1 Samuel 10

“Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath…” 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.

“When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at…” 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 shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another…” The verse names Spirit rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to…” 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 was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs…” Naming Samuel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him…” The verse names God and Spirit rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also…” 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 when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.” The line’s distinctive content terms include high, place, prophesying. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Saul’s uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw…” 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 Saul’s uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.” Naming Samuel and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof…” Naming Samuel and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;” Naming Mizpeh and Samuel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and…” Naming Israel and Egypt keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and…” Naming Nay keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.” Naming Benjamin and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the…” Naming Benjamin and Kish keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his…” The line’s distinctive content terms include people, fetched, higher. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the…” 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 Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD . And…” Naming Samuel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.” Naming Gibeah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But…” 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.