1 Samuel 22

“David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house…” Naming Adullam and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee…” Naming Moab and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.” Naming David and Moab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David…” Naming David and Abide keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in…” Naming Saul and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with 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 answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to…” Naming Ahimelech and Ahitub keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.” Naming Goliath and Philistine keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were…” Naming Ahimelech and Ahitub keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.” Naming Ahitub and Hear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him…” 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 Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is 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.

“Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor…” 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 king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.” Naming Ahimelech and Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD ; because their hand…” Naming David and Turn keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the…” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and…” Naming Nob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’s priests.” Naming Abiathar and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I…” Naming Abiathar and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.” Naming Abide keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.