| 40. Linguistic Exegesis The verse employs a chain of vav-consecutive clauses (way-yiqqāḥ {וַיִּקַּ֨ח | way-yiqqāḥ} “and he took,” way-yibḥar-lehō {וַיִּבְחַר־ל֣וֹ | way-yibḥar-lehō} “and he chose,” way-yāsem {וַיָּ֣שֶׂם | way-yāsem} “and he put,” way-yiggaš {וַיִּגַּ֖שׁ | way-yiggaš} “and he approached”) that drive the narrative forward. Construct chains such as ḥallūqê-ʾăḇānîm {חֲלֻּקֵי־אֲבָנִ֣ים | ḥallūqê-ʾăḇānîm} “smooth stones” and bə-kəlî hā-rō‘îm {בִּכְלִ֨י הָרֹעִ֧ים | bə-kəlî hā-rō‘îm} “shepherds’ pouch” detail David’s preparation. The alternation of items in hand underscores his readiness, and the prepositional phrase ’el-ha-pəlīštî {אֶל־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּֽי | ’el-ha-pəlīštî} shifts attention to the Philistine adversary. |