1 Samuel 2

“And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD , mine horn is exalted in the LORD : my mouth is enlarged…” Naming Hannah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“There is none holy as the LORD : for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and…” Naming Talk keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bows, broken, girded. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bringeth, alive, grave. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.” The line’s distinctive content terms include maketh, bringeth, lifteth. Its relationship to verses 6 and 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

“He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to…” 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.

“He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.” Naming Eli and Elkanah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD .” Naming Belial and Eli keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for…” Naming Israelites and Shiloh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast…” Naming Also and Give keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth…” Naming Nay keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD : for men abhorred the offering of the LORD .” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But Samuel ministered before the LORD , being a child, girded with a linen ephod.” Naming Samuel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband…” Naming Moreover keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to…” Naming Eli and Elkanah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled…” Naming Eli and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.” 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.

“Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD’s people to transgress.” Naming Nay keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD , who shall intreat 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.

“And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD , and also with men.” Naming Samuel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD , Did I plainly appear unto the house of…” 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 did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to…” 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.

“Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy…” 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.

“Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an…” 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 man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I…” 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 shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.