Strike, Save, and Seek: How the Binyanim Build the Battle

וַיִּשְׁאַ֨ל דָּוִ֤ד בַּֽיהוָה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הַאֵלֵ֣ךְ וְהִכֵּ֔יתִי בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה ס וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־דָּוִ֗ד לֵ֚ךְ וְהִכִּ֣יתָ בַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וְהֹושַׁעְתָּ֖ אֶת־קְעִילָֽה׃ (1 Samuel 23:2)

And Dawid inquired of YHWH saying shall I go and strike down these Pelishtim and YHWH said to Dawid go and you shall strike the Pelishtim and you shall save Qeʿilah

Introduction: A Tactical Prayer in Verbal Stems

In 1 Samuel 23:2, Dawid pauses before battle. His inquiry and God’s response are framed by verbs of decision, warfare, and rescue. The binyanim in this verse give these verbs emotional tone and theological depth: from humble inquiry to aggressive assault, from obedience to salvation. Let’s examine how these stems elevate the drama of divine communication and command.

Verbs and Their Binyanim

Key verbs in this verse:

1. וַיִּשְׁאַל — “he inquired”
2. הַאֵלֵךְ — “shall I go?”
3. וְהִכֵּיתִי — “and strike them”
4. וַיֹּאמֶר — “He said”
5. לֵךְ — “go!”
6. וְהִכִּיתָ — “you shall strike”
7. וְהֹושַׁעְתָּ — “and you shall save”

Let’s break down their binyanim.

1. וַיִּשְׁאַל — Qal, Imperfect, 3ms with vav-consecutive

– Root: שָׁאַל (to ask, inquire)
– Binyan: Qal
– Form: Imperfect with narrative vav
– Voice: Active
– Function: Dawid initiates inquiry—this is a human, volitional act. Qal makes it straightforward and unembellished.
– Semantics: The directness of the Qal binyan reflects genuine humility. Dawid isn’t demanding—he’s seeking.

2. הַאֵלֵךְ — Qal, Imperfect, 1cs

– Root: הָלַךְ (to go)
– Binyan: Qal
– Form: Cohortative nuance with interrogative prefix הַ
– Function: “Shall I go?” A rhetorical verb that invites divine guidance.
– Tone: Qal matches the question’s simplicity—this is not a battle plan, just a faithful step forward.

3. וְהִכֵּיתִי — Hiphil, Perfect, 1cs

– Root: נָכָה (to strike, smite)
– Binyan: Hiphil
– Voice: Causative
– Morphology: Prefix הִ־, doubling of middle root letter
– Interpretive Insight: Dawid doesn’t say “I’ll fight” in Qal. He says וְהִכֵּיתִי—cause them to be struck. The Hiphil binyan signals decisive, military aggression with effect. This is not swinging a sword—this is wiping out.

4. וַיֹּאמֶר — Qal, Imperfect, 3ms with vav-consecutive

– Root: אָמַר (to say)
– Binyan: Qal
– Function: God responds with speech. The Qal, again, is the base voice—no coercion, no manipulation, just divine declaration.

5. לֵךְ — Qal, Imperative, 2ms

– Root: הָלַךְ (to go)
– Binyan: Qal
– Form: Imperative masculine singular
– Tone: Direct command. The simplicity of Qal matches the immediacy of divine instruction.

6. וְהִכִּיתָ — Hiphil, Perfect, 2ms

– Root: נָכָה again
– Binyan: Hiphil
– Function: Divine authorization to wage effective combat. The repetition of Hiphil from Dawid’s own words now has divine endorsement.

7. וְהֹושַׁעְתָּ — Hiphil, Perfect, 2ms

– Root: יָשַׁע (to save)
– Binyan: Hiphil
– Voice: Causative
– Form: Hiphil perfect with suffix 2ms
– Meaning: “You shall cause Qeʿilah to be saved”
– Theological Note: Salvation is not passive here. It is accomplished by divine commission, and the Hiphil reinforces this—Dawid becomes the agent of deliverance.

Strategic Binyanim Table

Divine Permission, Human Action

The grammar of this verse teaches more than syntax. Dawid begins with cautious Qal forms—asking, considering, offering. God replies with Hiphil imperatives—strike, save, go. The switch to Hiphil not only endorses the plan but empowers it.

Where Qal voices dependence, Hiphil voices divine commissioning. These binyanim don’t merely form words. They chart the relationship between prophet and King, warrior and God.

In this passage, grammar is not just detail—it is destiny.