| 1. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the vav-consecutive Nifal imperfect vayyivaatz {וַיִּוָּעַץ | wayyivāʿaṣ} ‘and he consulted,’ which applies to David {דָּוִד | dāwîḏ} marking narrative progression. The construct phrase sarei ha'alafim {שָׂרֵי הָאֲלָפִים | śārê hāʾălāp̄îm} ‘officers of the thousands,’ paired with the coordinated vehammeot {וְהַמֵּאוֹת | wə-hammêʾōṯ} ‘and the hundreds,’ forms a hierarchical merism. The distributive prepositional phrase le-kol nagid {לְכָל־נָגִיד | ləḵōl-nāgîḏ} ‘to every leader’ underscores inclusivity. This construct > coordination > distributive sequence highlights David’s comprehensive approach to leadership consultation. |