| 2. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative action begins with the vav consecutive wayyiqra {וַיִּקְרָא | wayyiqrā}, marking the king’s summons. Lagivonim {לַגִּבְעֹנִים | lagivʿōnîm} functions as the indirect object. The adversative conjunction ki im-miyter {כִּי אִם־מִיֶּתֶר | kî ʼim-miyyéter} introduces a conditional clarification of ethnic origin. The perfect nishbēʿû {נִשְׁבְּעוּ | nishbēʿû} indicates a completed oath. Saul’s motive clause beqanato libnei-yisrael veyhuda {בְּקַנֹּאתוֹ לִבְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוּדָה | bəqanʿātô libbenê yiśrāʾēl wiyyəhûdāh} employs a noun in construct plus suffix to express zeal, with the Hiphil infinitive lehakkōtem {לְהַכֹּתָם | lehakkōtem} denoting intent to execute. |