephibosheth being 'the son' of that house.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (addressing Ziba)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (addressing Ziba).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Ziba's slanderous reply.
ΣιβαZibasubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣιβα: 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 βασιλέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. βασιλέα): David as addressee of Ziba's report.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; draws attention to the report that follows about Mephibosheth's intentions.
κάθηταιhe is staying / dwellingPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb of the report→ stative present (Mephibosheth's continuing residence)κάθημαι: 'sit / remain / dwell'; renders Hebrew יָשַׁב; here 'he is staying behind' in Jerusalem rather than fleeing with David — the fact Ziba interprets as treachery.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemobject of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: transliteration of Hebrew יְרוּשָׁלַיִם; indeclinable in the LXX; the city David has just abandoned, where Mephibosheth allegedly waits to claim the throne.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (introducing the alleged quotation)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; here causal, introducing the reason (Mephibosheth's reported words) for his staying in Jerusalem.
εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of the causal clause (introducing embedded direct speech)→ constative aoristλέγω: the alleged speech of Mephibosheth, quoted (or fabricated) by Ziba to incriminate his absent master.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb (within the quotation)→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders Hebrew הַיּוֹם; the temporal marker lends the alleged ambition immediacy and urgency.
ἐπιστρέψουσίνthey will restoreFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb of the quoted speech→ predictive future (the expected restoration)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / restore / give back'; renders Hebrew שׁוּב (Hiphil); transitive here ('return [the kingdom] to me'); the plural subject is ὁ οἶκος Ισραηλ (collective).
μοιto meDativedative indirect object (recipient of the kingdom)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (recipient of the kingdom).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with οἶκος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκοςhouseNominativesubject (collective; construed with plural verb)→ participant prominenceοἶκος: 'house / household'; renders Hebrew בַּיִת; 'the house of Israel' is the collective body of the people, here imagined as restoring the Saulide monarchy.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'house of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable; the article on οἶκος supplies the relation.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλείαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλείανkingdomAccusativedirect object of ἐπιστρέψουσιν→ object specificationβασιλεία: 'kingdom / kingship / royal rule'; renders Hebrew מַמְלָכָה / מְלוּכָה; the prize Mephibosheth is alleged to covet — the restored Saulide throne.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with πατρός)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (the kingdom of 'my father')→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; renders Hebrew אָב; 'my father' in the quotation refers loosely to Mephibosheth's ancestral line — Saul, his grandfather, whose kingship is the object of the alleged hope.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (within the quotation)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (within the quotation).
4
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Σιβα ιδοὺ σοὶ πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶν τῷ Μεμφιβοσθε καὶ εἶπεν Σιβα προσκυνήσας εὕροιμι χάριν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου κύριέ μου βασιλεῦ
And the king said to Ziba, 'Behold, yours is all that belongs to Mephibosheth.' And Ziba said, doing obeisance, 'May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king.'
David acts at once on Ziba's report, granting him outright all of Mephibosheth's property — a hasty verdict pronounced without hearing the other party (contrast 19:25–31, where Mephibosheth defends himself). Ziba's response, the participle προσκυνήσας ('doing obeisance') plus the optative wish εὕροιμι χάριν, is the deferential idiom of a courtier who has gained his suit.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the king's verdict.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: see v. 2.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Σιβα; dative addressee)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣιβαZibadative addressee (indeclinable; article carries case)→ noun-phrase markingΣιβα: the article τῷ marks Ziba as the dative recipient of the king's words.
ιδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; introduces the king's grant (here written without rough breathing in the source text).
σοὶyoursDativedative of possession (predicate: 'to you belongs')→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοί): 'to you'; the dative of possession in the verbless clause σοὶ πάντα ('all is yours') makes the transfer of Mephibosheth's estate to Ziba.
πάνταallNominativesubject of the verbless possession-clause→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / everything'; the neuter plural πάντα is the totality of property here assigned to Ziba.
ὅσαas much asNominativerelative pronoun (introducing relative clause defining πάντα)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as'; the relative ὅσα ('whatever') defines the extent of the grant — everything that had been Mephibosheth's.
ἐστὶνis / belongsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of the relative clause→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; here with the dative τῷ Μεμφιβοσθε in the sense 'belongs to' — all that pertains to Mephibosheth.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Μεμφιβοσθε; dative of possession)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜεμφιβοσθεMephiboshethdative of possession (indeclinable; article carries case)→ noun-phrase markingΜεμφιβοσθε: see v. 1; the dative τῷ Μεμφιβοσθε ('belonging to Mephibosheth') names the dispossessed owner.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Ziba's grateful response.
ΣιβαZibasubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣιβα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
προσκυνήσαςhaving done obeisanceAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · προσκυνέωcircumstantial participle (manner / attendant action, modifying Σιβα)→ coincident aorist participle (the bowing accompanies the speech)προσκυνέω: 'do obeisance / prostrate / pay homage'; renders Hebrew הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה; the aorist participle describes the courtly act of bowing low before the king as Ziba speaks his thanks.
εὕροιμιmay I findAor Act Opt 1 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (optative of wish)→ volitive optative (a courteous wish)εὑρίσκω: 'find'; the optative of wish εὕροιμι χάριν ('may I find favor') renders the Hebrew idiom אֶמְצָא־חֵן; a deferential formula of a subject seeking continued goodwill.
χάρινfavorAccusativedirect object of εὕροιμι→ object specificationχάρις: 'favor / grace / goodwill'; renders Hebrew חֵן; the unearned regard of a superior, sought by the idiom 'find favor in the eyes of.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative idiom)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative idiom).
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative object of ἐν (idiom: 'in your eyes')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the phrase ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου ('in your eyes / sight') is a Hebraism for someone's estimation or judgment (בְּעֵינֶיךָ).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (addressing the king)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (addressing the king).
κύριέmy lordVocativevocative of address→ direct addressκύριος (voc. κύριε): here the human honorific 'my lord' (rendering אֲדֹנִי), NOT the Tetragrammaton; κύριέ μου βασιλεῦ ('my lord the king') is the standard deferential court address to David.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (with κύριε)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with κύριε).
βασιλεῦO kingVocativevocative in apposition to κύριε→ direct addressβασιλεύς (voc. βασιλεῦ): 'O king'; the second member of the honorific address, naming David's office.
5
καὶ ἦλθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Δαυιδ ἕως Βαουριμ καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐκεῖθεν ἀνὴρ ἐξεπορεύετο ἐκ συγγενείας οἴκου Σαουλ καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Σεμεϊ υἱὸς Γηρα ἐξῆλθεν ἐκπορευόμενος καὶ καταρώμενος
And King David came as far as Bahurim, and behold, from there a man was coming out, of the kindred of the house of Saul, and his name was Shimei son of Gera; he came out, going along and cursing,
A second presentative ἰδού introduces a new and hostile participant: an unnamed 'man' (ἀνήρ) is first marked as 'of the kindred of Saul's house,' then named Shimei son of Gera. The piling of participles ἐκπορευόμενος καὶ καταρώμενος depicts continuous emergence and cursing as David's company passes.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (arrival)ἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; renders Hebrew בּוֹא; the aorist marks David's arrival at Bahurim, the stage for the Shimei confrontation.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (with appositional Δαυιδ)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: see v. 2; the title is joined to the name in the formal designation 'King David.'
ΔαυιδDavidnominative in apposition to ὁ βασιλεύς (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: see v. 1.
ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (spatial limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; renders Hebrew עַד; marks the endpoint of David's march.
ΒαουριμBahurimobject of ἕως (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒαουριμ: transliteration of Hebrew בַּחֻרִים (Bahurim); indeclinable; a village on the route east of Jerusalem toward the Jordan, in Benjaminite territory near Saul's homeland (cf. 3:16; 17:18).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing presentative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; introduces the hostile new figure of Shimei into the narrative scene.
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there / thence'; renders Hebrew מִשָּׁם; locates the man's emergence from Bahurim.
ἀνὴρa manNominativesubject (introduced indefinitely)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; renders Hebrew אִישׁ; the figure is introduced anonymously before being identified, building narrative suspense before the naming.
ἐξεπορεύετοwas coming outImpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐκπορεύομαιmain verb (imperfect of the new scene)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing emergence)ἐκπορεύομαι: 'go out / come forth'; renders Hebrew יָצָא; the imperfect depicts the man steadily coming out as David passes — durative background action.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (origin / descent)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (origin / descent).
συγγενείαςkindred / clanGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (descent)→ relational specificationσυγγένεια: 'kinship / family / clan'; renders Hebrew מִשְׁפָּחָה; identifies the man as a blood-relation of Saul's house, the key to his hostility toward David.
οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive of relationship (with συγγενείας)→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house / dynasty'; here the Saulide house, whose downfall makes Shimei David's enemy.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'house of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliteration of Hebrew שָׁאוּל (Saul); indeclinable; the deposed first king of Israel, whose partisans see David as a usurper.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the naming)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of the verbless naming-clause→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the construction ὄνομα αὐτῷ ('his name was') renders the Hebrew naming-formula וּשְׁמוֹ.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of possession ('his name')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession ('his name').
ΣεμεϊShimeipredicate of the naming-clause (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣεμεϊ: transliteration of Hebrew שִׁמְעִי (Shimei); indeclinable; the Benjaminite kinsman of Saul who curses David here and is later spared (19:18–23) but executed under Solomon (3 Kgdms 2:8–9, 36–46).
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition (patronymic)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; introduces the patronymic identifying Shimei's father.
ΓηραGeragenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Gera')→ participant identificationΓηρα: transliteration of Hebrew גֵּרָא (Gera); indeclinable; a Benjaminite name (cf. Gen 46:21; Judg 3:15).
ἐξῆλθενcame outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (resuming the action of emergence)→ constative aorist (the act of coming out)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come forth'; the aorist resumes and summarizes the action begun in the imperfect ἐξεπορεύετο, now attaching the participial description of his manner.
ἐκπορευόμενοςcoming out / advancingPres Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἐκπορεύομαιcircumstantial participle (manner, modifying the subject)→ durative present participle (continuous advance)ἐκπορεύομαι (ptcp.): the present participle stresses Shimei's continued progress alongside the king's company as he keeps coming out — a Hebraizing 'going out and cursing' construction (cf. v. 13).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking participles)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταρώμενοςcursingPres Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · καταράομαιcircumstantial participle (manner, coordinate with ἐκπορευόμενος)→ durative present participle (continuous cursing)καταράομαι: 'curse / call down evil upon'; renders Hebrew קִלֵּל; the deponent middle present participle marks the ongoing imprecation — the leitmotif of the whole episode (cf. vv. 7, 9, 10, 11, 13).
6
καὶ λιθάζων ἐν λίθοις τὸν Δαυιδ καὶ πάντας τοὺς παῖδας τοῦ βασιλέως Δαυιδ καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἦν καὶ πάντες οἱ δυνατοὶ ἐκ δεξιῶν καὶ ἐξ εὐωνύμων τοῦ βασιλέως
and pelting with stones David and all the servants of King David; and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right and on his left of the king.
The participle λιθάζων continues the chain from v. 5, adding stone-throwing to the cursing. The clause then shifts (καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἦν …) to a parenthetical tableau: the people and the warriors flanking the king on both sides, underscoring both the danger of Shimei's assault and the loyalty of David's guard.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing the participial chain)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λιθάζωνpelting with stonesPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λιθάζωcircumstantial participle (manner, continuing from v. 5)→ durative present participle (repeated stoning)λιθάζω: 'throw stones at / stone'; cognate with λίθος; the present participle depicts repeated hurling of stones, physical violence accompanying the verbal curses.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental, Hebraizing ἐν)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here instrumental ('with'), a Hebraism rendering בְּ; the redundant ἐν λίθοις with λιθάζων reflects the Hebrew cognate construction.
λίθοιςstonesDativedative of instrument→ sphere or referenceλίθος: 'stone'; renders Hebrew אֶבֶן; the instrument of Shimei's assault.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Δαυιδ; object of λιθάζων)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidobject of λιθάζων (indeclinable; article carries case)→ noun-phrase markingΔαυιδ: see v. 1; primary target of the stoning.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying παῖδας)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the stoning extends to David's whole retinue.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with παῖδας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδαςservantsAccusativesecond object of λιθάζων→ object specificationπαῖς: 'servant / attendant'; renders Hebrew עֶבֶד; the royal officials and retainers accompanying David.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of possession (the king's servants)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς (gen. βασιλέως): the servants belong to King David.
ΔαυιδDavidgenitive in apposition to τοῦ βασιλέως (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: the name reinforces the genitive 'King David,' whose servants are meant.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (shifting to the parenthetical tableau)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; quantifies the people of the escort.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἦν→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; renders Hebrew עַם; the body of David's followers marching with him.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of the descriptive clause (collective singular)→ stative imperfect (positional description)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'was'; the imperfect describes the positioning of people and warriors around the king — background to the assault.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying δυνατοί)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole body of mighty men flanks the king.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with δυνατοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δυνατοὶmighty menNominativesubstantival adjective (second subject)→ participant prominenceδυνατός: 'strong / mighty'; substantivized as 'the warriors / heroes' (rendering Hebrew גִּבּוֹרִים); David's elite guard surrounding the king.
ἐκonpreposition + genitive (position: 'on the right')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position: 'on the right').
δεξιῶνrightGenitivegenitive of position (ἐκ δεξιῶν: 'on the right')→ relational specificationδεξιός: 'right (hand/side)'; ἐκ δεξιῶν ('on the right side') renders Hebrew מִימִינוֹ; the guard's flanking position.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξonpreposition + genitive (position: 'on the left'; before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position: 'on the left'; before vowel).
εὐωνύμωνleftGenitivegenitive of position (ἐξ εὐωνύμων: 'on the left')→ relational specificationεὐώνυμος: lit. 'of good name,' a euphemism for the left side; ἐξ εὐωνύμων ('on the left') renders Hebrew מִשְּׂמֹאלוֹ; with ἐκ δεξιῶν it forms a merism — the guard surrounds the king completely.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive (the king flanked on both sides)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς (gen. βασιλέως): the king around whom the people and warriors are arrayed.
7
καὶ οὕτως ἔλεγεν Σεμεϊ ἐν τῷ καταρᾶσθαι αὐτόν ἔξελθε ἔξελθε ἀνὴρ αἱμάτων καὶ ἀνὴρ ὁ παράνομος
And thus Shimei said as he cursed: 'Get out, get out, you man of blood and worthless man!'
οὕτως ('thus') points forward to the quoted curse; the articular infinitive ἐν τῷ καταρᾶσθαι αὐτόν ('while he cursed') frames the speech temporally. The doubled imperative ἔξελθε ἔξελθε and the two epithets ἀνὴρ αἱμάτων ('man of blood') and ἀνὴρ ὁ παράνομος ('worthless/lawless man') give the curse its violent, taunting force.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὕτωςthusadverb of manner (cataphoric, pointing to the quotation)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / in this way'; renders Hebrew כֹּה; here cataphoric, anticipating the words of the curse that follow.
ἔλεγενwas sayingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ iterative imperfect (repeated saying)λέγω (impf. ἔλεγεν): 'was saying / kept saying'; the imperfect conveys the repeated, ongoing nature of Shimei's curses as he keeps pace with David.
ΣεμεϊShimeisubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣεμεϊ: see v. 5.
ἐνin / whilepreposition + articular infinitive (temporal: 'while')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with the articular infinitive (ἐν τῷ + inf.) forms a temporal clause ('while / as'), a common LXX rendering of Hebrew בְּ + infinitive construct.
τῷtheDativearticle + infinitive (with ἐν, temporal construction)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καταρᾶσθαιcursingPres Mid/Pass Inf · καταράομαιarticular infinitive (temporal clause: 'while he cursed')→ durative present (the cursing in progress)καταράομαι: see v. 5; the present infinitive within ἐν τῷ … construction marks the curse as the ongoing circumstance of the speech.
αὐτόνhe / himAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive→ participant referenceαὐτός: the accusative is the subject of the infinitive (a Greek idiom), 'while he cursed.'
ἔξελθεget outAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (imperative, opening the curse)→ aorist imperative (peremptory command)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / get out'; renders Hebrew צֵא; the aorist imperative is a contemptuous demand that David leave / be gone — a call for his banishment from kingship and land.
ἔξελθεget outAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιrepeated imperative (emphatic doubling)→ aorist imperative (intensified by repetition)ἐξέρχομαι: the doubled ἔξελθε ἔξελθε renders an emphatic Hebrew repetition (צֵא צֵא), heightening the venom and urgency of the dismissal.
ἀνὴρmanNominativenominative for vocative (term of address/insult)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the construct ἀνὴρ αἱμάτων ('man of blood[s]') renders Hebrew אִישׁ הַדָּמִים; the nominative stands for the vocative in this insult; it charges David with bloodguilt (over the house of Saul).
αἱμάτωνof bloodsGenitivegenitive of quality (with ἀνήρ: 'man of blood')→ relational specificationαἷμα (pl. αἱμάτων): 'blood / bloodshed'; the Hebrew plural דָּמִים denotes blood violently shed / bloodguilt; 'a man of bloods' brands David a murderer deserving of judgment.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the second epithet)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὴρmanNominativenominative for vocative (second epithet)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: repeated to introduce the second term of abuse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with παράνομος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παράνομοςlawless / worthlessNominativesubstantival adjective (epithet in apposition to ἀνήρ)→ participant prominenceπαράνομος: 'lawless / transgressor / scoundrel'; renders Hebrew אִישׁ הַבְּלִיַּעַל ('man of Belial / worthlessness'); the LXX interprets the Hebrew 'man of Belial' as 'the lawless man,' compounding the charge of bloodguilt with one of wickedness.
8
ἐπέστρεψεν ἐπὶ σὲ κύριος πάντα τὰ αἵματα τοῦ οἴκου Σαουλ ὅτι ἐβασίλευσας ἀντ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔδωκεν κύριος τὴν βασιλείαν ἐν χειρὶ Αβεσσαλωμ τοῦ υἱοῦ σου καὶ ἰδοὺ σὺ ἐν τῇ κακίᾳ σου ὅτι ἀνὴρ αἱμάτων σύ
'The LORD has returned upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, because you reigned in his place; and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. And behold, you are caught in your own evil, because you are a man of blood.'
Shimei now interprets David's plight theologically: the LORD (here the Tetragrammaton) has 'returned' the bloodguilt of Saul's house onto David and handed the kingdom to Absalom — divine retribution for David's supposed usurpation. The fronted verb ἐπέστρεψεν and the closing chiastic echo ἀνὴρ αἱμάτων σύ ('a man of blood — you!') frame the accusation with rhetorical symmetry.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
ἐπέστρεψενhas returned / brought backAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (fronted for emphasis)→ constative aorist (the requital viewed as accomplished)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / return / requite'; transitive here ('has brought back upon you'); renders Hebrew הֵשִׁיב; the verb of retribution — the LORD turns the bloodguilt back on its alleged author.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction of requital)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of requital).
σὲyouAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (David, the accused)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): the curse is directed straight at David — 'upon you' the requital falls.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: here the Tetragrammaton יהוה (NOT a human master); Shimei claims YHWH himself as the agent of David's downfall, the avenger of Saul's blood.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying αἵματα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the totality of bloodshed in Saul's house is laid to David's account.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with αἵματα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἵματαblood / bloodguiltAccusativedirect object of ἐπέστρεψεν→ object specificationαἷμα (pl. αἵματα): 'blood / bloodshed'; the Hebrew plural דָּמִים = blood violently shed / bloodguilt; Shimei holds David responsible for the deaths in Saul's dynasty (cf. ch. 21).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with οἴκου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive of relationship (the blood belonging to Saul's house)→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house / dynasty'; the Saulide line whose blood is in view.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'house of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: see v. 5.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the ground of the alleged judgment — David's accession in Saul's place.
ἐβασίλευσαςyou reignedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · βασιλεύωverb of the causal clause→ constative aorist (the act of becoming king)βασιλεύω: 'be / become king, reign'; renders Hebrew מָלַךְ; Shimei reads David's reign 'in Saul's place' as the usurpation that incurs bloodguilt.
ἀντ᾿in place ofpreposition + genitive (substitution; elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί: 'instead of / in place of'; renders Hebrew תַּחַת; David has reigned 'in place of' Saul, the basis of the charge of usurpation.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἀντί (Saul)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἀντί (Saul).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδωκενhas givenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (second clause of the accusation)→ constative aorist (the handover viewed as done)δίδωμι: 'give / hand over'; renders Hebrew נָתַן; Shimei reads the transfer of the kingdom to Absalom as YHWH's act of judgment against David.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: again the Tetragrammaton יהוה; Shimei makes YHWH the giver of the kingship to Absalom.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλείαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλείανkingdomAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκεν→ object specificationβασιλεία: 'kingdom / kingship'; see v. 3; here said (falsely, in the event) to be transferred from David to Absalom.
ἐνintopreposition + dative (Hebraizing 'into the hand of')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here in the idiom ἐν χειρί ('into the hand of'), a Hebraism rendering בְּיַד, denoting handing over into someone's power.
χειρὶhandDativedative object of ἐν (idiom: 'into the hand')→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; ἐν χειρί = 'into the power/control of'; the kingdom passes into Absalom's grasp.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'hand of Absalom')→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliteration of Hebrew אַבְשָׁלוֹם (Absalom); indeclinable; David's rebel son, into whose hand Shimei claims the kingdom has been given.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with υἱοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition to Αβεσσαλωμ→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; the appositive 'your son' twists the knife — it is David's own son who supplants him.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (addressing David)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (addressing David).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the climactic taunt)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; points triumphantly at David's present calamity as proof of the curse.
σὺyouNominativesubject of the verbless clause (emphatic)→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic pronoun isolates David as the one now caught in his own evil.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (state / condition)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (state / condition).
τῇtheDativearticle (with κακίᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κακίᾳevil / calamityDativedative of state (ἐν τῇ κακίᾳ σου: 'in your evil')→ sphere or referenceκακία: 'evil / wickedness / misfortune'; renders Hebrew רָעָה, which spans both moral evil and the calamity it brings; Shimei means David is trapped in the disaster his own wickedness has earned.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; gives the final ground of the curse, echoing the opening epithet of v. 7.
ἀνὴρmanNominativepredicate nominative (verbless: 'you are a man of blood')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the recurring epithet ἀνὴρ αἱμάτων ('man of blood') from v. 7, now in the closing chiastic taunt.
αἱμάτωνof bloodsGenitivegenitive of quality (with ἀνήρ)→ relational specificationαἷμα (pl. αἱμάτων): see v. 7; the genitive of bloodguilt seals the indictment.
σύyouNominativesubject of the verbless clause (emphatic, clause-final)→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic final pronoun ('a man of blood — you!') closes the curse with a stinging, accusatory flourish.
9
καὶ εἶπεν Αβεσσα υἱὸς Σαρουιας πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα ἵνα τί καταρᾶται ὁ κύων ὁ τεθνηκὼς οὗτος τὸν κύριόν μου τὸν βασιλέα διαβήσομαι δὴ καὶ ἀφελῶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ
And Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, 'Why does this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, please, and take off his head.'
Abishai responds to the curse with a soldier's fury: the indignant question ἵνα τί ('why?') frames Shimei as ὁ κύων ὁ τεθνηκών ('the dead dog'), a term of utter contempt, and his offer διαβήσομαι … καὶ ἀφελῶ τὴν κεφαλήν proposes summary execution. The volitive futures with δή ('please / pray') seek the king's permission to act.
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 (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Abishai's words.
ΑβεσσαAbishaisubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσα: transliteration of Hebrew אֲבִישַׁי (Abishai); indeclinable; Joab's brother, son of Zeruiah, a hot-tempered warrior (cf. 1 Kgdms 26:6–9; 2 Kgdms 3:30).
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition (matronymic)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; introduces the matronymic; the sons of Zeruiah (David's sister) are repeatedly marked by their impetuous violence.
ΣαρουιαςZeruiahGenitivegenitive of relationship ('son of Zeruiah')→ relational specificationΣαρουια (gen. Σαρουιας): transliteration of Hebrew צְרוּיָה (Zeruiah), David's sister and mother of Abishai, Joab, and Asahel; declined here as a first-declension genitive.
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→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. βασιλέα): David, addressed by his general.
ἵναwhyinterrogative phrase with τί (ἵνα τί: 'for what reason?')→ clausal contributionἵνα: in the idiom ἵνα τί ('why? / to what end?'), rendering Hebrew לָמָּה; an indignant rhetorical question expressing that such cursing should not be tolerated.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative (with ἵνα: 'why')→ participant referenceτίς, τί: interrogative pronoun forming, with ἵνα, the causal question 'why?'
καταρᾶταιdoes he cursePres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · καταράομαιmain verb of the question→ progressive present (the cursing now in progress)καταράομαι: see v. 5; Abishai is outraged that this Saulide is cursing the king with impunity.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with κύων)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύωνdogNominativesubject of καταρᾶται→ participant prominenceκύων: 'dog'; renders Hebrew כֶּלֶב; in the ancient Near East a term of utmost contempt; calling Shimei a 'dog' denies him any standing to address the king.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with the participle τεθνηκώς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τεθνηκὼςdeadPerf Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · θνῄσκωattributive participle (modifying κύων: 'the dead dog')→ resultative perfect (in the state of death — figuratively 'as good as dead')θνῄσκω (perf. τέθνηκα): 'die / be dead'; the perfect participle 'dead dog' (ὁ κύων ὁ τεθνηκώς) renders Hebrew הַכֶּלֶב הַמֵּת; a doubly contemptuous insult — a dog already worthless, and a dead one at that (cf. 1 Kgdms 24:15; 2 Kgdms 9:8).
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative (modifying κύων: 'this dead dog')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative points scornfully at Shimei present before them.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with κύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριόνlordAccusativedirect object of καταρᾶται→ object specificationκύριος (acc. κύριον): here the human honorific 'my lord' (rendering אֲדֹנִי), NOT the Tetragrammaton; τὸν κύριόν μου τὸν βασιλέα ('my lord the king') is Abishai's deferential reference to David.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα, in apposition to κύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative in apposition to κύριον→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. βασιλέα): the appositive completing the court formula 'my lord the king.'
διαβήσομαιlet me cross overFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · διαβαίνωmain verb (volitive future)→ volitive future (request for permission to act)διαβαίνω: 'cross over / go across'; the future with δή functions volitively ('let me go over'), Abishai asking leave to cross to where Shimei stands and strike him.
δὴpray / nowemphatic / hortatory particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: an emphatic particle of entreaty ('pray / now'), rendering Hebrew נָא; softens the futures into a respectful request to the king.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀφελῶI will take offFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀφαιρέωmain verb (volitive future, coordinate with διαβήσομαι)→ volitive future (proposed decapitation)ἀφαιρέω: 'take away / remove / cut off'; renders Hebrew הֵסִיר / כָּרַת; ἀφελῶ τὴν κεφαλήν ('I will remove his head') is the idiom for decapitation — summary execution of Shimei.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κεφαλήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativedirect object of ἀφελῶ→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; renders Hebrew רֹאשׁ; the object of the proposed beheading.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Shimei's head)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Shimei's head).
10
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς τί ἐμοὶ καὶ ὑμῖν υἱοὶ Σαρουιας ἄφετε αὐτὸν καὶ οὕτως καταράσθω ὅτι κύριος εἶπεν αὐτῷ καταρᾶσθαι τὸν Δαυιδ καὶ τίς ἐρεῖ ὡς τί ἐποίησας οὕτως
And the king said, 'What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? Let him be, and so let him curse, for the LORD has told him to curse David; and who shall say, Why have you done so?'
David rebuffs Abishai with the Hebraic idiom τί ἐμοὶ καὶ ὑμῖν ('what to me and to you?') and commands restraint (ἄφετε αὐτόν … καταράσθω). The ground (ὅτι) is providential: the LORD (Tetragrammaton) himself has bidden Shimei curse; therefore no one may question what God has ordained — David submits to the curse as a possible instrument of divine dealing.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces David's rebuke and restraint of Abishai.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David.
τίwhatNominativeinterrogative (in the idiom τί ἐμοὶ καὶ ὑμῖν)→ participant referenceτίς, τί: in the Hebraism τί ἐμοὶ καὶ ὑμῖν ('what is there between me and you?', מַה־לִּי וְלָכֶם), a formula of dissociation rebuffing the sons of Zeruiah's impulse.
ἐμοὶto meDativedative in the idiom (τί ἐμοὶ καὶ ὑμῖν)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. ἐμοί): the first member of the dissociation idiom — David distances himself from Abishai's bloody counsel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (within the idiom)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative in the idiom (τί ἐμοὶ καὶ ὑμῖν)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): 'to you' — the second member; David and the sons of Zeruiah are at odds over the proper response to the curse.
υἱοὶsonsVocativevocative of address→ direct addressυἱός (voc. pl. υἱοί): 'sons'; the address 'sons of Zeruiah' (Abishai with Joab) marks David's recurring frustration with their violent zeal (cf. 3:39; 19:23).
Σαρουιαςof ZeruiahGenitivegenitive of relationship (with υἱοί)→ relational specificationΣαρουια (gen. Σαρουιας): see v. 9.
ἄφετεlet him be / leave himAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀφίημιmain verb (imperative of restraint)→ aorist imperative (decisive command to desist)ἀφίημι: 'let go / leave / permit'; renders Hebrew הַנִּיחוּ; ἄφετε αὐτόν ('leave him alone') forbids the proposed violence.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἄφετε (Shimei)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἄφετε (Shimei).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὕτωςsoadverb of manner→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'so / thus'; here concessive — 'and so / accordingly let him curse,' accepting the cursing as within God's permission.
καταράσθωlet him cursePres Mid/Pass Impv 3 Sg · καταράομαιmain verb (third-person imperative of permission)→ durative present imperative (let the cursing continue)καταράομαι: see v. 5; the present third-person imperative gives Shimei leave to keep cursing — David surrenders the matter to divine providence.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the providential ground for non-retaliation.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: here the Tetragrammaton יהוה; David reckons Shimei's curse as ultimately bidden by YHWH — the theological heart of his restraint.
εἶπενhas toldAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of the causal clause→ constative aorist (the divine commission)λέγω: 'say / tell / command'; here 'the LORD has told / bidden him' — David ascribes the curse to divine ordination, not mere human malice.
αὐτῷhimDativedative indirect object (Shimei, the one told)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (Shimei, the one told).
καταρᾶσθαιto cursePres Mid/Pass Inf · καταράομαιcomplementary infinitive (object of εἶπεν: what he was told to do)→ durative present infinitiveκαταράομαι: the infinitive completes εἶπεν — the content of the LORD's bidding is 'to curse David.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Δαυιδ; object of the infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidobject of καταρᾶσθαι (indeclinable; article carries case)→ noun-phrase markingΔαυιδ: David speaks of himself in the third person (a touch of self-effacement), the object of the divinely-permitted curse.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the rhetorical question)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of ἐρεῖ)→ participant referenceτίς: 'who?'; the rhetorical question (expecting the answer 'no one') asserts that none may call God's ordained action into question.
ἐρεῖshall sayFut Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of the rhetorical question→ deliberative/predictive futureλέγω (fut. ἐρεῖ): 'will say'; 'who shall say…?' — a way of declaring God's act beyond human reproach.
ὡς(saying)conjunction introducing the quoted reproach→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: here introducing direct/indirect quotation ('as / saying'), marking the words that no one may utter against God's doing.
τίwhyAccusativeinterrogative (within the quoted reproach)→ participant referenceτίς, τί: 'why?'; the reproach 'why have you done so?' (מַדּוּעַ עָשִׂיתָה כֵּן) that David says no one is entitled to bring against the LORD.
ἐποίησαςhave you doneAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωverb of the quoted reproach→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do / make'; renders Hebrew עָשָׂה; the imagined challenge to God's action, which David declares illegitimate.
οὕτωςsoadverb of manner (within the reproach)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'so / thus'; completes the reproach 'why have you done thus?' — the question David forbids.
11
καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Αβεσσα καὶ πρὸς πάντας τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ ἰδοὺ ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἐξελθὼν ἐκ τῆς κοιλίας μου ζητεῖ τὴν ψυχήν μου καὶ προσέτι νῦν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Ιεμινι ἄφετε αὐτὸν καταρᾶσθαι ὅτι εἶπεν αὐτῷ κύριος
And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, 'Behold, my own son who came out of my belly seeks my life; how much more now this Benjaminite! Let him alone, and let him curse, for the LORD has told him.'
David widens his audience (πρὸς … πάντας τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ) and argues a fortiori: if his own son seeks his life, how much more (προσέτι νῦν) is a mere Benjaminite to be expected to curse him. The repeated ἄφετε αὐτόν καταρᾶσθαι and the closing ὅτι εἶπεν αὐτῷ κύριος bracket the speech with the same providential submission as v. 10.
Word-by-word analysis· 39 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces David's further word.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: see v. 1.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΑβεσσαAbishaiaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσα: see v. 9.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (widening the audience)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (widening the audience).
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying παῖδας)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; David now addresses the whole company, not just Abishai.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with παῖδας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδαςservantsAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationπαῖς: 'servant / attendant'; David's retinue, addressed collectively.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; introduces the painful fact David sets at the head of his argument.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with υἱός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱόςsonNominativesubject of ζητεῖ→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; David's own son Absalom, whose rebellion is the greater grief that makes Shimei's curse a small thing.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ὁthe (who)Nominativearticle (with the participle ἐξελθών)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξελθὼνwho came outAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἐξέρχομαιattributive participle (modifying υἱός)→ constative aorist participle (the fact of birth)ἐξέρχομαι: 'come out'; the participle ὁ ἐξελθὼν ἐκ τῆς κοιλίας μου ('who came out of my belly') renders the Hebrew idiom for natural offspring (יָצָא מִמֵּעַי), stressing the bitter intimacy of the betrayal.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (origin).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with κοιλίας)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κοιλίαςbelly / wombGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (origin of birth)→ relational specificationκοιλία: 'belly / womb / inward parts'; renders Hebrew מֵעֶה; 'came out of my belly' is an idiom for one's own natural child, here applied (unusually of a father) to underscore the closeness of the bond Absalom has broken.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ζητεῖseeksPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζητέωmain verb→ progressive present (the ongoing pursuit of David's life)ζητέω: 'seek'; the idiom ζητεῖ τὴν ψυχήν μου ('seeks my life') renders Hebrew מְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת־נַפְשִׁי, meaning to seek to kill — Absalom's deadly intent.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ψυχήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχήνlife / soulAccusativedirect object of ζητεῖ→ object specificationψυχή: 'soul / life'; renders Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ; in the idiom 'seek the ψυχή' it means David's very life is the object of Absalom's pursuit.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the a fortiori clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσέτιhow much moreadverb (intensifying: 'still more / all the more')→ clausal contributionπροσέτι: 'besides / still more / how much more'; with νῦν it builds the a fortiori argument — if a son seeks my death, all the more a Benjaminite may be expected to curse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (with προσέτι)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; reinforces the present application of the lesser-to-greater reasoning.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with υἱός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸςsonNominativesubject (elliptical: 'this son of the Benjaminite [acts so]')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; here ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Ιεμινι ('the son of the Benjaminite/Jeminite') designates Shimei by tribe — a man of Benjamin, Saul's own tribe.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with Ιεμινι)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙεμινιBenjaminite / Jeminitegenitive of relationship (indeclinable transliteration)→ participant identificationΙεμινι: transliteration of Hebrew (אִישׁ) הַיְמִינִי / בֶּן־הַיְמִינִי ('the Benjaminite / man of Benjamin'); indeclinable; the LXX carries over the gentilic untranslated, marking Shimei's tribal identity with Saul's house.
ἄφετεleave him / let him beAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀφίημιmain verb (imperative of restraint, repeated from v. 10)→ aorist imperativeἀφίημι: see v. 10; the renewed command to leave Shimei untouched.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἄφετε→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἄφετε.
καταρᾶσθαιto cursePres Mid/Pass Inf · καταράομαιcomplementary infinitive (ἄφετε αὐτὸν καταρᾶσθαι: 'let him curse')→ durative present infinitiveκαταράομαι: see v. 5; the infinitive of permission — let Shimei keep cursing.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; repeats the providential ground of v. 10.
εἶπενhas toldAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of the causal clause→ constative aoristλέγω: 'has told / bidden'; the LORD's commission of the curse, as in v. 10.
αὐτῷhimDativedative indirect object (Shimei)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (Shimei).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (clause-final, emphatic)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the clause-final position of the divine name seals David's submission — the curse stands under YHWH's permission.
12
εἴ πως ἴδοι κύριος ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει μου καὶ ἐπιστρέψει μοι ἀγαθὰ ἀντὶ τῆς κατάρας αὐτοῦ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ
'It may be that the LORD will look upon my affliction, and the LORD will return good to me in place of his cursing this day.'
David's restraint culminates in hope: the εἴ πως construction with the optative ἴδοι expresses a wish/hope that the LORD (Tetragrammaton) may regard his affliction and repay good for Shimei's curse. The contrast ἀγαθά … ἀντὶ τῆς κατάρας ('good in place of the curse') captures David's confidence in providential reversal.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
εἴif / perhapsparticle (with πως: expressing hope/possibility)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; in the combination εἴ πως ('if somehow / it may be that') it introduces a clause of hope or expectation, rendering Hebrew אוּלַי.
πωςsomehow / perhapsenclitic adverb (with εἰ: 'it may be')→ clausal contributionπως: enclitic 'somehow / in some way'; with εἰ forms the hope-construction 'perhaps / it may be that.'
ἴδοιmay look / may seeAor Act Opt 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (optative of wish/hope)→ volitive optative (expressing David's hope)ὁράω (aor. opt. ἴδοι): 'see / look upon'; renders Hebrew רָאָה; the optative expresses David's hope that the LORD will regard (with compassion) his affliction.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the LORD whom David hopes will look upon him in mercy.
ἐνupon / inpreposition + dative (object of regard)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (object of regard).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ταπεινώσει)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ταπεινώσειaffliction / humiliationDativedative object of ἐν (the thing the LORD may regard)→ sphere or referenceταπείνωσις: 'lowliness / affliction / humiliation'; renders Hebrew עֳנִי / עֱנִי; David's present distress in flight, on which he hopes the LORD will look (cf. 1 Kgdms 1:11; Luke 1:48).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιστρέψειwill returnFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (future continuing the hope)→ anticipatory future (the hoped-for recompense)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / return / repay'; transitive ('repay good to me'); the same verb Shimei used of returning bloodguilt (v. 8) is now turned to David's hope of returned good — a deliberate echo and reversal.
μοιto meDativedative indirect object (beneficiary)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (beneficiary).
ἀγαθὰgood thingsAccusativedirect object of ἐπιστρέψει→ object specificationἀγαθός: 'good'; neuter plural ἀγαθά ('good things / blessing'), rendering Hebrew טוֹבָה; the divine recompense David anticipates in exchange for the curse.
ἀντὶin place ofpreposition + genitive (exchange/substitution)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί: 'instead of / in return for'; renders Hebrew תַּחַת; expresses the hoped-for exchange of blessing for cursing.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with κατάρας)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατάραςcursing / curseGenitivegenitive object of ἀντί→ relational specificationκατάρα: 'curse / imprecation'; cognate with καταράομαι; renders Hebrew קְלָלָה; Shimei's curse, which David trusts God will turn into blessing.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of source (Shimei's curse)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of source (Shimei's curse).
τῇon theDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the dative of time τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ ('this day') locates David's hope in the very day of his humiliation.
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; specifies the present day of suffering as the occasion of the looked-for divine reversal.
13
καὶ ἐπορεύθη Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ Σεμεϊ ἐπορεύετο ἐκ πλευρᾶς τοῦ ὄρους ἐχόμενα αὐτοῦ πορευόμενος καὶ καταρώμενος καὶ λιθάζων ἐν λίθοις ἐκ πλαγίων αὐτοῦ καὶ τῷ χοῒ πάσσων
And David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along the side of the hill abreast of him, going and cursing and throwing stones alongside him and flinging dust.
After the dialogue, the narrative resumes the journey. Two parallel paths are drawn: David's company on the road (ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ) and Shimei keeping pace along the hillside (ἐκ πλευρᾶς τοῦ ὄρους). A cascade of participles — πορευόμενος, καταρώμενος, λιθάζων, πάσσων — renders the relentless, multi-pronged harassment (going, cursing, stoning, dust-flinging) that dogs David's retreat.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (collective subject, sg. with first member)→ constative aorist (resumption of the journey)πορεύομαι: 'go / travel / journey'; renders Hebrew הָלַךְ; deponent (aor. pass. in form); the singular agrees with the nearest subject Δαυιδ though the men are included.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: see v. 1.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesecond subject (coordinate with Δαυιδ)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): 'men'; renders Hebrew אֲנָשִׁים; David's fighting men accompanying him in flight.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ὁδῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδῷroad / wayDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'road / way / journey'; renders Hebrew דֶּרֶךְ; the route of David's flight, contrasted with Shimei's parallel path on the hillside.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing Shimei's parallel movement)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣεμεϊShimeisubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣεμεϊ: see v. 5.
ἐπορεύετοwas goingImpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (imperfect of parallel ongoing action)→ progressive imperfect (Shimei keeping pace)πορεύομαι (impf. ἐπορεύετο): 'was going / kept going'; the imperfect depicts Shimei's continuous progress abreast of David along the ridge.
ἐκalongpreposition + genitive (position: 'on the side of')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'along'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position: 'on the side of').
πλευρᾶςsideGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (position)→ relational specificationπλευρά: 'side / rib / flank'; renders Hebrew צֵלָע; ἐκ πλευρᾶς τοῦ ὄρους ('along the side of the hill') marks Shimei's elevated parallel path.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with ὄρους)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρουςhill / mountainGenitivegenitive of relationship (with πλευρᾶς)→ relational specificationὄρος: 'mountain / hill'; renders Hebrew הַר; the ridge along whose flank Shimei keeps pace above the road.
ἐχόμεναclose by / abreastPres Mid/Pass Ptcp Acc/Nom Pl Neut · ἔχωparticiple used adverbially (ἐχόμενα αὐτοῦ: 'next to him')→ durative present participle (continual proximity)ἔχω (mid. ptcp. ἐχόμενα): the middle ἔχομαι + genitive means 'cling to / be next to'; the adverbial neuter ἐχόμενα αὐτοῦ ('right alongside him') renders Hebrew לְעֻמָּתוֹ ('opposite / abreast of him'), stressing Shimei's dogging proximity.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive with ἐχόμενα (the one kept abreast of)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive with ἐχόμενα (the one kept abreast of).
πορευόμενοςgoingPres Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · πορεύομαιcircumstantial participle (manner, modifying Σεμεϊ)→ durative present participleπορεύομαι (ptcp.): the first of a chain of participles describing Shimei's relentless harassment as he advances.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking participles)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταρώμενοςcursingPres Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · καταράομαιcircumstantial participle (manner)→ durative present participleκαταράομαι: see v. 5; the continued cursing, second in the participle chain.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λιθάζωνthrowing stonesPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λιθάζωcircumstantial participle (manner)→ durative present participle (repeated stoning)λιθάζω: see v. 6; the stone-throwing resumes, third in the chain.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental, Hebraizing ἐν)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: instrumental ('with'), the same Hebraizing construction as v. 6 (ἐν λίθοις).
λίθοιςstonesDativedative of instrument→ sphere or referenceλίθος: see v. 6.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (position: 'from the side')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position: 'from the side').
πλαγίωνthe side / flankGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (position: 'from alongside')→ relational specificationπλάγιος: 'slanting / sideways'; substantivized neuter plural ἐκ πλαγίων ('from the side / flank'); Shimei pelts David from the lateral slope above the road.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive (the one at whose side)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (the one at whose side).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle (with χοΐ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χοῒdustDativedative of instrument (with πάσσων)→ sphere or referenceχοῦς (dat. χοΐ): 'dust / loose earth'; renders Hebrew עָפָר; the dust Shimei scatters as a further gesture of contempt and assault.
πάσσωνscattering / flingingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · πάσσωcircumstantial participle (manner, final in the chain)→ durative present participleπάσσω: 'sprinkle / scatter / strew'; renders Hebrew עִפַּר; the last of the participles — Shimei flings dust as he curses and stones, completing the picture of relentless harassment.
14
καὶ ἦλθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς αὐτοῦ ἐκλελυμένοι καὶ ἀνέψυξαν ἐκεῖ
And the king and all the people with him came exhausted, and they refreshed themselves there.
The Shimei episode closes with the company's arrival in a state of exhaustion (ἐκλελυμένοι, echoing Ziba's provision for τοῖς ἐκλελυμένοις in v. 2) and their refreshment (ἀνέψυξαν). The terse summary releases the narrative tension and prepares the shift to Jerusalem and Absalom in v. 15.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (collective subject)→ constative aorist (arrival)ἔρχομαι: see v. 5; the company arrives at its halting-place (the Jordan, per the wider narrative).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David.
καὶandcoordinate 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 exhaustion.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesecond subject (coordinate with βασιλεύς)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; David's followers, arriving worn out.
αὐτοῦhis / with himGenitivegenitive of relationship (the people belonging to / with him)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (the people belonging to / with him).
ἐκλελυμένοιexhaustedPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · ἐκλύωpredicate participle (state of the subject: 'being worn out')→ resultative perfect (settled state of exhaustion)ἐκλύω: see v. 2; the perfect participle describes king and people as worn out by the flight — fulfilling exactly the need Ziba's wine was said to meet (v. 2).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέψυξανthey refreshed themselvesAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναψύχωmain verb→ constative aorist (the act of recovery)ἀναψύχω: 'revive / refresh / get one's breath back'; renders Hebrew נָפַשׁ; the company rests and is restored after the exhausting, harried march.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders Hebrew שָׁם; the place of rest at the journey's pause (by the Jordan).
15
καὶ Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ πᾶς ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ εἰσῆλθον εἰς Ιερουσαλημ καὶ Αχιτοφελ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ
And Absalom and all the men of Israel entered Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
The narrative cuts from David's flight to the triumphant entry of the rebel party. Subject-fronting (Αβεσσαλωμ … εἰσῆλθον) marks the scene-shift, and the note 'Ahithophel with him' flags the presence of David's defected counselor, whose advice drives vv. 20–23.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (scene-shift)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (fronted, indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: see v. 8; now entering the captured capital as the rebel king.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςall / everyNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀνήρ, collective)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / every'; with ἀνήρ Ισραηλ ('every man of Israel') a collective for the assembled rebel forces.
ἀνὴρmanNominativesecond subject (collective: 'the men of Israel')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the collective singular πᾶς ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ ('all the men of Israel') renders Hebrew כָּל־אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל, the muster of the northern tribes backing Absalom.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'man of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: see v. 3.
εἰσῆλθονenteredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (plural with compound subject)→ constative aorist (the act of entry)εἰσέρχομαι: 'go in / enter'; renders Hebrew בּוֹא; the rebel host takes possession of Jerusalem, which David had abandoned without a fight.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction of entry)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of entry).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: see v. 3; the royal city now occupied by the usurper.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑχιτοφελAhithophelsubject of an elliptical clause ('Ahithophel [was] with him')→ participant identificationΑχιτοφελ: transliteration of Hebrew אֲחִיתֹפֶל (Ahithophel); indeclinable; David's renowned counselor who has defected to Absalom (cf. 15:12, 31), whose counsel is the chapter's climax (vv. 20–23).
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment; elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingμετά: 'with'; renders Hebrew אֵת / עִם; marks Ahithophel's accompaniment of Absalom into the city.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (Absalom)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (Absalom).
16
καὶ ἐγενήθη ἡνίκα ἦλθεν Χουσι ὁ Αρχι ἑταῖρος Δαυιδ πρὸς Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ εἶπεν Χουσι πρὸς Αβεσσαλωμ ζήτω ὁ βασιλεύς
And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's companion, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, 'Long live the king!'
The temporal-narrative formula καὶ ἐγενήθη … ἡνίκα ('and it came to pass when…') frames the entrance of Hushai the Archite, pointedly identified as ἑταῖρος Δαυιδ ('David's friend/companion') — a title the reader knows masks his role as David's planted agent (15:32–37). His acclamation ζήτω ὁ βασιλεύς ('long live the king') is studiously ambiguous as to which king.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηit came to passAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (impersonal narrative formula)→ constative aorist (transition marker)γίνομαι (aor. pass. ἐγενήθη): 'become / happen / come to pass'; the impersonal καὶ ἐγενήθη renders the Hebrew narrative formula וַיְהִי, introducing a new episode.
ἡνίκαwhentemporal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἡνίκα: 'when / at the time when'; renders Hebrew כַּאֲשֶׁר; sets the temporal frame for Hushai's arrival.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιverb of the temporal clause→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: see v. 5; Hushai's coming to Absalom.
ΧουσιHushaisubject of ἦλθεν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΧουσι: transliteration of Hebrew חוּשַׁי (Hushai); indeclinable; David's loyal friend sent back to Jerusalem to thwart Ahithophel's counsel (15:32–37; 17:5–16).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with Αρχι)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Αρχιthe Architegentilic in apposition to Χουσι (indeclinable; article supplies case)→ noun-phrase markingΑρχι: transliteration of Hebrew הָאַרְכִּי ('the Archite'); indeclinable; a gentilic naming Hushai's clan/region (cf. Josh 16:2), here a fixed epithet.
ἑταῖροςcompanion / friendNominativenominative in apposition to Χουσι (title)→ participant prominenceἑταῖρος: 'companion / comrade / friend'; renders Hebrew רֵעֶה ('friend [of the king]'), a quasi-official court title; the designation 'David's companion' signals to the reader that Hushai's defection is feigned.
Δαυιδof Davidgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'David's companion')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: see v. 1; Hushai is 'David's' man — the genitive exposes the irony of his coming to Absalom.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: see v. 8.
καὶandconjunction (apodosis marker after the temporal clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here resumptive, introducing the main clause after the ἡνίκα-clause (a Hebraizing apodotic waw).
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Hushai's acclamation.
ΧουσιHushaisubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΧουσι: see above.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
ζήτωlong livePres Act Impv 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (acclamation: third-person imperative)→ present imperative (wish/acclamation)ζάω (impv. ζήτω): 'live'; the third-person imperative ζήτω ὁ βασιλεύς ('let the king live / long live the king') renders the Hebrew acclamation יְחִי הַמֶּלֶךְ (cf. 1 Kgdms 10:24; 3 Kgdms 1:25); Hushai's wording is deliberately ambiguous — outwardly hailing Absalom, inwardly meaning David.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject of ζήτω→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the unnamed 'king' of the acclamation — Absalom in appearance, David in Hushai's true intent.
17
καὶ εἶπεν Αβεσσαλωμ πρὸς Χουσι τοῦτο τὸ ἔλεός σου μετὰ τοῦ ἑταίρου σου ἵνα τί οὐκ ἀπῆλθες μετὰ τοῦ ἑταίρου σου
And Absalom said to Hushai, 'Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?'
Absalom probes the apparent contradiction: the sarcastic verbless question τοῦτο τὸ ἔλεός σου ('is this your loyalty?') and the reproach ἵνα τί οὐκ ἀπῆλθες ('why didn't you go [with David]?') test whether Hushai is a genuine defector. The repeated μετὰ τοῦ ἑταίρου σου ('with your friend') throws Hushai's own court-title back at him.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Absalom's challenge.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: see v. 8.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΧουσιHushaiaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΧουσι: see v. 16.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative subject (verbless question)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the verbless τοῦτο τὸ ἔλεός σου ('this is your loyalty?') is a sarcastic rhetorical question challenging Hushai's faithfulness to David.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with ἔλεος)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔλεόςloyalty / kindnessNominativepredicate nominative (verbless clause)→ participant prominenceἔλεος: 'mercy / loyalty / kindness'; renders Hebrew חֶסֶד, here in the sense of covenant loyalty / faithful devotion owed to a friend; Absalom mockingly questions whether abandoning David shows such loyalty.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
μετὰwith / towardpreposition + genitive (association)→ spatial or relational framingμετά: 'with'; here 'your loyalty toward your friend' — the loyalty Hushai owes David.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἑταίρου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑταίρουfriend / companionGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationἑταῖρος (gen. ἑταίρου): see v. 16; 'your friend' is David, whose 'companion' Hushai is by title — Absalom uses the very word ironically.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἵναwhyinterrogative phrase with τί (ἵνα τί: 'why?')→ clausal contributionἵνα: in the idiom ἵνα τί ('why?'), see v. 9.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative (with ἵνα: 'why')→ participant referenceτίς, τί: forms with ἵνα the question 'why?'
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἀπῆλθες)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: 'not'; negates the verb in the reproachful question.
ἀπῆλθεςdid you goAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb of the reproachful question→ constative aoristἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; renders Hebrew הָלַךְ; Absalom asks why Hushai did not depart with David into exile, testing his sincerity.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἑταίρου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑταίρουfriendGenitivegenitive object of μετά (repeated)→ relational specificationἑταῖρος: the repetition of 'your friend' hammers the point — Hushai's place is with David.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
18
καὶ εἶπεν Χουσι πρὸς Αβεσσαλωμ οὐχί ἀλλὰ κατόπισθεν οὗ ἐξελέξατο κύριος καὶ ὁ λαὸς οὗτος καὶ πᾶς ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ αὐτῷ ἔσομαι καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καθήσομαι
And Hushai said to Absalom, 'No, but whom the LORD has chosen, and this people, and all the men of Israel — his I will be, and with him I will remain.'
Hushai's reply is a masterpiece of double meaning: he pledges himself to the one 'whom the LORD (Tetragrammaton) and this people and all Israel have chosen.' Absalom hears himself; the reader knows the LORD's chosen king is David. The futures ἔσομαι and καθήσομαι ('I will be his … I will remain with him') commit him without ever naming the man.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Hushai's reply.
ΧουσιHushaisubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΧουσι: see v. 16.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: see v. 8.
οὐχίnoemphatic negative (denial)→ clausal contributionοὐχί: emphatic 'no / not at all'; Hushai begins by denying disloyalty, then reframes loyalty in his own equivocal terms.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but / rather'; sets the affirmation against the denial — 'no, but rather…'
κατόπισθενbehind / afteradverb/preposition (allegiance: 'after / behind')→ spatial or relational framingκατόπισθεν: 'behind / after'; here in the sense of following/belonging to — 'I will follow after the one whom…'; renders the Hebrew idiom of being 'after' a king (אַחֲרֵי) as a mark of allegiance.
οὗwhomGenitiverelative pronoun (object of ἐξελέξατο)→ relational specificationὅς: relative pronoun; the genitive οὗ ('[the one] whom') is the antecedent-less head of the relative clause defining whom Hushai will follow.
ἐξελέξατοhas chosenAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιverb of the relative clause→ constative aorist (the act of election)ἐκλέγομαι: 'choose / select / elect'; renders Hebrew בָּחַר; the verb of divine election — used of YHWH's choice of king (cf. 1 Kgdms 10:24; 16:8–10); Hushai's hidden point is that the LORD's chosen one is David.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐξελέξατο→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the first and decisive chooser — the divine election Hushai invokes points (unknown to Absalom) to David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining further subjects of choosing)→ 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.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesecond subject of ἐξελέξατο (compound)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the popular acclamation joined to the divine election — but again left ambiguous as to which king the people choose.
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative (modifying λαός: 'this people')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; 'this people' present here — Hushai gestures to the crowd around Absalom.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςall / everyNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀνήρ, collective)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; with ἀνήρ Ισραηλ a third subject — the whole of Israel's men.
ἀνὴρmanNominativethird subject (collective: 'all the men of Israel')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; πᾶς ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ (cf. v. 15) as a third party to the choosing.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'man of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: see v. 3.
αὐτῷhis / to himDativedative of possession/advantage (predicate: 'I will be his')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): the dative αὐτῷ ἔσομαι ('to him I will belong / his I will be') pledges allegiance to the chosen one — pointedly unnamed.
ἔσομαιI will beFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (pledge of allegiance)→ predictive future (commitment)εἰμί (fut. ἔσομαι): 'I will be'; with the dative αὐτῷ it means 'I will be his / belong to him' — Hushai's profession of loyalty couched in deliberate ambiguity.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment; elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετά: 'with'; 'with him I will remain' completes the pledge.
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.
καθήσομαιI will remain / dwellFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb (second pledge, coordinate with ἔσομαι)→ predictive future (abiding commitment)κάθημαι (fut. καθήσομαι): 'sit / remain / stay'; renders Hebrew יָשַׁב; 'with him I will stay / abide' — a settled, continuing allegiance, again to the unnamed king.
19
καὶ τὸ δεύτερον τίνι ἐγὼ δουλεύσω οὐχὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ καθάπερ ἐδούλευσα ἐνώπιον τοῦ πατρός σου οὕτως ἔσομαι ἐνώπιόν σου
'And besides, whom should I serve? Should it not be before his son? As I served before your father, so will I be before you.'
Hushai presses a second point (τὸ δεύτερον): service naturally passes from father to son. The rhetorical question τίνι … δουλεύσω; οὐχὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ ('whom shall I serve? — before his son') and the comparison καθάπερ … οὕτως ('as … so') let Hushai promise Absalom the same service he gave David — true in form, but with the hidden sense that his real loyalty remains the father's.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with δεύτερον, adverbial accusative)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δεύτερονsecondly / besidesAccusativeadverbial accusative (τὸ δεύτερον: 'in the second place')→ object specificationδεύτερος: 'second'; the adverbial τὸ δεύτερον ('secondly / moreover') introduces Hushai's second argument, rendering Hebrew הַשֵּׁנִית.
τίνιwhomDativeinterrogative pronoun (dative object of δουλεύσω)→ participant reference or interestτίς (dat. τίνι): interrogative 'whom?'; δουλεύω takes the dative — 'whom shall I serve?'
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; foregrounds Hushai himself as the loyal servant.
δουλεύσωshall I serveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δουλεύωmain verb (deliberative question)→ deliberative future (rhetorical)δουλεύω: 'serve / be a servant of'; renders Hebrew עָבַד; takes the dative of the one served; the deliberative future poses the natural answer — service belongs to the king's heir.
οὐχὶis it notinterrogative negative (expecting 'yes')→ clausal contributionοὐχί: the emphatic negative in a question expecting an affirmative answer ('is it not…?'), leading Absalom to the desired conclusion.
ἐνώπιονbefore / in the presence ofpreposition + genitive (in service before)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; renders Hebrew לִפְנֵי; 'serve before [someone]' is the idiom for attendance on a royal person.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with υἱοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; 'his son' — Absalom, the heir before whom Hushai claims he will naturally serve.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (David's son)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his' — referring to David; 'his son' is Absalom, but Hushai's wording quietly keeps David in view as the reference point.
καθάπερjust ascomparative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθάπερ: 'just as / even as'; introduces the comparison between past service to the father and future service to the son.
ἐδούλευσαI servedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · δουλεύωverb of the comparative clause→ constative aorist (past service)δουλεύω: see above; Hushai's past service to David, the basis of his claimed future service to Absalom.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (service before the father)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: see above.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with πατρός)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; David, 'your father,' whom Hushai served — the truth beneath the equivocation.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (addressing Absalom)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (addressing Absalom).
οὕτωςsoadverb of manner (apodosis of the comparison)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'so / thus'; completes the καθάπερ … οὕτως comparison ('as … so').
ἔσομαιI will beFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (the pledge)→ predictive futureεἰμί (fut. ἔσομαι): 'I will be'; Hushai promises to 'be before' Absalom as he was before David — equal service, with hidden double sense.
ἐνώπιόνbeforepreposition + genitive (in Absalom's service)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: see above; 'before you' — in Absalom's presence/service.
σουyouGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): Absalom, before whom Hushai professes future service.
20
καὶ εἶπεν Αβεσσαλωμ πρὸς Αχιτοφελ φέρετε ἑαυτοῖς βουλὴν τί ποιήσωμεν
And Absalom said to Ahithophel, 'Give your counsel among yourselves: what shall we do?'
With Hushai accepted into his circle, Absalom turns to Ahithophel for strategy: the imperative φέρετε … βουλήν ('bring/give counsel') and the deliberative τί ποιήσωμεν ('what shall we do?') set up the fateful advice of v. 21 about the concubines.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Absalom's request for counsel.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: see v. 8.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΑχιτοφελAhithophelaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑχιτοφελ: see v. 15; the counselor whose advice Absalom now solicits.
φέρετεbring / givePres Act Impv 2 Pl · φέρωmain verb (imperative, plural addressing the counselors)→ present imperative (call for deliberation)φέρω: 'bring / bear / offer'; renders Hebrew הָבוּ ('give!'); the plural imperative φέρετε … βουλήν ('produce counsel') addresses Ahithophel and the advisors collectively.
ἑαυτοῖςamong yourselvesDativereflexive pronoun (dative: 'for/among yourselves')→ participant reference or interestἑαυτοῦ (dat. pl. ἑαυτοῖς): reflexive 'yourselves'; the dative bids the counselors deliberate together and produce a plan.
βουλὴνcounsel / planAccusativedirect object of φέρετε→ object specificationβουλή: 'counsel / plan / advice'; renders Hebrew עֵצָה; the keyword of the chapter's close (vv. 20, 23), the strategic deliberation Absalom demands.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative (object of ποιήσωμεν)→ participant referenceτίς, τί: 'what?'; the content of the requested counsel.
ποιήσωμενshould we doAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (deliberative subjunctive)→ deliberative subjunctive ('what are we to do?')ποιέω: 'do / make'; the deliberative subjunctive τί ποιήσωμεν ('what shall we do?') seeks the next decisive step in consolidating the coup.
21
καὶ εἶπεν Αχιτοφελ πρὸς Αβεσσαλωμ εἴσελθε πρὸς τὰς παλλακὰς τοῦ πατρός σου ἃς κατέλιπεν φυλάσσειν τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀκούσεται πᾶς Ισραηλ ὅτι κατῄσχυνας τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ ἐνισχύσουσιν αἱ χεῖρες πάντων τῶν μετὰ σοῦ
And Ahithophel said to Absalom, 'Go in to your father's concubines, whom he left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.'
Ahithophel gives shrewd, ruthless advice: by going in to David's concubines (εἴσελθε πρὸς τὰς παλλακάς) Absalom will publicly burn his bridges (ὅτι κατῄσχυνας τὸν πατέρα σου, 'you have shamed your father'), so steeling his followers (ἐνισχύσουσιν αἱ χεῖρες). The act, claiming the predecessor's harem, is the classic ancient-Near-Eastern assertion of succession — and it fulfills Nathan's oracle (12:11–12).
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Ahithophel's counsel.
ΑχιτοφελAhithophelsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑχιτοφελ: see v. 15.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: see v. 8.
εἴσελθεgo inAor Act Impv 2 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (imperative of counsel)→ aorist imperative (decisive command)εἰσέρχομαι: 'go in / enter'; εἰσέρχομαι πρός in this context is the sexual euphemism 'go in to' (rendering Hebrew בּוֹא אֶל), the idiom for cohabitation, here with the predecessor's concubines as an act of usurpation.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (with εἴσελθε, idiomatic)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (with εἴσελθε, idiomatic).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with παλλακάς)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παλλακὰςconcubinesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationπαλλακή: 'concubine'; renders Hebrew פִּילֶגֶשׁ; the ten concubines David left behind (15:16); claiming a king's harem was a public claim to his throne (cf. 3:7; 12:8; 3 Kgdms 2:22).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with πατρός)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (David, 'your father')→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; David, whose concubines they are — the relation that makes the act a calculated outrage.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἃςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of κατέλιπεν)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. pl. fem. ἅς): relative pronoun referring to the concubines.
κατέλιπενhe leftAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταλείπωverb of the relative clause→ constative aoristκαταλείπω: 'leave behind / leave'; renders Hebrew עָזַב / הִנִּיחַ; David left the concubines to mind the palace when he fled (15:16).
φυλάσσεινto keep / guardPres Act Inf · φυλάσσωinfinitive of purpose (with κατέλιπεν)→ purpose (the reason they were left)φυλάσσω: 'guard / keep / watch over'; renders Hebrew שָׁמַר; the infinitive of purpose — they were left to keep the house.
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'; the royal household the concubines were left to keep.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (David's house)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (David's house).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκούσεταιwill hearFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (consequence; collective singular subject)→ predictive future (the intended publicity)ἀκούω: 'hear'; renders Hebrew שָׁמַע; the future predicts the public effect — all Israel will learn of the irrevocable breach.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying Ισραηλ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole nation is the intended audience of the scandal.
ΙσραηλIsraelsubject of ἀκούσεται (indeclinable, collective)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: see v. 3; 'all Israel' as the witness to Absalom's decisive act.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of what they will hear)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of the report.
κατῄσχυναςyou have made odious / shamedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · καταισχύνωverb of the ὅτι-clause→ constative aorist (the accomplished outrage)καταισχύνω: 'put to shame / dishonor / make odious'; renders Hebrew נִבְאַשׁ (Niphal, 'make oneself stink/odious'); Absalom's act will make him irrevocably hateful to David — burning all hope of reconciliation, and so committing his followers.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πατέρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativedirect object of κατῄσχυνας→ object specificationπατήρ (acc. πατέρα): 'father'; David, against whom the irrevocable affront is directed.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνισχύσουσινwill be strengthenedFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐνισχύωmain verb (second predicted consequence)→ predictive future (the rallying effect)ἐνισχύω: 'strengthen / grow strong'; renders Hebrew חָזַק; 'the hands … will be strengthened' is an idiom for renewed courage and resolve — Absalom's followers, seeing no turning back, will commit fully.
αἱtheNominativearticle (with χεῖρες)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖρεςhandsNominativesubject of ἐνισχύσουσιν→ participant prominenceχείρ (pl. χεῖρες): 'hands'; in the idiom 'strengthen the hands' (חִזֵּק יָדַיִם) the hands symbolize resolve and capacity for action.
πάντωνof allGenitivegenitive (whose hands: 'of all who are with you')→ relational specificationπᾶς (gen. pl. πάντων): 'all'; the totality of Absalom's supporters whose resolve will be firmed.
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (substantizing the prepositional phrase: 'those with you')→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετά: 'with'; 'those with you' = Absalom's partisans.
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σοῦ): Absalom, whose followers are 'with' him.
22
καὶ ἔπηξαν τὴν σκηνὴν τῷ Αβεσσαλωμ ἐπὶ τὸ δῶμα καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Αβεσσαλωμ πρὸς τὰς παλλακὰς τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμοὺς παντὸς Ισραηλ
And they pitched the tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
Ahithophel's advice is executed at once. The tent is pitched ἐπὶ τὸ δῶμα ('on the roof' — the same rooftop from which David first saw Bathsheba, 11:2) and Absalom goes in to the concubines κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμοὺς παντὸς Ισραηλ ('in the sight of all Israel'). The public, rooftop act precisely fulfills Nathan's word of judgment in 12:11–12.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔπηξανthey pitchedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πήγνυμιmain verb (impersonal plural: 'they set up')→ constative aoristπήγνυμι: 'fix / pitch / set up'; renders Hebrew נָטָה (of a tent); the impersonal plural ('they pitched') describes the erection of the tent on the palace roof.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with σκηνήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνὴνtentAccusativedirect object of ἔπηξαν→ object specificationσκηνή: 'tent / booth'; renders Hebrew אֹהֶל; the bridal/royal tent set up publicly on the roof for Absalom's act.
τῷforDativearticle (with Αβεσσαλωμ; dative of advantage)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomdative of advantage (indeclinable; article carries case)→ noun-phrase markingΑβεσσαλωμ: see v. 8; the tent is pitched 'for Absalom.'
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (position).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with δῶμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δῶμαroofAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (position: 'on the roof')→ object specificationδῶμα: 'housetop / roof'; renders Hebrew גָּג; the flat palace roof — pointedly the same rooftop setting as David's sin with Bathsheba (11:2), now the stage of his public humiliation.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθενwent inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (the act enacted)εἰσέρχομαι: see v. 21; here the euphemistic 'went in to' (cohabited with), executing Ahithophel's counsel.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: see v. 8.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (with εἰσῆλθεν, idiomatic)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (with εἰσῆλθεν, idiomatic).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with παλλακάς)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παλλακὰςconcubinesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationπαλλακή: see v. 21; the concubines now publicly taken.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with πατρός)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (David's concubines)→ relational specificationπατήρ (gen. πατρός): 'father'; the concubines belong to David — the relation that makes the act fulfill Nathan's prophecy of public retribution within David's own house.
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).
κατ᾿in the sight ofpreposition + accusative (idiom: 'before the eyes of'; elided)→ spatial or relational framingκατά: with ὀφθαλμούς in the idiom κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμούς ('before the eyes of / in full view of'), rendering Hebrew לְעֵינֵי; stresses the deliberate publicity of the act.
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (idiom: 'in the sight of')→ object specificationὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the idiom 'before the eyes of all Israel' marks the open, witnessed nature of the deed — the exact terms of Nathan's oracle (12:11–12).
παντὸςallGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying Ισραηλ)→ relational specificationπᾶς (gen. παντός): 'all'; the whole nation as witness.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'eyes of all Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: see v. 3; the public before whom David's shame is enacted.
23
καὶ ἡ βουλὴ Αχιτοφελ ἣν ἐβουλεύσατο ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταῖς πρώταις ὃν τρόπον ἐπερωτήσῃ ἐν λόγῳ τοῦ θεοῦ οὕτως πᾶσα ἡ βουλὴ τοῦ Αχιτοφελ καί γε τῷ Δαυιδ καί γε τῷ Αβεσσαλωμ
And the counsel of Ahithophel which he gave in those former days was as if one inquired by the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel, both to David and to Absalom.
The chapter closes with a narratorial evaluation: Ahithophel's counsel was esteemed in those days ὃν τρόπον … ἐν λόγῳ τοῦ θεοῦ ('as if one inquired by the oracle/word of God') — the highest possible rating of human wisdom. The doubled καί γε ('both … and') notes that David and Absalom alike prized it, setting up the dramatic irony that this near-infallible counselor will be foiled by Hushai (ch. 17) through the LORD's own ordaining (17:14).
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with βουλή)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βουλὴcounselNominativesubject (topic of the evaluation)→ participant prominenceβουλή: see v. 20; here the renowned 'counsel' of Ahithophel, the subject of the closing assessment.
ΑχιτοφελAhithophelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'counsel of Ahithophel')→ participant identificationΑχιτοφελ: see v. 15.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐβουλεύσατο)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. fem. ἥν): relative pronoun referring to the βουλή.
ἐβουλεύσατοhe counseled / devisedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · βουλεύωverb of the relative clause→ constative aorist (his counseling activity)βουλεύω (mid. βουλεύομαι): 'take counsel / deliberate / advise'; cognate with βουλή; the figura etymologica ἡ βουλὴ … ἣν ἐβουλεύσατο ('the counsel which he counseled') mirrors the Hebrew cognate construction (הָעֵצָה אֲשֶׁר יָעַץ).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
ταῖςtheDativearticle (with ἡμέραις)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedative of time (when)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταῖς πρώταις ('in those former days') marks the established period of Ahithophel's renown.
ταῖςtheDativearticle (second attributive position, with πρώταις)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρώταιςformer / earlierDativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέραις)→ sphere or referenceπρῶτος: 'first / former'; renders Hebrew רִאשׁוֹן; 'the former days' = the time before this, throughout which Ahithophel's counsel held its near-oracular reputation.
ὃν(in) whichAccusativerelative pronoun (with τρόπον: 'in the manner that')→ participant referenceὅς (acc. ὅν): in the phrase ὃν τρόπον ('in the manner which / just as'), an adverbial accusative of manner.
τρόπονmanner / wayAccusativeadverbial accusative (ὃν τρόπον: 'just as')→ object specificationτρόπος: 'manner / way'; ὃν τρόπον ('in the way that / just as') renders Hebrew כַּאֲשֶׁר, introducing the comparison with divine inquiry.
ἐπερωτήσῃone might inquireAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐπερωτάωverb of the comparative clause (subjunctive: 'as if one should inquire')→ potential/iterative subjunctive (the act of consulting the oracle)ἐπερωτάω: 'ask / inquire / consult'; renders Hebrew שָׁאַל; used of consulting God for an oracle (cf. 1 Kgdms 23:2; 28:6); the subjunctive in the comparison frames Ahithophel's advice as if it were a direct divine response.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means: 'by the word')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (means: 'by the word').
λόγῳword / oracleDativedative of means (ἐν λόγῳ τοῦ θεοῦ: 'by the word of God')→ sphere or referenceλόγος: 'word / oracle / message'; ἐν λόγῳ τοῦ θεοῦ ('by the word/oracle of God') renders Hebrew בִּדְבַר הָאֱלֹהִים; the standard for the highest reliability — as though God himself had spoken.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with θεοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source (the word that comes from God)→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; renders Hebrew אֱלֹהִים; 'the word of God' is the divine oracle, the measure against which Ahithophel's counsel is rated.
οὕτωςsoadverb of manner (apodosis: 'so [was]')→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'so / thus'; completes the comparison ὃν τρόπον … οὕτως ('as … so'), applying the divine-oracle standard to all of Ahithophel's counsel.
πᾶσαallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying βουλή)→ participant prominenceπᾶς (fem. πᾶσα): 'all'; the totality of Ahithophel's advice, not just this instance, held the oracular reputation.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with βουλή)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βουλὴcounselNominativesubject (the summarizing apodosis)→ participant prominenceβουλή: see v. 20; restated to generalize the assessment to the whole of Ahithophel's counsel.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with Αχιτοφελ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑχιτοφελAhithophelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable; article carries case)→ noun-phrase markingΑχιτοφελ: see v. 15.
καίboth / alsoconjunction (with γε: 'both … and')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: with γε in the correlative καί γε … καί γε ('both … and / indeed … and'), emphasizing the universal esteem of Ahithophel's counsel.
γεindeedemphatic particle (with καί)→ discourse linkage or contrastγε: emphatic enclitic 'indeed / even'; the combination καί γε is characteristic of the kaige recension (which takes its name from this rendering of Hebrew וְגַם).
τῷtoDativearticle (with Δαυιδ; dative of advantage)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDaviddative of advantage (indeclinable; article carries case)→ noun-phrase markingΔαυιδ: see v. 1; in former days Ahithophel had been David's own trusted counselor (cf. 15:12).
καίboth / alsoconjunction (with γε: second member of correlative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: the second καί γε, completing the 'both … and' linking David and Absalom.
γεindeedemphatic particle (with καί)→ discourse linkage or contrastγε: see above; the recurring καί γε underscores that both rival kings prized Ahithophel's wisdom equally.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Αβεσσαλωμ; dative of advantage)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomdative of advantage (indeclinable; article carries case)→ noun-phrase markingΑβεσσαλωμ: see v. 8; now Ahithophel serves Absalom — but his oracular reputation will be undone in ch. 17, when the LORD ordains the defeat of his good counsel (17:14).