| 3. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative opens with vayyaqhel {וַיַּקְהֵ֥ל | wayyā-qəhēl} ‘and he assembled’, a vav-consecutive Hiphil imperfect marking sequential action. The phrase kol Yisrael {כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל | kol yiśrāʾēl} underscores total inclusion. Yerushalayim {יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם | yerûšālāyim} follows the preposition el {אֶל־ | ʾel} indicating movement toward the city. The Hiphil infinitive lehaʿalot {לְהַעֲלוֹת֙ | ləhaʿālōṯ} expresses purpose—bringing the ark upward. The construct chain aron Yahweh {אֲר֣וֹן יְהוָ֔ה | ʾārôn Yəhōwāh} links the sacred chest to the divine name. The relative clause asher hekin lo {אֲשֶׁר־הֵכִ֥ין לֽוֹ | ʾăšer hēkîn lō} highlights David’s prior provision of the site. |