2 Chronicles 10

“And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.” Naming Shechem and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,” Naming Israel and Jeroboam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his…” Naming Thy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying…” 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 spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they…” The line’s distinctive content terms include good, kind, people. Its relationship to verses 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with…” The line’s distinctive content terms include counsel, forsook, gave. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying…” 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 young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,” Naming Rehoboam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto…” The line’s distinctive content terms include father, advice, chastise. Its relationship to verses 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion…” 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.

“But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.” Naming Israel and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he…” Naming Rehoboam and Hadoram keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.” Naming David and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.