1 Samuel 6

“And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months.” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD ? tell us…” 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 they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods…” 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 ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought…” 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.

“Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And take the ark of the LORD , and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a…” The line’s distinctive content terms include cart, coffer, gold. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth-shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not…” 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 men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.” The line’s distinctive content terms include cart, coffer, emerods. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the kine took the straight way to the way of Beth-shemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and…” Naming Beth and Philistines keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the…” Naming Beth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Beth-shemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they…” Naming Beth and Joshua keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD , and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and…” Naming Beth and Levites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the LORD ; for Ashdod…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of…” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he smote the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD , even he smote of the people…” The number fifty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?” 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 they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.