1 Samuel 16

“And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over…” 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 Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say…” 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 call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I…” Naming Jesse keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming…” 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 said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD : sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice…” Naming Jesse and Peaceably keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused…” Naming Look keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.” Naming Abinadab and Jesse keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.” Naming Jesse and Neither keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, 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.

“And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And…” Naming Arise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon…” Naming Samuel and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.” Naming Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.” Naming Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.” Naming Provide and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is cunning in…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.” Naming David and Jesse keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.” Naming David and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.” Naming David and Jesse keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.