2 Chronicles 7

“Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the…” Naming Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD , because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s…” The line’s distinctive content terms include house, LORD, enter. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD .” The line’s distinctive content terms include king, LORD, offered. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD , which David the…” Naming David and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD : for there he offered burnt…” Naming Solomon and Moreover keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD , and the king’s house: and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in…” Naming Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to…” Naming Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence…” The line’s distinctive content terms include command, devour, heaven. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified…” The line’s distinctive content terms include byword, house, land. Its relationship to verses 19 and 21 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why…” 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 it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.