1
καὶ ἤκουσεν Μεμφιβοσθε υἱὸς Σαουλ ὅτι τέθνηκεν Αβεννηρ ἐν Χεβρων καὶ ἐξελύθησαν αἱ χεῖρες αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἄνδρες Ισραηλ παρείθησαν
And Memphibosthe the son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, and his hands went slack, and all the men of Israel were unnerved.
The chapter opens with the Hebraizing καί-parataxis and a verb of hearing that links it to the death of Abner narrated in ch. 3. The perfect τέθνηκεν reports a settled fact in the mouth of the report, while the twin passives ἐξελύθησαν … παρείθησαν register the political demoralization of Saul's house and of all Israel — the loss of the strongman Abner removes the last support of the rival kingship.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (perception introducing report)→ constative aorist (single act of hearing)ἀκούω: 'hear / listen'; renders שָׁמַע; the aorist marks the moment the news reached Ish-bosheth and triggers the demoralization described in the rest of the verse.
ΜεμφιβοσθεMemphibosthesubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: here the Greek name for Ish-bosheth (Hebrew אִישׁ־בֹּשֶׁת, 'man of shame'), Saul's surviving son and rival king to David; the LXX form coincides with the name it later gives Jonathan's lame son in v. 4 (Hebrew מְפִיבֹשֶׁת), a convergence peculiar to the Greek tradition; indeclinable transliteration.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive to Μεμφιβοσθε (nominative)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; renders בֵּן; identifies Ish-bosheth by his Saulide descent, the basis of his claim to kingship and the reason his death matters dynastically.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliteration of Hebrew שָׁאוּל; indeclinable in the LXX; the deposed first king of Israel, whose house is here in terminal decline.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing object clause of ἤκουσεν→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of what was heard; renders כִּי.
τέθνηκενhas diedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · θνῄσκωverb of object clause (reported state)→ resultative perfect (Abner is dead and remains so)θνῄσκω (perf. τέθνηκα): 'be dead / have died'; the perfect presents Abner's death as an accomplished and abiding fact within the report — not the event of dying but the resultant state of being dead; renders מֵת.
ΑβεννηρAbnersubject of τέθνηκεν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεννηρ: transliteration of Hebrew אַבְנֵר, Saul's cousin and army-commander, the political architect of Ish-bosheth's kingship (2 Kgdms 2:8–9); his murder by Joab (ch. 3) is the precipitating event of ch. 4.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΧεβρωνHebronobject of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΧεβρων: transliteration of Hebrew חֶבְרוֹן; David's royal seat over Judah (2 Kgdms 2:1–4) and the place of Abner's death; indeclinable here, the same city to which the murderers will bring the head (v. 8).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξελύθησανwent slackAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐκλύωmain verb (idiom of loss of resolve)→ ingressive aorist passive (came to be unstrung)ἐκλύω: 'loosen / unstring / make faint'; the passive ἐξελύθησαν αἱ χεῖρες ('the hands were loosened') renders the Hebrew idiom וַיִּרְפּוּ יָדָיו ('his hands went slack'), a stock figure for collapse of courage and resolve (cf. 2 Kgdms 17:2; Jer 6:24).
αἱtheNominativearticle (with χεῖρες)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖρεςhandsNominativesubject of ἐξελύθησαν→ participant prominenceχείρ (pl. χεῖρες): 'hand'; renders יָד; in the idiom 'the hands went slack' the hands stand metonymically for strength, action, and political will — Ish-bosheth is paralyzed by Abner's death.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Ish-bosheth's hands)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Ish-bosheth's hands).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (with ἄνδρες)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / every'; here generalizing the demoralization from the king to the whole nation — the loss of nerve is total.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of παρείθησαν→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): 'man'; renders אִישׁ / אַנְשֵׁי; 'all the men of Israel' = the fighting strength and political body of the northern tribes loyal to Saul's house.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'men of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable; here the northern kingdom still nominally under the house of Saul, as distinct from Judah under David.
παρείθησανwere unnervedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · παρίημιmain verb (parallel to ἐξελύθησαν)→ ingressive aorist passive (sank into helplessness)παρίημι: 'let drop / relax / weaken'; the passive παρείθησαν ('were let go slack / enfeebled') renders נִבְהָלוּ / נִרְפּוּ; it doubles the previous idiom, extending the king's loss of nerve to all Israel and signalling that the Saulide cause is now leaderless.
2
καὶ δύο ἄνδρες ἡγούμενοι συστρεμμάτων τῷ Μεμφιβοσθε υἱῷ Σαουλ ὄνομα τῷ ἑνὶ Βαανα καὶ ὄνομα τῷ δευτέρῳ Ρηχαβ υἱοὶ Ρεμμων τοῦ Βηρωθαίου ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν Βενιαμιν ὅτι Βηρωθ ἐλογίζετο τοῖς υἱοῖς Βενιαμιν
And there were two men, captains of raiding-bands belonging to Memphibosthe the son of Saul — the name of the one was Baanah and the name of the second Rechab — sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the sons of Benjamin; for Beeroth was reckoned to the sons of Benjamin.
A circumstantial nominal clause introduces the chapter's antagonists. The naming formula ὄνομα τῷ ἑνὶ … ὄνομα τῷ δευτέρῳ is a Hebraism (שֵׁם הָאֶחָד … שֵׁם הַשֵּׁנִי). The closing ὅτι-clause is an explanatory gloss by the narrator establishing the Benjaminite affiliation of Beeroth, locating the murderers within Saul's own tribe — a pointed irony, since they will kill Saul's son.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δύοtwoNominativenumeral (subject of implied verb 'there were')→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable cardinal numeral; renders שְׁנֵי; introduces the pair of captains who will act together throughout the chapter.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (predicate-nominal clause)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): 'man'; renders אֲנָשִׁים; here professional warriors, the leaders of armed bands.
ἡγούμενοιleading / captainsPres Mid Part Nom Pl Masc · ἡγέομαιsubstantival/attributive participle ('captains')→ customary present participle (those who lead)ἡγέομαι: 'lead / command / go before'; the present participle ἡγούμενοι functions as a title, 'commanders / captains'; renders שָׂרֵי ('chiefs of'); the participial form makes their leadership of the bands a defining role.
συστρεμμάτωνof raiding-bandsGenitivegenitive object of ἡγούμενοι ('captains of bands')→ relational specificationσύστρεμμα (pl. συστρεμμάτων): 'band / troop / gathered company'; from συστρέφω ('gather together'); renders גְּדוּדִים ('marauding bands / raiding troops'); the term marks the two men as leaders of irregular military companies under Ish-bosheth.
τῷto / ofDativearticle (dative of relationship with Μεμφιβοσθε)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜεμφιβοσθεMemphibosthedative of relationship/possession (indeclinable: 'belonging to Ish-bosheth')→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: again Ish-bosheth, Saul's son; the dative (with article τῷ) marks the bands as belonging to / serving him; indeclinable.
υἱῷsonDativeappositive to Μεμφιβοσθε (dative)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; in apposition, again specifying his Saulide descent.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; see v. 1.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of naming-clause (predicate-nominal)→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the construction ὄνομα τῷ ἑνί ('the name to/for the one [was] …') is a Hebraism rendering שֵׁם הָאֶחָד; the nominative ὄνομα with dative beneficiary is the standard LXX naming-formula.
τῷto theDativearticle (dative with ἑνί)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑνὶoneDativesubstantival numeral (dative: 'to the one')→ sphere or referenceεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the dative ἑνί ('to the one') in the naming-formula; renders הָאֶחָד; pairs with τῷ δευτέρῳ to enumerate the two captains.
ΒααναBaanahpredicate nominative of naming-clause (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΒαανα: transliteration of Hebrew בַּעֲנָה; one of the two murderers, brother of Rechab; indeclinable in the LXX.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (parallel naming-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of second naming-clause→ participant prominenceὄνομα: meaning 'name'; it serves as subject of second naming-clause.
τῷto theDativearticle (dative with δευτέρῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δευτέρῳsecondDativesubstantival ordinal (dative: 'to the second')→ sphere or referenceδεύτερος: 'second'; ordinal renders הַשֵּׁנִי; completes the enumeration of the two captains.
ΡηχαβRechabpredicate nominative of naming-clause (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΡηχαβ: transliteration of Hebrew רֵכָב; the second murderer; spelled Ρεκχα at vv. 5–6, 9 in this same chapter; indeclinable.
υἱοὶsonsNominativeappositive to the two named men (nominative)→ participant prominenceυἱός (pl. υἱοί): 'sons'; in apposition to Baanah and Rechab, giving their patronymic and tribal lineage.
ΡεμμωνRimmongenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'sons of Rimmon')→ participant identificationΡεμμων: transliteration of Hebrew רִמּוֹן; the father of the two captains, a Beerothite; indeclinable.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with Βηρωθαίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒηρωθαίουBeerothiteGenitivegenitive gentilic (modifying Ρεμμων: 'Rimmon the Beerothite')→ relational specificationΒηρωθαῖος: 'Beerothite', an inhabitant of Beeroth (Βηρωθ); declinable gentilic adjective; renders הַבְּאֵרֹתִי; locates Rimmon's family in the town of Beeroth.
ἐκfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (origin/affiliation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (origin/affiliation).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with υἱῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('of the sons of Benjamin')→ relational specificationυἱός (pl. gen. υἱῶν): 'sons'; 'sons of Benjamin' = the tribe of Benjamin, Saul's own tribe — the murderers are fellow tribesmen of the king they kill.
ΒενιαμινBenjamingenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'sons of Benjamin')→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: transliteration of Hebrew בִּנְיָמִין; indeclinable; the tribe of Saul and his house.
ὅτιfor / becauseconjunction introducing narrator's explanatory clause→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; here introduces a parenthetical gloss explaining the Benjaminite reckoning of Beeroth; renders כִּי.
ΒηρωθBeerothsubject of ἐλογίζετο (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒηρωθ: transliteration of Hebrew בְּאֵרוֹת ('wells'); a Gibeonite/Hivite town (Josh 9:17) later counted to Benjamin; indeclinable; the home town of the murderers' family.
ἐλογίζετοwas reckonedImpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · λογίζομαιverb of explanatory clause→ customary/durative imperfect (was habitually counted)λογίζομαι: 'reckon / count / consider'; the imperfect ἐλογίζετο presents the administrative fact as an ongoing standing arrangement — Beeroth 'was reckoned' part of Benjamin's territory; renders תֵּחָשֵׁב.
τοῖςto theDativearticle (with υἱοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative of relationship ('to the sons of Benjamin')→ sphere or referenceυἱός (pl. dat. υἱοῖς): 'sons'; 'reckoned to the sons of Benjamin' = administratively assigned to the Benjaminite tribal allotment.
ΒενιαμινBenjamingenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: indeclinable; see above.
3
καὶ ἀπέδρασαν οἱ Βηρωθαῖοι εἰς Γεθθαιμ καὶ ἦσαν ἐκεῖ παροικοῦντες ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης
And the Beerothites had fled to Gittaim, and they were there as resident aliens until this day.
The verse extends the etiological aside of v. 2: the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and remain there as sojourners 'to this day' — an editorial formula (ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης) marking the durability of a remembered situation at the time of writing. The note explains how a Beerothite (= reckoned-Benjaminite) family came to be in Ish-bosheth's service.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέδρασανfledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποδιδράσκωmain verb (background event)→ constative aorist (the flight, viewed as a completed past)ἀποδιδράσκω: 'run away / flee / escape'; renders בָּרַח; the aorist relates a prior displacement of the Beerothites, here recalled to explain their present residence in Gittaim.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with Βηρωθαῖοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒηρωθαῖοιBeerothitesNominativesubject of ἀπέδρασαν→ participant prominenceΒηρωθαῖος (pl. Βηρωθαῖοι): 'Beerothites', the people of Beeroth; declinable gentilic; renders הַבְּאֵרֹתִים.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΓεθθαιμGittaimobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓεθθαιμ: transliteration of Hebrew גִּתָּיִם; a town (cf. Neh 11:33) to which the Beerothites fled; indeclinable.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula in periphrastic construction (with παροικοῦντες)→ durative imperfect (ongoing residence)εἰμί (impf. ἦσαν): 'be'; with the participle παροικοῦντες forms a periphrastic imperfect ('were sojourning'), stressing the continuing state of resident-alien status.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders שָׁם; locates the ongoing sojourn in Gittaim.
παροικοῦντεςsojourningPres Act Part Nom Pl Masc · παροικέωparticiple in periphrasis with ἦσαν ('were sojourning')→ durative present participle (continuing resident-alien status)παροικέω: 'dwell as a resident alien / sojourn'; renders גּוּר; the participle marks the Beerothites as long-term displaced residents in Gittaim rather than native citizens — a status of dependency.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / up to'; with the genitive forms the editorial formula 'until this day'.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ἡμέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal: 'until the day')→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; in the formula ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ('to this day', rendering עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה), a standard etiological marker pointing to the situation persisting at the narrator's time of composition.
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (with ἡμέρας)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative ταύτης completes the 'to this day' formula, anchoring the etiology to the present of the writer.
4
καὶ τῷ Ιωναθαν υἱῷ Σαουλ υἱὸς πεπληγὼς τοὺς πόδας υἱὸς ἐτῶν πέντε οὗτος ἐν τῷ ἐλθεῖν τὴν ἀγγελίαν Σαουλ καὶ Ιωναθαν τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐξ Ιεζραελ καὶ ἦρεν αὐτὸν ἡ τιθηνὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔφυγεν καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ σπεύδειν αὐτὴν καὶ ἀναχωρεῖν καὶ ἔπεσεν καὶ ἐχωλάνθη καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Μεμφιβοσθε
Now to Jonathan the son of Saul there was a son struck in the feet, a son five years old; this one — when the report of Saul and Jonathan his son came from Jezreel, his nurse took him up and fled, and it happened, as she hurried and withdrew, that he fell and was lamed; and his name was Memphibosthe.
A fronted dative of possession (τῷ Ιωναθαν … υἱός, 'to Jonathan there was a son') opens an aside introducing Mephibosheth, the only viable Saulide heir besides Ish-bosheth. The articular infinitives ἐν τῷ ἐλθεῖν and ἐν τῷ σπεύδειν supply the temporal frame of the disabling accident. The verse explains why Saul's house has no able heir to rally after Ish-bosheth's death, and the closing naming-clause (ὄνομα αὐτῷ Μεμφιβοσθε) uses the same Greek name as for Ish-bosheth.
Word-by-word analysis· 50 words
καὶand / nownarrative conjunction (introducing parenthetical)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷto theDativearticle (dative of possession with Ιωναθαν)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙωναθανJonathandative of possession (indeclinable: 'to Jonathan [there was]')→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: transliteration of Hebrew יְהוֹנָתָן / יוֹנָתָן; Saul's eldest son and David's covenant friend, killed at Gilboa (1 Kgdms 31:2); indeclinable; his lame son is the subject of this aside.
υἱῷsonDativeappositive to Ιωναθαν (dative)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; appositional, identifying Jonathan as Saul's son and thus the child as Saul's grandson.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; see v. 1.
υἱὸςsonNominativesubject of possessive clause ('there was a son')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the nominative subject of the dative-of-possession clause ('to Jonathan there was a son'), i.e. Jonathan had a son.
πεπληγὼςstricken / crippledPerf Act Part Nom Sg Masc · πλήσσωattributive participle (modifying υἱός)→ resultative perfect participle (in a state of having been struck/disabled)πλήσσω (perf. part. πεπληγώς): 'strike / smite'; the perfect participle here describes a permanent disabled condition, 'stricken/crippled in the feet'; renders נְכֵה רַגְלַיִם ('lame in the feet'); the perfect stresses the abiding result of the accident described below.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with πόδας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόδαςfeetAccusativeaccusative of respect (with πεπληγώς: 'struck as to the feet')→ object specificationπούς (pl. πόδας): 'foot'; the accusative of respect specifies the locus of the disability; renders רַגְלַיִם.
υἱὸςsonNominativesubject (resumed for age-statement)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; repeated to attach the age specification ('a son of five years').
ἐτῶνof yearsGenitivegenitive of measure (age: 'of years')→ relational specificationἔτος (pl. gen. ἐτῶν): 'year'; the genitive of measure with πέντε gives the child's age; renders בֶּן־חָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים ('a son of five years').
πέντεfivenumeral (with ἐτῶν: 'five years')→ measure or countπέντε: 'five'; indeclinable cardinal numeral; renders חָמֵשׁ; the child's tender age at the time of the accident underscores his helplessness.
οὗτοςthis oneNominativedemonstrative pronoun (resumptive subject)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this (one)'; resumptive demonstrative re-introducing the boy as the topic before the temporal clause that follows; a Hebraizing resumptive (cf. הוּא).
ἐνin / whenpreposition + articular infinitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with the articular infinitive (ἐν τῷ ἐλθεῖν) forms a temporal clause, 'when … came'; a common LXX rendering of בְּ + infinitive construct.
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive ἐλθεῖν)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλθεῖνcame / comingAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιarticular infinitive (temporal clause: 'when the report came')→ aorist infinitive (the punctual arrival of the news)ἔρχομαι (aor. inf. ἐλθεῖν): 'come / go'; in the temporal construction ἐν τῷ ἐλθεῖν τὴν ἀγγελίαν ('when the report came'); the accusative subject of the infinitive is τὴν ἀγγελίαν.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀγγελίαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγγελίανreport / messageAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive ἐλθεῖν→ object specificationἀγγελία: 'message / news / report'; renders שְׁמֻעָה; the news of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan at Gilboa, which reached the household from Jezreel.
Σαουλof Saulgenitive of content (indeclinable: 'report of Saul')→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; the report concerned Saul's death.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωναθανJonathangenitive of content (indeclinable: 'and of Jonathan')→ participant identificationΙωναθαν: indeclinable; the report concerned Jonathan's death also, the boy's own father.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with υἱοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῦsonGenitiveappositive to Ιωναθαν (genitive: 'Jonathan his son')→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; appositional, 'Jonathan his [Saul's] son', re-stating the relationship for clarity.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Saul's son)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Saul's son).
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source of the report)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source of the report).
ΙεζραελJezreelobject of ἐξ (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΙεζραελ: transliteration of Hebrew יִזְרְעֶאל; the valley/region near Gilboa from which the news of the rout came; indeclinable.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (apodosis of temporal clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦρενtook upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · αἴρωmain verb (nurse's action)→ constative aorist (the act of lifting the child)αἴρω: 'lift up / take up / carry'; renders נָשָׂא; the nurse snatches up the child to flee the advancing news of military disaster.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἦρεν→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἦρεν.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with τιθηνός)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τιθηνὸςnurseNominativesubject of ἦρεν→ participant prominenceτιθηνός: 'nurse / nursemaid'; renders אֹמֶנֶת ('foster-nurse'); the household servant charged with the child's care, whose flight causes the disabling fall.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (his nurse)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (his nurse).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔφυγενfledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φεύγωmain verb (nurse's flight)→ constative aorist (the flight)φεύγω: 'flee'; renders נוּס; the nurse flees in fear of the Philistine victory, carrying the royal child to safety.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (Hebraizing 'and it came to pass')→ constative aorist (narrative event-marker)γίνομαι (aor. ἐγένετο): 'become / happen'; the formula καὶ ἐγένετο ('and it came to pass') renders וַיְהִי, a stock LXX narrative connector introducing the disabling incident.
ἐνin / aspreposition + articular infinitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with the articular infinitive ἐν τῷ σπεύδειν, 'as she hurried' — a temporal clause.
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive σπεύδειν)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπεύδεινhurryingPres Act Inf · σπεύδωarticular infinitive (temporal clause: 'as she hurried')→ durative present infinitive (action in progress)σπεύδω: 'hurry / hasten'; renders חָפַז; the present infinitive depicts the haste in progress during which the child was dropped; subject is αὐτήν (the nurse).
αὐτὴνshe / herAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive σπεύδειν→ participant referenceαὐτή: the accusative subject of the articular infinitive ('as she hurried'); refers to the nurse.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining infinitives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναχωρεῖνto withdrawPres Act Inf · ἀναχωρέωinfinitive coordinate with σπεύδειν (temporal)→ durative present infinitive (action in progress)ἀναχωρέω: 'withdraw / retreat / go away'; coordinate with σπεύδειν under the same ἐν τῷ frame ('as she hurried and withdrew'), describing the fleeing retreat during which the fall occurred.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (apodosis: the fall)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔπεσενfellAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (the child's fall)→ constative aorist (the moment of falling)πίπτω: 'fall'; renders נָפַל; the subject is the child, who is dropped during the nurse's flight — the cause of his lifelong disability.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐχωλάνθηwas lamedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · χωλαίνωmain verb (resultant disability)→ constative aorist passive (became lame)χωλαίνω: 'be / become lame'; the passive ἐχωλάνθη ('was made lame') renders וַיִּפָּסֵחַ; states the permanent result of the fall, explaining the πεπληγὼς τοὺς πόδας description above.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (naming-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of naming-clause ('his name [was]')→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the naming-formula ὄνομα αὐτῷ ('the name to him [was]'); renders וּשְׁמוֹ.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of possession (in naming-formula)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession (in naming-formula).
ΜεμφιβοσθεMemphibosthepredicate nominative of naming-clause (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: here the lame son of Jonathan (Hebrew מְפִיבֹשֶׁת, Mephibosheth); the Greek tradition gives him the same transliterated form it uses for Ish-bosheth elsewhere in the chapter, producing an ambiguity not present in the Hebrew; indeclinable.
5
καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν υἱοὶ Ρεμμων τοῦ Βηρωθαίου Ρεκχα καὶ Βαανα καὶ εἰσῆλθον ἐν τῷ καύματι τῆς ἡμέρας εἰς οἶκον Μεμφιβοσθε καὶ αὐτὸς ἐκάθευδεν ἐν τῇ κοίτῃ τῆς μεσημβρίας
And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went and came in the heat of the day into the house of Memphibosthe, while he was sleeping on the bed at midday.
After the parenthesis of v. 4, the narrative resumes with the captains' movement toward their crime. The temporal note ἐν τῷ καύματι τῆς ἡμέρας ('in the heat of the day') sets the scene at the vulnerable hour of the noonday rest, picked up at the verse's end by ἐν τῇ κοίτῃ τῆς μεσημβρίας. The circumstantial αὐτὸς ἐκάθευδεν underscores the king's defenselessness.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (resuming main line)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθησανwentAor Pass(Dep) Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (the captains set out)→ constative aorist (the journey to the house)πορεύομαι: 'go / travel / proceed'; renders הָלַךְ; the deponent aorist marks the captains' setting out toward Ish-bosheth's house to carry out the murder.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἐπορεύθησαν→ participant prominenceυἱός (pl. υἱοί): 'sons'; 'sons of Rimmon' = the two captains, named in apposition immediately after.
ΡεμμωνRimmongenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'sons of Rimmon')→ participant identificationΡεμμων: indeclinable; see v. 2; the father of Rechab and Baanah.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with Βηρωθαίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒηρωθαίουBeerothiteGenitivegenitive gentilic (modifying Ρεμμων)→ relational specificationΒηρωθαῖος: 'Beerothite'; declinable gentilic; see v. 2.
ΡεκχαRechabappositive to υἱοί (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΡεκχα: variant Greek spelling of Rechab (Hebrew רֵכָב; cf. Ρηχαβ at v. 2); indeclinable; the two spellings refer to the same captain within this chapter.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two names)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΒααναBaanahappositive to υἱοί (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΒαανα: indeclinable; see v. 2; the second of the two brother-captains.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθονcame inAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (entry into the house)→ constative aorist (the act of entering)εἰσέρχομαι: 'come in / enter'; renders בּוֹא; the entry into the king's house at midday begins the murder sequence.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῷtheDativearticle (with καύματι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καύματιheatDativedative of time (with τῆς ἡμέρας: 'in the heat of the day')→ sphere or referenceκαῦμα: 'heat / burning heat'; renders חֹם; 'the heat of the day' is the hottest part of midday, the customary hour of rest — when the household and the king are at their most defenseless.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ἡμέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive (with καύματι: 'heat of the day')→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; 'heat of the day' = noontime; sets the time of the assault.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction of entry)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of entry).
οἶκονhouseAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal of entry)→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; renders בַּיִת; the royal residence of Ish-bosheth, the scene of the murder.
ΜεμφιβοσθεMemphibosthegenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'house of Ish-bosheth')→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: Ish-bosheth, Saul's son; indeclinable; see v. 1.
καὶand / whilecoordinate conjunction (introducing circumstantial clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject (emphatic: 'he himself')→ participant prominenceαὐτός: intensive pronoun 'he (himself)'; here marks the contrast between the intruders' activity and the king's helpless sleep.
ἐκάθευδενwas sleepingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · καθεύδωverb of circumstantial clause (background state)→ durative imperfect (ongoing sleep at the moment of entry)καθεύδω: 'sleep / lie down'; renders שָׁכַב; the imperfect ἐκάθευδεν presents the king's midday sleep as the ongoing circumstance into which the murderers intrude — the picture of total vulnerability.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with κοίτῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κοίτῃbedDativedative of place (locative: 'on the bed')→ sphere or referenceκοίτη: 'bed / couch / resting-place'; renders מִשְׁכָּב; the noonday bed; the same word recurs at v. 11 (ἐπὶ τῆς κοίτης αὐτοῦ) in David's denunciation of the crime.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with μεσημβρίας)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μεσημβρίαςmiddayGenitivegenitive of time (with κοίτῃ: 'midday rest')→ relational specificationμεσημβρία: 'midday / noon'; renders צָהֳרַיִם; 'the bed of midday' = the noonday siesta; reinforces the timing already given by ἐν τῷ καύματι τῆς ἡμέρας.
6
καὶ ἰδοὺ ἡ θυρωρὸς τοῦ οἴκου ἐκάθαιρεν πυροὺς καὶ ἐνύσταξεν καὶ ἐκάθευδεν καὶ Ρεκχα καὶ Βαανα οἱ ἀδελφοὶ διέλαθον
And behold, the doorkeeper of the house was cleaning wheat, and she grew drowsy and slept; and Rechab and Baanah the brothers slipped through unnoticed.
The presentative ἰδού introduces a vivid scene at the threshold: the woman doorkeeper, cleaning wheat, dozes off, allowing the brothers to slip past her undetected (διέλαθον). The detail explains the mechanics of the undefended entry and heightens the pathos — the only guard at the king's door is a drowsing woman sifting grain.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (attention-marker)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; a vividizing marker drawing the reader's eye to the doorkeeper scene that follows.
ἡtheNominativearticle (feminine, with θυρωρός)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυρωρὸςdoorkeeperNominativesubject of ἐκάθαιρεν→ participant prominenceθυρωρός: 'doorkeeper / gatekeeper'; from θύρα ('door'); here feminine (ἡ θυρωρός), a female porter; renders שֹׁעֵר/the portress; her sleep is the lapse that lets the killers in.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with οἴκου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive of relationship ('doorkeeper of the house')→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house'; here the king's residence; see v. 5.
ἐκάθαιρενwas cleaningImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · καθαίρωmain verb (background activity of the doorkeeper)→ durative imperfect (ongoing cleaning)καθαίρω: 'cleanse / cleanse by sifting / winnow'; the imperfect ἐκάθαιρεν πυρούς describes the woman sifting/cleaning wheat — a monotonous task conducing to drowsiness; renders the Hebrew of cleaning/sifting grain.
πυροὺςwheatAccusativedirect object of ἐκάθαιρεν→ object specificationπυρός (pl. πυρούς): 'wheat / grains of wheat'; renders חִטִּים; the grain the doorkeeper was cleaning when she fell asleep.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνύσταξενgrew drowsyAor Act Indic 3 Sg · νυστάζωmain verb (onset of sleep)→ ingressive aorist (began to nod off)νυστάζω: 'nod / become drowsy / doze'; renders נוּם; the ingressive aorist marks the moment she nodded off, the lapse that permits the intrusion.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάθευδενsleptImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · καθεύδωmain verb (resultant sleep)→ durative imperfect (was asleep)καθεύδω: 'sleep'; the same verb used of the king (v. 5); the doorkeeper's deep sleep parallels the king's, leaving the household entirely unguarded.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΡεκχαRechabsubject of διέλαθον (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΡεκχα: Rechab; indeclinable; see v. 5.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΒααναBaanahsubject of διέλαθον (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΒαανα: Baanah; indeclinable; see v. 2.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀδελφοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativeappositive to the two names ('the brothers')→ participant prominenceἀδελφός (pl. ἀδελφοί): 'brother'; renders אַחִים; identifies Rechab and Baanah as brothers acting jointly in the crime.
διέλαθονslipped through unnoticedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · διαλανθάνωmain verb (the undetected entry)→ constative aorist (escaped notice in entering)διαλανθάνω: 'escape notice / slip through undetected'; the compound intensifies λανθάνω; the brothers passed the sleeping doorkeeper unseen, gaining access to the king's chamber — the climactic detail of the break-in.
7
καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰς τὸν οἶκον καὶ Μεμφιβοσθε ἐκάθευδεν ἐπὶ τῆς κλίνης αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ κοιτῶνι αὐτοῦ καὶ τύπτουσιν αὐτὸν καὶ θανατοῦσιν καὶ ἀφαιροῦσιν τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλαβον τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπῆλθον ὁδὸν τὴν κατὰ δυσμὰς ὅλην τὴν νύκτα
And they came into the house, while Memphibosthe was sleeping on his couch in his bedchamber, and they struck him and put him to death, and they took off his head; and they took his head and went off by the road toward the west all night long.
The murder proper is told in a rapid chain, with a striking shift to the historic present (τύπτουσιν … θανατοῦσιν … ἀφαιροῦσιν) that makes the killing vivid and immediate before reverting to aorists (ἔλαβον … ἀπῆλθον) for the escape. The fronted circumstantial Μεμφιβοσθε ἐκάθευδεν restates the king's helpless sleep, and the all-night westward flight (ὅλην τὴν νύκτα) traces their route to David at Hebron.
Word-by-word analysis· 40 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθονcame inAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (entry into the house)→ constative aorist (the act of entering)εἰσέρχομαι: 'come in / enter'; see v. 5; here the entry that brings them to the sleeping king.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with οἶκον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house'; the king's residence; see v. 5.
καὶand / whilecoordinate conjunction (introducing circumstantial clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜεμφιβοσθεMemphibosthesubject of ἐκάθευδεν (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: Ish-bosheth; indeclinable; see v. 1.
ἐκάθευδενwas sleepingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · καθεύδωverb of circumstantial clause (background state)→ durative imperfect (ongoing sleep)καθεύδω: 'sleep'; the imperfect again frames the king's defenseless sleep as the circumstance of the murder; see v. 5.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with κλίνης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κλίνηςcouchGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί ('on his couch')→ relational specificationκλίνη: 'couch / bed'; renders מִטָּה; synonym of κοίτη (v. 5); the bed on which the king lay asleep.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle (with κοιτῶνι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κοιτῶνιbedchamberDativedative of place ('in his bedchamber')→ sphere or referenceκοιτών: 'bedroom / bedchamber'; from κοίτη; renders חֶדֶר הַמִּשְׁכָּב; the private inner room where the killing took place, emphasizing the intrusion's violation of intimate space.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τύπτουσινthey strikePres Act Indic 3 Pl · τύπτωmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vivid narration of the blow)τύπτω: 'strike / beat / smite'; renders נָכָה; the historic present τύπτουσιν dramatizes the assault as if before the reader's eyes — the LXX shifts from imperfect background to vivid present for the deed itself.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of τύπτουσιν→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of τύπτουσιν.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θανατοῦσινthey put to deathPres Act Indic 3 Pl · θανατόωmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vivid: the killing)θανατόω: 'put to death / kill'; renders מוּת (Hiphil) / הֵמִית; the causative verb; the second of the three historic presents narrating the murder.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀφαιροῦσινthey take offPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀφαιρέωmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vivid: the beheading)ἀφαιρέω: 'take away / remove / cut off'; renders סוּר (Hiphil); the third historic present, narrating the decapitation; the head will become the trophy carried to David.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κεφαλήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativedirect object of ἀφαιροῦσιν→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; the severed head, repeated through vv. 7–8 and finally buried in v. 12; the grim leitmotif of the chapter's second half.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (resuming aorist)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβονtookAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (the escape begins)→ constative aorist (taking the head)λαμβάνω: 'take / seize'; renders לָקַח; the return to aorist marks the shift from the vivid murder-scene to the matter-of-fact escape with the trophy head.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κεφαλήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβον→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; the severed head now carried away; see above.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπῆλθονwent offAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (departure/flight)→ constative aorist (the all-night journey)ἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; renders הָלַךְ; the brothers leave with the head, traveling the western road through the night toward Hebron.
ὁδὸνroad / wayAccusativeaccusative of route ('by the road')→ object specificationὁδός: 'road / way / journey'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the accusative of extent/route designates the path of their escape — 'the way toward the west'.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with the κατὰ phrase, modifying ὁδόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατὰtoward / alongpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'toward / in the direction of'; 'the road that is toward the west' specifies the route's bearing.
δυσμὰςwestAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (direction: 'toward the west')→ object specificationδυσμή (pl. δυσμάς): 'setting (of the sun) / west'; renders מַעֲרָב / the direction of the Arabah; designates the westward/Arabah route toward David's Hebron.
ὅληνwhole / allAccusativeattributive adjective (with νύκτα: 'all night')→ object specificationὅλος: 'whole / entire'; with νύκτα forms the accusative of duration 'all night long', stressing the haste and distance of the flight.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with νύκτα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νύκταnightAccusativeaccusative of duration ('all night long')→ object specificationνύξ (acc. νύκτα): 'night'; renders לַיְלָה; the accusative of extent of time; they traveled the whole night to reach David by morning.
8
καὶ ἤνεγκαν τὴν κεφαλὴν Μεμφιβοσθε τῷ Δαυιδ εἰς Χεβρων καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα ἰδοὺ ἡ κεφαλὴ Μεμφιβοσθε υἱοῦ Σαουλ τοῦ ἐχθροῦ σου ὃς ἐζήτει τὴν ψυχήν σου καὶ ἔδωκεν κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ βασιλεῖ ἐκδίκησιν τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτοῦ ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη ἐκ Σαουλ τοῦ ἐχθροῦ σου καὶ ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος αὐτοῦ
And they brought the head of Memphibosthe to David at Hebron, and said to the king, 'Behold, the head of Memphibosthe the son of Saul your enemy, who sought your life; and the LORD has granted to my lord the king vengeance on his enemies, as on this day, from Saul your enemy and from his seed.'
The brothers present the head with a self-justifying speech framing the regicide as divine vengeance. The verse contains the chapter's key theological crux: καὶ ἔδωκεν κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ βασιλεῖ — the first κύριος is the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), the second κυρίῳ a deferential human title ('my lord the king'). The murderers blasphemously credit YHWH with their crime, a claim David will overturn in vv. 9–11.
Word-by-word analysis· 52 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤνεγκανbroughtAor Act Indic 3 Pl · φέρωmain verb (delivery of the head)→ constative aorist (the act of bringing)φέρω (aor. ἤνεγκαν): 'bring / carry'; renders בּוֹא (Hiphil); the brothers bring the trophy head to David, expecting reward.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κεφαλήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativedirect object of ἤνεγκαν→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; the severed head of Ish-bosheth; see v. 7.
ΜεμφιβοσθεMemphibosthegenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'head of Ish-bosheth')→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: Ish-bosheth; indeclinable; see v. 1.
τῷtoDativearticle (dative with Δαυιδ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidindirect object (indeclinable: 'to David')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliteration of Hebrew דָּוִד; indeclinable in the LXX; king over Judah at Hebron, soon to be king over all Israel — the recipient of the head.
εἰςto / atpreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
ΧεβρωνHebronobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΧεβρων: Hebron, David's capital; indeclinable; see v. 1.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (the speech-act)λέγω (aor. εἶπαν, late form): 'say'; introduces the murderers' self-congratulatory address to David.
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: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; here David, addressed in his royal office.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (introducing the trophy)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; here the murderers dramatically present the head as proof of their deed.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with κεφαλή)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴheadNominativenominative of exclamation (with ἰδού)→ participant prominenceκεφαλή: 'head'; nominative in the presentative exclamation 'behold, the head of …'.
ΜεμφιβοσθεMemphibosthegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: Ish-bosheth; indeclinable; see v. 1.
υἱοῦsonGenitiveappositive (genitive: 'son of Saul')→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; appositional, identifying the dead man's Saulide descent — the basis of the murderers' claim that they have eliminated David's dynastic rival.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; see v. 1.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἐχθροῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθροῦenemyGenitiveappositive to Σαουλ (genitive: 'your enemy')→ relational specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy / hostile one'; renders אֹיֵב; the murderers brand Saul as David's enemy to justify their deed — but David never regarded Saul thus, having spared him twice (1 Kgdms 24; 26).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (2nd person: 'your enemy')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (2nd person: 'your enemy').
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐζήτει)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun 'who'; introduces the murderers' characterization of Saul as one who sought David's life.
ἐζήτειwas seekingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ζητέωverb of relative clause→ durative imperfect (was persistently seeking)ζητέω: 'seek / look for'; the idiom ζητεῖν τὴν ψυχήν ('seek the life') renders בִּקֵּשׁ אֶת נֶפֶשׁ ('seek to kill'); the imperfect depicts Saul's persistent pursuit of David — the murderers' rationale for the killing.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ψυχήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχήνlife / soulAccusativedirect object of ἐζήτει→ object specificationψυχή: 'life / soul / self'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; in the idiom 'seek the life' it means 'seek to kill'; the same word recurs in David's oath (v. 9) of the life YHWH redeemed.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession ('your life')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('your life').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδωκενhas grantedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (the murderers' theological claim)→ constative aorist (the granting of vengeance)δίδωμι: 'give / grant'; renders נָתַן; the murderers attribute their crime to divine agency — 'the LORD has given vengeance' — a blasphemous self-justification David will repudiate.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἔδωκεν (divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: here the Tetragrammaton יהוה (YHWH); the murderers invoke the divine name to sanctify their regicide, claiming YHWH himself granted David vengeance through their hands.
τῷto theDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳlordDativeindirect object (deferential human title: 'to my lord')→ sphere or referenceκύριος: here NOT the divine name but a human honorific, 'lord / master' (rendering אֲדֹנִי), the deferential court address to David; the juxtaposition κύριος (YHWH) … τῷ κυρίῳ (David) within one clause makes the distinction unmistakable.
βασιλεῖkingDativeappositive to κυρίῳ (dative: 'my lord the king')→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; in apposition to κυρίῳ, the full court address 'my lord the king' — flattering deference from the murderers seeking reward.
ἐκδίκησινvengeanceAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκεν→ object specificationἐκδίκησις: 'vengeance / vindication / requital'; renders נְקָמָה; the murderers frame the regicide as YHWH-granted retribution against Saul's house — a theological claim David will sharply reject.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἐχθρῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθρῶνenemiesGenitiveobjective genitive ('vengeance upon his enemies')→ relational specificationἐχθρός (pl. gen. ἐχθρῶν): 'enemies'; the objective genitive with ἐκδίκησιν — vengeance exacted against David's enemies, namely Saul's house.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his enemies', = David's)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his enemies', = David's).
ὡςascomparative particle (in temporal formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; in the formula ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη ('as at this day'), a Hebraism (כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה) meaning 'as is now the case / as proven today'.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ἡμέρα)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραdayNominativesubject in temporal formula ('as this day')→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: 'day'; in the formula 'as this day', asserting that the vengeance is realized in the present moment of the head's delivery.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative (with ἡμέρα)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative completes 'this day', pointing to the present occasion.
ἐκfrom / onpreposition + genitive (source of vengeance)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / out of'; here marks the object/source of the vengeance — exacted 'from Saul … and from his seed'.
ΣαουλSaulobject of ἐκ (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; the vengeance is said to fall upon Saul (and his line).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἐχθροῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθροῦenemyGenitiveappositive to Σαουλ ('your enemy')→ relational specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy'; repeated from earlier in the verse, hammering the murderers' framing of Saul as David's foe.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your enemy')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship ('your enemy').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (parallel source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (parallel source).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with σπέρματος)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπέρματοςseed / offspringGenitiveobject of ἐκ ('from his seed')→ relational specificationσπέρμα: 'seed / offspring / descendants'; renders זֶרַע; 'from his seed' = from Saul's descendants; the murderers present Ish-bosheth's death as the extinction of the rival Saulide line.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his seed', = Saul's)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his seed', = Saul's).
9
καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Δαυιδ τῷ Ρεκχα καὶ τῷ Βαανα ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ υἱοῖς Ρεμμων τοῦ Βηρωθαίου καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ζῇ κύριος ὃς ἐλυτρώσατο τὴν ψυχήν μου ἐκ πάσης θλίψεως
And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, 'As the LORD lives, who redeemed my life out of all distress,
David's reply opens with the solemn oath-formula ζῇ κύριος ('as the LORD lives'), the standard LXX rendering of חַי יְהוָה. The relative clause ὃς ἐλυτρώσατο τὴν ψυχήν μου ἐκ πάσης θλίψεως grounds the oath in David's own experience of divine deliverance — pointedly contrasting YHWH's true redemption of his life with the murderers' false claim (v. 8) that YHWH authorized their killing. The oath sets up the verdict of vv. 10–12.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass(Dep) Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (David's response)→ constative aorist (the act of answering)ἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / reply'; renders עָנָה; the deponent aorist introduces David's verdict in response to the murderers' presentation.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; see v. 8; here the agent of judgment.
τῷtoDativearticle (dative with Ρεκχα)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΡεκχαRechabindirect object (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΡεκχα: Rechab; indeclinable; see v. 5.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtoDativearticle (dative with Βαανα)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒααναBaanahindirect object (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΒαανα: Baanah; indeclinable; see v. 2.
ἀδελφῷbrotherDativeappositive to Βαανα (dative: 'his brother')→ sphere or referenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; appositional, identifying Baanah as Rechab's brother; see v. 6.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
υἱοῖςsonsDativeappositive to the two names (dative: 'the sons of Rimmon')→ sphere or referenceυἱός (pl. dat. υἱοῖς): 'sons'; appositional, giving the patronymic of the two addressees.
ΡεμμωνRimmongenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΡεμμων: Rimmon; indeclinable; see v. 2.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with Βηρωθαίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒηρωθαίουBeerothiteGenitivegenitive gentilic (modifying Ρεμμων)→ relational specificationΒηρωθαῖος: 'Beerothite'; declinable gentilic; see v. 2.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (the speech-act)λέγω: 'say'; introduces the content of David's oath and verdict.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object of εἶπεν→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object of εἶπεν.
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωverb of oath-formula ('as the LORD lives')→ gnomic/durative present (the ever-living God as oath-guarantor)ζάω: 'live / be alive'; the oath-formula ζῇ κύριος ('as the LORD lives') renders חַי יְהוָה, the strongest OT asseveration, invoking the living God as witness and guarantor of the speaker's resolve.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ζῇ (divine name in oath)→ participant prominenceκύριος: here the Tetragrammaton יהוה (YHWH); the living LORD by whom David swears — set in deliberate contrast to the murderers' misuse of the same name in v. 8.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐλυτρώσατο)→ participant referenceὅς: 'who'; introduces the relative clause grounding the oath in YHWH's redemptive history with David.
ἐλυτρώσατοredeemedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · λυτρόωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the accomplished deliverance)λυτρόω (mid. λυτρόομαι): 'ransom / redeem / deliver'; renders פָּדָה / גָּאַל; the middle ἐλυτρώσατο ('redeemed for himself') recalls YHWH's repeated rescues of David (cf. 1 Kgdms 23; 24; 26); the redemption-language is at home in the Psalter (e.g. Ps 25:22; 31:5).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ψυχήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχήνlife / soulAccusativedirect object of ἐλυτρώσατο→ object specificationψυχή: 'life / soul / self'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; David's own life, redeemed by YHWH — pointedly the same word used of the life Saul 'sought' (v. 8); David's deliverance came from God, not from murderers.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession ('my life')→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('my life').
ἐκout of / frompreposition + genitive (source: deliverance from)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: deliverance from).
πάσηςall / everyGenitiveattributive adjective (with θλίψεως: 'all distress')→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all / every'; the genitive πάσης θλίψεως stresses the totality of the deliverances YHWH has worked for David.
θλίψεωςdistress / afflictionGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('from all distress')→ relational specificationθλῖψις: 'affliction / distress / tribulation'; renders צָרָה; the comprehensive term for the dangers from which YHWH delivered David; the redemption 'from all distress' underwrites the oath that follows.
10
ὅτι ὁ ἀπαγγείλας μοι ὅτι τέθνηκεν Σαουλ καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν ὡς εὐαγγελιζόμενος ἐνώπιόν μου καὶ κατέσχον αὐτὸν καὶ ἀπέκτεινα ἐν Σεκελακ ᾧ ἔδει με δοῦναι εὐαγγέλια
since the one who reported to me, saying, 'Saul is dead' — and he was like one bringing good news in my sight — I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, to whom I ought to have given a reward for good news:
David cites the Ziklag precedent (cf. 2 Kgdms 1:1–16) as binding case-law: when a man reported Saul's death thinking himself a bearer of good news (εὐαγγελιζόμενος), David executed him instead of rewarding him. The ironic ᾧ ἔδει με δοῦναι εὐαγγέλια ('to whom I ought to have given a reward for good news') exposes the murderers' miscalculation — they expect εὐαγγέλια and will receive death. The clause is an a fortiori setup completed in v. 11.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
ὅτιsince / forconjunction (causal/evidential, introducing precedent)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'since / because'; here introduces the legal precedent that grounds David's verdict; renders כִּי.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle ἀπαγγείλας)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀπαγγείλαςwho reportedAor Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ἀπαγγέλλωsubstantival participle (subject: 'the one who reported')→ constative aorist participle (the single act of reporting)ἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce / bring word'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); the substantival participle ὁ ἀπαγγείλας designates the Amalekite of 2 Kgdms 1 who brought David news of Saul's death expecting reward.
μοιto meDativeindirect object of ἀπαγγείλας→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object of ἀπαγγείλας.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing content of the report)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; here recitative, introducing the reported message 'Saul is dead'.
τέθνηκενhas diedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · θνῄσκωverb of reported clause→ resultative perfect (Saul is dead)θνῄσκω (perf. τέθνηκεν): 'be dead'; the same perfect as v. 1; the content of the Ziklag report — 'Saul is dead'.
ΣαουλSaulsubject of τέθνηκεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; see v. 1.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing parenthetical)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject (emphatic: 'and he')→ participant prominenceαὐτός: intensive pronoun 'he (himself)'; refers to the Ziklag messenger, who regarded himself as a bringer of good tidings.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with ὡς εὐαγγελιζόμενος)→ durative imperfect (his self-perception)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'be'; with the comparative ὡς + participle, 'he was like one bringing good news', describing the messenger's mistaken self-understanding.
ὡςas / likecomparative particle (with participle)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; introduces the comparison — the messenger thought of himself as a herald of glad tidings.
εὐαγγελιζόμενοςbringing good newsPres Mid Part Nom Sg Masc · εὐαγγελίζωpredicate participle (with ἦν ὡς: 'like one announcing good news')→ durative present participle (in the role of a good-news herald)εὐαγγελίζω (mid. εὐαγγελίζομαι): 'bring good news / announce glad tidings'; renders בִּשֵּׂר; the messenger imagined Saul's death was εὐαγγέλιον to David — a fatal misreading of David's loyalty; the same root recurs at the verse's end (εὐαγγέλια).
ἐνώπιόνbefore / in the sight ofpreposition + genitive (evaluative: 'in my sight')→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism rendering לְפָנַי / בְּעֵינַי; 'in my sight' = in David's estimation/presence.
μουmy / meGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐνώπιον.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (apodosis: David's action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέσχονI seizedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · κατέχωmain verb (David's first action against the messenger)→ constative aorist (the act of seizing)κατέχω: 'hold fast / seize / arrest'; renders אָחַז / תָּפַשׂ; David arrested the messenger before executing him — establishing the precedent of summary justice against those who profit from a king's death.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of κατέσχον→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of κατέσχον.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέκτειναI killedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποκτείνωmain verb (the execution)→ constative aorist (the act of killing)ἀποκτείνω: 'kill / put to death'; renders הָרַג; David's execution of the Ziklag messenger (2 Kgdms 1:15); the precedent that seals the murderers' fate.
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΣεκελακZiklagobject of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΣεκελακ: transliteration of Hebrew צִקְלַג (Ziklag); David's base in the Negev (1 Kgdms 27:6), where the Amalekite messenger was executed (2 Kgdms 1); indeclinable.
ᾧto whomDativerelative pronoun (dative: 'to whom [I ought]')→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. ᾧ): relative pronoun 'to whom'; the dative governed by δοῦναι ('give to whom'); introduces the bitterly ironic conclusion.
ἔδειit was necessary / I oughtImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb of obligation (with infinitive δοῦναι)→ durative imperfect (unrealized obligation: 'one ought to have')δεῖ (impf. ἔδει): 'it is necessary / one ought'; the impersonal imperfect with infinitive expresses a notional obligation — supposedly the messenger 'ought' to have been rewarded; the irony is that David instead executed him.
μεmeAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive δοῦναι→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of the infinitive δοῦναι.
δοῦναιto giveAor Act Inf · δίδωμιcomplementary infinitive (with ἔδει)→ aorist infinitive (the notional act of rewarding)δίδωμι (aor. inf. δοῦναι): 'give'; the infinitive of the supposed obligation — to give the messenger a reward; sharpens the irony that he received death instead.
εὐαγγέλιαreward for good newsAccusativedirect object of δοῦναι→ object specificationεὐαγγέλιον (pl. εὐαγγέλια): here 'reward for (bringing) good news / messenger's fee' (cf. 2 Kgdms 18:22); cognate with εὐαγγελιζόμενος above; the plural denotes the gift/payment expected by a herald — which David withheld, giving execution instead.
11
καὶ νῦν ἄνδρες πονηροὶ ἀπεκτάγκασιν ἄνδρα δίκαιον ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῆς κοίτης αὐτοῦ καὶ νῦν ἐκζητήσω τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐκ χειρὸς ὑμῶν καὶ ἐξολεθρεύσω ὑμᾶς ἐκ τῆς γῆς
how much more now, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house upon his bed, shall I now require his blood at your hand and destroy you from the earth!
The double καὶ νῦν drives the a fortiori argument from v. 10 to its conclusion: if the Ziklag messenger deserved death, how much more these wicked men who murdered an innocent man asleep in his own house. The forensic idiom ἐκζητήσω τὸ αἷμα … ἐκ χειρὸς ὑμῶν ('require his blood at your hand', cf. Gen 9:5) frames the execution as blood-vengeance/justice, and ἐξολεθρεύσω ('I will utterly destroy') pronounces the sentence.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with νῦν: 'and now / how much more')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal/logical adverb (a fortiori marker)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; in καὶ νῦν ('and now / so then'), rendering וְעַתָּה, it marks the logical transition from precedent to present verdict — here with a fortiori force ('how much more now').
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of ἀπεκτάγκασιν→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): 'men'; here the two murderers, characterized morally by the adjective that follows.
πονηροὶwickedNominativeattributive adjective (with ἄνδρες: 'wicked men')→ participant prominenceπονηρός: 'evil / wicked / wretched'; renders רָשָׁע; David's moral verdict on the killers, set in antithesis to the δίκαιον ('righteous') victim.
ἀπεκτάγκασινhave killedPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκτείνωmain verb (the crime stated)→ resultative perfect (the killing as accomplished, abiding guilt)ἀποκτείνω (perf. ἀπεκτάγκασιν): 'kill / put to death'; renders הָרַג; the perfect stresses the abiding fact and guilt of the murder — the deed is done and its consequences now fall on the doers.
ἄνδραmanAccusativedirect object of ἀπεκτάγκασιν→ object specificationἀνήρ (acc. ἄνδρα): 'man'; the victim, Ish-bosheth, characterized as δίκαιος ('righteous/innocent').
δίκαιονrighteous / innocentAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἄνδρα: 'righteous man')→ object specificationδίκαιος: 'righteous / just / innocent'; renders צַדִּיק; here 'innocent' in the forensic sense — Ish-bosheth had committed no capital offense; his murder in bed was unjust bloodshed, the antithesis of the πονηροί who killed him.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle (with οἴκῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκῳhouseDativedative of place ('in his own house')→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house'; the aggravating circumstance — the murder occurred in the victim's own home, a place of sanctuary and trust.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his house')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his house').
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with κοίτης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κοίτηςbedGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί ('upon his bed')→ relational specificationκοίτη: 'bed / couch'; the same word as v. 5; the further aggravation — the man was killed defenseless in his sleep, on his own bed.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his bed')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his bed').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with νῦν)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (introducing the sentence)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; the second καὶ νῦν moves from the indictment to the pronouncement of sentence.
ἐκζητήσωI will requireFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐκζητέωmain verb (forensic demand for blood)→ predictive/resolutive future (David's judicial resolve)ἐκζητέω: 'seek out / require / demand'; the idiom ἐκζητεῖν τὸ αἷμα ἐκ χειρός ('require blood at the hand of', cf. Gen 9:5; Ezek 33:6) is the legal formula for exacting blood-vengeance/accountability for unlawful killing; David holds the murderers accountable.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with αἷμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of ἐκζητήσω→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood'; renders דָּם; here 'blood' = the bloodguilt of the murder, for which the killers must answer with their own lives.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his blood', the victim's)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his blood', the victim's).
ἐκfrom / atpreposition + genitive (forensic: 'at the hand of')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: in the idiom ἐκ χειρὸς ὑμῶν ('from/at your hand'), rendering מִיֶּדְכֶם, the standard phrase for demanding accountability.
χειρὸςhandGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('at your hand')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; metonymy for agency/responsibility; 'require blood at your hand' = hold you personally responsible for the killing.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (2nd person pl.: 'your hand')→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (2nd person pl.: 'your hand').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξολεθρεύσωI will utterly destroyFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐξολεθρεύωmain verb (the death sentence)→ predictive/resolutive future (the pronounced sentence)ἐξολεθρεύω: 'destroy utterly / exterminate'; renders הִכְרִית / הִשְׁמִיד; the intensive compound is the standard LXX verb for total destruction/cutting off; here it pronounces the murderers' death sentence — they will be wiped 'from the earth'.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of ἐξολεθρεύσω→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐξολεθρεύσω.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source: removal from)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: removal from).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearth / landGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('from the earth')→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth / land / ground'; renders אֶרֶץ; 'destroy you from the earth' = remove you from the land of the living; the totalizing phrase seals the sentence of death.
12
καὶ ἐνετείλατο Δαυιδ τοῖς παιδαρίοις αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀποκτέννουσιν αὐτοὺς καὶ κολοβοῦσιν τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν καὶ τοὺς πόδας αὐτῶν καὶ ἐκρέμασαν αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ τῆς κρήνης ἐν Χεβρων καὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν Μεμφιβοσθε ἔθαψαν ἐν τῷ τάφῳ Αβεννηρ υἱοῦ Νηρ
And David commanded his young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and their feet, and hung them up over the pool in Hebron; but the head of Memphibosthe they buried in the tomb of Abner the son of Ner.
The sentence is carried out: David's servants kill, mutilate (hands and feet — talionic for the hands that struck and feet that fled), and hang the bodies publicly by the pool of Hebron. The final clause reverses the murderers' expectation: the severed head they brought as a trophy is given honorable burial in Abner's tomb. The chapter closes with David's characteristic respect for the house of Saul (cf. his lament over Abner, ch. 3), vindicating his innocence in the dynastic transition.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb (David's order)→ constative aorist (the act of commanding)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / give orders / charge'; renders צִוָּה; David issues the order for the execution to his retainers.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; see v. 8.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with παιδαρίοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίοιςyoung men / servantsDativeindirect object of ἐνετείλατο→ sphere or referenceπαιδάριον: 'lad / young man / servant'; diminutive of παῖς; renders נַעַר; here David's young attendants/retainers who carry out the execution.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his young men')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his young men').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποκτέννουσινthey killPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκτέννωmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vivid execution of the sentence)ἀποκτέννω (Koine byform of ἀποκτείνω): 'kill / put to death'; the historic present renders the carrying-out of the death sentence vivid and immediate, echoing the historic presents of the murder itself in v. 7 — poetic justice told in the same tense.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἀποκτέννουσιν→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἀποκτέννουσιν.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κολοβοῦσινthey cut off / mutilatePres Act Indic 3 Pl · κολοβόωmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vivid: the mutilation)κολοβόω: 'cut short / dock / mutilate / maim'; renders קָצַץ; the cutting off of the hands and feet is a talionic mutilation — the hands that struck Ish-bosheth and the feet that fled westward with his head are severed; the bodies are then publicly displayed.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativedirect object of κολοβοῦσιν→ object specificationχείρ (pl. χεῖρας): 'hand'; the hands that committed the murder are severed — the same word that opened the chapter in the idiom of Ish-bosheth's slack hands (v. 1), now an instrument of talionic justice.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession ('their hands')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('their hands').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with πόδας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόδαςfeetAccusativedirect object of κολοβοῦσιν (coordinate with χεῖρας)→ object specificationπούς (pl. πόδας): 'foot'; the feet that carried them on their all-night flight (v. 7) are severed; cf. the lame feet of Mephibosheth (v. 4) — the chapter's motif of feet returns at its close.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession ('their feet')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('their feet').
καὶandnarrative conjunction (returning to aorist)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκρέμασανthey hung upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κρεμάννυμιmain verb (public display of the bodies)→ constative aorist (the act of hanging)κρεμάννυμι: 'hang / suspend'; renders תָּלָה; the public hanging/exposure of the executed bodies by the pool served as a deterrent and a public declaration of justice done.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐκρέμασαν→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐκρέμασαν.
ἐπὶby / overpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with κρήνης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κρήνηςpool / springGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί ('over the pool')→ relational specificationκρήνη: 'spring / fountain / pool'; renders בְּרֵכָה ('pool'); the public watering-place of Hebron, a place of maximum visibility for the exposed bodies.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΧεβρωνHebronobject of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΧεβρων: Hebron; indeclinable; see v. 1; David's capital, where justice is publicly enacted.
καὶand / butcoordinate conjunction (adversative contrast)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κεφαλήν; fronted for emphasis)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativefronted direct object of ἔθαψαν→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; the severed head of Ish-bosheth, fronted for contrast — what the murderers brought as a trophy David now gives honorable burial; the leitmotif of vv. 7–8 reaches its resolution.
ΜεμφιβοσθεMemphibosthegenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'head of Ish-bosheth')→ participant identificationΜεμφιβοσθε: Ish-bosheth; indeclinable; see v. 1; the slain Saulide king, honored in death by David.
ἔθαψανthey buriedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · θάπτωmain verb (the honorable burial)→ constative aorist (the act of burial)θάπτω: 'bury / give burial'; renders קָבַר; honorable burial of the head in Abner's tomb signals David's respect for Saul's house and his repudiation of the regicide — the climactic act of the chapter.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle (with τάφῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τάφῳtombDativedative of place ('in the tomb')→ sphere or referenceτάφος: 'tomb / grave'; renders קֶבֶר; Abner's tomb at Hebron (cf. 2 Kgdms 3:32, where David wept at Abner's burial); burying the Saulide head there unites the two slain leaders of Saul's cause in honorable memory.
ΑβεννηρAbnergenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'tomb of Abner')→ participant identificationΑβεννηρ: Abner; indeclinable; see v. 1; the slain commander whose tomb now receives Ish-bosheth's head — closing the chapter where it began, with the death of Abner.
υἱοῦsonGenitiveappositive to Αβεννηρ (genitive: 'son of Ner')→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; appositional, giving Abner's patronymic.
ΝηρNergenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Ner')→ participant identificationΝηρ: transliteration of Hebrew נֵר; Abner's father, Saul's uncle (1 Kgdms 14:50–51); indeclinable; the final word of the chapter, sealing the Saulide-Benjaminite frame.