1 Samuel 28

“And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I…” Naming Achish and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put…” Naming Israel and Ramah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel…” Naming Gilboa and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.” Naming Philistines and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Saul enquired of the LORD , the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.” Naming Saul and Urim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of…” Naming Endor and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by…” 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 woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar…” 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 sware to her by the LORD , saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this…” 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.

“Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.” 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 the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou…” 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 unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending…” 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 unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And…” 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 to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for 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 said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine…” 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 LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD , nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was…” Naming Samuel and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed…” Naming Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bread, goest, handmaid. Its relationship to verses 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened…” The line’s distinctive content terms include arose, compelled, earth. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bake, bread, calf. Its relationship to verses 23 and 25 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that…” Naming Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.