1 Kings 9

“And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD , and the king’s house, and all…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.” Naming Gibeon and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall…” 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 they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of…” 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 at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the LORD , and the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“(Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not.” Naming Hiram and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said, What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul unto…” 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 Hiram sent to the king sixscore talents of gold.” Naming Hiram keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD , and his own house…” Naming Gezer and Hazor keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Solomon built Gezer, and Beth-horon the nether,” Naming Beth and Gezer keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land,” Naming Baalath and Tadmor keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which…” Naming Solomon and Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the…” Naming Amorites and Hittites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to…” Naming Israel and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his…” Naming Israel and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon’s work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the…” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But Pharaoh’s daughter came up out of the city of David unto her house which Solomon had built for her: then did he…” Naming David and Millo keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Ezion-geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land…” Naming Edom and Eloth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.” Naming Hiram and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.