| 28. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the vav-consecutive imperfect vayeshev {וַיֵּ֧שֶׁב | way-yē-šeb} ‘and he dwelt’, establishing sequential narrative. The subject Absalom is followed by the locative phrase biyerushalayim {בִּירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם | bî-rû-šā-lā-yim} ‘in Jerusalem.’ The duration expression shenatayim yamim {שְׁנָתַיִם יָמִים | šə-nā-tā-yim yā-mîm} ‘two years’ combines a dual absolute with a plural noun for emphasis on full span. The construct upnei hammelekh {וּפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ | ū-pə-nê ham-me-lekh} ‘the face of the king’ conveys audience, and the negative clause lo raah {לֹ֥א רָאָֽה | lōʾ rā-ʾāh} denies that access. English SVO sequencing preserves Absalom’s prolonged residence and estrangement from royal presence. |