1 Kings 5

“And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of…” Naming Hiram and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,” Naming Hiram and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy…” Naming Hiram and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.” The number thirty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home…” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Beside the chief of Solomon’s officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation 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 Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to…” Naming Hiram and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.