| 1. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative begins with the vav-consecutive verb wayyədabber {וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר | wayyədabber} ‘and he spoke’, marking Saul’s directive. The coordinated prepositional phrase wə’ěl {וְאֶל־ | wə’ěl} links two recipients, Yōnāṯān {יוֹנָתָ֤ן | Yōnāṯān} and ‘ăvāḏāw {עֲבָדָ֔יו | ‘ăvāḏāw}, highlighting both his son and his servants. The infinitive construct lə-hā-mîṯ {לְהָמִ֖ית | lə-hā-mîṯ} functions as a purpose clause, with ’et {אֶת־ | ’et} marking Dāwiḏ {דָּוִ֑ד | Dāwiḏ} as the direct object. The second clause begins with wə-yōnāṯān {וִיהֽוֹנָתָן֙ | wə-yōnāṯān}, introducing Jonathan’s reaction. The Qal perfect ḥāp̄êṣ {חָפֵ֥ץ | ḥāp̄êṣ} expresses a resultant emotional state, modified by the adverb mə’ōḏ {מְאֹד | mə’ōḏ} ‘very’. This juxtaposition contrasts Saul’s hostile command with Jonathan’s affectionate response, emphasizing interfamily tension. |