1
καὶ παραγίνονται πᾶσαι αἱ φυλαὶ Ισραηλ πρὸς Δαυιδ εἰς Χεβρων καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ ἰδοὺ ὀστᾶ σου καὶ σάρκες σου ἡμεῖς
And all the tribes of Israel come to David at Hebron and said to him, 'Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.'
The chapter opens with a vivid historic present παραγίνονται ('they arrive'), launching the consolidation narrative. The kinship-claim ὀστᾶ σου καὶ σάρκες σου ('your bone and your flesh') is the covenantal idiom of solidarity (cf. Gen 2:23; 29:14), here asserting that the northern tribes too belong to David's house.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παραγίνονταιarrive / comePres Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραγίνομαιmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vivid narrative onset)παραγίνομαι: 'come / arrive / be present'; renders בּוֹא; the historic present opens the chapter with immediacy, depicting the convergence of all the tribes on Hebron as a present, unfolding scene.
πᾶσαιallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying φυλαί)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / every'; the feminine plural πᾶσαι stresses the totality of tribal participation — not Judah alone but all Israel now seeks David.
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλαὶtribesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceφυλή: 'tribe / clan'; renders שֵׁבֶט / מַטֶּה; the tribes acting corporately marks the legitimizing, all-Israel character of David's accession.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'tribes of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here the national designation, defining the tribes as the covenant people.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliteration of Hebrew דָּוִד; treated as indeclinable in the LXX of Samuel–Kings; the goal of the tribes' approach.
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (goal of motion)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of motion).
ΧεβρωνHebronaccusative of place (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΧεβρων: transliteration of Hebrew חֶבְרוֹן; indeclinable; David's first royal seat over Judah and the site of the all-Israel covenant of vv. 1–3.
καὶandnarrative 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 (single collective speech-act)λέγω: 'say'; the Koine/LXX first-aorist form εἶπαν (for classical εἶπον) introduces the tribes' direct address to David.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (dative of addressee)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (dative of addressee).
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (attention-marker)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; a frozen aorist imperative of εἶδον used as an interjection to introduce and dramatize the kinship-declaration.
ὀστᾶbonesNominativepredicate nominative (with implied 'we are')→ participant prominenceὀστοῦν (pl. ὀστᾶ): 'bone'; renders עֶצֶם; the phrase ὀστᾶ σου καὶ σάρκες σου ('your bone and your flesh') is the standard Hebraic idiom of kinship and solidarity (cf. Gen 2:23; 29:14; 2 Kgdms 19:13–14), here a constitutional claim that all Israel shares David's blood.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (possessive)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (possessive).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σάρκεςfleshNominativepredicate nominative (parallel to ὀστᾶ)→ participant prominenceσάρξ (pl. σάρκες): 'flesh'; renders בָּשָׂר; paired with ὀστᾶ to express full kinship — the plural σάρκες reflects the Hebrew idiom rendered concretely in the Greek.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (possessive)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (possessive).
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun: 'we are')→ participant referenceἐγώ (pl. ἡμεῖς): the emphatic first-person plural pronoun stands without an expressed copula (Hebraizing nominal clause), asserting the tribes' identity with David: 'we are your bone and flesh.'
2
καὶ ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτην ὄντος Σαουλ βασιλέως ἐφ᾿ ἡμῖν σὺ ἦσθα ὁ ἐξάγων καὶ εἰσάγων τὸν Ισραηλ καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς σέ σὺ ποιμανεῖς τὸν λαόν μου τὸν Ισραηλ καὶ σὺ ἔσει εἰς ἡγούμενον ἐπὶ τὸν Ισραηλ
And formerly, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel out and brought it in; and the LORD said to you, 'You shall shepherd my people Israel, and you shall be for a leader over Israel.'
The tribes ground their appeal in two warrants: David's proven generalship even under Saul (the idiom ὁ ἐξάγων καὶ εἰσάγων, 'the one leading out and bringing in', denotes military command), and the divine shepherd-oracle σὺ ποιμανεῖς τὸν λαόν μου ('you shall shepherd my people'). The temporal idiom ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτην ('yesterday and the third day') is a Hebraism for 'in time past.'
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐχθὲςyesterday / formerlyadverb of time→ clausal contributionἐχθές: 'yesterday'; in the idiom ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτην (rendering אֶתְמוֹל גַּם־שִׁלְשׁוֹם, 'yesterday and the day before') it means 'formerly / in time past', referring to the period of Saul's reign.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (within the temporal idiom)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τρίτηνthe third (day before)Accusativeadverbial accusative (within idiom 'yesterday and the day before')→ object specificationτρίτος: 'third'; the accusative τρίτην (sc. ἡμέραν) completes the Hebraism ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτην = 'in former times', calquing שִׁלְשׁוֹם.
ὄντοςbeing / while … wasPres Act Part Gen Sg Masc · εἰμίgenitive absolute (temporal: 'while Saul was king')→ imperfective participle (ongoing state in past time)εἰμί (pres. part.): the genitive-absolute construction ὄντος Σαουλ βασιλέως ('Saul being king') sets the temporal frame — David's leadership was already operative during Saul's reign.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive subject of the genitive absolute (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliteration of Hebrew שָׁאוּל; indeclinable; David's predecessor, under whom David served as commander.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive predicate within the genitive absolute→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; predicate noun of the absolute construction ('Saul being king over us').
ἐφ᾿overpreposition + dative (elided ἐπί: rule 'over')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dat.: here 'over / set above'; ἐφ᾿ ἡμῖν = 'over us', defining the scope of Saul's kingship.
ἡμῖνusDativedative object of ἐπί→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐπί.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic: 'it was you')→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic pronoun foregrounds David as the real leader of Israel's armies even while Saul nominally reigned.
ἦσθαyou wereImpf Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (periphrastic with following participle)→ imperfective past (durative state)εἰμί (impf. 2 sg.): the archaic/poetic form ἦσθα ('you were') joins the articular participle ὁ ἐξάγων to form a periphrastic imperfect: 'you were the one leading out.'
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξάγωνleading outPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ἐξάγωsubstantival participle (predicate: 'the one who led out')→ customary/durative present participle (habitual leadership)ἐξάγω: 'lead out / bring forth'; the pair ὁ ἐξάγων καὶ εἰσάγων renders the Hebrew military idiom הַמּוֹצִיא וְהַמֵּבִיא ('the one who leads out and brings in'), denoting command of the army on campaign (cf. Num 27:17; 1 Kgdms 18:13).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking participles)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσάγωνbringing inPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · εἰσάγωsubstantival participle (coordinate with ἐξάγων)→ customary/durative present participleεἰσάγω: 'bring in / lead in'; the second half of the military merism — leading the army out to battle and bringing it home — summing up David's role as Israel's effective commander.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of the participles (indeclinable, with article)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; here the object of David's military leadership — the nation he led out and in.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the divine word)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing divine speech)→ constative aorist (the recalled divine pronouncement)λέγω: introduces the LORD's word to David — the theological warrant alongside the military one; the tribes cite YHWH's own designation of David as shepherd-ruler.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; here YHWH himself is the one who designated David, making the anointing a ratification of a prior divine choice.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
σέyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (addressee)→ participant referenceσέ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (addressee).
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic: 'you yourself')→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic pronoun heading the divine oracle, singling out David as the appointed shepherd of Israel.
ποιμανεῖςyou shall shepherdFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιμαίνωmain verb (divine commission)→ predictive/mandatory future (commissioning sense)ποιμαίνω: 'shepherd / tend / rule'; renders רָעָה; the pastoral metaphor for kingship is pervasive in the ANE and the OT (cf. Ps 78:71–72; Ezek 34); 'shepherd my people Israel' frames David's rule as caring stewardship of YHWH's own flock.
τὸνthe / myAccusativearticle (with λαόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ποιμανεῖς→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; the possessive μου ('my people') marks Israel as YHWH's own covenant flock, entrusted to David's shepherding.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying λαόν)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying λαόν).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (in apposition: 'my people, Israel')→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative in apposition to λαόν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; epexegetical apposition identifying 'my people' as Israel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two clauses of the oracle)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic, parallel to first σύ)→ participant referenceσὺ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (emphatic, parallel to first σύ).
ἔσειyou shall beFut Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (with εἰς + acc. predicate, Hebraism)→ predictive futureεἰμί (fut. 2 sg., form ἔσει for ἔσῃ): 'you shall be'; the construction ἔσει εἰς ἡγούμενον ('you shall be for a leader') is a Hebraism rendering הָיָה לְ ('become / be appointed as'), the εἰς + accusative standing for the Hebrew predicative lamed.
εἰςfor / aspreposition + accusative (predicative εἰς, Hebraism for לְ)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: in the construction εἰμὶ εἰς + acc. it marks a predicate of role or office ('be as / become'), calquing the Hebrew lamed of product.
ἡγούμενονleader / rulerPres Mid Part Acc Sg Masc · ἡγέομαιsubstantival participle (predicate of ἔσει: 'a leader')→ substantival participle (title of office)ἡγέομαι (pres. part., substantival ἡγούμενος): 'leader / ruler / prince'; renders נָגִיד; the term denotes a designated prince-ruler and frequently translates the title YHWH confers on the king (cf. 1 Kgdms 9:16; 13:14).
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (scope of rule)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (scope of rule).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the people over whom David is to be prince-ruler.
3
καὶ ἔρχονται πάντες οἱ πρεσβύτεροι Ισραηλ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα εἰς Χεβρων καὶ διέθετο αὐτοῖς ὁ βασιλεὺς Δαυιδ διαθήκην ἐν Χεβρων ἐνώπιον κυρίου καὶ χρίουσιν τὸν Δαυιδ εἰς βασιλέα ἐπὶ πάντα Ισραηλ
And all the elders of Israel come to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD, and they anoint David as king over all Israel.
The unit climaxes in three coordinated acts: the elders' coming (ἔρχονται, historic present), David's covenant-making (διέθετο … διαθήκην, a cognate construction), and the anointing (χρίουσιν, historic present). The covenant ἐνώπιον κυρίου ('before the LORD') makes the accession a sacral, covenant-ratified event, not a mere political transaction.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔρχονταιcomePres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vivid)ἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; renders בּוֹא; the historic present keeps the scene immediate as the elders, representing the tribes, formally present themselves to David.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying πρεσβύτεροι)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; again stressing comprehensiveness — all the elders, the legitimate representatives of all the tribes.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρεσβύτεροιeldersNominativesubject→ participant prominenceπρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; renders זָקֵן; the tribal elders are the covenant-making body of Israel, here acting to constitute David's kingship legally and representatively.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'elders of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; defining the elders as Israel's national leadership.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; David is already styled 'the king' (over Judah) as the elders come to extend his kingship to all Israel.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal of motion)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of motion).
ΧεβρωνHebronaccusative of place (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΧεβρων: indeclinable; the covenant-site.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διέθετοmade (a covenant)Aor Mid Indic 3 Sg · διατίθημιmain verb (cognate construction with διαθήκην)→ constative aorist (the decisive covenant-act)διατίθημι (mid. διατίθεμαι): 'arrange / make a covenant'; the idiom διέθετο διαθήκην renders כָּרַת בְּרִית ('cut a covenant'); the middle voice signals that David binds himself in mutual obligation with the elders.
αὐτοῖςwith themDativedative (covenant-partners: 'with them')→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'with them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative (covenant-partners: 'with them').
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (in apposition with Δαυιδ)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: title placed before the name (ὁ βασιλεὺς Δαυιδ) in formal royal style.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject in apposition to ὁ βασιλεύς (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the covenant-maker.
διαθήκηνcovenantAccusativecognate accusative (direct object of διέθετο)→ object specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant / disposition'; renders בְּרִית; the cognate object of διέθετο; this king-people covenant constitutionally binds David and Israel before YHWH.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΧεβρωνHebrondative of place (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΧεβρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of place (indeclinable).
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism rendering לִפְנֵי; ἐνώπιον κυρίου marks the covenant as sworn in YHWH's presence and under his guarantee.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον (divine witness)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה; YHWH is the witness and guarantor of the king-people covenant.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χρίουσινthey anointPres Act Indic 3 Pl · χρίωmain verb (historic present: climactic act)→ historic present (vivid, climactic)χρίω: 'anoint'; renders מָשַׁח; the verb from which 'Messiah / Christ' (χριστός) derives; the anointing makes David the LORD's anointed (χριστὸς κυρίου) over all Israel, fulfilling the divine designation of v. 2.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Δαυιδ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of χρίουσιν (indeclinable, with article)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the article τὸν marks its accusative case despite indeclinability.
εἰςaspreposition + accusative (predicative εἰς: 'as king')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: predicative use, 'anoint as king' (εἰς βασιλέα), again calquing the Hebrew lamed of office.
βασιλέαkingAccusativepredicate accusative (office conferred by anointing)→ object specificationβασιλεύς: the office into which David is anointed — now over all Israel, not Judah alone.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (scope of rule)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (scope of rule).
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying Ισραηλ)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the climactic ἐπὶ πάντα Ισραηλ ('over all Israel') marks the fusion of the northern tribes and Judah under one anointed king.
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the united kingdom now subject to David.
4
υἱὸς τριάκοντα ἐτῶν Δαυιδ ἐν τῷ βασιλεῦσαι αὐτὸν καὶ τεσσαράκοντα ἔτη ἐβασίλευσεν
David was a son of thirty years when he became king, and he reigned forty years.
A standard regnal formula opens the verse with the Hebraism υἱὸς τριάκοντα ἐτῶν ('a son of thirty years' = thirty years old). The articular infinitive ἐν τῷ βασιλεῦσαι αὐτόν ('when he became king') and the round forty-year reign frame David's kingship as a complete, providentially measured era (cf. the forty-year reigns of Saul and Solomon).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
υἱὸςsonNominativepredicate nominative (age idiom: 'a son of thirty years')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; in the idiom υἱὸς τριάκοντα ἐτῶν ('a son of thirty years') it renders the Hebrew בֶּן־שְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה, a calque for stating age — David was thirty at his accession.
τριάκονταthirtyindeclinable numeral (modifying ἐτῶν)→ measure or countτριάκοντα: 'thirty'; indeclinable cardinal; the age at which David assumes the throne — the same age the Levites entered full service (Num 4:3) and at which Joseph stood before Pharaoh (Gen 41:46).
ἐτῶνyearsGenitivegenitive of measure (with υἱός: 'of years')→ relational specificationἔτος (gen. pl. ἐτῶν): 'year'; partitive/measuring genitive in the age-idiom.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject of the nominal clause (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; subject of the regnal notice.
ἐνin / whenpreposition + articular infinitive (temporal: 'when')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + articular infinitive: a temporal construction ('when / while'), a frequent LXX rendering of the Hebrew בְּ + infinitive construct.
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive βασιλεῦσαι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῦσαιto become kingAor Act Inf · βασιλεύωarticular infinitive (temporal clause: 'when he became king')→ ingressive aorist infinitive (entry into kingship)βασιλεύω: 'be king / reign'; the aorist infinitive here is ingressive ('begin to reign / become king'); the construction ἐν τῷ βασιλεῦσαι αὐτόν marks the moment of accession.
αὐτὸνhe / himAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive→ participant referenceαὐτός: accusative-subject of the infinitive ('that he became king'), a standard Greek construction for the subject of an articular infinitive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τεσσαράκονταfortyindeclinable numeral (modifying ἔτη)→ measure or countτεσσαράκοντα: 'forty'; indeclinable cardinal; the round forty-year reign marks David's rule as a full and complete era (cf. 3 Kgdms 2:11).
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of extent of time (duration of reign)→ object specificationἔτος (pl. ἔτη): 'year'; accusative of temporal extent: 'he reigned forty years.'
ἐβασίλευσενhe reignedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βασιλεύωmain verb (summary statement of reign)→ constative aorist (whole reign viewed as a unit)βασιλεύω: 'reign / be king'; the constative aorist sums up the entire forty-year reign as a single completed span, anticipating the breakdown in v. 5.
5
ἑπτὰ ἔτη καὶ ἓξ μῆνας ἐβασίλευσεν ἐν Χεβρων ἐπὶ τὸν Ιουδαν καὶ τριάκοντα τρία ἔτη ἐβασίλευσεν ἐπὶ πάντα Ισραηλ καὶ Ιουδαν ἐν Ιερουσαλημ
Seven years and six months he reigned in Hebron over Judah, and thirty-three years he reigned over all Israel and Judah in Jerusalem.
v.5 breaks the round forty years of v.4 into its two constituent phases: seven and a half years at Hebron over Judah only, and thirty-three years at Jerusalem over the united kingdom. The geographic shift Hebron→Jerusalem anticipates the conquest of vv.6–10 and the chapter's larger movement from tribal to national, capital-centered kingship.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἑπτὰsevenindeclinable numeral (modifying ἔτη)→ measure or countἑπτά: 'seven'; indeclinable cardinal; the Hebron phase of David's reign over Judah.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationἔτος (pl. ἔτη): 'year'; accusative of duration.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἓξsixindeclinable numeral (modifying μῆνας)→ clausal contributionἕξ: 'six'; indeclinable cardinal; with the seven years it gives the seven-and-a-half-year Hebron reign.
μῆναςmonthsAccusativeaccusative of extent of time (parallel to ἔτη)→ object specificationμήν (acc. pl. μῆνας): 'month'; renders חֹדֶשׁ; the six months refine the regnal arithmetic of the Hebron phase.
ἐβασίλευσενhe reignedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βασιλεύωmain verb (first reign-phase)→ constative aoristβασιλεύω: 'reign'; the constative aorist for the Hebron phase of the reign.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΧεβρωνHebrondative of place (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΧεβρων: indeclinable; the seat of the first reign-phase, over Judah alone.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (scope of rule)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (scope of rule).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Ιουδαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙουδανJudahAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (declined form, with article)→ object specificationΙουδας (acc. Ιουδαν): the tribe/kingdom of Judah; here declined as a first-declension noun (unlike many indeclinable LXX names), the scope of David's first reign-phase.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing second phase)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τριάκονταthirtyindeclinable numeral (with τρία modifying ἔτη)→ measure or countτριάκοντα: 'thirty'; indeclinable; combined with τρία to give the thirty-three-year Jerusalem reign.
τρίαthreeAccusativenumeral (with τριάκοντα: 'thirty-three')→ measure or countτρεῖς, τρία: 'three'; the neuter τρία agrees with ἔτη; thirty-three years is the Jerusalem phase over the united kingdom.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationἔτος (pl. ἔτη): 'year'; accusative of duration for the second phase.
ἐβασίλευσενhe reignedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βασιλεύωmain verb (second reign-phase)→ constative aoristβασιλεύω: 'reign'; the constative aorist for the Jerusalem phase over all Israel and Judah.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (scope of rule)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (scope of rule).
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying Ισραηλ)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; ἐπὶ πάντα Ισραηλ marks the wider scope of the second reign-phase — the whole united kingdom.
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the northern tribes, now joined with Judah under David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙουδανJudahAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (coordinate with Ισραηλ)→ object specificationΙουδας (acc. Ιουδαν): Judah, here joined with Israel to name the whole united realm of the Jerusalem reign.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemdative of place (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: transliteration of Hebrew יְרוּשָׁלַיִם; indeclinable; the new royal capital, whose capture the next unit narrates.
6
καὶ ἀπῆλθεν Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ εἰς Ιερουσαλημ πρὸς τὸν Ιεβουσαῖον τὸν κατοικοῦντα τὴν γῆν καὶ ἐρρέθη τῷ Δαυιδ οὐκ εἰσελεύσει ὧδε ὅτι ἀντέστησαν οἱ τυφλοὶ καὶ οἱ χωλοί λέγοντες ὅτι οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται Δαυιδ ὧδε
And David went, and his men, to Jerusalem against the Jebusite who inhabited the land; and it was said to David, 'You shall not enter here, for the blind and the lame have withstood (you),' saying, 'David shall not enter here.'
The Jerusalem campaign opens. The Jebusites' taunt — that even οἱ τυφλοὶ καὶ οἱ χωλοί ('the blind and the lame') could hold the wall against David — is a contemptuous boast of the city's impregnability. The repeated οὐκ εἰσελεύσει … οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται frames the defiance that David's capture (v.7) will overturn.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπῆλθενwent / went offAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (singular with compound subject)→ constative aorist (the campaign-march)ἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart / go off'; renders הָלַךְ; the singular verb agrees with the lead subject Δαυιδ though the men accompany him — a common Hebraizing concord.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; leader of the campaign.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (second member of compound subject)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): 'man / warrior'; renders אִישׁ / אֲנָשִׁים; David's fighting men accompanying him on the campaign.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ἄνδρες)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ἄνδρες).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal of march)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of march).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemaccusative of place (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: indeclinable; the Jebusite-held objective of the campaign.
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction: 'against')→ spatial or relational framingπρός + acc.: here in a hostile sense, 'against'; David marches against the Jebusite inhabitant.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙεβουσαῖονJebusiteAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (collective gentilic)→ object specificationΙεβουσαῖος: 'Jebusite'; gentilic from יְבוּסִי; the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Jerusalem (Jebus); declined as a Greek adjective/noun, here a collective singular for the population.
τὸνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικοῦνταinhabitingPres Act Part Acc Sg Masc · κατοικέωattributive participle (modifying Ιεβουσαῖον)→ imperfective participle (settled habitation)κατοικέω: 'inhabit / dwell in / settle'; renders יָשַׁב; the attributive participle 'the one inhabiting the land' marks the Jebusites as the long-settled occupants whom David dispossesses.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of κατοικοῦντα→ object specificationγῆ: 'land / earth'; renders אֶרֶץ; the territory (the city and its environs) held by the Jebusites.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρρέθηit was saidAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (impersonal passive introducing the taunt)→ constative aorist passiveλέγω / ἐρῶ (aor. pass. ἐρρέθη): 'it was said'; the impersonal passive introduces the Jebusites' defiant message to David.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Δαυιδ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDaviddative indirect object of ἐρρέθη (indeclinable, with article)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the dative article τῷ marks the recipient of the taunt.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with εἰσελεύσει)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: 'not'; the emphatic future negation of the taunt — 'you shall certainly not enter here.'
εἰσελεύσειyou shall enterFut Indic 2 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (within the taunt)→ predictive future (defiant denial)εἰσέρχομαι (fut. 2 sg., form εἰσελεύσει for εἰσελεύσῃ): 'enter / go in'; the Jebusites boast that David will never breach the city — the defiance the conquest of v.7 refutes.
ὧδεhereadverb of place→ clausal contributionὧδε: 'here / to this place'; the deictic locates the taunt at the city wall — 'you will not get in here.'
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the grounds of the boast — even the city's weakest defenders suffice to repel David.
ἀντέστησανwithstood / resistedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀνθίστημιverb of causal clause→ constative aorist (act of resistance)ἀνθίστημι: 'withstand / resist / oppose'; renders עָמַד / sim.; the taunt claims that even οἱ τυφλοὶ καὶ οἱ χωλοί have successfully resisted David — a maximal expression of contempt for his prospects.
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantivizing τυφλοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τυφλοὶblindNominativesubject (substantival adjective: 'the blind')→ participant prominenceτυφλός: 'blind'; renders עִוֵּר; in the taunt 'the blind and the lame' represent the most useless defenders imaginable — the boast being that even they can hold the wall; the phrase becomes proverbial in v.8.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantivizing χωλοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χωλοίlameNominativesubject (substantival adjective, parallel to τυφλοί)→ participant prominenceχωλός: 'lame / crippled'; renders פִּסֵּחַ; paired with τυφλός in the proverbial taunt; the pairing of blind and lame as the city's defenders heightens the Jebusites' scorn.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Part Nom Pl Masc · λέγωparticiple of attendant speech (introducing the direct quotation)→ imperfective participle (Hebraizing speech-marker)λέγω (pres. part.): 'saying'; the participle λέγοντες is the LXX's standard rendering of לֵאמֹר, formally introducing the direct words of the taunt that follow.
ὅτι(that)recitative ὅτι (introducing direct speech)→ clausal contributionὅτι: here recitative (ὅτι-recitativum), functioning like quotation marks before the direct words 'David shall not enter here.'
οὐκnotnegative particle (with εἰσελεύσεται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσελεύσεταιshall enterFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb of the quoted taunt (third-person)→ predictive future (defiant denial)εἰσέρχομαι (fut. mid. 3 sg.): 'enter'; the third-person restatement 'David shall not enter here' caps the taunt, repeating the defiance in fuller form.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject of εἰσελεύσεται (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; named in the taunt to make the scorn personal.
ὧδεhereadverb of place→ clausal contributionὧδε: 'here'; the repeated deictic closes the taunt as it began, emphasizing the supposed impregnability of the city.
7
καὶ κατελάβετο Δαυιδ τὴν περιοχὴν Σιων αὕτη ἡ πόλις τοῦ Δαυιδ
And David captured the stronghold of Zion; this is the City of David.
The terse main clause overturns the Jebusite boast: David κατελάβετο ('seized') the stronghold of Zion. The narrator's appositional gloss αὕτη ἡ πόλις τοῦ Δαυιδ ('this is the City of David') gives the captured citadel its enduring royal name, founding the Davidic capital.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατελάβετοcaptured / seizedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · καταλαμβάνωmain verb (the decisive conquest)→ constative aorist (the capture as accomplished fact)καταλαμβάνω (mid.): 'seize / capture / take possession of'; renders לָכַד; the middle voice stresses David's own taking of the stronghold for himself; the verb decisively refutes the εἰσελεύσει-taunt of v.6.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; conqueror of the stronghold.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
περιοχὴνstrongholdAccusativedirect object of κατελάβετο→ object specificationπεριοχή: 'enclosure / fortress / stronghold'; renders מְצֻדָה; the fortified citadel of Zion, the Jebusite acropolis that becomes David's stronghold and capital.
ΣιωνZiongenitive of apposition/identification (indeclinable: 'the stronghold of Zion')→ participant identificationΣιων: transliteration of Hebrew צִיּוֹן; indeclinable; the name of the captured citadel, which becomes a charged theological term for the city of God.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative subject (of the appositional clause)→ participant referenceοὗτος (fem. αὕτη): 'this'; the demonstrative heads the narrator's naming-gloss: 'this (citadel) is the City of David.'
ἡtheNominativearticle (with πόλις)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλιςcityNominativepredicate nominative ('the City of David')→ participant prominenceπόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; in the phrase ἡ πόλις τοῦ Δαυιδ ('the City of David') it names the captured stronghold as the royal city, the dynastic seat.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with Δαυιδ, genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidgenitive of possession (indeclinable, with article: 'of David')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the genitive article τοῦ marks the possessive 'of David', naming the city for its conqueror-king.
8
καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ πᾶς τύπτων Ιεβουσαῖον ἁπτέσθω ἐν παραξιφίδι καὶ τοὺς χωλοὺς καὶ τοὺς τυφλοὺς καὶ τοὺς μισοῦντας τὴν ψυχὴν Δαυιδ διὰ τοῦτο ἐροῦσιν τυφλοὶ καὶ χωλοὶ οὐκ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς οἶκον κυρίου
And David said on that day, 'Everyone who strikes a Jebusite, let him strike with a dagger both the lame and the blind and those who hate David's soul.' Therefore they will say, 'The blind and lame shall not enter the house of the LORD.'
David's battle-day word turns the Jebusites' taunt back on them: whoever strikes a Jebusite is to attack 'the lame and the blind' (the defenders who hate David). The closing διὰ τοῦτο ('therefore') introduces an aetiological proverb explaining a later saying about the blind and lame and the οἶκος κυρίου (the temple/house of the LORD).
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 (introducing David's saying)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: introduces David's battle-day pronouncement about the manner of assault on the Jebusite city.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the speaker.
τῇthe (on that)Dativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when: 'on that day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; renders יוֹם; the dative of time τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ('on that day') anchors David's word to the day of the conquest.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the remote demonstrative marks the specific day of the capture.
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (substantival, with participle: 'everyone who strikes')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'everyone / all'; the construction πᾶς + participle ('everyone who...') is a distributive idiom — every soldier engaged is given this directive.
τύπτωνstriking / who strikesPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · τύπτωsubstantival participle (with πᾶς: 'everyone striking')→ imperfective participle (the act of attacking)τύπτω: 'strike / beat / smite'; renders נָכָה; 'everyone who strikes a Jebusite' identifies the attacker who is then commanded how to press the assault.
Ιεβουσαῖονa JebusiteAccusativedirect object of τύπτων→ object specificationΙεβουσαῖος: 'Jebusite'; here without article, an individual defender to be struck.
ἁπτέσθωlet him strike / attackPres Mid Impv 3 Sg · ἅπτομαιmain verb (third-person imperative)→ imperatival present (general directive)ἅπτομαι: 'touch / lay hold of / attack'; here with the weapon-dative ἐν παραξιφίδι it means to strike or fall upon; the third-person imperative ἁπτέσθω directs each attacker how to engage.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental: 'with a dagger')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: instrumental ('with / by means of'), a Hebraizing use of ἐν rendering the Hebrew בְּ of instrument.
παραξιφίδιa daggerDativedative of instrument (the weapon)→ sphere or referenceπαραξιφίς: 'dagger / short sword (worn at the side)'; a rare term; the weapon with which the attackers are to fall on the Jebusite defenders.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing objects of ἁπτέσθω)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with χωλούς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χωλοὺςlameAccusativedirect object (substantival: 'the lame')→ object specificationχωλός: 'lame'; David adopts the Jebusites' own taunt-word, turning 'the lame and the blind' from boastful defenders into the targets of the assault.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with τυφλούς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τυφλοὺςblindAccusativedirect object (substantival: 'the blind')→ object specificationτυφλός: 'blind'; the second taunt-term, now an object of attack; the order χωλούς … τυφλούς inverts the v.6 sequence, weaving the proverb tightly.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςthose (who)Accusativearticle (substantivizing μισοῦντας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μισοῦνταςhating / who hatePres Act Part Acc Pl Masc · μισέωsubstantival participle (object: 'those who hate')→ imperfective participle (settled hostility)μισέω: 'hate / detest'; renders שָׂנֵא; 'those who hate David's soul (life)' identifies the Jebusite defenders as David's personal enemies, justifying the assault.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ψυχήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχὴνsoul / lifeAccusativedirect object of μισοῦντας ('hate the soul of')→ object specificationψυχή: 'soul / life / self'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; 'to hate the soul of David' is a Hebraism for deadly personal enmity (cf. Ps 25:20 LXX); here it characterizes the Jebusites' hostility.
ΔαυιδDavid'sgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'David's soul')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; possessive ('the soul of David'); David refers to himself in the third person within his own pronouncement.
διὰbecause of / thereforepreposition + accusative (in idiom διὰ τοῦτο: 'therefore')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + acc.: in the fixed phrase διὰ τοῦτο ('on account of this / therefore') it introduces the aetiological consequence — the origin of a later saying.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (object of διά, in idiom 'therefore')→ participant referenceοὗτος (n. τοῦτο): in διὰ τοῦτο it points back to the foregoing event as the cause of the proverbial saying that follows.
ἐροῦσινthey will sayFut Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (aetiological: 'people will say')→ gnomic/customary future (the established saying)λέγω (fut. ἐροῦσιν): 'they will say'; the impersonal 'they will say' introduces the proverb that arose from this episode, a standard aetiological formula.
τυφλοὶblindNominativesubject of εἰσελεύσονται (substantival: 'the blind')→ participant prominenceτυφλός: 'blind'; the proverb-subject, paired with χωλοί; the saying applies the battle-day taunt to a cultic exclusion.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χωλοὶlameNominativesubject of εἰσελεύσονται (parallel to τυφλοί)→ participant prominenceχωλός: 'lame'; the second proverb-subject; 'blind and lame' here become the excluded, completing the reversal of the Jebusite boast.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with εἰσελεύσονται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσελεύσονταιshall enterFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb of the proverb→ gnomic future (standing rule)εἰσέρχομαι (fut. mid. 3 pl.): 'enter'; the proverb 'the blind and lame shall not enter the house of the LORD' ironically reuses the Jebusites' εἰσελεύσεται-language (v.6): those who said David could not enter their city become those barred from the LORD's house.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal: 'into the house')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal: 'into the house').
οἶκονhouseAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house'; renders בַּיִת; οἶκος κυρίου ('house of the LORD') denotes the temple/sanctuary; the proverb projects forward to the cultic exclusion from YHWH's house.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying οἶκον)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; οἶκος κυρίου is YHWH's house (temple); the genitive marks divine ownership.
9
καὶ ἐκάθισεν Δαυιδ ἐν τῇ περιοχῇ καὶ ἐκλήθη αὕτη ἡ πόλις Δαυιδ καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν τὴν πόλιν κύκλῳ ἀπὸ τῆς ἄκρας καὶ τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ
And David settled in the stronghold, and it was called the City of David, and he built the city round about, from the citadel inward, and his own house.
David takes up residence (ἐκάθισεν) in the captured stronghold, which receives its official name (ἐκλήθη … ἡ πόλις Δαυιδ), and undertakes its fortification and construction (ᾠκοδόμησεν) from the citadel (ἄκρα) outward, including his own palace. The verse turns conquest into established capital.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάθισενsettled / dweltAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίζωmain verb (taking up residence)→ constative aorist (act of settling)καθίζω: 'sit / settle / take up residence'; renders יָשַׁב; David's settling in the stronghold establishes Zion as the royal seat.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
τῇtheDativearticle (with περιοχῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
περιοχῇstrongholdDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceπεριοχή: 'stronghold / fortress'; the same captured citadel of v.7, now David's residence.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκλήθηit was calledAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (naming, passive)→ constative aorist passive (act of naming)καλέω (aor. pass.): 'be called / named'; renders קָרָא (Niphal); the official conferral of the name 'City of David' on the captured citadel.
αὕτηit / thisNominativesubject of ἐκλήθη (demonstrative)→ participant referenceοὗτος (fem. αὕτη): 'this'; the demonstrative subject ('this [stronghold] was called...').
ἡtheNominativearticle (with πόλις)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλιςCityNominativepredicate nominative (the name conferred)→ participant prominenceπόλις: 'city'; in ἡ πόλις Δαυιδ ('the City of David') the predicate name given to the captured stronghold.
Δαυιδof Davidgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'of David')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; possessive within the conferred name.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ᾠκοδόμησενhe builtAor Act Indic 3 Sg · οἰκοδομέωmain verb (construction of the city)→ constative aorist (the building program)οἰκοδομέω: 'build / construct'; renders בָּנָה; David fortifies and builds up the captured city, transforming the Jebusite citadel into the Davidic capital.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of ᾠκοδόμησεν→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; the object of David's building activity.
κύκλῳround aboutadverb (extent: 'all around')→ clausal contributionκύκλῳ: 'round about / in a circle'; an adverbial dative used as a fixed adverb; renders סָבִיב; David builds the city's defenses on every side.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (starting point)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (starting point).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ἄκρας)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄκραςcitadelGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (starting point of building)→ relational specificationἄκρα: 'citadel / acropolis / highest point'; renders מִלּוֹא (the Millo); the fortified core from which David's building works extend; the term later names the Seleucid fortress in Jerusalem.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with οἶκον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativedirect object of ᾠκοδόμησεν (second object: 'his house')→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / palace'; here David's own royal residence, built alongside the city's fortifications.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying οἶκον)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying οἶκον).
10
καὶ ἐπορεύετο Δαυιδ πορευόμενος καὶ μεγαλυνόμενος καὶ κύριος παντοκράτωρ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ
And David went on, going and growing great, and the LORD Almighty was with him.
A summarizing notice closes the Zion unit. The cognate construction ἐπορεύετο … πορευόμενος καὶ μεγαλυνόμενος ('he went on going and growing great') is a Hebraism (calquing the Hebrew הָלוֹךְ וְגָדוֹל) expressing continual increase. The theological ground is stated last and emphatically: κύριος παντοκράτωρ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ('the LORD Almighty was with him').
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύετοwent on / advancedImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (durative imperfect, with cognate participle)→ progressive imperfect (continual advance)πορεύομαι: 'go / proceed / advance'; renders הָלַךְ; the imperfect with the cognate participle (πορευόμενος) renders the Hebrew infinitive-absolute idiom of continuous progress: David 'went on going.'
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
πορευόμενοςgoingPres Mid Part Nom Sg Masc · πορεύομαιcognate participle (intensifying ἐπορεύετο)→ imperfective participle (continuous action)πορεύομαι (pres. part.): the cognate participle πορευόμενος with the finite ἐπορεύετο calques the Hebrew הָלוֹךְ ('continually going'), the first half of the 'going and growing' idiom of steady increase.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two participles)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μεγαλυνόμενοςgrowing greatPres Mid Part Nom Sg Masc · μεγαλύνωparticiple of result/manner (second half of the idiom)→ imperfective participle (continuous magnification)μεγαλύνω (pres. mid./pass. part.): 'make great / magnify', here middle/passive 'grow great / become magnified'; renders גָּדַל; 'going and growing great' (πορευόμενος καὶ μεγαλυνόμενος) renders הָלוֹךְ וְגָדוֹל — David's power increases continually.
καὶand / forcoordinate conjunction (Hebraizing, here explanatory)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: the parataxis here carries an explanatory force ('and [this because]...'), giving the theological cause of David's rise.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of the nominal clause (with μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the emphatic ground of David's success — YHWH's presence, not David's prowess, makes him great.
παντοκράτωρAlmightyNominativeappositive title (with κύριος: 'the LORD Almighty')→ participant prominenceπαντοκράτωρ: 'all-ruling / Almighty'; the LXX's frequent rendering of צְבָאוֹת ('of hosts') or שַׁדַּי; κύριος παντοκράτωρ ('the LORD Almighty / LORD of hosts') stresses YHWH's universal sovereign power as the source of David's ascendancy.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with'; the accompaniment-formula 'the LORD was with him' (cf. 1 Kgdms 18:14) expresses divine favor and the guarantee of success.
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.
11
καὶ ἀπέστειλεν Χιραμ βασιλεὺς Τύρου ἀγγέλους πρὸς Δαυιδ καὶ ξύλα κέδρινα καὶ τέκτονας ξύλων καὶ τέκτονας λίθων καὶ ᾠκοδόμησαν οἶκον τῷ Δαυιδ
And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar timber and carpenters and masons, and they built a house for David.
The international recognition of David's kingship begins: Hiram of Tyre sends an embassy and the materials and craftsmen for a royal palace. The list ξύλα κέδρινα … τέκτονας ξύλων … τέκτονας λίθων ('cedar timber, carpenters, masons') anticipates the larger Tyrian collaboration in Solomon's temple-building (3 Kgdms 5).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (Hiram's embassy)→ constative aorist (act of sending)ἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch'; renders שָׁלַח; Hiram's sending of envoys and resources signals diplomatic recognition of David's new kingdom.
ΧιραμHiramsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΧιραμ: transliteration of Hebrew חִירָם; indeclinable; the Phoenician king of Tyre, David's (and later Solomon's) ally and supplier of cedar.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativeappositive to Χιραμ (title)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; in apposition, 'Hiram king of Tyre.'
Τύρουof TyreGenitivegenitive of place/rule (with βασιλεύς: 'king of Tyre')→ relational specificationΤύρος: 'Tyre'; renders צֹר; the great Phoenician port-city; the genitive defines Hiram's realm; declined as a Greek second-declension noun.
ἀγγέλουςmessengersAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλεν→ object specificationἄγγελος: 'messenger / envoy'; renders מַלְאָךְ; here human envoys (ambassadors), not angels; the diplomatic delegation of Tyre.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; recipient of the embassy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending the objects sent)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ξύλαtimber / woodAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλεν (second object)→ object specificationξύλον (pl. ξύλα): 'wood / timber'; renders עֵץ; the building-timber sent by Hiram for David's palace.
κέδριναof cedarAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ξύλα)→ object specificationκέδρινος: 'of cedar / cedarn'; from κέδρος (cedar); renders אֶרֶז; the prized Lebanese cedar, the standard royal building material of the region.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τέκτοναςcraftsmen / carpentersAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλεν (third object)→ object specificationτέκτων (acc. pl. τέκτονας): 'craftsman / builder / carpenter'; renders חָרָשׁ; here qualified by ξύλων ('of wood') = woodworkers.
ξύλωνof woodGenitivegenitive of material/specification (with τέκτονας: 'workers in wood')→ relational specificationξύλον (gen. pl. ξύλων): 'wood'; the genitive specifies the craftsmen's material — carpenters / woodworkers.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τέκτοναςcraftsmen / masonsAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλεν (fourth object)→ object specificationτέκτων (acc. pl.): here qualified by λίθων ('of stone') = stoneworkers / masons; the pairing wood- and stone-workers names the full building crew.
λίθωνof stoneGenitivegenitive of material/specification (with τέκτονας: 'workers in stone')→ relational specificationλίθος (gen. pl. λίθων): 'stone'; renders אֶבֶן; the genitive specifies the masons' material; the phrase τέκτονας λίθων = stonemasons.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ᾠκοδόμησανthey builtAor Act Indic 3 Pl · οἰκοδομέωmain verb (the craftsmen build the palace)→ constative aorist (completed construction)οἰκοδομέω: 'build'; the Tyrian craftsmen build David a palace, the architectural sign of his established and recognized kingship.
οἶκονhouse / palaceAccusativedirect object of ᾠκοδόμησαν→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / palace'; renders בַּיִת; the royal residence built for David — a 'house' that the pun of 2 Kgdms 7 will play against the 'house' (dynasty) YHWH will build for David.
τῷforDativearticle (with Δαυιδ, dative of advantage)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDaviddative of advantage (indeclinable: 'for David')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the dative article τῷ marks the beneficiary of the building.
12
καὶ ἔγνω Δαυιδ ὅτι ἡτοίμασεν αὐτὸν κύριος εἰς βασιλέα ἐπὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ὅτι ἐπήρθη ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ διὰ τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ Ισραηλ
And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was exalted for the sake of his people Israel.
David's interpretive recognition (ἔγνω, 'he knew / came to understand') reads his rise theologically: the LORD has established (ἡτοίμασεν) him as king and exalted (ἐπήρθη) his kingdom — and not for David's own sake but διὰ τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ Ισραηλ ('for the sake of his people Israel'), grounding the monarchy in YHWH's covenant purpose for the nation.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔγνωknew / understoodAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (cognitive recognition, with ὅτι-clauses)→ ingressive aorist (came to know / realized)γινώσκω: 'know / perceive / recognize'; renders יָדַע; the ingressive aorist ἔγνω marks David's coming to recognize the divine hand behind his success.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing object clause of ἔγνω)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of David's knowledge.
ἡτοίμασενestablished / preparedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἑτοιμάζωverb of the object clause (divine establishing)→ constative aorist (completed divine act)ἑτοιμάζω: 'prepare / make ready / establish'; renders כּוּן (Hiphil); 'the LORD established him as king' — David's kingship is YHWH's settled work, not human achievement (cf. 2 Kgdms 7:12).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἡτοίμασεν→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἡτοίμασεν.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἡτοίμασεν (divine agent)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the divine establisher of David's throne.
εἰςaspreposition + accusative (predicative εἰς: 'as king')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: predicative, 'as king' (εἰς βασιλέα), calquing the Hebrew lamed of office.
βασιλέαkingAccusativepredicate accusative (office: 'as king')→ object specificationβασιλεύς: the office to which YHWH appointed David.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (scope of rule)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (scope of rule).
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the people over whom David is established.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining second ὅτι-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὅτιthatconjunction (second object clause of ἔγνω)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the second object of David's recognition.
ἐπήρθηwas exalted / lifted upAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐπαίρωverb of the second object clause (divine passive)→ constative aorist passive (divinely accomplished exaltation)ἐπαίρω (aor. pass. ἐπήρθη): 'lift up / raise / exalt'; renders נָשָׂא; the passive (with YHWH as implicit agent) — David's kingdom was exalted by God, for Israel's sake.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλείαkingdom / kingshipNominativesubject of ἐπήρθη→ participant prominenceβασιλεία: 'kingdom / kingship / reign'; renders מַמְלָכָה / מְלוּכָה; David's royal rule, exalted by YHWH for the covenant people's benefit.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying βασιλεία)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying βασιλεία).
διὰfor the sake ofpreposition + accusative (cause/purpose: 'on account of')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + acc.: 'because of / for the sake of'; here the exaltation of David's kingdom is for Israel's benefit — the monarchy serves the covenant people.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with λαόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativeaccusative object of διά→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; 'his people Israel' — the divine purpose of David's kingship is the welfare of YHWH's covenant nation.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying λαόν: YHWH's people)→ relational specificationαὐτός: the antecedent is κύριος — 'his people' = the LORD's people, Israel; David's reign serves God's purposes for God's own nation.
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative in apposition to λαόν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; epexegetical apposition identifying 'his people' as Israel.
13
καὶ ἔλαβεν Δαυιδ ἔτι γυναῖκας καὶ παλλακὰς ἐξ Ιερουσαλημ μετὰ τὸ ἐλθεῖν αὐτὸν ἐκ Χεβρων καὶ ἐγένοντο τῷ Δαυιδ ἔτι υἱοὶ καὶ θυγατέρες
And David took yet more wives and concubines from Jerusalem after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David.
The narrative turns to David's household. The repeated ἔτι ('yet more') marks the increase of wives, concubines, sons, and daughters in the new capital — a sign of dynastic prosperity, and the prelude to the name-list of vv.14–16. The temporal note μετὰ τὸ ἐλθεῖν αὐτὸν ἐκ Χεβρων distinguishes the Jerusalem-born children from those born at Hebron (cf. 2 Kgdms 3:2–5).
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (David takes wives)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; renders לָקַח; 'to take a wife' (λαμβάνειν γυναῖκα) is the standard idiom for marrying.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
ἔτιyet / still moreadverb (additive: 'yet more')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / further'; renders עוֹד; marks the increase — more wives in addition to those David already had at Hebron.
γυναῖκαςwivesAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationγυνή (acc. pl. γυναῖκας): 'woman / wife'; renders אִשָּׁה / נָשִׁים; David's wives, marking royal household and dynastic expansion.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παλλακὰςconcubinesAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν (coordinate with γυναῖκας)→ object specificationπαλλακή (acc. pl. παλλακάς): 'concubine'; renders פִּילֶגֶשׁ; secondary wives of lower status; their mention reflects the standard ANE royal household.
ἐξfrom / inpreposition + genitive (source/origin: 'from Jerusalem')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ (ἐξ before vowel): 'from / out of'; here marking Jerusalem as the place from which the new wives and concubines were taken.
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemgenitive object of ἐξ (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: indeclinable; the new capital, source of the additional household.
μετὰafterpreposition + articular infinitive (temporal: 'after')→ spatial or relational framingμετά + articular infinitive: 'after (doing)'; a temporal construction marking the period following David's move from Hebron.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with infinitive ἐλθεῖν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλθεῖνto come / comingAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιarticular infinitive (temporal clause: 'after he came')→ aorist infinitive (the completed move)ἔρχομαι (aor. inf.): 'come / go'; the articular infinitive μετὰ τὸ ἐλθεῖν αὐτόν ('after his coming') dates the household-expansion to after the transfer of the capital from Hebron to Jerusalem.
αὐτὸνhe / himAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive→ participant referenceαὐτός: accusative-subject of the infinitive ('after he came').
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source of motion)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source of motion).
ΧεβρωνHebrongenitive object of ἐκ (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΧεβρων: indeclinable; the former capital David left for Jerusalem.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένοντοwere born / came to beAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (with dative: 'were born to David')→ constative aorist (the offspring resulting)γίνομαι: 'become / come to be / be born'; with the dative τῷ Δαυιδ it means 'were born to David' (cf. the Hebrew יִוָּלְדוּ); the increase of offspring continues the prosperity theme.
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: 'to David')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the one to whom children were born.
ἔτιyet / still moreadverb (additive: 'yet more')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet more'; the repeated ἔτι again marks the increase — more children in addition to those born at Hebron.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἐγένοντο→ participant prominenceυἱός (pl. υἱοί): 'son'; renders בֵּן / בָּנִים; the sons born in Jerusalem, listed by name in vv.14–16.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θυγατέρεςdaughtersNominativesubject of ἐγένοντο (coordinate with υἱοί)→ participant prominenceθυγάτηρ (pl. θυγατέρες): 'daughter'; renders בַּת / בָּנוֹת; the daughters are noted but not named in the following list, which records only the sons.
14
καὶ ταῦτα τὰ ὀνόματα τῶν γεννηθέντων αὐτῷ ἐν Ιερουσαλημ Σαμμους καὶ Σωβαβ καὶ Ναθαν καὶ Σαλωμων
And these are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Sammous, and Sobab, and Nathan, and Salomon.
A naming-formula (ταῦτα τὰ ὀνόματα, 'these are the names') introduces the list of David's Jerusalem-born sons. The names are transliterated Hebrew; Ναθαν and Σαλωμων (Nathan and Solomon) are the dynastically significant ones — Solomon the successor, Nathan an ancestor in Luke's genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:31).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ταῦταtheseNominativedemonstrative subject (of the naming-clause)→ participant prominenceοὗτος (n. pl. ταῦτα): 'these'; heads the naming-formula 'these are the names', a standard list-introduction (cf. Gen 46:8; Exod 1:1).
τὰtheNominativearticle (with ὀνόματα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀνόματαnamesNominativepredicate nominative ('these are the names')→ participant prominenceὄνομα (pl. ὀνόματα): 'name'; renders שֵׁם; the naming-formula introduces the register of David's Jerusalem sons.
τῶνof the (ones)Genitivearticle (substantivizing γεννηθέντων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γεννηθέντωνborn / who were bornAor Pass Part Gen Pl Masc · γεννάωsubstantival participle (genitive: 'of those born')→ aorist passive participle (completed birth)γεννάω (aor. pass. part.): 'beget / bear'; passive 'be born'; renders יָלַד; 'those born to him in Jerusalem' = the sons whose names follow.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of advantage (with γεννηθέντων: 'born to him')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (with γεννηθέντων: 'born to him').
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemdative of place (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: indeclinable; the birthplace of these sons, distinguishing them from the Hebron-born sons of 2 Kgdms 3:2–5.
ΣαμμουςSammousnominative in apposition to ὀνόματα (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣαμμους: transliteration of Hebrew שַׁמּוּעַ (Shammua); indeclinable; the first-listed of David's Jerusalem-born sons.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list-connector)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣωβαβSobabnominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣωβαβ: transliteration of Hebrew שׁוֹבָב (Shobab); indeclinable; the second son.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΝαθανNathannominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΝαθαν: transliteration of Hebrew נָתָן (Nathan); indeclinable; David's son Nathan (not the prophet), named in Luke's genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:31) and in Zech 12:12.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαλωμωνSolomonnominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣαλωμων: transliteration of Hebrew שְׁלֹמֹה (Solomon); indeclinable here in this list; David's son and royal successor, the temple-builder (3 Kgdms 1–11).
15
καὶ Εβεαρ καὶ Ελισους καὶ Ναφεκ καὶ Ιεφιες
And Ebear, and Elisous, and Naphek, and Iephies.
The list continues with four more transliterated Hebrew names, joined by simple καί-parataxis. The Greek forms diverge from the MT spellings (e.g. Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia), reflecting the LXX translators' transliteration of an early Hebrew Vorlage.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list-connector)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΕβεαρEbearnominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΕβεαρ: transliteration corresponding to Hebrew יִבְחָר (Ibhar); indeclinable; a son of David born in Jerusalem.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΕλισουςElisousnominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΕλισους: transliteration corresponding to Hebrew אֱלִישׁוּעַ (Elishua); indeclinable; a son of David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΝαφεκNapheknominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΝαφεκ: transliteration corresponding to Hebrew נֶפֶג (Nepheg); indeclinable; a son of David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙεφιεςIephiesnominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙεφιες: transliteration corresponding to Hebrew יָפִיעַ (Japhia); indeclinable; a son of David.
16
καὶ Ελισαμα καὶ Ελιδαε καὶ Ελιφαλαθ Σαμαε Ιεσσιβαθ Ναθαν Γαλαμααν Ιεβααρ Θεησους Ελφαλατ Ναγεδ Ναφεκ Ιαναθα Λεασαμυς Βααλιμαθ Ελιφαλαθ
And Elisama, and Elidae, and Eliphalath, Samae, Iessibath, Nathan, Galamaan, Iebaar, Theesous, Elphalat, Naged, Naphek, Ianatha, Leasamys, Baalimath, Eliphalath.
The list concludes with an unusually long, doubled roster of transliterated names, distinctive to the Greek text of Samuel (the editorial marker present in the source between Ελιφαλαθ and Σαμαε has been removed). The expanded sequence, with repeated forms (two Ναθαν, two Ναφεκ, two Ελιφαλαθ/Ελφαλατ), reflects the conflate textual tradition of this verse in the LXX.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list-connector)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΕλισαμαElisamanominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΕλισαμα: transliteration corresponding to Hebrew אֱלִישָׁמָע (Elishama); indeclinable; a son of David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΕλιδαεElidaenominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΕλιδαε: transliteration corresponding to Hebrew אֶלְיָדָע (Eliada); indeclinable; a son of David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΕλιφαλαθEliphalathnominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΕλιφαλαθ: transliteration corresponding to Hebrew אֱלִיפֶלֶט (Eliphelet); indeclinable; a son of David; the name recurs at the end of this expanded list.
ΣαμαεSamaenominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣαμαε: indeclinable name in the expanded Greek roster of David's sons; corresponds to a form of Shammua/Shimea.
ΙεσσιβαθIessibathnominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙεσσιβαθ: indeclinable name in the expanded Greek list of David's Jerusalem-born sons.
ΝαθανNathannominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΝαθαν: indeclinable; a second occurrence of the name Nathan in this conflate roster.
ΓαλαμαανGalamaannominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΓαλαμααν: indeclinable name in the expanded Greek list of David's sons.
ΙεβααρIebaarnominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙεβααρ: indeclinable name (a form of Ibhar) in the expanded roster.
ΘεησουςTheesousnominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΘεησους: indeclinable name in the expanded Greek list of David's sons.
ΕλφαλατElphalatnominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΕλφαλατ: indeclinable; a variant form of Eliphelet recurring in the conflate roster.
ΝαγεδNagednominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΝαγεδ: indeclinable name in the expanded Greek list of David's sons.
ΝαφεκNapheknominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΝαφεκ: indeclinable; a second occurrence of the name Nepheg in this conflate roster.
ΙαναθαIanathanominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙαναθα: indeclinable name in the expanded Greek list of David's sons.
ΛεασαμυςLeasamysnominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΛεασαμυς: indeclinable name in the expanded Greek list of David's sons.
ΒααλιμαθBaalimathnominative list-item (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΒααλιμαθ: indeclinable name in the expanded Greek list of David's sons.
ΕλιφαλαθEliphalathnominative list-item (indeclinable name, closing the roster)→ participant identificationΕλιφαλαθ: indeclinable; the closing name of the expanded roster, a repeated form of Eliphelet rounding off the conflate list.
17
καὶ ἤκουσαν ἀλλόφυλοι ὅτι κέχρισται Δαυιδ βασιλεὺς ἐπὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἀνέβησαν πάντες οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι ζητεῖν τὸν Δαυιδ καὶ ἤκουσεν Δαυιδ καὶ κατέβη εἰς τὴν περιοχήν
And the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, and all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard and went down to the stronghold.
The final unit (the Philistine wars) opens. The perfect κέχρισται ('has been anointed') ties the threat to the anointing of v.3: a united, anointed Israel alarms the Philistines, who go up 'to seek David.' David's countermove — hearing and going down to the stronghold (περιοχήν) — sets the stage for the inquiry-and-victory pattern of vv.19–25.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤκουσανheardAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (with ὅτι-clause)→ constative aorist (the report reaching them)ἀκούω: 'hear / learn'; renders שָׁמַע; the Philistines' hearing of David's anointing triggers the war — a united Israel under one anointed king is a strategic threat.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistines / foreignersNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: lit. 'of another tribe / foreigner'; the LXX's standard rendering of פְּלִשְׁתִּים ('Philistines') in Samuel–Kings; the term emphasizes their alien, non-covenant status as Israel's archetypal enemy.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing object clause of ἤκουσαν)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of the report.
κέχρισταιhas been anointedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · χρίωverb of the object clause (perfect: settled state)→ resultative perfect (the abiding anointed status)χρίω (perf. pass.): 'anoint'; the perfect κέχρισται stresses the standing result — David is now and remains the anointed king; this verbal echo of v.3 (χρίουσιν) links the Philistine threat directly to David's elevation over all Israel.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject of κέχρισται (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativepredicate nominative (with κέχρισται: 'anointed as king')→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the office into which David has been anointed.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (scope of rule)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (scope of rule).
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the realm over which David is anointed king.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβησανwent upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (Philistine offensive)→ constative aorist (the military advance)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up / advance'; renders עָלָה; the standard verb for a military campaign 'going up' against an enemy; here the Philistine push into the highlands.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀλλόφυλοι)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole Philistine confederation mobilizes — a full-scale threat to the new kingdom.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀλλόφυλοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject of ἀνέβησαν→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistines'; the mobilized enemy host.
ζητεῖνto seekPres Act Inf · ζητέωinfinitive of purpose (why they went up)→ imperfective infinitive (the aim of the campaign)ζητέω: 'seek / search for'; renders בִּקֵּשׁ; the infinitive of purpose 'to seek David' — the Philistines aim to capture or kill the new king before he can consolidate.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Δαυιδ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of ζητεῖν (indeclinable, with article)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the object of the Philistine search.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (David's counter-intelligence)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; David's own hearing of the Philistine advance parallels their hearing of his anointing — the verb-echo frames the engagement as move and countermove.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέβηwent downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (David's tactical withdrawal)→ constative aoristκαταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; renders יָרַד; David's going down to the stronghold (the antonym of the Philistines' ἀνέβησαν) is a tactical positioning before he inquires of the LORD.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with περιοχήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
περιοχήνstrongholdAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the defensive position)→ object specificationπεριοχή: 'stronghold / fortress'; renders מְצוּדָה; David retires to a fortified position to regroup before engaging the Philistines.
18
καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι παραγίνονται καὶ συνέπεσαν εἰς τὴν κοιλάδα τῶν τιτάνων
And the Philistines arrive and deploy in the Valley of the Titans.
The Philistines arrive (παραγίνονται, historic present) and deploy (συνέπεσαν) in the κοιλὰς τῶν τιτάνων ('Valley of the Titans'), the LXX's rendering of the Vale of Rephaim — the broad valley southwest of Jerusalem that is the staging-ground for both Philistine assaults in this chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀλλόφυλοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistines'; the invading host now arriving in the valley.
παραγίνονταιarrivePres Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραγίνομαιmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vivid arrival)παραγίνομαι: 'arrive / come'; the historic present (as in v.1) makes the Philistine arrival immediate and vivid before the battle.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνέπεσανdeployed / spread outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · συμπίπτωmain verb (battle-deployment)→ constative aorist (the deployment)συμπίπτω: lit. 'fall together / collapse'; in this LXX military idiom 'come together / deploy / spread out (for battle)'; renders נָטַשׁ ('be spread out'); describes the Philistines fanning out across the valley floor.
εἰςin / intopreposition + accusative (place of deployment)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (place of deployment).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κοιλάδα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κοιλάδαvalleyAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationκοιλάς: 'valley / hollow / vale'; renders עֵמֶק; the broad valley that is the battlefield.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with τιτάνων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τιτάνωνTitans (Rephaim)Genitivegenitive of identification (naming the valley)→ relational specificationΤιτάν (gen. pl. τιτάνων): 'Titan'; the LXX here renders the Hebrew רְפָאִים (Rephaim) — the legendary giants/shades — with the Greek mythological term Τιτᾶνες; κοιλὰς τῶν τιτάνων = the Vale of Rephaim, the valley southwest of Jerusalem.
19
καὶ ἠρώτησεν Δαυιδ διὰ κυρίου λέγων εἰ ἀναβῶ πρὸς τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους καὶ παραδώσεις αὐτοὺς εἰς τὰς χεῖράς μου καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Δαυιδ ἀνάβαινε ὅτι παραδιδοὺς παραδώσω τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους εἰς τὰς χεῖράς σου
And David inquired through the LORD, saying, 'Shall I go up against the Philistines, and will you give them into my hands?' And the LORD said to David, 'Go up, for I will surely give the Philistines into your hands.'
David's piety is foregrounded: before fighting he inquires διὰ κυρίου ('through the LORD', i.e. by oracle). YHWH's answer is emphatic — the cognate construction παραδιδοὺς παραδώσω ('giving I will give' = 'I will surely give') is a Hebraism rendering the infinitive absolute, guaranteeing victory. This inquiry-and-assurance pattern recurs (with variation) in vv.23–24.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠρώτησενinquired / askedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐρωτάωmain verb (oracular consultation)→ constative aorist (the act of inquiry)ἐρωτάω: 'ask / inquire'; renders שָׁאַל; here of consulting YHWH by oracle (perhaps the ephod, cf. 1 Kgdms 23:9–12); David's inquiry before battle marks his dependence on the LORD.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means/agency: 'by means of the LORD')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + gen.: 'through / by means of'; διὰ κυρίου marks the LORD as the one consulted — David inquires by divine oracle, not human counsel.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of διά (the one consulted)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the source of the oracle David seeks.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of attendant speech (introducing the question)→ imperfective participle (Hebraizing speech-marker)λέγω (pres. part.): 'saying'; renders לֵאמֹר; introduces David's direct question to YHWH.
εἰwhether / shall Iinterrogative particle (introducing direct/deliberative question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if / whether'; here introducing a direct question put to the oracle ('shall I go up?'), a Hebraism (rendering interrogative הֲ) common in LXX oracle-inquiries.
ἀναβῶshall I go upAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ἀναβαίνωdeliberative subjunctive (the question)→ deliberative aorist subjunctive (seeking divine direction)ἀναβαίνω (aor. subj.): 'go up (to battle)'; the deliberative subjunctive ἀναβῶ ('am I to go up?') frames the military decision as something to be settled by YHWH's word.
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρός + acc.: here hostile, 'against'; the direction of David's proposed attack.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀλλοφύλους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλουςPhilistinesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistines'; the enemy against whom David proposes to go up.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking the second clause of the question)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παραδώσειςwill you give overFut Act Indic 2 Sg · παραδίδωμιverb of the second question-clause→ predictive future (in interrogative force)παραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver / give into the power of'; renders נָתַן (בְּיָד); the standard idiom for granting victory — 'will you deliver them into my hands?'
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of παραδώσεις→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of παραδώσεις.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the hands')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the hands').
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom: 'into my hands')→ object specificationχείρ (acc. pl. χεῖρας): 'hand'; renders יָד; 'into my hands' (εἰς τὰς χεῖράς μου) is the Hebraic idiom for delivering an enemy into one's power.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying χεῖρας)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying χεῖρας).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the divine reply)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing YHWH's answer)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the divine oracle-response to David's inquiry.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the LORD answers David's oracular question directly.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; recipient of the oracle.
ἀνάβαινεgo upPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (divine command)→ imperatival present (the granted go-ahead)ἀναβαίνω (pres. impv.): 'go up'; YHWH's affirmative answer to David's deliberative ἀναβῶ — permission and command to attack.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (grounds for the command)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; introduces the divine guarantee that grounds the command to go up.
παραδιδοὺςsurely (giving)Pres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · παραδίδωμιcognate participle (Hebraism: intensifying παραδώσω)→ intensive participle (rendering the Hebrew infinitive absolute)παραδίδωμι (pres. part.): the cognate participle παραδιδοὺς παραδώσω ('giving I will give' = 'I will surely give') calques the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute נָתֹן אֶתֵּן, expressing the certainty of the promised victory.
παραδώσωI will give overFut Act Indic 1 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb of the causal clause (divine promise)→ predictive future (guaranteed victory)παραδίδωμι (fut. 1 sg.): 'I will hand over'; with the cognate participle it forms the emphatic 'I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands' — an absolute divine guarantee.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀλλοφύλους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλουςPhilistinesAccusativedirect object of παραδώσω→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistines'; the enemy YHWH promises to deliver into David's power.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the hands')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the hands').
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom: 'into your hands')→ object specificationχείρ (acc. pl.): 'hand'; the divine answer echoes David's question-idiom ('into your hands'), confirming the victory in David's own terms.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying χεῖρας)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying χεῖρας).
20
καὶ ἦλθεν Δαυιδ ἐκ τῶν ἐπάνω διακοπῶν καὶ ἔκοψεν τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους ἐκεῖ καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ διέκοψεν κύριος τοὺς ἐχθρούς μου τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους ἐνώπιον ἐμοῦ ὡς διακόπτεται ὕδατα διὰ τοῦτο ἐκλήθη τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τόπου ἐκείνου ἐπάνω διακοπῶν
And David came from the upper Breakings-Through and struck the Philistines there, and David said, 'The LORD has broken through my enemies, the Philistines, before me, as water is broken through.' Therefore the name of that place was called Upper Breakings-Through.
The first victory and its aetiology. David strikes (ἔκοψεν) the Philistines, then interprets the rout with the verb διέκοψεν ('the LORD broke through') and the simile ὡς διακόπτεται ὕδατα ('as water breaks through'). The wordplay grounds the place-name ἐπάνω διακοπῶν ('Breakings-Through') — the LXX's rendering of the Hebrew בַּעַל פְּרָצִים (Baal-perazim, 'Lord/Master of breakings-through').
Word-by-word analysis· 37 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 (David's advance to battle)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; renders בּוֹא; David advances to the engagement-point obeying the divine command of v.19.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source/place)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source/place).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with διακοπῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπάνωupper / aboveadverb/improper preposition (modifying διακοπῶν: 'the upper breaches')→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνω: 'above / upper'; here functioning attributively within the place-name τῶν ἐπάνω διακοπῶν ('the upper Breakings-Through'), the LXX's name for the site (Baal-perazim).
διακοπῶνBreakings-ThroughGenitivegenitive of place (the place-name)→ relational specificationδιακοπή (gen. pl. διακοπῶν): 'a cutting/breaking through / breach'; the LXX renders the place-name בַּעַל פְּרָצִים (Baal-perazim) etymologically as '(place of) breakings-through', drawing out the פרץ ('break through') root that the aetiology exploits.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔκοψενstruck / cut downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κόπτωmain verb (the defeat of the Philistines)→ constative aorist (the victory)κόπτω: 'cut / strike / smite down'; renders נָכָה; David's striking of the Philistines fulfills the divine promise of v.19.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀλλοφύλους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλουςPhilistinesAccusativedirect object of ἔκοψεν→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistines'; the defeated enemy.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; locates the rout at the site that will be named for it.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing David's saying)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (David's interpretive declaration)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces David's theological interpretation of the victory.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
διέκοψενbroke throughAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διακόπτωmain verb of David's saying (theological interpretation)→ constative aorist (the LORD's decisive act)διακόπτω: 'cut through / break through / breach'; renders פָּרַץ; David credits the victory to YHWH ('the LORD broke through my enemies'); the verb is cognate with διακοπή/διακοπῶν, generating the aetiology of the place-name.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of διέκοψεν (the true victor)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; David ascribes the breakthrough to YHWH, not to his own arms.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἐχθρούς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθρούςenemiesAccusativedirect object of διέκοψεν→ object specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy / hostile'; renders אוֹיֵב; 'my enemies', here apposed to 'the Philistines.'
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ἐχθρούς)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ἐχθρούς).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀλλοφύλους, in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλουςPhilistinesAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ἐχθρούς ('my enemies, the Philistines')→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistines'; epexegetical apposition identifying 'my enemies' as the Philistines.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in front of'; Hebraism rendering לִפְנֵי; 'before me' — the LORD shattered the enemy in David's very sight.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον (emphatic pronoun)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. ἐμοῦ): the emphatic genitive 'before me', stressing that David witnessed YHWH's victory firsthand.
ὡςas / likecomparative particle (introducing simile)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; introduces the simile comparing the rout to a bursting flood of water.
διακόπτεταιis broken throughPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · διακόπτωverb of the simile-clause (passive)→ gnomic present passive (a general truth)διακόπτω (pres. pass.): 'be broken/burst through'; the simile 'as water bursts through (a barrier)' pictures the irresistible, flooding force with which YHWH shattered the Philistine line; the cognate verb again echoes the place-name.
ὕδαταwatersNominativesubject of διακόπτεται (the simile-image)→ participant prominenceὕδωρ (pl. ὕδατα): 'water'; renders מַיִם; the image of bursting floodwaters conveys the overwhelming, breaching power of the divine victory.
διὰbecause of / thereforepreposition + accusative (in idiom διὰ τοῦτο: 'therefore')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + acc.: in διὰ τοῦτο ('therefore') introducing the aetiological naming of the site.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (object of διά, in idiom 'therefore')→ participant referenceοὗτος (n. τοῦτο): points back to the breakthrough-victory as the cause of the place-name.
ἐκλήθηwas calledAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (aetiological naming, passive)→ constative aorist passiveκαλέω (aor. pass.): 'be called / named'; the standard aetiological formula 'the name of that place was called...', explaining the origin of the toponym.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with ὄνομα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of ἐκλήθη→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; renders שֵׁם; the place-name derived from the event.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with τόπου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπουplaceGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ὄνομα: 'name of the place')→ relational specificationτόπος: 'place / location'; renders מָקוֹם; the site of the victory, now named for it.
ἐκείνουthatGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying τόπου)→ relational specificationἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the remote demonstrative specifies the battle-site.
ἐπάνωUpperadverb/improper preposition (part of the conferred place-name)→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνω: 'above / upper'; the first element of the conferred name ἐπάνω διακοπῶν ('Upper Breakings-Through'), the LXX's etymologizing equivalent of Baal-perazim.
διακοπῶνBreakings-ThroughGenitivegenitive (the conferred place-name)→ relational specificationδιακοπή (gen. pl.): 'breaking-through / breach'; the conferred name commemorates the LORD's διακοπή (breakthrough) of the enemy, etymologizing the Hebrew Baal-perazim.
21
καὶ καταλιμπάνουσιν ἐκεῖ τοὺς θεοὺς αὐτῶν καὶ ἐλάβοσαν αὐτοὺς Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες οἱ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ
And they leave their gods there, and David and the men who were with him took them.
The rout's aftermath: the fleeing Philistines abandon their gods (τοὺς θεοὺς αὐτῶν) on the field, and David's men carry them off — a sign of the utter defeat of the Philistine deities by YHWH. The historic present καταλιμπάνουσιν heightens the scene; the parallel passage in 1 Chr 14:12 adds that David burned the idols.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταλιμπάνουσινleave behindPres Act Indic 3 Pl · καταλιμπάνωmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vivid)καταλιμπάνω (late form of καταλείπω): 'leave behind / abandon'; the fleeing Philistines abandon their idols on the field — the historic present makes the abandonment vivid.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; on the battlefield where they were routed.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with θεούς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοὺςgods / idolsAccusativedirect object of καταλιμπάνουσιν→ object specificationθεός (acc. pl. θεούς): 'god'; here the Philistines' idols (their carried battle-standards or images, cf. the ark-narratives); their abandonment signals the impotence of pagan deities before YHWH.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεούς)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεούς).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάβοσανtook / carried offAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (David's men seize the idols)→ constative aorist (the act of seizure)λαμβάνω: 'take / seize / carry off'; the Hellenistic third-plural ending -οσαν (ἐλάβοσαν for ἔλαβον) is characteristic of LXX morphology; David's men carry off the captured idols as spoil.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐλάβοσαν (the abandoned idols)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): 'them'; refers to the abandoned θεοί — masculine because θεούς is masculine.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject of ἐλάβοσαν (indeclinable, first of compound subject)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the lead subject, with his men.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining compound subject)→ 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.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (second member of compound subject)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): 'man / warrior'; David's troops who shared in the victory and the spoil.
οἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantivizing the prepositional phrase μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: the article οἱ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ('those with him') substantivizes the prepositional phrase as an attributive — 'the men, the ones with him.'
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with'; defines the men as David's companions in arms.
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.
22
καὶ προσέθεντο ἔτι ἀλλόφυλοι τοῦ ἀναβῆναι καὶ συνέπεσαν ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι τῶν τιτάνων
And the Philistines proceeded yet again to come up, and they deployed in the Valley of the Titans.
The second Philistine campaign opens with the Hebraizing idiom προσέθεντο … τοῦ ἀναβῆναι ('they added to go up' = 'they came up again'), the LXX's calque of יָסַף + infinitive for repeated action. They again deploy (συνέπεσαν) in the same Vale of Rephaim, setting up the second inquiry and the different tactic YHWH will command.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσέθεντοproceeded again / addedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · προστίθημιmain verb (with epexegetic infinitive: 'proceeded to')→ constative aorist (the renewed attempt)προστίθημι (mid. προστίθεμαι): 'add / proceed / do again'; the construction προσέθεντο τοῦ ἀναβῆναι ('they added to go up') is a Hebraism rendering יָסַף + infinitive, expressing repetition: 'they came up once more.'
ἔτιyet / againadverb (repetition: 'again')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / again'; reinforces the repetition already implied by προσέθεντο — a second Philistine offensive.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistines'; the same enemy renewing the war after the first defeat.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle (with infinitive ἀναβῆναι, genitive of the epexegetic infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναβῆναιto come upAor Act Inf · ἀναβαίνωarticular (genitive) infinitive (complementing προσέθεντο)→ aorist infinitive (the renewed advance)ἀναβαίνω (aor. inf.): 'go up (to war)'; the genitive articular infinitive τοῦ ἀναβῆναι completes προσέθεντο in the Hebraizing 'proceed to come up' idiom.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνέπεσανdeployed / spread outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · συμπίπτωmain verb (second deployment)→ constative aoristσυμπίπτω: 'deploy / spread out (for battle)'; renders נָטַשׁ; the same verb as v.18, marking the renewed deployment in the familiar valley.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place of deployment)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place of deployment).
τῇtheDativearticle (with κοιλάδι)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κοιλάδιvalleyDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceκοιλάς: 'valley / vale'; renders עֵמֶק; the same battlefield as the first engagement (v.18), here in the dative with ἐν.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with τιτάνων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τιτάνωνTitans (Rephaim)Genitivegenitive of identification (naming the valley)→ relational specificationΤιτάν (gen. pl. τιτάνων): the LXX's rendering of רְפָאִים (Rephaim) by the Greek 'Titans'; κοιλὰς τῶν τιτάνων = the Vale of Rephaim (cf. v.18).
23
καὶ ἐπηρώτησεν Δαυιδ διὰ κυρίου καὶ εἶπεν κύριος οὐκ ἀναβήσει εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτῶν ἀποστρέφου ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ παρέσει αὐτοῖς πλησίον τοῦ κλαυθμῶνος
And David inquired through the LORD, and the LORD said, 'You shall not go up to meet them; turn away from them, and you shall come upon them near the place of weeping.'
Again David inquires διὰ κυρίου (ἐπηρώτησεν, the compound emphasizing the formal consultation). This time the answer differs: not a frontal assault but a flanking maneuver — turn away (ἀποστρέφου), come upon them from behind (παρέσει αὐτοῖς) near the κλαυθμών ('place of weeping', i.e. the balsam grove). David's repeated inquiry shows that past victory does not make him presume on YHWH's method.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπηρώτησενinquiredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπερωτάωmain verb (oracular consultation)→ constative aoristἐπερωτάω: 'ask / inquire (of)'; the compound (intensive of ἐρωτάω, v.19) renders שָׁאַל; David formally consults YHWH again before the second engagement, refusing to presume on the first victory's method.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means: 'by the LORD')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + gen.: 'through / by means of'; διὰ κυρίου marks the LORD as the consulted oracle (cf. v.19).
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of διά (the one consulted)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the source of the oracle.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing divine reply)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing YHWH's answer)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the LORD's tactical directive.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the divine strategist directing the battle.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἀναβήσει)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: 'not'; the prohibition of a frontal assault — unlike v.19, the LORD here forbids the direct attack.
ἀναβήσειyou shall go upFut Indic 2 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (prohibitive future: 'you shall not go up')→ prohibitive future (divine directive)ἀναβαίνω (fut. 2 sg., form ἀναβήσει for ἀναβήσῃ): 'go up'; the future with οὐκ functions as a prohibition — David is not to mount a direct frontal advance this time.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (purpose/direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose/direction).
συνάντησινmeeting / encounterAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom: 'to meet them')→ object specificationσυνάντησις: 'meeting / encounter'; εἰς συνάντησιν ('to meet', rendering לִקְרַאת) here in a military sense — David is not to advance to meet/engage the enemy head-on.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive (objective, with συνάντησιν: 'meeting of/with them')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (objective, with συνάντησιν: 'meeting of/with them').
ἀποστρέφουturn awayPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (command: flanking maneuver)→ imperatival present (the commanded movement)ἀποστρέφω (mid. ἀποστρέφομαι): 'turn away / turn back'; the middle imperative directs David to wheel away from a direct approach and circle around — the basis of the flanking tactic.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from / away from'; ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν = 'away from them', specifying the turning-away from the enemy's front.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἀπό.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρέσειyou shall come upon / be presentFut Indic 2 Sg · πάρειμιmain verb (the flanking approach)→ predictive future (the commanded result)πάρειμι (fut. 2 sg., form παρέσει): 'be present / come upon / be at hand'; here of David's coming upon the enemy from behind near the balsam grove — the surprise attack from the rear.
αὐτοῖςthem / upon themDativedative (with παρέσει: 'be present to / come upon them')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. pl. αὐτοῖς): the dative complement of πάρειμι — David is to be present 'upon them' (the Philistines), i.e. fall on their rear.
πλησίονnearimproper preposition + genitive (proximity: 'near')→ spatial or relational framingπλησίον: 'near / close to'; here an improper preposition with the genitive ('near the place of weeping'), locating the point of the flanking attack.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with κλαυθμῶνος)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κλαυθμῶνοςplace of weepingGenitivegenitive object of πλησίον (the landmark)→ relational specificationκλαυθμών: 'place of weeping / wailing'; the LXX renders the Hebrew בְּכָאִים (the balsam/baca trees, 2 Sam 5:23) by association with בָּכָה ('weep'), reading the tree-name as 'weeping(-place)'; it serves as the geographic landmark for the ambush.
24
καὶ ἔσται ἐν τῷ ἀκοῦσαί σε τὴν φωνὴν τοῦ συγκλεισμοῦ τοῦ ἄλσους τοῦ κλαυθμῶνος τότε καταβήσει πρὸς αὐτούς ὅτι τότε ἐξελεύσεται κύριος ἔμπροσθέν σου κόπτειν ἐν τῷ πολέμῳ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων
And it shall be, when you hear the sound of the closing-in in the grove of the place of weeping, then you shall go down upon them, for then the LORD will have gone out before you to strike in the battle of the Philistines.
The oracle gives the precise signal: when David hears the φωνὴ τοῦ συγκλεισμοῦ ('the sound of the closing-in/marching') in the balsam grove, that is his cue to attack (τότε καταβήσει). The theological ground (ὅτι, 'for') is decisive: κύριος ἐξελεύσεται ἔμπροσθέν σου ('the LORD will go out before you') — YHWH himself marches as Israel's vanguard, the sound in the trees being the tread of the divine army.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (apodosis-introducing 'and it shall come to pass')→ predictive future (temporal-condition frame)εἰμί (fut. 3 sg.): 'be'; καὶ ἔσται ('and it shall be / come to pass') is the LXX's standard rendering of וְהָיָה, a frame opening a temporal-conditional construction ('when... then...').
ἐνwhenpreposition + articular infinitive (temporal: 'when')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + articular infinitive: temporal ('when / while'), rendering the Hebrew בְּ + infinitive construct.
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive ἀκοῦσαι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀκοῦσαίto hear / hearingAor Act Inf · ἀκούωarticular infinitive (temporal clause: 'when you hear')→ aorist infinitive (the moment of hearing)ἀκούω (aor. inf.): 'hear'; the articular infinitive ἐν τῷ ἀκοῦσαί σε ('when you hear') marks the precise signal-moment for the attack.
σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σε): accusative-subject of the infinitive ('when you hear').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with φωνήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνὴνsound / voiceAccusativedirect object of ἀκοῦσαι→ object specificationφωνή: 'sound / voice / noise'; renders קוֹל; the 'sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees' (cf. MT) is the audible sign of YHWH's advancing host.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with συγκλεισμοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συγκλεισμοῦclosing-in / marchingGenitivegenitive of source/content (with φωνήν: 'sound of the closing-in')→ relational specificationσυγκλεισμός: 'a shutting/closing in'; here the LXX's rendering for the sound (of marching/rustling) that signals the converging movement; the term evokes the closing-in of the divine army through the grove.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with ἄλσους)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄλσουςgroveGenitivegenitive of place (with συγκλεισμοῦ: 'in the grove')→ relational specificationἄλσος: 'grove / wood / sacred grove'; here the balsam grove (the בְּכָאִים) where the sound is heard; the genitive locates the signal.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with κλαυθμῶνος)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κλαυθμῶνοςplace of weepingGenitivegenitive of identification (defining the grove)→ relational specificationκλαυθμών: 'place of weeping'; the same landmark as v.23; 'the grove of the place of weeping' identifies the spot precisely, etymologizing the balsam/baca grove.
τότεthenadverb of time (apodosis-marker: 'then')→ adverbial qualificationτότε: 'then / at that time'; the temporal correlative answering the 'when' clause — the signal triggers the attack.
καταβήσειyou shall go downFut Indic 2 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (the commanded attack)→ predictive/mandatory future (the directive)καταβαίνω (fut. 2 sg., form καταβήσει for καταβήσῃ): 'go down / descend (to attack)'; on hearing the signal, David is to descend upon the Philistines.
πρὸςupon / againstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρός + acc.: here hostile, 'against / upon'; the direction of the descending attack.
αὐτούςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the Philistines)→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (the Philistines).
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (grounds for the timing)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; introduces the theological reason the signal is decisive — the LORD goes out first.
τότεthen / at that timeadverb of time (within causal clause)→ adverbial qualificationτότε: 'then'; the repeated τότε ties David's descent precisely to the moment YHWH advances.
ἐξελεύσεταιwill go out / will have gone outFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιverb of the causal clause (divine vanguard)→ predictive future (YHWH's prior advance)ἐξέρχομαι (fut. mid.): 'go out / march out'; the LORD's 'going out before you' (ἐξελεύσεται ἔμπροσθέν σου) is the divine-warrior motif — YHWH marches at the head of Israel's army (cf. Judg 4:14; Ps 67:8 LXX).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐξελεύσεται (the divine warrior)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the divine warrior who leads the assault; the rustling in the grove is the sound of his march.
ἔμπροσθένbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (in front of)→ spatial or relational framingἔμπροσθεν: 'before / in front of'; renders לִפְנֵי; ἔμπροσθέν σου ('before you') casts YHWH as the vanguard going ahead of David into battle.
σουyouGenitivegenitive object of ἔμπροσθεν→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἔμπροσθεν.
κόπτεινto strike / smitePres Act Inf · κόπτωinfinitive of purpose (why the LORD goes out)→ imperfective infinitive (the purpose of the divine march)κόπτω (pres. inf.): 'strike / cut down / smite'; the infinitive of purpose — YHWH goes out 'to strike' the Philistines; the same verb used of David's striking in v.20, now of the LORD himself.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere: 'in the battle')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: 'in the battle').
τῷtheDativearticle (with πολέμῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πολέμῳbattle / warDativedative of sphere (with ἐν: 'in the battle')→ sphere or referenceπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; renders מִלְחָמָה; the sphere of the LORD's striking — the engagement against the Philistines.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistinesGenitivegenitive (with πολέμῳ: 'the battle of/against the Philistines')→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος (gen. pl. ἀλλοφύλων): 'Philistines'; the enemy in this divinely-led battle.
25
καὶ ἐποίησεν Δαυιδ καθὼς ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ κύριος καὶ ἐπάταξεν τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους ἀπὸ Γαβαων ἕως τῆς γῆς Γαζηρα
And David did just as the LORD commanded him, and he struck the Philistines from Gabaon as far as the land of Gezer.
The chapter closes on the note of exact obedience: David did καθὼς ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ κύριος ('just as the LORD commanded him'). The result is a sweeping rout, traced geographically ἀπὸ Γαβαων ἕως … Γαζηρα ('from Gabaon to Gezer') — a merism marking the full extent of the Philistine defeat and the security of David's kingdom.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησενdid / actedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (David's obedience)→ constative aorist (the act of obedience)ποιέω: 'do / make / act'; renders עָשָׂה; 'David did just as the LORD commanded' is the obedience-formula sealing the inquiry-and-command sequence.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable.
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunction (introducing the standard of obedience)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθώς: 'just as / according as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; introduces the divine command as the exact measure of David's action.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of the comparative clause (the divine command)→ constative aorist (the issued command)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / give orders / charge'; renders צִוָּה; the LORD's directive of vv.23–24, which David now executes precisely.
αὐτῷhimDativedative indirect object of ἐνετείλατο (the one commanded)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object of ἐνετείλατο (the one commanded).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐνετείλατο (the commander)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the one whose command David obeys.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξενstruck / smoteAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (the decisive defeat)→ constative aorist (the victory)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite / defeat'; renders נָכָה; the standard verb for inflicting military defeat; David's striking of the Philistines is the fruit of obedience and the LORD's vanguard-presence.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀλλοφύλους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλουςPhilistinesAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξεν→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistines'; the decisively defeated enemy.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (starting point of the merism)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; the construction ἀπὸ … ἕως ('from ... to') is a merism marking the full geographic sweep of the rout.
ΓαβαωνGabaon (Gibeon)genitive object of ἀπό (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓαβαων: transliteration of Hebrew גֶּבַע / גִּבְעוֹן; indeclinable; the starting point of the pursuit (MT 2 Sam 5:25 reads Geba; the LXX reads Gabaon/Gibeon).
ἕωςas far as / topreposition + genitive (end-point of the merism)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; marks the far limit of the pursuit — the chase ran the whole length to Gezer.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (with the place-name)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land / territory'; ἕως τῆς γῆς Γαζηρα ('to the land of Gezer') marks the western limit of the rout, deep toward the Philistine coastal plain.
ΓαζηραGezergenitive of identification (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓαζηρα: transliteration of Hebrew גֶּזֶר (Gezer); indeclinable; the strategic city on the edge of the Philistine plain — the rout reached its very approaches, marking the completeness of David's victory.