1 Chronicles 13

“And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.” The line’s distinctive content terms include congregation, eyes, people. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence…” Naming Baalah and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.” Naming Abinadab and Ahio keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.” Naming Chidon and Uzza keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he…” Naming Uzza keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perez-uzza to…” Naming David and Perez keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.