1 Kings 18

“And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.” Naming Ahab and Elijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:” Naming Obadiah and Ahab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD , that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may…” Naming Ahab and Obadiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that…” 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.

“And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.” Naming Elijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay 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.

“As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.” Naming Elijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD , how I hid an hundred men of the LORD’s…” 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.

“And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.” Naming Elijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the…” Naming Baalim and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him…” 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.

“Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD ; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD : and the God that answereth by fire…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even…” Naming Baal keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon…” The line’s distinctive content terms include aloud, blood, cried. Its relationship to verses 27 and 29 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the…” Naming Come and Elijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD : and he made a trench about the altar, as great as…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did…” The line’s distinctive content terms include time, second, third. Its relationship to verses 33 and 35 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.” The line’s distinctive content terms include water, altar, filled. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Hear me, O LORD , hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart…” Naming Hear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and…” The line’s distinctive content terms include burnt, consumed, dust. Its relationship to verses 37 and 39 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD , he is the God; the LORD , he is…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.” Naming Ahab and Elijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.” Naming Ahab and Elijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.