1 Samuel 24

“And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of 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 he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men…” Naming David and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver 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 it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch…” The line’s distinctive content terms include anointed, LORD, forbid. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul…” Naming David and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?” 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.

“Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some…” The line’s distinctive content terms include hand, LORD, anointed. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and…” Naming Moreover keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.” 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.

“The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine…” The line’s distinctive content terms include judge, cause, deliver. Its relationship to verses 14 and 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee…” Naming David and Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into…” The line’s distinctive content terms include dealt, delivered, forasmuch. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done…” 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 now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD , that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy…” 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.

“And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.” 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.