1 Samuel 24:8
וַיְשַׁסַּ֨ע דָּוִ֤ד אֶת־אֲנָשָׁיו֙ בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים וְלֹ֥א נְתָנָ֖ם לָק֣וּם אֶל־שָׁא֑וּל וְשָׁא֛וּל קָ֥ם מֵהַמְּעָרָ֖ה וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ בַּדָּֽרֶךְ׃
Forceful Speech: וַיְשַׁסַּ֨ע
The verb וַיְשַׁסַּ֨ע is a Piel wayyiqtol 3ms form from the root שׁ־ס־ע (“to tear apart,” “to dissuade violently”). In this context, it means that David “rebuked” or “restrained forcefully” his men. The Piel stem intensifies the action, conveying not mere speech but emphatic, possibly harsh dissuasion. The use of the intensive stem shows David’s authority and urgency to prevent harm to Saul.
Direct Object Marking: אֶת־אֲנָשָׁיו
אֶת־אֲנָשָׁיו (“his men”) is introduced with the direct object marker אֶת, standard in Hebrew for definite direct objects. אֲנָשָׁיו is a construct plural noun (“men of him”), showing possession. This grammatical link between David and his men underlines the personal responsibility David bears for their actions.
Speech Means: בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים
The phrase בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים (“with words”) explains the method of David’s restraint — through verbal persuasion rather than physical force. The preposition בְּ (“by, with”) combined with the plural noun דְּבָרִים (“words, matters”) indicates that speech alone controlled the potential outbreak of violence.
Negative Permission: וְלֹ֥א נְתָנָ֖ם
וְלֹ֥א נְתָנָ֖ם (“and he did not allow them”) uses a Qal wayyiqtol 3ms of נ־ת־ן (“to give, allow”). The verb is negated by לֹא. The suffix ־ם indicates third person plural (“them”), referring again to David’s men. The phrase asserts David’s active prevention — he did not permit his men even the first move against Saul.
Change of Action: וְשָׁאוּל קָ֥ם… וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ
Now the narrative shifts to Saul. קָ֥ם (“he arose”) is a Qal perfect 3ms from ק־ו־ם (“to rise, get up”), signaling completed action. וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ (“and he went”) is a Qal wayyiqtol 3ms of י־ל־ךְ (“to go, walk”). Together, these verbs show Saul exiting the cave unaware, while David exercises mercy behind the scenes. The phrase בַּדָּֽרֶךְ (“on the way”) confirms Saul’s return to normal activities, heightening the drama of his deliverance.
Parsing Table: Key Verbs in 1 Samuel 24:8
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| וַיְשַׁסַּע | שׁ־ס־ע | Piel wayyiqtol (3ms) | “He forcefully restrained” |
| נְתָנָם | נ־ת־ן | Qal wayyiqtol (3ms + 3mp suffix) | “He did not allow them” |
| קָם | ק־ו־ם | Qal perfect (3ms) | “He rose” — completed action |
| וַיֵּלֶךְ | י־ל־ךְ | Qal wayyiqtol (3ms) | “He went” — sequential narrative |
The Grammar of Mercy
In this dramatic moment, grammar enhances the emotional and moral weight of David’s choice. Intensive verbs show restraint, not attack; sequential verbs narrate Saul’s oblivious return to the world. By analyzing the tenses, stems, and structure of the passage, we see that David’s mercy is not merely ethical — it is linguistically encoded into the very fabric of the story. In Biblical Hebrew, actions of the heart leave grammatical footprints.
