| 33. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the vav-consecutive perfect vayetal {וַיְטַל | way·yə·ṭal} ‘and he hurled,’ signaling narrative progression. The direct object marker ’et-chanito {אֶת־חֲנִיתוֹ | ’et-ḥa·ni·ṯô·w} ‘his spear’ highlights the instrument, followed by the goal phrase ’al-Yonatan {עַל־יוֹנָתָן | ’al-yō·nā·ṯān} ‘at Jonathan.’ The Qal infinitive construct lenagoa’ {לְנַגֹּעַ | lə·nag·gō·a‘} ‘to strike’ governs the pronominal suffix bo {בּוֹ | bô} ‘him,’ expressing purpose. The narrative resumes with the vav-consecutive perfect wayyada‘ {וַיָּדַע | way·yā·ḏa‘} ‘and he knew,’ introducing a result clause. The complement clause ki-chafetz-aviv-lamut-et-David {כִּי־חָפֵץ אָבִיו לָמוּת אֶת־דָּוִד | kî-ḥā·pheṣ ’ā·ḇî lā·mût ’et-dā·wîḏ} merges the conjunction ki ‘that,’ the perfect verb chafetz ‘desired,’ the pronominalized subject aviv ‘his father,’ and the infinitive lamut ‘to put to death’ with ’et marking the accusative. The syntax links Saul’s aggressive act to Jonathan’s realization of his father’s lethal intent. |