| 25. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the vav-consecutive Qal imperfect vayikshor {וַיִּקְשֹׁר | va-yiq-šôr} ‘and he conspired,’ introducing a clandestine action. The appositional noun phrase Pekah ben-Remalyahu with shalisho {שָׁלִישׁוֹ | šā-lî-šô} ‘his officer’ establishes rank and relationship. The Hiphil verbs vayakkehu {וַיַּכֵּהוּ | va-yaq-ḵê-hû} and vayemitehu {וַיְמִיתֵהוּ | va-yə-mi-ṯê-hû} form a sequence of lethal action, while vowim-consecutive mark the narrative progression. The locative chain be-Shomron be-arman beit-melekh frames the setting as Samaria’s royal fortress. Direct object markers et precede Argob and Arieh, indicating their role as accomplices present at the scene. The numeral construct ḥamishim ish mibnei Gileadim specifies the group’s composition. The final vayimloch {וַיִּמְלֹךְ | va-yim-lōḵ} ‘and he reigned’ underscores the swift transfer of power. |