| 16. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative employs the vav-consecutive prefix in vayetse {וַיֵּצֵ֥א | way·ye·ṣēʾ} and vayyaazov {וַיַּעֲזֹ֣ב | way·ya·‘a·zōv} to sequence actions, signaling past events. The construct kol beito {וְכָל־בֵּית֖וֹ | wə·kol·bê·ṯō} shows “all his household” grouped under royal authority, while the prepositional phrase be-raglav {בְּרַגְלָ֑יו | bə·ra·gal·āw} “on his feet” conveys urgency and humility. The repetition of hamelekh {הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ | ha·meleḵ} underscores David’s direct involvement. The infinitive lishmor {לִשְׁמֹ֥ר | liš·môr} “to guard” with ha-bayit {הַבָּֽיִת | ha·bā·yîṯ} “the house” frames the concubines’ delegated role, balancing themes of protection and abandonment. The English variants preserve Hebrew word order and thematic cohesion. |