| 7. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with vayomer {וַיֹּ֣אמֶר | way-yō-ʾǎ-mer}, using the vav-consecutive to continue the narrative. Direct address is effected by shim‘u-na {שִׁמְעוּ־נָא | šim-ʿū-nā}, combining a plural imperative with the entreaty particle na for urgent appeal. The phrase benei yemin {בְּנֵי יְמִינִי | bə-nê ye-mi-nî}, “sons of Benjamin,” serves as an ethnic designation and underscores tribal loyalty. The series of rhetorical questions employ the imperfect verbs yitten {יִתֵּן | yit-tên} and yasim {יָשִׂם | yā-sîm} to project hypothetical doubt concerning ben-yishai {בֶּן־יִשַׁי | ben-yi-šāy} and his distribution of property (sadot u-kramim {שָׂדוֹת וּכְרָמִים | sā-dōt ū-kə-rā-mîm}) and rank (sarei alafim ve-sarei me’ot {שָׂרֵי אֲלָפִים וְשָׂרֵי מֵאוֹת | ṣā-rê ’ǎ-lā-p̄îm wə-ṣā-rê mê-’ōṯ}). The repetition of lə-kul-le-kem highlights Saul’s emphasis, and the asyndetic coordination heightens the incredulity of his challenge. |