1 Kings 2

“Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;” The line’s distinctive content terms include earth, shew, strong. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.” The line’s distinctive content terms include grave, head, hoar. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so…” Naming Absalom and Barzillai keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his…” The line’s distinctive content terms include blood, grave, guiltless. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three…” The number forty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.” Naming David and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, Comest thou peaceably? And he…” 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.

“He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on.” Naming Say keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign…” Naming Israel and Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And now I ask one petition of thee, deny me not. And she said unto him, Say on.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me Abishag the…” Naming Abishag and Shunammite keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king.” Naming Bath and Well keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Bath-sheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and…” Naming Adonijah and Bath keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then she said, I desire one small petition of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay. And the king said unto her, Ask on…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.” Naming Abishag and Adonijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for…” 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 king Solomon sware by the LORD , saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.” Naming Benaiah and Jehoiada keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death…” Naming Abiathar and Anathoth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD ; that he might fulfil the word of the LORD , which he…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto…” Naming Joab and Absalom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD ; and, behold, he is by the altar…” Naming Solomon and Benaiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the LORD , and said unto him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, Nay…” Naming Benaiah and Come keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the…” Naming Joab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever: but upon David, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the…” Naming Abiathar and Benaiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go…” Naming Build and Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei…” Naming Shimei and Jerusalem 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 the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Maachah…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought…” Naming Gath and Shimei keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again.” Naming Gath and Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD , and protested…” 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.

“Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD , and the commandment that I have charged thee with?” 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.

“The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And king Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.